Yamaha YZF R6

Shrieking supersport scalpel morphs into a sexy tech-laden mini superbike

Bike says: ‘Dwindling 600 sales could be due to a lack of fresh bikes. If the new R6 doesn’t save the class, nothing will’

Yamaha have treated their long-standing R6 supersport bike to an R1-style makeover. There’s an R1-style fairing with tiny LD lights, new aluminium tank plus a redesigned seat unit, sitting at a jaunty angle on a magnesium subframe. The new multifunction dash is based on the R1’s display, too. It goes further, as the 43mm KYB upside-down forks are lifted directly from the R6’s larger sibling, albeit with different settings. There’s a new KYB shock too, plus upgraded brakes. Yes, from the R1. The main frame is carried over from the old model, as is the high-revving oversquare 599cc inline four. It already had ride-by-wire control (the R6 was the first Japanese bike to use it), but is now Euro 4 compliant and features six-level traction control and a quickshifter. There’s ABS as well. With Honda dropping the CBR600RR and the Triumph 675 set to depart, we’re glad Yamaha still believe in the engagement of a super-crisp 600. The R6 will be here in the spring, in blue or black.