Yamaha YZF-R1 Scoops MCN Top prize

MCN Awards Yamaha No.1 Prize



An expert Panel of Judges headed by Marc Potter, the Editor of motorcycling's weekly newspaper Motor Cycle News (MCN), announced the winner of the coverted MCN Bike of the Year award, the Yamaha YZF-R1.
'It's a no-brainer' stated one of the judges, 'you simply couldn't give the award to any other bike' said another. The praise was without qualification and the decision unanimous.
It was seen as a massive gamble when Yamah launched the 2009 R1 - altering the character of Superbikes , abandoning the headline-grabbing horsepowerw war and asking riders to re-learn how to get the best from their bike. But it's worked.
The crossplane-cranked R1 was a real risk but a genuine innovation, and one that’s been rewarded with championship wins the world over. In finding a way to innovate in a class that had become conservative as it approached the limits of conventional performance, Yamaha has set a powerful example to other manufacturers – and inspired bike buyers to believe there’s life (lots of it) in the superbike class again.


  • In addition to the top honour the YZF-R1 also scooped the award for Best Sportsbike over 601cc and then to top it all ultra economical and competively priced Vity was voted best Scooter by MCN Judges.


  • Yamaha UK's Managing Director Andrew Smith said 'The MCN Awards are the real benchmark for our industry and we are delighted to scoop the 'Major' prize. This tops a fantastic year for Yamaha with us achieving number one in the market, One British and no less than 5 World Championships in 2009.With a comprehensive range of Scooters & Motorcycles available to customers moving into 2010, we feel that weare in a very strong position to capitalise on these fantaastic achievements and make a visit to a Yamaha dealer a must!'

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