The Yamaha YZF-R6 Is a True King of the 600 Class Sportbikes
Yamaha has built some of the most impressive sportbikes in the history of the world. While the Yamaha R6 won’t put literbikes in its mirrors, it is a dominant force in its class.
With the Yamaha R6 going away (at least for a while) after the 2020 model year, I thought it best to take a good hard look at the bike and what it has meant to the motorcycling community in the last 21 years.
We will start with its introduction and go all the way through the model’s history as well as discussing its impact on the world of sportbikes. Let’s dig in.
History, Development, and Progression of the Yamaha R6
The Yamaha R6 changed everything when it debuted in 1998/1999. The bike was officially introduced as a 1999 model year machine.
It was sold in conjunction with the YZF600R sportbike at first. However, with the company’s new engine design and updated pretty much everything it outpaced the YZF600R easily.
In fact, it was the fastest 600cc four-stroke motorcycle on the market in 1999. It produced over 100 hp in stock form.
Since its introduction at the end of the 1990s, the bike has undergone plenty of updates and changes. I’ll now go through the bike’s evolution over time.
The R6 from 1999 to 2004
This was where things started. The Yamaha R6 was an impressive machine when it hit the world stage. It was by far the most-compelling supersport out there, making between 100 and 120 hp during this time period.
Modified ones could create so much more power, and there was hardly a bike at its weight and displacement to compete.
The R6 Gets a New Additions in 2005
While Yamaha didn’t do much to the bike, at the end of the model’s life as it was, the company decided to toss on an inverted for and some radial calipers.
Yamaha also tweaked the engine a little bit to get more power out of it and better throttle response.
Yamaha Does an Extensive Track-Focused Upgrade in 2006
The Yamaha R6 got the big upgrades in 2006. The bike was redesigned with a new look, new technology, and a stronger engine.
The bike came with Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) and an engine that put out 127 hp and revved 16,500 rpm. This screamer was a truly track-ready machine.
In 2008 More Updates Grace the Yamaha R6
In 2008, only a couple years after the dramatic changes, Yamaha made some updates that addressed some minor issues with the motorcycle.
The company made some chassis modifications and added Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) and increased compression to the engine to get the engine to put out 129 hp.
Some Minor Changes in 2010
Further tweaks occurred in 2010. The motorcycle received a new tune to the engine, which focused on the midrange. Also Yamaha added a larger (uglier) exhaust to the bike that a lot of riders swapped out for something on the aftermarket.
The Next Big Update in 2017
The bike from 2010 soldiered on largely unchanged until 2017, where it was replaced with a new bike that featured M1 styling and a slew of new features.
The bike came with traction control and a quick-shifter. It also featured R1 suspension, ABS, and it was compliant with Euro4 emissions standards.
2020 and Beyond
In 2020 no changes were made to the bike. However, it was the last year for the road-going Yamaha R6. The company decided it was time to hang it up for this impressive model.
The reason for this was the new emissions standards. The company knew its engine wouldn’t make it for Euro5 compliance, and rather it didn’t want to spend the money and R&D resources to make that happen. Because of this, the R6’s illustrious life ends with the 2020 model year.
Yamaha did leave a parting gift for some markets, the Yamaha R6 Race. This track-only model allows the racing community in certain markets to continue to ride the motorcycle they know well and love. The bike had received some updates over the standard model.
Yamaha R6 Racing
The Yamaha R6 is well known as a track-day and racing machine. It’s one of the go-to bikes for racing and track-day riders, and it’s easy to see why. The machine is an aggressive sportbike, and it’s perfect for beating the competition and dragging a knee.
Numerous titles have been won by riders astride an R6. Notable racing achievements for the bike include the 2011 Supersport World Championship and the 2008 North West 200 races, both of which were achieved by the rider Chaz Davies.
The Yamaha R6 is used by GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team, and in 2017 Lucas Mahias used the bike to become the FIM Supersport World Champion. Other champions have continued to ride the R6 with great success.
The bike is so successful on the racetrack that Yamaha isn’t letting the racing machine die along with the street R6. At the same time that Yamaha announced the demise of the R6 street motorcycle, it announced a track-only version that would go on sale called the Yamaha YZF-R6 Race.
