Well yes it does, but only in the same way that other 120-degree crankshaft triples including MV's and Triumph's do. The R1's crossplane engine reduces unwanted "inertial" torque by spacing its crankshaft journals at an even 90 degrees, instead of in two pairs at 180 degrees apart like a conventional four. A 120-degree triple has a naturally even firing order, so Yamaha can say it shares their "crossplane philosophy" but it's no different to other triples, apart from a few such as the original air-cooled Laverdas with their 180-degree cranks
This bike reminds me of the 1987 Yamaha Fazer. Cool, stripped down bike with a great motor.
maybe ill be able to afford 1 of these in my next life
Does it have a crossplane crankshaft?
Well yes it does, but only in the same way that other 120-degree crankshaft triples including MV's and Triumph's do. The R1's crossplane engine reduces unwanted "inertial" torque by spacing its crankshaft journals at an even 90 degrees, instead of in two pairs at 180 degrees apart like a conventional four. A 120-degree triple has a naturally even firing order, so Yamaha can say it shares their "crossplane philosophy" but it's no different to other triples, apart from a few such as the original air-cooled Laverdas with their 180-degree cranks