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/128199
cally advanced R6, it's not my first pick for commuting and everyday all-around uses. No, for these things, I'd rather be on the YZF. I know, I know, the YZF isn't as fast and doesn't handle as well (nor is it as light) as the R6, but it still does these things pretty dam well. After all, it wasn't all that long ago that the YZF600R was one of the top guns of its class. What makes the YZF600R more attractive for daily use has a lot to do with its more upright seating position, larger seat (big enough for a passenger, too), taller wind screen, bigger fairing and plusher suspension, and it also has a few. nice conveniences such as a generous five-gallon fuel tank, a helmet lock and an easy· access battery, making it a breeze to install and uninstall wiring for iMl electric vest for the all-weather commuter, such as myself. The YZF600R also carries a fairly nice price tag. At $6999, the YZF600R is $1000 cheaper than the R6, and you still get cool things such as a ram-air-style intake, an aluminum Deltabox chaSSis, fully adjustable suspension, massive brakes, and a fairly high-tech liquidcooled, 16-valve, DOHC, in-line four· cylinder motor. Since we got our hands on the '03 YZF600R a few months ago, I've logged well over 5000 miles on the bike and have become quite attached to the thing. I've never been one for commuting on a 600, usually opting for something with more torque and leg room, but this bike has kept me very happy ever since I first started riding it. The bike certainly satisfies my "sporty" side, as well as my "backside," and since the YZF600R doesn't look all that much different than the R6, especially in the Yamaha race team's Blue and White trim, it also satisfies the ego side of my brain. I never felt embarrassed or self-conscious riding what some might look down on as an "out· dated" or "budget" sport bike. Even the most in-tune sport bike enthusiast will have a hard time distinguishing the YZF600R from the R6 when you zip past. And the Silver and Black version, like the one we had, just plain looks cool. There isn't much I don't like about the bike: Shifting under a load from first to second is a bit clunky, the clutch talks back at you a little bit off the line, and it's next to impossible to reset the tripmeter with your gloves on. On the other hand, I particularly liked the YZF's light weight, comfy ergonomics, spunky and nearly vibration-free motor, strong brakes, wellplaced mirrors, and very effective headlight. I also liked the fact that the YZF displays very little drive-line lash, which I appreciated when I was threading my way through heavy traffic. Okay, so I might be the off-road guy around here, but, like I said, the "on-road" stuff is a lot of fun, too, especially on a bike as well-rounded as the YZF600R. Heck, anything with the letters "Y-Z" in the name can't be all bad. CN ........... .......... Dnwl III Bob"H~ .. H __• A.-rial".r Fint MtIIo-Cro. S",.,.".. Motorcycle industry leader Eric Anderson will conduct a memorabilia auction of personal items doDated by our champions, as well as special guided off-highway motorcycling tours. Proceeds or the auctiOll will go to the BlueRibbon Coalition's access protection efforts. • Full-Color, Limited-Edition Signed Prints • Printed on Heavy 100 lb. stock • Only 250 in each series • Ready to frame • Signed & Numbered Print $105. 00 • Unsigned Print $30. 00 • CA residents add 7.75% sales tax • Includes Shipping (U.S. only) cue I e n e _ lIS • FEBRUARY 5. 2003 43