Yamaha Crossplane Crank - Why the R1 Sounds Like That 

Thanks for the shoutout, that video was awesome! the right mix of technical/not technical narration and collection of illestrational videos. I didn't pay much attention to the Yamaha video with the inertial torque because I assumed it was just tehcnobabble written by the marketing department and was busy squinting at the super low res picture to confirm the crank configuration/firing order but now it makes perfect sense, I had the wrong preconception as a non-rider as I read an explanation of "big bang" firing order that basically said even firing "screamers" tend to wheelspin if they break traction, but uneven firing "bangers" will regain traction after breaking it, I suppose this is partly right but the rotational inertia comes in to it too. Interestingly some riders prefer Inline 4s and some prefer crossplane 4s. Takes all sorts I guess. Engine balance (as felt externally) is a whole other issue, I have a better picture of why flatplane I4s "shake" like they do now, this is probably better investigated in inline twins as all sorts of crank angles have been tried with them with all kinds of results. Your overlay of the flatplane/crossplane videos shows the difference in firing interval very well, my editing skills aren't at that level yet.

Insane how much that light things actually sound like the engines 😂

One of the absolute best videos. No crazy loud music, just lots of solid information. Well done as always sir.

As a pro motorcycle Mechanic (BMW Tech) I think you did a smashing job explaining, well done sir :)

This is such a great channel. Man I am so glad I stumbled upon this a few months back. I learn so much.

I learned more in 20 minutes on youtube than i have at school in 2 weeks.thank you.Motonosity's R1 is what made me love sportbikes

EXCELLENT video. I am a mechanic by trade and you did an excellent job. I love it.

I've had 3 R1, 2007, 2014, and now 2016. Also Yamaha Silver Star technician. You did a damn good job explaining the X plane. I know other techs who are 10 years in and still can't get a grip on this lol

I love the way you narrate your videos! Damn! You should do some full-on 1 hour videos. I know it's long, but when you do these informative vids, you give background; you make it entertaining; and I always walk away thinking that I wish I could give more than one thumbs-up.

Class is in session with Professor Illestrator 👨🏾‍💼🤫

I was just thinking how that firing order sounds like American V8 muscle and lo and behold I wasn't the only one. Great video, you're definitely underrated against other motovloggers. I stand alone on this one but, I have to disagree on the looks of the R1. Current R1 looks amazing. Last gen fairing has a face only Erik Buell can love.

This should be in the Education category. I can’t overstate how much I learned. This was fascinating!

Great video. I’m a mechanic and understand this, but the way you explain it is the best I’ve seen/heard. I didn’t know this about the R1 and it explains why I thought the R1 that blasts past my house every day had a V4...when I know it doesn’t. Keep up the good work

Damn brother! Knew the concept of Yamaha Crossplane before, but have never seen it explained so thoroughly. You just got a new sub dude!

Audience analysis!!!! Great job explaining the intricacies! You made it so ANYONE could understand. I just bought a 600rr, but now I’m curious about Yamaha!!! Thanks for the lesson mate.

I still come back to this and tell my friends to watch it because you explain the concepts so well, are passionate, and mix in plenty of examples of that lovely R1 rumble.

You explained something and I understood, are You a wizard?

The way the dude put together the sound of the bike with the firing order is amazing . put a big smile on my face haha

I love the R1 and aprilia tuono sound. It’s glorious.

Dude I’ve been a mechanic for 12 yrs you did a better job explaining it then I have with some of my costumers

Bro, I wish you was my history professor back in college. That dude made leaning 🤢. Any plans on doing more “history of” videos? I loved the buell one!

As a mechanic and engine tuner you explained it very well, I'd known about the noise but not the configuration. And now that you've explained it so well it makes perfect sense.

Funny story: I went to a Moto GP race and heard the M1 above all other bikes. I was stunned. All life priorities shifted and had meself an R1 within about a week. What it’s like: When I ride by at speed, kids hide behind moms, animals flee, birds scatter, and men turn and pause. No joke. I’ve never seen a deer while riding my moto through the woods. Ha, my riding buddy has a badass super duke and nobody takes notice. The R1 sound affects living things. It’s shocking.

Loved the explanation, and as soon as the first R1 drove off I said to myself , "that's half of a V-8". Love the sound of a cross plane, and now I know why.

All 4 bangers should have this crossplane crank even in cars

You broke this down perfectly. Even for people who arent mechanically inclined, they should have no problem piecing it together. Great video

thank you for taking the time

Kids need teachers like you. I knew about V8’s, V-twins and parallel 2 and 3 (triumph fan) but never thought about 4’s. Thank you for this video. You just got a new subscriber Sir.

