Yamaha YZF-R6 - Mossy Rides

Words/pics by: Chris Moss/Mike Weston

There’s a right time and place for everything and, as far as enjoying a Yamaha R6 is concerned, that’s only likely to be in the height of summer on a race track. OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but because the overall design of the 600 is so exceptionally focused it’s not as far from the truth as you might think.

My first day’s testing of the bike really underlined its non-compromising character perfectly; highlighting that everyday use is not one of its fortes. And I can assure you that trickling across town, and then filtering though traffic along a wet and heavily congested M25 on a Friday afternoon is definitely not the time or place to view the R6 in its best light. Yamaha made no secret of the fact it built the bike to win the World Supersport title when it was launched. And though that hasn’t happened either last season or this, it’s still proved popular enough with road riders. Those guys must be pretty hardcore though, because unless you’re going fast on this bike, then it’s a complete pain to live with. However if you can be a bit more choosy about where you’re going to sample it, then it’s a very different story. And that’s something that I can happily confirm after my day of mixed emotions on the R6.

Within miles of turning off the M4 to get onto a far more interesting and more pleasurable route, the R6 quickly transformed into what seemed like an entirely different bike. Suddenly all the issues that made it so frustrating in town and on the motorway started to make perfect sense on the twisting, deserted back road. In that sort of environment, the bike is in its absolute element and the combination of its rev-happy motor and super-sharp chassis bring plenty of satisfaction.

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It’s hard to know where to start the praise for it, but we’ll begin with the most contentious part, the engine. The in-line four has plenty of that all-important power, and its fly-by-wire throttle system manages the engine precisely. But unless you’re short of mechanical sympathy and prepared to scream the motor towards its 16,500rpm redline, then you won’t sample much of it. It might drag you along at a half-decent rate when the tacho needle is pointing at single figures. But to see its best, you simply have to keep it above 10,000rpm. In fact the crueller you are with it the more satisfied you’ll be.

It takes time to become this masochistic, but at the end of the day there’s no choice but to give it a right royal thrashing. No revs equals no power: it’s as simple as that. This bike has no mid-range urge. It’s all at the top. Dropping one, two, or even three gears is essential to regain lost speed whenever you close the throttle or dab the superb brakes to drop the pace. Keep the left foot dancing on the gear lever though, and it is happiness all round with a gorgeous induction roar and howling exhaust note adding to the buzz of solid acceleration. It’s an addictive experience, and one that delivers big thrills. It’s a straightforward case of the more you put into it, the more you get out. Commitment is the key to getting the R6 to perform.

The rest of the bike has exactly the same sort of character and the faster you go, the better it gets. Superfast steering, though bordering on feeling quite edgy at times, helps the bike change direction faster than a Tory front-bencher. Dismissing corners is not a physical challenge on the R6, and not much of a time-consuming one either. Mind you, as in keeping with the bike generally, if the right ingredients aren’t in place then things can get pretty lively. The suspension is very good quality and features lots of adjustment to tailor it to your precise needs. But on standard settings you’d think the bike didn’t have any suspension at all. If the route’s a bit rough and ready, then the rock hard forks and shock make the bike dance around and shake its head. Luckily when things smooth out, they give exceptional feedback and control. It’s another issue that makes picking the right sort of roads a top priority.

There’s little in the way of concession from the cramped riding position either. The relative position of your bum, feet and hands is pure race bike, and pretty tortuous unless you’re going fast. At speed when you’re looking ahead more than anywhere else, and the wind under your chest is providing welcome support to take the pressure off your wrists, then life’s not so bad. When you’re not, in town for example, limb-aching is par for the course and even just trying to look over your shoulder is a real effort. The R6 loves speed and hates all other levels of pace.