Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128196
2003 Yamaha YZF-R6 release of its new model, making mine look dated and old. What can you do? Make no mistake about it, the new 2003 R6 didn't just get a cosmetic makeover, the bike is allnew - from the ground up, from the motor to the wheels. By BLAKE CONNER PHOTOS BY TOM RILES love Spain. I like everything about it especially the racetracks - and the Circuito de Almeria is one of my new favorites. The problem is, the first time I had the chance to ride the track (two weeks prior to the R6 intro at the Ducati 749 intro), it rained. All I knew was, if it rained at two consecutive intros at the same track (which is never supposed to get rain), I was going to be through with Spain. One thing that I already knew going in was that an R6 is the perfect bike for the twisty, tricky Almeria circuit. I won't deny my love for the R6 I bought a 2002 version to race at the Willow Springs Motorcycle Club races here in Southern California. As a matter of fact, I was pissed that right after I bought it, Yamaha announced the I 26 JANUARY 15, 2003' eye ON THE ROAD We spent our first day aboard the R6 in the mountains around Almeria. The first thing that I noticed when I swung my leg over the bike was that it felt even smaller and lighter than last year's bike. It's hard to believe that they can keep doing this, production cycle after production cycle. We left our hotel in Mojacar, just north of Almeria, and headed north for a few miles of freeway before the twisties started. One thing that was immediately apparent was that the new fuel-injection system (similar to I EO n e vv 50 the system that the Rl received last year) is excellent. This wasn't a big surprise because I personally think that Yamaha is the only company that has really got its system right (with its diaphragm-type vacuum butterflies). The throttle response on the new R6 is fantastic - so much so, in fact, that even on the boring connecting roads before the twisties, I was pulling second-gear wheelies like I was riding a 750. I think the R6 has a bit more power than the previous generation for sure, but it's the instant throttle response that really impresses. It's crisp and instantaneous the second you open the throttle. I'm sorry to dwell on it, but I just don't remember riding a 600 with the ability to wheelie in second gear with so little effort. The second we hit the curves, the R6 came to life. Not only is the motor Randy Mamola tries to catch yours truly at the Almeria circuit. Actually, he volunteered to follow me and then tell me all of the places that I needed to improve - every comer and straight was his observation. Mamola is still wickedly fast; that Is a fact. a total joy, the chassis is even better. This should come as no surprise because the previous-generation R6 was as nimble as they come, and I'm sure that the claimed 8.6-pound reduction in the bike's weight has a bit to do with this as well. It's a joke to ride a bike like the R6 on the street and expect to get anywhere near its limit, because on the street it doesn't really have one. The new R6 is so capable handlingwise that there just aren't any streets out there with enough traction