It’s arguably one of the sexiest, most stylish and technically fascinating bikes on the MotoGP grid, so we thought we'd take a closer look at it. It’s 18 years since the Ml was introduced to Yamaha’s stable (replacing the YZRS00 two-strokes for the 2002 Grand Prix season), and has since gone on to claim seven world championship titles for the Japanese manufacturer. Since its inauguration, the Ml has undergone many significant changes, becoming more potent, sophisticated and aerodynamically pleasing. The current model is ridden by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viiiales in the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Factory Tham. A lot of the specification is secret, but its cross-plane crank motor (which fires every 180" and optimises power and traction to the rear wheel) is still staple technology for the 2020 iteration, which topped the Qatar test timing sheets at the hands of Maverick. A main focus of the Ml is enhanced straight line speed, to bolster the bike’s fantastic cornering capabilities that come as a result of its aluminium Delta Box frame. Improved aerodynamics and enhanced electronics, keeping within the limitations of the control Magnetti Marelli ECU, have also been focused on. If we do eventually get racing underway in 2020, the Yamaha could prove the perfect tonic to Honda and Marc Marquez’s unprecedented reign. For Rossi’s sake, at the start of his last season as a Factory Yamaha racer, we sure do hope so.