You did amazing job man I did not come here and expect an entire lesson holy crap

The best video to explain the differences of flat and crossplane that i've watched.

Your production quality is reaching new levels of professionalism. I'm a mechanical engineering student, and you're teaching me more than some of the classes I take. What's your major? I'm humbled to have met you now lmao. Look at me all clamy, I met a New York celebrity. Lmao jk jk. Great video man, I love em. Keep them comming.

15:00 It is very rare that I experience that kind of joy from watching a RU-vid video....... I am thoroughly impressed and delighted all at once.

You'll have 100k subs in no time with quality like this. Lol just remember us og subs when you do..

You’re channel is brilliant! As someone eager to get into biking but can’t because of my age, I essentially have to get my bike fix by endlessly watching and learning about them instead. Thank you for providing such informative and engaging content 👌

Whoever disliked this, could not keep up mentally😂. Awesome video my man, well thought out, well articulated, well produced!

This is the best explanation of crossplane engines I have seen. I just recently came across your channel. I love the way you mix humor and info.

Yeah boss now you speaking my language

I'm a mechanical engineer and you did a beautiful job at explaining this concept. I knew how these mechanisms worked before watching this video but still watched the whole thing because I appreciated how well it was elaborated to the point that a layman could understand the general concept of the mechanical functionality as well as a professional engineer. If my engineering classes in college were this entertaining to listen to, I would have become a professor in this shit. Great video man, keep it up.

Well, this engine sounds like a *NASCAR* car or like a *V8* muscle car

Fantastic video. The best I've seen on the subject for a mechanically inclined non-engineer.

After 30k miles on my 14' r6, if it aint crossplane it sounds wrong to me. I love crossplane. All hail yamaha. Side note, you mention if one day there'd be an r6 crossplane, its been out since before 14'.

That's sound demonstration was just *chef's kiss*

Why do car inline four sound different from motorcycle inline 4s?

Great explanation. After many failed attempts with other material on this subject I finally understand it.

Cross plane r6 when tho

this is BY FAR the best explanation of Engines. Let alone a sick sick modern R1. I love that raw sound, f'n hot

Yamahar What’s the deal with British and Australian people making an R sound at the end of words that end in an A

As a mechanic I use sound all the time to troubleshoot machines I’m working on, thank you for explaining the harmonies of motorcycle engines.

Awesome presentation! I bought an 09' R1 brand new and I will NEVER let her go!

This is the best commentary video about crossplane and inlane straight..but what I learned is Yamaha put power in every degree crankshaft turns..no power is wasted

Great video. Not a lot of people take the time go in depth and explain the actual engineering stand point

Excellent presentation, man. Just bought a 2021 R-1, and now I know what the hell cross plane means! Thank you!

Wow I have to say you did a great job explaining it without making it boring. Your channel is great keep it up!

This is my first visit to your channel and it was awesome! I'm just smart enough to understand very complex subjects but not smart enough to figure the stuff out on my own. Very well delivered, sir.

The way you argue with yourself to get the info across is sublime. Killing it on spreading the knowledge. Keep it coming and I'll keep watchin. Video idea- common engine types and where/when to shift to stay in the power through gears. So many ppl trying to bang through gears on fz 07 like they are on a R1

Dude thanks for breaking this down. I love the sound of the crossplane Yamahas but had no idea of the true configuration until this video. Good stuff!

Finally I’ve been wondering the difference between an in-line 4 and a crosssplane 4 for years!

Well done, the definition I think of intelligence is whether or not you can take a complicated subject and simplify it for anyone to understand, I think you did a great job

This was awesome, I didn't know much about the cross plane aside from the crank shape, and the gorgeous sound, and learning how the firing order is different really pulled what I was hearing together. Good work!

This is such great quality. I learned so much in this video. I've been reading about these crosspane engines for years and never truly understood, but I do now. Thank you

You have given the most precise explanation for that awesome sound. I own an R1 and have always wondered why it sounds that way. @William mooser, your illustrations are mind blowing. One luv

Great stuff. Kept hearing crossplane and imagining it was just the orientation of the crank and pistons. Never really understood it until now. Thanks and great work!

I thought the flat plane demonstration was neat at first, but thought of it as just a simple demonstration. Then that crossplane demo by Moser came up........ Let's just say I'm still smiling. It brought tears to my eyes.

