As mentioned previously, the bodywork was reshaped in subtle ways to freshen up the look without abandoning the familiar (and popular) styling. The ram-air inlet is enlarged slightly and the mirrors are relocated to the upper mounting stay to improve airflow over the fairing. A lower fairing vent was removed and some mounting hardware was hidden to clean up the aerodynamics on the bottom half, while the tailsection was re-shaped to make the passenger pad look more "wing-like." The licenseplate hanger is a quick-detach assembly to simplify track-day or racing prep, and other track-ready touches include a built-in lap timer controlled by the right handlebar switches and a programmable shift light.
These latter points will undoubtedly be appreciated by core R6 enthusiasts who increasingly expect race-ready performance from Yamaha's premier 600cc-class offering. Our initial track test suggests these riders will be rewarded, as we were during our most recent visit to Laguna Seca. Dj vu, it turns out, isn't always as we remember it.
Tech Spec
Evolution
An even more aggressive, track-focused version of last year's already uncompromising R6.
Rivals
The usual suspects: Honda CBR, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Suzuki gSX-R and Triumph's Daytona 675 triple.
| TECH |
| Price: | $9599-$9799 |
| Engine type: | l-c inline-four |
| Valve train: | DOHC, 16v |
| Displacement: | 599cc |
| Bore x stroke: | 67.0 x 42.5mm |
| Compression: | 13.1:1 |
| Fuel system: | Mikuni EFI w/YCC-T and YCC-I |
| Clutch: | Wet, multi-plate slipper |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Claimed hp: | na |
| Claimed torque: | na |
| Frame: | Aluminum twin-spar |
| Front suspension: | 41mm Soqi fork with adj. preload, high/low compression and rebound damping |
| Rear suspension: | Soqi shock with adj. preload, high/low compression and rebound damping |
| Front brake: | Dual Sumitomo four-piston radial calipers, 310mm discs |
| Rear brake: | Single Nissin one-piston caliper, 220mm disc |
| Front tire: | 120/70-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier |
| Rear tire: | 180/55-ZR17 Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier |
| Rake/trail: | 24.0/3.8 in. |
| Seat height: | 33.5 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 54.3 in. |
| Fuel capacity: | 4.6 gal. |
| Claimed dry weight: | 366 lbs. |
| Color: | Team Yamaha Blue/White, Raven, Liquid Silver, Cadmium Yellow w/Flames |
| Available: | Now |
| Warranty: | 12 mo., unlimited mi. |
Verdict
A clear improvement over last year's somewhat wheezy, slightly nervous-handling R6.