Ducati Monster Forum

Seems there's been some changes over the winter....

(http://gpone.com/albertocani/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/m1_2013_telaio.jpg)

Some rather fluffy analysis here:
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2013/02/whats-the-deal-with-the-yamaha-m1s-new-triangle-frame/ (http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2013/02/whats-the-deal-with-the-yamaha-m1s-new-triangle-frame/)

And a bit more thoughtful analysis here:
http://gpone.com/albertocani/2013/02/12/tecnica-la-sinuosa-m1-e-la-spigolosa-honda-cosi-uguali-cosi-diverse/ (http://gpone.com/albertocani/2013/02/12/tecnica-la-sinuosa-m1-e-la-spigolosa-honda-cosi-uguali-cosi-diverse/)
Plug into Google Translate to get the slightly awkward normal service.

LMAO 

Yamaha is using the front of the Ducati GP framless and integrated it into the beam frame..  [laugh]

Meaning it's really nothing like the Ducati frameless concept.  :P

meaning they one-up'd ducati... oh thanks for the idea you can't figure out, we'll take it and improve it.

Not really. The Yamaha still has a frame connecting the headtube to the swingarm, whereas the D16 used the motor as the connection without a frame. Increasing the area (i.e. moment of inertia) of the head tube connection to allow for a thinner wall and also an overall stiffer structure isn't the same thing as eliminating the frame altogether. This would have happened regardless of what Ducati did, as it sounds like a more compact motor makes it possible.