I'm the type of person needs to learn Hands-On is very difficult for me to read something to understand it I usually have to read it over and over and over again and I've had numerous learning disabilities but I have to tell you and I don't compliment anybody ever but I have to tell you you are absolutely amazing and explaining things specially obviously Motors here I completely understand everything you're saying I've known engines my whole life and there's so much that I'm still learning and these things have been taught to me but they never sunk in and the way you explain it it really sinks in you have a gift and I am so thankful that I stumbled across this video and I look forward to watching many more thank you for your work

My mom walked in while I was watching this and she thought I was studying 😂 she had told me to get off RU-vid ! Plus I enjoy watching this

You told the story so well( no I didn't fall to sleep) that even I got it! Thank you sir.

Very good job explaining. Technical and simplified at the same time.

My dude, this was awesome. Just got my 2009 and have been trying to learn more about it. You taught me what I wanted to know and it was great!

By far the best explanation of this I’ve seen

This is a very great explanation and presentation of the concepts and application, being a college graduate, you definitely have a knack of presenting information with a presentation that woulda kept me awake more in undergrad classes

Bravo Brotha! Literally the best explanation I've ever received regarding the cross plane motors. Education for real.

Another great video i had already researched all this years ago when i bought my first r1 and still this video is the best put together explanation i have seen!

Great video, well researched, well written and edited. You're like that favourite teacher from school who was always able to explain anything so well, it just clicked!

Feels like I'm in class, But not bored outta my mind! This is good stuff!

Dude. Ive watched this like... 15 times over the last year. I love these types of videos. It's like a college lecture I actually want to attend. I've learned a lot from these videos. Keep it up, man!

One of the best descriptions of this process I’ve ever seen!! Thanks for this!!

Great video man, you didn't explain like you were talking to kids, but you made it easy to figure this out and easy to follow.

I connected the video to the TV and it's amazing, i learned a lot and had fun, thanks for the hard work, it's totally worth it.

I always do my own valve jobs. I took my bike to a dealership those goons left the valve shims on the tight side and the idle never felt right. I went back inside myself and put them in perfectly. Good on you doing your own work.

I'm very me mechanically inclined and I felt that the video you created, described the difference between the Flat Plane engine and cross plan very well!!

So I have never commented on a RU-vid video before but I’m this instance I was genuinely astounded at how you explained this. I took a MT10 (FZ10) for a test ride recently and love the noise and knew it was down to the cross plane crank but didn’t really underarm why. So thank you, this was genuinely helpful.

Great video mate, thanks for the lesson. Your light-hearted narrative kept it easy to watch an absorb. looking forward to the next!

Outstanding video. Commentary, explanation, detail. All of it!

I don’t even ride and this is one of the best videos I’ve seen on YT. Excellent job.

Great video... i work on bikes and you showed me things that had been right under my nose that i never realized or understood. Thanks... shared.

As a motorcycle tech I’d say you explained this perfectly kudos man kudos

Great explanation, man! It is so literal but no one else had explained it clearly. Keep it up!

I watched tons of videos and tried to read all kinds of text about the cross plane crank on the r1 but I never could completely grasp it. You hella put it down for me in a way I could grasp it, thanks b😉

dude, greatest video out there, this thing is dummy proof, can't believe how similar the sound is on the light video. great video

Great video, excellent job at explaining the concept. The thing with the lights/clicks and tacho was genius too.

I have a FZ 09 and I love the cross plane concept. It’s the one in my thumbnail. This video was suggested to me and I am so glad that it did get suggested because I liked and subscribed! Can’t wait to see your other stuff

I am admittedly new to the bike scene however this video was great. Thanks for taking the time to explain this in length to folks in relatively simple terms.

After a while, I finally watched the entirety of this video, and was a really interesting watch!! I recently made a motorcycle company as my entrepreneurship project at school, and with this I can further develop my company!! This was an insane breakdown of a simple yet complex topic, and you executed it flawlessly!!

I believe that this couldn’t have been explained any better. Keep up the good work boi

Always used the term never knew wtf I was talking about, big thumbs up thanks my dude

Honestly i was thinking about this yesterday after seeing a guy ride away after class. " why does that bike sound like a pissed off v8" keep the videos coming bud, you're doing great!

Very well explained, with a lot of humor. Very nice to watch, although I ride a V4 myself the R1 sounds very good indeed.

I ride an 09 R1. Love the sound and feel of pure throttle control. Good video!

That... was... AWESOME! For us less educated, this was like “Oooohhhh! OK!” (Simplest description with fewest words) Thank you so much for this!

Man you just cleared all my cross plane doubts! Crazy informational!