Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

H.... It Is, the 2003 VZF-R8. By BLAKE CONNER l ast year, we didn't even bother doing a 600cc Supersport shootout. There really wasn't anything to talk about because the manufacturers really didn't change much. I mean, we could have gone and renewed our vows to the 2001 Cycle News 600 Shootout winner (GSX-R600), but that would have been redundant and only an excuse for us to sneak in another day at the racetrack. This year looks to be the exact opposite, starting with this new R6 from Yamaha. Reportedly, there are also new bikes from Honda and Kawasaki coming, and it has been two years since Suzuki updated their 600, so we wouldn't be surprised to see something new from them. For the past four years, the R6 has been essentially the same bike, with updates primarily to styling for the 2001 model year. So, this is what we know so far. The new R6 will feature the new Deltabox III frame, similar to the one that the R1 received last year, and yes it's painted black like Rl's. The frame is 50-percent more rigid than the frame it replaces and, due to a new manufacturing process called the 36 SEPTEMBER 18, 2002' cue I CF (Custom Filling) Die cast process, it requires only two welds on the entire frame - instead of 16 on the old bike - but with similar strength. Of course, the bike is lighter, to the tune of around nine pounds - it's around 356 pounds dry, according to Yamaha. The swing arm is 10mm longer and is sculpted like that of a Grand Prix bike, looking less like a couple of two-by-fours as on the old bike. The bike's wheelbase remains the same, as does the rake angle, but the trail has been increase to 86mm - the fork offset was changed to maintain the rake angle. The bike also features new five-spoke cast wheels, as opposed to the old three-spokers. For the bike to be truly "all new," they really needed to monkey with the motor, right? Well, that they did. The motor only shares 10 percent of its parts with the old version. The biggest change has to be the inclusion of fuel injection for the first time. The R6 features 38mm throttle bodies - similar to the units that were fitted to last year's R1 - which feature the vacuum-slide secondary butterflies that make the Rl's fuel delivery so excellent. Most of the performance modifications were made to the intake side, with a revised airbox and n __ s • optimized airflow. However, the R6 has hotter cams, a hotter ignition, and a carefully balanced crankshaft, which helps reduced internal friction in an effort to find hidden power as well. One thing that was left alone was the already sky-high rev limit - the peak power is made at roughly the same rpm as before, with the same redline. The exhaust system features a catalyzer inside the aluminum silencer but, to help reduce weight, the internal baffles are now made out of titanium. A new curved radiator was added in an effort to keep engine temperature in check, and it is said to be 30-percent more efficient. All of this helps to increase the power by a claimed three horsepower, and also increase the torque. The bike will be available in three color combinations - Yamaha Blue, Silver/Black, and Black with subtle red flames (for $100 extra). Yamaha hasn't released a price on the bike yet, but we'll let you know in the next couple of months. It should be in dealers early in 2003. CN ~tJ(JO@tfl1JO®IJiJ0 f?J@@~ lmf?c:{jJ@ UST PRICE ................•......N/A DISPLACEMENT ...•...........•. .599cc ENGINE TYPE Liquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder BORE x STROKE 65.5 x 44.5mm COMPRESSION RATIO 12.4:1 CARBURETION Fuel injection, W/(4) 38mm Throttle bodies IGNITION Digital TRANSMISSION _.Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM .....•........Electric FUEL CAPACITY .4.5 gal. WHEELBASE .54.3 in. RAKEITRAIL 24°/86.36mm SEAT HEIGHT ....•• '" 32.3 FRONT TIRE 120/60- 17 REAR TIRE 180/55-17 FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 4.7 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL ....•...... .4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE ..........•.....Dual disc REAR BRAKE .•...•..............Disc FINAL DRIVE Chain CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT ...•.••....357 Ibs.

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