Yamaha YZF-R6 2017 model

23rd January 2017

599cc | Liquid-cooled four | Review | Specs

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According to Yamaha, the price for the new YZF-R6 will be £10,999. Or, if you prefer, eleven grand. And that's a lot of money for a 599cc supersport motorcycle. Then again, Yamaha has been busy telling us that this is a lot of motorcycle for the money and is worth every penny.

But eleven grand?

Aside from the R1-esque styling, the buzz words around this bike are features such as (6-position) traction control, a quickshifter, revised KYB front fork, new radial front brake calipers, a (die-cast) magnesium sub-frame, twin LED headlights and LED indicators.

Naturally, there's ABS and various rider modes. And naturally, the bike is lighter (by a kilogram or so), slimmer here and there (by a few supposedly precious millimetres), and is said to have better weight transfer when throwing it around in and out of bends.

The 17-litre fuel tank is aluminium. The "face" is "aggressive" (yawn). And apparently one ride on this MotoGP-inspired racer will launch you into orbit or something. Yamaha's marketing people have even managed to trot out the tedious old "in the DNA" cliché.

That said, it's probably a heap of fun for those who know how to ride properly (which excludes us), so there's gotta be a market for this. But the suspicion around these here parts is that Yamaha has built this piece of mobile hyperbole more for the kudos than the profit.

For our money, we'd prefer to save around three grand and would instead pick up a Triumph Street Triple. What's that? Not in the same class? Yes. We agree. And three grand is ... well, three grand.

Yamaha YZF-R6 specifications

Engine: liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC four
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x stroke: 67.0 mm x 42.5 mm
Compression ratio: 13.1 : 1
Maximum power: It's a secret
Maximum torque: That's a bigger secret
Lubrication system: Wet sump
Clutch type: Wet multiplate
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Ignition system: TCI
Starting: Electric
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Fuel consumption: 43mpg (6.6 l/100km)
Frame: Diamond
Front suspension: 43mm telescopic forks
Front travel: 4.7-inches (120mm)
Rake: 24-degrees
Trail: 3.81-inches (97mm)
Rear suspension: Monoshock
Rear travel: 4.72-inches (120mm)
Front brake: Twin 320mm disc
Rear brake: Single 220mm disc
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W) Tubeless
Overall length: 80-inches (2,040mm)
Overall width: 27.3-inches (695mm)
Overall height: 45.2-inches (1,150mm)
Seat height: 33-inches (850mm)
Wheelbase: 54-inches (1,375mm)
Ground clearance: 5.11-inches (130mm)
Wet weight: 418lbs (190kg)
Fuel tank capacity: (3.7-gallons (17-litres)
Oil tank capacity: 0.7 gallons (3.4 litres)

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