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/159279
VOL. 50 ISSUE 34 AUGUST 27, 2013 WHAT THEY SAID: P79 2013 YAMAHA YZF-R6 SPECS ADAM WAHEED, 34, MotoUSA Road Test Editor "The R6 is perhaps the most well put together bike in this contest. Fit and finish is extraordinary and it rides smoothly. It is however the most racy-feeling Japanese 600". MASSIMO BRUZZI, 34, Orange County Ducati Club "No matter the power, the clutch was really smooth on braking or downshifting, not altering the behavior of the bike at all." BRIAN STEEVES, 33, Test Rider "It's a great bike, light and nimble. But it sits a little higher than the rest. It's also got a wide fuel tank which makes the bike feel bigger than it really is." JASON ABBOTT, 34, Test Rider "It's got killer top-end power and it's a blast to ride in the canyons. I wish it had more mid-range though and it could be a little more comfy on the freeway." maha we will not complain about Yamaha YZF-R6 is its MSRP. Remember when the 600s still sported four-figure price tags? Those days are long gone… but the R6 is the budget •Most affordable bike in its class buy as the only bike in this shoot at $10,990 out to stay under $11K ($10,990 •Potent top-end hit still exhilarates as tested with the Yamaha Blue/ •Remains stylish ride despite its White colorway tacking on age $200). The last time we conducted this street shootout, in 2011, the Yamaha was $10,690 – so •Most aggressive ergos of the Japanese bikes price has wandered higher, but it undercuts the Honda by $500 •Bottom-end and mid-range and Suzuki by $600. struggles compared to rest of the While it finished last on the 600s scoresheet, the R6 is a formi•Going on six years since total overhaul dable package, and a testament to the Supersport class' performance capabilities. The Yamaha The R6 may finish last in this test suffers on the street for being the – but it's a fantastic bike and armost track-biased of the 600s, guably the best value. but it's also the most affordable. Adam sums up the R6 well: "It HIGHS LOWS Engine: 599cc liquid-cooled inline four 16-valve Bore x Stroke: 67.0 x 42.5mm Compression Ratio: 13.1:1 Fueling: Fuel Injection w/ twin injectors per cylinder Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type Clutch: Wet, multi-disc w/ slipper functionality and cable actuation Final Drive: Chain; 16/42 gearing Frame: Twin spar aluminum Front Suspension: 41mm Soqi fork with spring preload, high/low-speed compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.5 in. travel Rear Suspension: Soqi gas-charged shock with spring preload, high/ low-speed compression, and rebound damping adjustment; 4.7 in. travel Front Brakes: 310mm discs with radialmount four-piston Sumitomo calipers Rear Brake: 220mm disc with doublepiston Nissin caliper Tires: Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier 120/70R17, 180/55R17 Curb Weight: 428 lbs. Wheelbase: 54.1 in. Rake: 24.0 deg. Trail: 3.8 in. Seat Height: 33.1 in. Fuel Tank: 4.5 gal. MSRP: $10,990 Colors: Matte Gray; Rapid Red/Pearl White; Team Yamaha Blue/White (add $200) Warranty: One year, unlimited mileage needs some upgrades in terms of handling and a little more versatile engine for it to better keep pace with the more contemporary motorcycles from Kawasaki and Triumph. I'm just really excited for Yamaha to unveil their replacement for that bike. The R6 is not a bad bike by any means, but it is a little long in the tooth compared to the other motorcycles in this group."