The YZF R6 isn’t a race replica; it’s a racer, developed at racetracks, honed to perfection. For 2006, the R6 is light, powerful and bristling with knowledge gained from years of racing. As a result is one of the most advanced motorcycles ever built by Yamaha. Is also the first production motorcycle with a fly-by-wire throttle system-for flawless response under all conditions.

yamaha-yzf-r6

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: yamaha-yzf-r6

1976 - 1990 Yamaha XT500

Specifications
  • Horsepower: 127@14500
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Straight frame concept: developed from the Yamaha M1 GP machine, the YZF-R6’s steering head, swingarm pivot and rear axle all lie in a straight line-for unsurpassed handling-with an all-new inline four-cylinder engine designed for optimal layout and mass centralization.

Slipper-type back torque-limiting clutch greatly facilitates braking - downshifting from high speed. Formula 1-style air management presents very small frontal area and excellent aerodynamics; new ram-air induction ducts cool, high-pressure air through the steering head for optimal combustion, more horsepower and enhanced engine cooling.

The first R6 was first unveiled in 1999, and updated in 2001, 2003 and 2006. The R6 is a serious competitor for the Honda CBR600RR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Suzuki GSX-R600, and Triumph Daytona 675.

For the 2006 model year, the R6 is capable of running at up to 17.500 rpm. This is with 2000 rpm higher than the previous model.

The 2006 R6 is not only about pure performance, it is also about riding excitement, it’s about that dialog of action and response between rider and bike, it’s about feeling confident enough to constantly challenge yourself, on both road and track.

Taking its styling cues from the Formula 1 car, featuring small winglets on the front of the fairing, the R6 makes use of more technology than any other 600 on the market.

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Engine

The all-new R6 is full of Yamaha-exclusive innovations and new technologies that make it the most advanced production motorcycle ever built. The new R6 features an all-new four-cylinder engine capable of amazing acceleration. A MotoGP-derived “straight frame” chassis houses it - and Formula 1 style aerodynamics and a titanium MotoGP-style exhaust are just two of the things that complete it. Yamaha has raised the bar and revolutionized the class - again.

Supersport bikes don’t come any sharper than this. The R6’s aerodynamics have been honed to perfection for superb performance and breathtaking looks. Deep air intakes deliver maximum clean air to the FI system for massive, high-rpm power, while superior air management draws hot air away from the engine for improved performance. The R6’s styling also emphasizes the bike’s superior mass-centralization, a concept pursued by Yamaha’s engineers to achieve the kind of light, superreactive handling that racers demand.

The R6 is powered by an extremely over-square engine, with a bore of 67mm and a stroke of 42.5mm. The compression ratio is high for a street-legal machine at 12.8 to 1. This 599cc DOHC 16-valve engine transfers power to the rear wheel through a six-speed transmission aided by a slipper clutch.

Yamaha incorporated many of the lessons learned from the winning MotoGP riders into the YZF-R6. So this supersport bike is packed with race tech and 130 horsepower at 14,500 rpm. The R6’s revolutionary YCC-T computer enhanced throttle allows us to design the perfect torque curve and give you precision throttle control that’s just not possible with conventional carburetor/ injection systems. Its radical tri-axis engine architecture and straight-frame concept delivers lightning-quick steering, super-responsive handling, exceptional stability and masses of feedback for a supremely balanced, winning ride.

The R6 also gets a MotoGP-developed slipper clutch for smoother corner entries, midship exhaust with titanium silencer and EXUP for improved mass centralization, 41 mm upside-down front forks and bottom-link rear shock (with two-way compression damping adjustment) and 310 mm front discs with radially-mounted calipers. R6: it’s all about enhancing man-machine interaction.

The Yamaha YZF R6 features: alternative screens (a racing screen for the racing tuck, a sports screen for a more street-biased ride), roller protectors to keep your R6 safe from minor knocks and bumps, front and rear racing stands for easier maintenance and faster wheel changes, plus a range of carbon parts including front fender, rear fender/hugger, tank cover and yoke protector.

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First Impressions

Just a few years after Yamaha first unveiled the R6, the company come with significantly updates for the 2006 model year: a new fork, front brakes and revised engine with 3 hp more than the previous model. But the big difference comes on the chassis: an inverted fork and a taller front tire.

Compared with the previous models, the R6 has more power, more precise handling, and more stability. On riding the R6 on any road you will feel like you are on a race track: it remains stable and precise even under hard braking entering corners and hard acceleration exiting them.

The R6 is all about mass-centralization: it uses a two-piece fuel tank / air box assembly that dropped the fuel load further into the chassis, as well as a titanium, MotoGP-inspired, under-slung, shortly muffler. Its 599cc DOHC 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder pumps up to 130 hp t 14.500 rpm. Top speed is about 155 mph.

 Competitors


Honda CBR600RR

The Honda CBR600RR is powered by a 599cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder with an output of 104 hp at 13400 rpm and a peak torque of 44.5 lbs-ft at 11000 rpm. With a weight of 398 lbs it makes the quarter-mile in 10.99 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. It is priced at $9500.

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

The Kawasaki ZX-6R is the most aerodynamic Ninja ever. It is powered by a 636 cmc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled In-line Four engine with an output of 130 hp at 14.000 rpm and a peak torque of 51 lbs-ft at 11500 rpm. With a weight of 398 lbs, the ZX 6R has a top speed of 145 mph. It is priced at $8.700.

