Yamaha YZF-R6 was first introduced in 1999, and after almost 21 years of successful production, Yamaha discontinued it in 2020. YZF-R6 was regarded as the most uncompromising track-oriented motorcycle. It was the first bike to hit 100 bhp under the 600 category and is famous for its power and high raving.
If you want to know more about Yamaha YZF-R6’s Specs, weight, Top speed etc., then be with me.
Yamaha YZF-R6
Yamaha YZF-R6 has a DOHC 599 cc four-stroke engine. Its inline four-cylinder engine has 16 valves. It is capable of producing 108 hp as it was manufactured more than 20 years Yamaha continuously updated it. Yamaha upgraded its fueling system by adding a fuel-injected system in 2003. 2006 is the year when Yamaha added the YCC-T ride-by-wire throttle with a multi-plate slipper clutch. To optimize power at high engine rpm, Yamaha included the YCC-1 variable-length intake system in 2008.
Year-wise Upgrades and Events
| 1999-2000 | Yamaha Introduced this Yamaha YZF-R6 Model |
| 2001-2002 | Some tiny upgrades in it |
| 2003-2004 | Yamaha added a Fuel Injection system to it |
| 2005 | Yamaha upgraded YZF-R6’s suspension and brakes. |
| 2006-2007 | Ride by wire, high/low-speed damping, slipper clutch, and a tachometer scandal |
| 2008-2009 | It has a new transmission, which is YCC-I Variable-length intake |
| 2009 | Yamaha reprogram the YZF-R6 to meet EPA Tier Two regulations |
| 2010-2016 | It again claimed glory after the EPA Tier Two |
| 2017-2020 | Electronics. And the final run. |
| 2020 | The Yamaha R6 discontinued |
Engine
| # | 1999-2002 | 2003–2005 | 2006-2020 |
| Drivetrain | CDI | Digital DC-CDI | TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition) |
| Ignition | multi-plate clutch, 6-speed #532 O-ring chain | multi-plate clutch, 6-speed #532 O-ring chain | multi-plate slipper clutch, 6-speed, #525 O-ring chain |
| Bore × stroke | Chain: 116 links, 532 Pitch | Chain: 116 links, 532 Pitch | Chain: 116 links, 525 Pitch |
| Compression ratio | 12.4:1 | 12.4:1 | 13.1:1 |
This Yamaha R6 Model has a DOHC 599 cc four-stroke engine. Its inline four-cylinder engine has 16 valves. To prevent it from overheating, it has a liquid cooling system.
YZF-R6 2006-2020 models have bore and Stroke of the size of 67.0 mm × 42.5 mm (2.64 in × 1.67 in). The compression ratio from 2008 to 2020 for this model was 13.1:1.
Fuel System
| # | 1999-2000 | 2001–2002 | 2003 – 2005 | 2006 – 2007 | 2008 – 2020 |
| Fuel system | 37 mm carburettors | 37 mm Keihin CV Downdraft w/throttle position sensor | Fuel injection | Fuel injection w/ YCC-T | Fuel Injection w/YCC-T and YCC-I |
|---|
First, it comes with 37 mm carburettors. Yamaha replaced it in 2001 with a 37 mm Keihin CV Downdraft w/throttle position sensor. To give proper power engine needed a better fueling system, so Yamaha introduced the Fuel injection system in 2003. Later they upgraded the fuel injection system by adding YCC-T in 2006 and YCC-T and YCC-I in 2008.
1999 to 2005, it had a fuel capacity of 17 l; 3.7 imp gal (4.5 US gal), but in 2006 Yamaha increased the fuel capacity to 17 l; 3.8 imp gal (4.6 US gal). The last upgrade for the fuel tank was in 2017, which is 17 l; 3.7 imp gal (4.5 US gal).
Drivetrain & Ignition
| # | 1999 – 2002 | 2003 – 2005 | 2007 – 2020 |
| Ignition | CDI | Digital DC-CDI | TCI (Transistor Controlled Ignition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | multi-plate clutch, 6-speed #532 O-ring chain | multi-plate slipper clutch, 6-speed, #525 O-ring chain | |
| Chain and Sprockets | Front Sprocket: 16 teeth Rear Sprocket: 48 teeth Chain: 116 links, 532 Pitch |
Front Sprocket: 16 teeth Rear Sprocket: 48 teeth Chain: 116 links, 532 Pitch |
Front Sprocket: 16 teeth Rear Sprocket: 45 teeth Chain: 116 links, 525 Pitch |
YZF-R6’s latest model has 6-speed manual transmission. It also has a multi-plate slipper clutch that gives power to the engine. It has a #532 O-ring chain with 116 links and a 532 Pitch with 16 teeth front and 48 rear sprockets.
