Product Review for the 2009 Yamaha YZF-R6

 

In 1999 Yamaha introduced the YZF R6, a light and very powerful machine full of technological advances gained from years of racing on the track. The R6 is hailed as the most advanced production 600cc motorbike Yamaha, or any other manufacturer has produced. As the years have passed the R6 has been a forerunner and has led the way in many areas, it was the first production bike to use the Fly By Wire throttle system which was later applied to the R1, along with many other features. The R6 is by far one of the best production 600cc motorcycles on the road today with its stunning good looks, with very sleek lines and breathtaking power, you would have to go a long way to find anything better for the price.

 

Full Specs

 

Spec	YZF R-6
Engine Type	16v titanium DOHC in-line 4cylinder
Displacement (cc/ci)	599 (cc) / 36.6
Engine Stroke Cooling	4 Stroke Liquid Cooled
Compression Ratio	13.1: 1
Bore ( mm/in) Stroke (mm/in Ram Air Induction	67 / 2.64 42.5 / 1.67  Yes
Dry Weight	166 kg
Wheelbase (mm/in). Height   (mm/in) Length (ft)	1379.2 / 54.3 1099.8 / 43.3  6.69
Transmission	6-speed
Brakes; Front   Rear	310mm dual floating disc radial mount 4 piston callipers 220 mm single piston calliper
Suspension (front / rear)	Front: 41mm Inverted Fork four-way adjustable . Rear: single shock four-way adjustable
Ignition Type	Electronic
Tires (front/rear)	120/70-ZR-17 Dunlop 180/55-ZR-17 Dunlop
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.4Litres
Colours	1.     R6 Blue 2.     Racing Red 3.     Midnight Black

 

Outstanding Features

 

* NEW* Engine improvements include:

·         Fly By Wire throttle control  System for instant response in all conditions

·         Remapped YCC-T settings through the Engine Control Unit (ECU) which optimizes the power output achieving a smoother linear power delivery

·         Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake system YCC-I which offers variable length intake controlled electronically

·         Slipper type torque limiting clutch which offers more when braking and sifting down the gears giving a greater response

·         Greater fuel economy with an approximate 40 MPG and with a 4.6 gallon tank capacity

 

*Additional features include.

 

A lap timer which has been incorporated into the main control panel display and operated by the right handlebar switch. A multifunction analogue and digital instrument display which shows the rider everything he needs to know, with dual trip meters, odometer, water temperature even how many miles left on the reserve tank etc.

 

Review

 

Yamaha have recently celebrated their tenth year anniversary with their R-series motorcycles and have experienced much success, not on in sales of production models but on the race track. The YZF R-6 has been in a class of its own for many years and has taken the best riders on the circuit to great heights. With Yamaha’s ahead of its time technology being taken to the next level, by incorporating their vast track knowledge in to production bikes

 

 The R6 is no exception with the application of the fly by wire throttle system which was a breakthrough offering flawless engine response whatever the condition of the road .This was the very first production 600cc motorcycle to use this system and proved to be a great success, which lead the way in this field .By applying the race technology to the R6 it became a forerunner and changed the way Yamaha would produce future bikes. It also incorporated the YCC-I, Yamaha Chip Control Intake which varied the R-6’s intake tract length and offered greater cylinder filling and in turn broadening the power band, so on a higher rpm the benefits are more pronounced .Also the introduction of the ECU the engine control unit in 2009, which remapped the YCC-T, Yamaha chip controlled throttle settings leading to optimized power output through every gear, which in turn achieves a smoother more linear power delivery.

 

The YZF R6 is basically a racing bike for the road, whether you use it for everyday matters, going to work etc, or unleash its pure animal power on the track, this bike is a work of pure genius. The upcoming race event at Barber, the AMA Pro Championship will see the championship leader Joey Pascarella, take his R6 to the track once more, he has been placed in the top three in the years opening races and he came second at Daytona, which speaks volumes about this fantastic machines capabilities.

 

The R6 is used by many famous riders to great effect, but you will also see this beautiful and very stylish motorcycle donning the driveways of the rich and famous, or maybe hidden away in the garage only to be seen on special occasions. Everything about the R6 screams style, from the very sleek lines of the fairing to the magnesium valve and engine covers and even the fuel tank which looks like something NASA would produce.

 

You cannot really fault this masterpiece in any way, it has the looks of a beautiful Greek goddess, with the awesome untamed power of a tidal wave, without losing any of its safety features. If you are thinking about upgrading your present motorbike and want something a little bit special, look no further. This should definitely be at the top of your shopping list.
BASE MSRP (US)

 

The manufactures suggested retail pricing for the 2009 Yamaha YZF R-6 is around $9.990

 

Changes from Previous Year

 

The main change to the Yamaha YZF R6 is the addition of ECU, the Engine Control Unit, which has totally remapped the settings to the YCC-T which in turn optimizes the power output through each gear. This offers a much smoother and much more linear delivery of power, making the drivability more stable. There has also been a change to the colour scheme which is new for this year. To be honest the 2009 YZF R6 is pretty much perfect in every way as most of the changes over previous years have made this the bike we see today. Why change perfection?