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Yamaha YZR 500 2000 - 2002

2000

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The Yamaha raced the YZR 500 since 1973 - for 30 years over 28 generations. Till 2002 20 different riders won 115 races for Yamaha, and also won 11 world championships and 9 constructor's championships with the YZR.

The 2000 Yamaha 0WK6 was a further development of the 0WK1. It had new cylinders, cylinder heads and (of course) a new exhaust system. The geometry of the frame was changed together with the dimensions from the engine. The engine management was also new, altogether quite much for just a “further update". With the new cowling the machine was also quicker. Garry McCoy won 3 GP’s with the 0WK1, Max Biaggi won 2 GP’s and Norick Abe 1, enough for another Manufacturers title for Yamaha. The last one was 7 years ago!

As the two-stroke period became to an end, the last 2 models were not entirely new. The 2001 Yamaha 0WL6 was similar to the 0WK6, but many details were improved. Riders could choose from different rear arms (with different length). Max Biaggi had 3 GP wins and scored the second place in the World Championship.

The last machine from the “breed” of 28 Yamaha YZR500 bikes, the Yamaha 0WL9 of 2002, will go into history as the “final” two-stroke. Compared to the 2001 0WL6 it had the engine moved more forward in order to have a better weight distribution and the rear swing arm was made a little lighter. It competed together with the first new 1000 cc four-strokes in 2002 and Olivier Jacques clinched pole position in the German GP with it. Norick Abe became finally 6th in the World Championship table.

Year

Model

2000

OWK6: General improvements to the engine, frame and cowl.

2001

OWL6

2002

OWL9: The 28th and last generation of the YZR500 had to compete against the newly allowed 4-strokemachines.

 

2001

2002