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2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS Brings F1 Technology to the SxS World

Enter the 2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS, the beefed-up version of Yamaha's YXZ1000R SxS launched last year and which took the ROV world by storm.
2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS 47 photos
Photo: Yamaha
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We sort of guessed that Yamaha will deliver a souped-up version of the YXZ1000R when we saw the most recent teaser Iwata revealed, and we knew there was some electronic shifting involved because we saw no clutch pedal. However, the all-new YXZ1000R SS looks better than we expected and this is glorious.

The transmission is the pivotal change from the initial YXZ1000R, and Yamaha equipped the SS version with a Sport Shift technology inspired by Formula 1 gearboxes. Originally, the technology was used in Yamaha's sport-touring motorcycles but was refined and is not spearheading the SxS segment.

Unlike in the YXZ1000R that used a manual stick, the SS version relies on paddles mounted on the steering column for shifting gears, upshifts with the right pad, downshifts with the left one.

The central console retains a stick but it controls the Drive, Reverse, and Neutral positions. To avoid improper use, the stick has a one-second delay between engaging the corresponding mode, and the Reverse is accompanied by a buzzer.

There are two extra cool features that make the 2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS a dream machine, and the first is the fact that the driver can shift gears even at the redline. This reduces the power loss to the minimum, giving the rider an edge when it comes to competitions. The system is designed this way, so it's hard to abuse it; it's just built to deliver top performance for riding hard.

The other nifty trick is the Launch System (LS), a first in the ROV segment. Like on motorcycles, it allows the rider to make the perfect start, with full throttle and the ideal grip. Thanks to the Yamaha Chip Controlled Shift (YCC-S), the YXZ1000R SS is even viler from the very start.

"The launch system procedure is initiated when the driver pulls both paddles simultaneously and depresses the footbrake. After 1 second the LS indicator light illuminates on the dashboard, at which point the driver can release the brake pedal and rev the engine to the desired rpm. To activate the launch system, both paddles need to be released together while applying full throttle. At this point, the YCC-S will automatically engage the clutch aggressively, and a further feature of the system is that it will allow full throttle upshifting while powering ahead," Yamaha adds.

As a safety precaution, Launch System will not engage in certain situations that include the driver's seat belt not fitted, parking brake on, Diff Lock mode activated, engine too cool, or if any warning codes are displayed. The LS light will flash, Yamaha tells us.

Finally, the 2017 Yamaha YXZ1000R SS comes with Auto Shift Down Control, a feature that automatically puts the transmission in the first gear when coming to a halt, without paddle input from the driver. This eliminates the fear of stalling the engine or accelerating in the wrong gear.

Also, the YXZ1000R SS will automatically activate the engine brake control when coasting down a hill without touching the throttle or the brake. The smart system will engage the clutch halfway to reach a speed of around 10 km/h (6.2 mph). Using the brake or the throttle immediately disengages the brake control function.

Yamaha also prepared YXZ1000R SS SE and YXZ1000R SE special edition models that come with color-matched frames and sleek color schemes, while also boasting premium FOX Podium X2 Internal Bypass Shocks suspensions.

Contact your nearest Yamaha dealer to fund out more details about these SxSs, including prices. They should make it in the showrooms around September 2016.

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