Yamaha reveals extent of 800cc MotoGP progress

Yamaha's annual MotoGP technical presentation, at Valencia on Friday evening, was especially significant since 2011 is the final year of the 800cc formula.

Yamaha revealed that during the five-years of 800cc racing, the M1's engine power has increased by 16%, torque by 12% and top speed (at Qatar) by 20km/h.

This is despite the introduction of engine change limits, which resulted in engine durability increasing from 600km in 2007 to 2400km for the 2010/11 seasons.

Yamaha stated that the increased durability has cut development costs by a quarter.

Fuel consumption has also been improved by 8% relative to the start of the 800cc era.

Among the conclusions at the end of the technical presentation were that:

"The lap time of the 800cc has finally reached the 990cc bike because of:
* An increase in engine power year by year.
* Progress of the engine control system.
* Tyre development.

"The regulations governing engine limitations has had a great effect in reducing development cost. This has allowed the provision of bikes to the satellite [Tech 3] team at reasonable cost."

Yamaha won three of the five 800cc world championships - two with Valentino Rossi and one with Jorge Lorenzo - and has claimed 39 victories in 88 races.

MotoGP will change to 1000cc engines, with new bore/stroke limits, for 2012. 

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