Yamaha gets set for 2002 GP season

By GARY MORELLO

Yamaha has released some new information concerning its 2002 prototype bike - most of it very promising.

Unlike Honda, opting for a five-cylinder engine, Yamaha is sticking to the inline-four configuration.

Already, the competition should be intense as the performance of the various bikes (due to engine configuration) will vary in terms of grip, power delivery, engine brake and top speed.

Yamaha Japan said its mission was to whip up some 'Kando'. Not to be confused with candy, this Japanese word, roughly translated, means intense excitement among other things - err, okay.

Back in reality, Yamaha has codenamed the new engine OW-M1. The prototype, in-line, four-cylinder mill will use the company's well-known five-valve head design. Already Yamaha has said that the engine is lighter and more compact than the one found in the SBK-raced YZF-R7.

The engine has already been plonked into a 2001 YZR500 chassis, much to the delight of resident Yamaha speed freaks Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa. Since late last year, testing has already proved the bike has better acceleration and a higher top speed than the current YZR500.

After testing the bike, Biaggi said: "It was good to be able to test Yamaha's four-stroke so early and give feedback and direction to the development process. The bike felt good and easy to ride, although it’s a completely new style of engine and I’ll have to adapt my style to suit it.”

Does that mean there'll be lots of high-speed falls for old Maximillion? Checa was a little more inspired by the new engine: "It was very exciting to test the four-stroke and I was very impressed.

"It's really compact like the 500, but the increased engine braking and traction are quite noticeable. It handles very well and has a wide power range. It sounds good too!”

You have to get your priorities right. Carlos knows that if you can't scare grandma with your race system and tit-can, you can't do anything right.

So, there you have it. Honda has the five-cylinder powerplant and Yamaha the four-cylinder mill.

Who will command the most power? Will Doohan make a comeback? Can Suzuki, Aprilia et al compete? Will I ever stop raving? Dunno, no, yes and no. I think.