Coming towards the ignition, Yamaha has Capacitor Discharge Ignition. CDI system has a timing of 10o BTDC on 1,700 RPM and 55o BTDC on 5,250 RPM and TPS that mix the right amount of air and fuel for the engine.
As Yamaha is continuously upgrading its YZF-R model, in 2003, they replaced the CDI with Digital DC-CDI. In 2006, Digital DC-CDI was replaced by Transistor Controlled Ignition for better performance.
Dimensions
| # | 2001 – 2002 | 2003 – 2005 | 2006 – 2016 |
| Length | 2,100 mm (81 in) | 2,020 mm (79.7 in) | 2,040 mm (80.3 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 700 mm (27.6 in) | 690 mm (27.2 in) | 700 mm (27.6 in) |
| Height | 1,120 mm (44.2 in) | 1,090 mm (42.9 in) | 43.1 in (1,090 mm), 2011: 43.3 in (1,100 mm) |
| Seat height | 830 mm (32.8 in) | 820 mm (32.3 in) | 850 mm (33.5 in) |
| Wheelbase | 1,380 mm (54.4 in) | 1,380 mm (54.3 in) | 1,370 mm (54.1 in) |
Its Latest dimensions are 2, 040 mm / 80.3 inches in length and 700 mm / 27.6 inches in width. It has a decent height of 1,150 mm / 45.3 inches. The seat height of the YZF-R6 is 850 mm / 33.5 inches which are a little less than the Yamaha Grizzly 700. It is quick in handling response and stable as it has a 1,370 mm / 54.1 inches wheelbase.
Suspension
| # | 1999-2000 | 2001–2002 | 2003–2004 | 2005 – 2016 | 2017 – 2020 |
| Suspension | Front: fully adjustable 43 mm telescopic fork Rear: fully adjustable mono-shock | Front: fully adjustable 43 mm telescopic fork, 130 mm (5.3 in) of travel Rear: | Front: 43 mm telescopic fork w/adjustable preload, compression, and rebound damping; 120 mm (4.7 in) travel Rear: | Front: 41 mm inverted telescopic fork w/adjustable preload, separate high & low-speed compression damping, rebound damping; 120 mm (4.7 in) travel Rear: | Front: 43 mm inverted fork, 3-way adjustable; 120 mm (4.7 in) travel Rear: 4-way adjustable; 120 mm (4.7 in) travel |
|---|
The suspension must absorb all the bumps to give a comfortable ride. It has a rear swing arm with 4-way adjustable KYB® piggyback shocks and 43-mm KYB® USD telescopic forks with 3-way adjustable shocks. With these Suspensions, the front and rear wheel travel are 120 mm / 4.7 inches.
Brakes
| # | 1999-2000 | 2003–2004 | 2005 – 2016 | 2017 – 2020 |
| Brakes | Front: 2×295 mm floating disc | Front: 2×298 mm disc Rear: 220 mm disc | Front: 2x310mm floating disc Rear: 220mm disc | Front: 2×320 mm hydraulic disc Rear:220 mm hydraulic disc |
|---|
Initially, It had front disc brakes, but later, Yamaha added two 298 mm discs for the front and one 220 mm disc for the rear wheel. To increase safety and to stop R6 more efficiently, Yamaha added triple hydraulic brakes with two 320 mm hydraulic discs for the front and one 220 mm hydraulic disc for the rear tire in 2017.
Tires
| # | 1999 – 2004 | 2005 – 2020 |
| Tires | Front: 120/60-ZR17Rear: 180/55-ZR17 | Front: 120/70-ZR17Rear: 180/55-ZR17 |
|---|
Tires provide grip to a vehicle on the road, and a good tire means you have less chance of bike skidding. It has an adequate front tire of 120/70-ZR17 and a rear tire of 180/55-ZR17. Both tires are tubeless and provide a fine grip on the road. For both tires, the suggested cold-tire pressure is 250 kPa / 36 psi.