This bike takes the R6’s legendary platform to new heights, thanks to an available GYTR race kit and some special equipment. The GYTR race kit adds a special racing ECU and wiring harness, full Akrapovič exhaust system, GYTR race fairings, and adjustable rear sets.
It looks to be a truly special machine that will be highly sought after by riders everywhere.
The Final Yamaha R6 (2020)
I wanted to take a closer look at the 2020 Yamaha YZF-R6. You see, the final year of the bike is special if only because there will be no more motorcycles like it produced.
Sure, Yamaha still makes the R6 Race, but that’s really a different machine, and because of that, I wanted to take a closer look at the Yamaha R6 as it is in 2020. This is the last year you’ll be able to buy one of these machines.
Here’s what’s offered:
Prices:
- $12,199 – Team Yamaha Blue – Available from October 2019
- $12,199 – Vivid Orange/Matte Raven Black – Available from October 2019
- $12,199 – Raven – Available from October 2019
Engine:
- Engine Type: 599cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder; 16 titanium valves
- Bore x Stroke: 67.0mm x 42.5mm
- Compression Ratio: 13.1:1
- Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection with YCC-T and YCC-I
- Ignition: Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI)
- Transmission: 6-speed; multiplate slipper clutch
- Final Drive: Chain
Chassis
- Suspension / Front: 43mm KYB® inverted fork, 3-way adjustable; 4.7-in travel
- Suspension / Rear: KYB® piggyback shock, 4-way adjustable; 4.7-in travel
- Brakes / Front: Dual 320mm hydraulic disc; ABS
- Brakes / Rear: 220mm hydraulic disc; ABS
- Tires / Front: 120/70ZR17
- Tires / Rear: 180/55ZR17
Dimensions
- L x W x H: 80.3 in x 27.4 in x 45.3 in
- Seat Height: 33.5 in
- Wheelbase: 54.1 in
- Rake (Caster Angle): 24.0°
- Trail: 3.8 in
- Maximum Ground Clearance: 5.1 in
- Fuel Capacity: 4.6 gal
- Fuel Economy: 42 mpg
- Wet Weight: 419 lb
Warranty
- Limited Factory Warranty: 1 year
This really only tells part of the story, though. The Yamaha R6 is more than the sum of its parts and the stats and figures listed above. The bike is a truly impressive machine.
Here are a couple of videos that discuss just how good the 2020 Yamaha R6 really is:
Petrohead – 2020 Yamaha R6 First Ride Review
Professional Dillweed – 2020 Yamaha R6 First Ride Review
Does the End of the Yamaha R6 Mark the End for the 600 Class?
While the 600 class has seen a dip, there are plenty of other bikes right around this class that give riders exactly what they want.
Yes, the Yamaha R6 is out, but all you have to do is look slightly above and below the 600cc mark and you’ll find plenty of fantastic machines.
The one that has been getting plenty of press lately is the Aprilia RS660. If you have the money to spend, this could be the perfect sportbike for you.
If you’re still pining for a good 600cc motorcycle, there’s still the Suzuki GSX-R600, the Honda CBR600RR the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R to choose from.
Does this take the sting away from the fact that the Yamaha R6 is no more? Of course not. The fact that Yamaha has killed off the R6 still leaves a huge supersport hole in my heart and the hearts of many riders out there.
Will There be Another Yamaha R6?
If I had to guess, I would say yes. Yamaha will likely build another R6 at some point in the future. How long that will take is unclear.
Obviously, the company will have to make the bike compliant with emissions standards around the world. It’s also clear that there is a lot going on in motorcycle technology, so the next R6 will likely come with all of the bells and whistles.
In the press release from Yamaha that announced the demise of the R6 (and the VMAX and some other models) the company wrote this:
“With deep consideration of evolving global market trends and regulations that limit production volumes on certain models, the following Yamaha models will be discontinued after model year 2020: YZF-R6, VMAX, WR250R and SMAX.
“Yamaha understands the iconic history of these models. Regarding the future, Yamaha is continuously looking at new ideas and concepts to support and expand the market, as well as enhance our customers’ experiences.”
As you can see, the company acknowledges the importance and iconic nature of the Yamaha R6, and it sounds like Yamaha will be looking at new ways to bring a killer supersport to market. It will be interesting to see where things go next.
