The Yamaha YZF-R6 is a sport bike,[1] produced by Yamaha as a 600 class from 1999 to 2020. From 2021, production availability is limited to a non-homologated race-only specification in most global markets,[2][3] causing race organisers to realign their engine eligibility criteria to encourage other manufacturers having larger than 600 cc displacements to enter road-race competition from 2022.[4] Race organisers wanted to provide scope for alternative machinery to move away from established tradition of the Yamaha R6 being the dominant marque in Supersport racing.[5]
History
The Original
1999 YZF-R6
The YZF-R6 was introduced in 1999 as the super-sport version of YZF-R1 super bike, and as a companion to the more street-oriented YZF600R sport bike, which continued to be sold alongside the R6. The motorcycle featured Yamaha's completely new engine design capable of producing over 108 hp (81 kW) while stationary. The R6 was the world's first 600 cc production four-stroke motorcycle producing over 100 hp (75 kW) in stock form.[6]
2003 YZF-R6
2003 Redesign
The YZF-R6 has been revised several times since its introduction. Starting in 2003, the R6 became fuel injected. It also received a new headlight design that was more reminiscent of its bigger brother the YZF-R1.
2006 YZF-R6
2006 Redesign and the "tachometer problem"
The 2006 model year was a significant upgrade with a new engine-management system featuring the YCC-Tride by wire throttle and a multiplate slipper clutch.[7] The 2008 model incorporated the YCC-I variable-length intake system to optimize power at high engine speeds, a slight change in exterior bodywork for better aerodynamics, and an improved Deltabox frame design.[8]
In 2006, Yamaha advertised that the R6 had a redline of 17,500 rpm. This is 2,000 rpm higher than the previous R6 model and was the highest tachometer redline of any 2006 production four-stroke motorcycle engine.[9] The true maximum engine speed was limited by the ECU to 15,800 rpm.[10] In February 2006, Yamaha admitted the bike's true engine redline was more than 1,000 rpm lower than what was indicated on the tachometer and had been advertised,[11] and offered to buy back any R6 if the customer was unhappy.[9][12]
2017 Redesign
2018 YZF-R6
In 2017 the R6 received improved aerodynamics with styling inspired by the 2015 R1, as well as its 43 mm inverted front fork and front brakes, new rear shock, a new aluminum fuel tank, magnesium subframe, ABS brakes, riding modes, and traction control.[13][14] The new aerodynamics are claimed to reduce drag by 8% over previous models.[15] The engine is unchanged, with rear-wheel power still at about 120 hp.[13] Body is similar to MotoGPs 2005– YZR-M1.
The 2017 update comes with an OBD port. Unlike previous models, this R6 does not have the same diagnostic mode option. To retrieve the diagnostic codes, an adapter that plugs into any OBD-II scanner is needed.[16]
^ abcdeCatterson, Brian (April 1999), "Six by Six; Gixxer, 6R, R6, 748, F4 and Formula 750 go for middleweight gold", Cycle World, vol. 38, no. 4, Hachette Filipacchi Médias – via General OneFile(subscription required) , pp. 36–45