Suzuki GSX-R600

Priced at $8.800, the GSX R600 is powered by a 5 99cc,4-stroke,four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve engine with an output of 110 hp at 16.000 rpm. The R600 weights 354 lbs and has a top speed of 170 mph.

Triumph Daytona 675

The Daytona 675 stands apart immediately with its inimitable, spine-tingling sound and feel. Integral to this is the triple’s inherent advantage of masses of bottom-end torque, linked to a heavy mid-range punch that’s topped with a searing burst of peak power. Alongside the desire for a strong, torquey engine, a key part of the design brief for the brand new 675cc power plant was to make the water-cooled, three-cylinder, 12-valve unit extremely compact and narrow, contributing to the overall slimness of the bike. The stacked six-speed gearbox considerably shortens the engine and is the first from Triumph to feature a truly close ratio set-up for all six speeds, maximising the engine’s power and torque perfectly. Bore and stroke is 74.0mm x 52.3mm and peak power of 125 hp is delivered at 12,500rpm, with 53 lbs-ft torque at 11,750rpm. It weights 363lbs and is priced at $9000.

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Key Features:

  • All-new, light, powerful and bristling with knowledge gained from years of racing, the YZF-R6 is the most advanced production motorcycle Yamaha—or anybody else—has ever built.
  • The YZF-R6 is the first production motorcycle with a fly-by-wire throttle system—for flawless response under all conditions.
  • Straight frame concept: developed from the Yamaha M1 GP machine, the YZF-R6’s steering head, swingarm pivot and rear axle all lie in a straight line—for unsurpassed handling—with an all-new inline four-cylinder engine designed for optimal layout and mass centralization.
  • Slipper-type back torque-limiting clutch greatly facilitates braking/downshifting from high speed.
  • Formula 1-style air management presents very small frontal area and excellent aerodynamics; new ram-air induction ducts cool, high-pressure air through the steering head for optimal combustion, more horsepower and enhanced engine cooling.
  • 50th Anniversary Special Edition model celebrates Yamaha racing heritage with classic black and yellow livery and special badging.


Engine:

  • Compact, lightweight 67 x 42.5mm 599cc DOHC 16-valve liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder features titanium valves, 12.8:1 compression and compact combustion chambers.
  • YCCT—Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle—uses a powerful ECU and multiple sensors to provide perfect, smooth engine response and optimal power whenever the throttle is twisted, under all conditions.
  • Twin-injector fuel injection: shower-type injectors above each intake funnel help achieve optimum fuel atomization at high rpm.
  • Back torque-limiting slipper clutch greatly facilitates braking and downshifting from high speed. Close-ratio six-speed transmission delivers seamless power and maximum acceleration.
  • Despite the increased bore, piston and pin weight has been reduced for more power and less vibration; 1mm smaller main journals reduce friction while 1mm larger connecting rod journals increase performance.
  • Compact slant-block engine design uses widely triangulated gearbox shafts to make the GP-derived, straight frame concept work; optimum weight distribution and excellent handling are the result.
  • GP-style titanium muffler contributes to mass centralization, and contains EXUP, an O2 sensor and catalyzers for a broad powerband, spot-on injection and EU-3 emissions compliance.
  • Linerless, direct-plated ceramic-composite cylinder bores mean greater heat dissipation for consistent power delivery and reduced friction—also a narrow engine.
  • Cool magnesium valve and engine covers are light and stylish. Curved radiator with twin-ring cooling fans keeps everything cool.
  • Direct ignition coils, dual-electrode spark plugs and highoutput magneto deliver extremely accurate, reliable firing.


Chassis/Suspension:

  • All-new Deltabox aluminum frame incorporates GP thinking in terms of engine positioning and rigidity—welcome to the next level of 600 class handling.
  • MotoGP-style 52.5-percent front-wheel weight bias helps produce razor-sharp handling.
  • A new swingarm is 2.2 pounds lighter and pivots 20mm higher in the frame, for increased anti-squat effect and mid-corner stability. TZ-type chain adjusters ease rear tire changes.
  • Four-way adjustable (preload, high-/low-speed compression, and rebound damping) inverted fork with 41mm tubes increases freedom in setting up for street or track use; soak up the bumps and resist bottoming when braking.
  • Four-way adjustable (preload, high-/low-speed compression, and rebound damping) piggyback rear shock delivers exceptional rear wheel tracking and stability.
  • Dual 310mm front disc brakes use forged, one-piece radial-mount calipers and radial-pump front master cylinder with adjustable lever for astounding braking power and feel.
  • Removable CF die cast rear subframe is light and strong.
  • Super-light five-spoke 17-inch wheels are light and strong; the casting technique makes the rim section light, not to mention wickedly cool-looking.


Additional Features:

  • Quick-detach license plate holder and rear turnsignal mount makes prepping for track days or racing a snap.
  • Built-in lap timer is controlled by a right-handlebar switch.
  • Multi-function digital and analog instrumentation features: programmable shift light, digital speedometer, analog tachometer, dual tripmeters with miles-on-reserve function, odometer, water temp gauge and lights for neutral, high beam, low fuel and turn signals.
  • Standard toolkit located in convenient storage compartment under passenger seat.