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
brake pads. They have always been excellent, so nothing has changed there. The back straight at Almeria is pretty long, so you can build a good head of steam (I'm guessing 140 mph), but the braking zone is also slightly uphill, allowing you to get d-e-e-e-e-e-p into the corner on the brakes. The R6 feels slightly more stable on the brakes than the old bike - a result of the longer swingarm that helps the rear tire keep in contact with the road. As for the motor, it's hard to tell if it's really that much more powerful than the old bike, but as I've said before, the throttle response makes up for it big-time. Getting out of the tight corners (as I mentioned above) required me to get on the gas early, but this never unsettled the chassis at all because the response was so smooth. The only bike that I can compare the R6 to right now is the 749, because I've ridden that bike on the same track recently. The R6 may not have that bike's torque, but once you get it up in the rev-range there is no hope for the Ducati - the R6's topend is simply too strong; or at least that how it feels. All of the controls seem light and easy to operate at track speed, with excellent feel. My only complaint would have to be the transmission, which is improved over the last version but is still a bit on the notchy side - however, that shouldn't be news; Yamahas are notorious for this. All in all. I was really impressed with the new R6, to the point that I wished I would've waited a bit and bought this bike instead of my 2002. The one thing that I want is the fuel injection, which is what impressed me the most. Sure, the styling is awesome, and in my opinion it's the coolest of the new 600s, but that fuel injection is what I really want. There is no doubt in my mind that the 2003 R6 will be the bike of choice for club racers around the country, as the previous generation proved it was. The bike will retail for $7999 for the Blue or Silver/Black versions and $8099 for the limited edition Black with Red flames version. eN (Below) The R6 is probably one of the best·handling bikes available for those twisty c:anyon roads. The bike isn't even breaking a sweat on the street; you need to go to the rac:etrac:k for that. @[j)@@{](f5@fi]'f]O@[JiJ0 Ll ij[ljJ[ij[X}[ij [ )JZ;;!po!XJ@ LIST PRICE $7999-$8099 DISPLACEMENT ......................•........................... 599cc ENGINE TYPE............•.................. Uquid-cooled, in-line four-cylinder BORE x STROKE..............•••••.•••.•.................. 66.5 x 44.5mm COMPRESSION RATIO .........•.•••••..•.......................... 12.4:1 CARBURETION ..........••.••.••.••................................ EFI IGNITION Di9ital COl TRANSMISSION ......•••...•.................................. Six-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY ........•........................................ 4.5 9al. WHEELBASE. . . . . . . . 54.3 in. RAKErrRAIL ................•.••••••....................... 24°/86.36mm SEAT HEIGHT ...•••..•.......................................... 32.3 in. FRONT RIM 3.5 x 17 in., five-spoke cast aluminum 120/60ZR17 Dunlop D208F FRONT TIRE .....................•...... , REAR RIM ..............••..•...•..... 5.5 x 17 in., five-spoke cast aluminum REAR TIRE ........................••..... , 180/55ZR17 Dunlop D20BF FRONT SUSPENSION ................•..... Fully adjustable 43mm Kayaba forks FRONT·WHEEL TRAVEL. ..••.•............ , 4.7 in. REAR SUSPENSION .......•...•..•............. Fully adjustable Soqi shock REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL .....••.. " 4.7 in. FRONT BRAKE , Dual 29Bmm rotors w/four-piston calipers REAR BRAKE ............••.•••••• : .. Single 220mm disc w/single·piston caliper FINAL DRIVE Chain CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT ........••.••.............................. 357 Ibs. cue I e n e vv S • JANUARY 15. 2003 29