Weight
| 2001–2002 | 1999-2000 | 2001–2002 | 2003–2004 | 2005 | 2006–2007 | 2008–2009 | 2010–2016 | 2008–2009 |
| Dry weight | 181–183 kg (398–404 lb) (’99) | 181–181 kg (398–399 lb) (’01) | 176 kg (388 lb) (’03), 392 lb (178 kg) (’04) | 180 kg (397 lb) | 180 kg (396 lb) | 181 kg (399 lb) | NA | NA |
| Wet weight | 200 kg (430 lb) | 193 kg (426 lb) (’01) | 188 kg (415 lb) (’03), 190 kg (419 lb) (’04) | 192 kg (424 lb) | NA | 189 kg (417 lb) | 189 kg (417 lb) [29] | 190 kg (419 lb) |
Its latest model dry weight is 181 kg / 399 lb., and its wet weight is about 190 kg / 419 lb. Comparing its weight with other superbikes, it is a lightweight bike with aggressive power. You can easily take it anywhere of your choice on the back of your truck.
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Conclusion
Yamaha has enjoyed an extensive and successful production run of the Yamaha YZF-R6 for over 20 years. Yamaha YZF-R6 was discontinued in 2020 and is now only available for the track. YZF-R6 has a good 599 ccs four-stroke engine with an aggressive bore and stroke of 67.0 mm × 42.5 mm (2.64 in × 1.67 in).
Yamaha YZF-R6’s top speed is 160 mph, so for this powerful machine, Yamaha added triple hydraulic brakes in R6; one is for the rear wheel and two for the front wheel. It can go from 0 mph to 100 mph in just 6.08 sec.
If you are looking for a bike to start your superbike journey and choosing this model for this purpose, then let me tell you it is not for beginners. It has 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear tire that gives a decent height to the bike. It is a light weighted bike with 399 lb weight.
FAQ
What is the price of the Yamaha YZF-R6?
Yamaha YZF-R6, the 1999 model price, was $7,999, and the last selling price of the Yamaha YZF-R6 2020 model was $12,199. The price of this bike is so justified, and it’s a value-to-money bike.
Yamaha discontinued its legal road bike but is still manufacturing R6 for the track at $18,399. A chart of year wise price of YZF-R6’s basic variants is given below.
| Year – Model – Trim | List Price |
| 1999 YZF-R6L | $7,999 |
| 2000 YZF-R6M | $7,999 |
| 2001 YZF-R6N/C | $7,999 |
| 2002 YZF-R6P/C | $7,999 |
| 2003 YZF-R6 | $7,999 |
| 2004 YZF-R6S/C | $8,099 |
| 2005 YZF-R6T/C | $8,399 |
| 2006 YZF-R6 | $8,199 |
| 2007 YZFR6 (YZF-R6S, Red) | $8,299 |
| 2008 YZF-R6 | $9,599 |
| 2009 YZF-R6 | $10,190 |
| 2010 YZF-R6 | $10,490 |
| 2011 YZF-R6 (Team Yamaha, Raven) | $10,690 |
| 2012 YZF-R6 (Team Yamaha, Raven) | $10,890 |
| 2013 YZF-R6 Team Yamaha | $11,190 |
| 2016 YZF-R6 60th Anniversary Edition | $11,490 |
| 2017 YZF-R6 | $12,199 |
| 2018 – 2020 YZF-R6 | $12,199 |
| 2022 YZF-R6 RACE/GYTR | $18,399 |
Is Yamaha YZF-R6 for Beginners?
No, Yamaha YZF-R6 is not for beginners. It is a performance-oriented superbike, and there’s a clear chance that a person learning to ride superbikes will go down. And if you go down with this mighty machine, you may seriously harm yourself. So choosing R6 as a beginner bike is a triable decision.
What is the Top Speed of the Yamaha YZF-R6?
The top speed of the Yamaha YZF-R6 is 160 MPH / 257KMH with 108 HP. It was the first to cross 100 HP in the 600 cc category. At top speed, it produces an RPM of 16,500. Yamaha made this bike performance-oriented so that you can expect this much power from R6.
Here is the speed and time chart for this model.
| Yamaha YZF-R6 Acceleration | |
| Speed | Time |
| 0-10 mph | 0.52 |
| 0-40 mph | 2.1 |
| 0-70 mph | 3.73 |
| 0-100 mph | 6.08 |
| 0-130 mph | 10.04 |
| 0-140 mph | 12.53 |
| 0-150 mph | 16.12 |
| 0-160 mph | 32.92 |
Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.
