‘There’s plenty to check when buying an R6
“I have seen so many R6s pass through my workshop over the years and they nearly always fall into one of two camps – hounds or really tidy. It’s not exactly a rare bike, so if you are looking at buying one hold out for a good example rather than just buy the first cheap one you see. But remember whatever the outward condition, the engine will have been thrashed! Early supersport bikes live their lives on the limiter as they are a great source of cheap speed, it’s just the nature of the beast, but some are better buys than others. “Whenever looking at an R6 your first thought should be its history. A lot were stolen so check ‘Early supersport bikes like this R6 live their lives on the limiter’ the frame and engine numbers for signs of tampering and also look for hints of track use. I always inspect the fork legs, engine cases and swingarm for scratches as these are seldom swapped after an accident. An aftermarket fairing should set the alarm bells ringing. “When it comes to the mechanics the R6 is actually very sound. The motor can take most abuse but be careful of crashed bikes as the barrels and top case are one unit and need to be matched to the bottom cases. You can’t mix and match, so if the cases are damaged you need a new motor. The gear change shaft has a small detensioner spring on it that can wear and snap, causing a sloppy gear change. It’s not a massive job to change it and the part is only a few quid, but it’s something that is often overlooked and chalked down as a poor gearbox when it isn’t. The carbs, however, are another story. “The emulsion tubes on the carbs wear and turn oval, causing the bike to run really rich. Sadly there isn’t really a cure for this. You can buy a set of carbs on eBay for about £100, but the chances are they will also be worn. “Everyone knows about the R6s odd front tyre size, but it isn’t too much of an issue. If you are worried it’s quite easy to raise the front mudguard by a few millimetres through some new brackets, but I do know that some owners simply elongate the mounting holes for a quick fix. Or ignore the problem.”