But when you’re out on the open road again, all that earlier punishment is long forgotten and revelling in the sheer single-minded attitude of the bike once more is all-consuming and deeply rewarding. The faster this thing goes, the happier it and its rider are. Every journey has to come to a close though, and the finale of mine begins with more frustration and annoyance when returning to a busy and built-up environment reminding me how inappropriate it is for the 600. Fortunately when I get off it not long later, the memories of the massive speed-induced kicks that the R6 has given me along the way are still prominent. The irritation from having to back off the throttle for a few miles just before getting back home is all in the past, and just looking at the gorgeous thing is fulfilling enough. That’s a real pleasure in itself. The sharp and racy lines of the pocket-rocket are some of the best in biking. Even on its side-stand it looks like its doing the ton, and it’s clear to any viewer what it’s been made for.
Not many bikes can match the Yamaha’s hell-bent focus on speed, and in truth there probably aren’t that many riders who can match it either. The Yamaha is as close to a road-legal race bike as you can buy. Comfort, convenience and civility are simply not in its DNA. If you’re lucky enough to live near a series empty of twisting back roads, then using the R6 will be a joy. And for trackdays it’s nigh-on perfect. In the real world though, it’s a very different story. The Yamaha is just too focused to be an everyday bike. But as a bike for special speedy occasions, it’s very hard to beat.
STAT BOX2007 Yamaha YZF-R6
Price: £7,499
Performance: 160mph
EngineType: liquid cooled, 16-valve, dohc, in-line four
Displacement: 599cc
Bore x Stroke: 67 x 42.5mm
Compression: 13:1
Power (claimed): 128bhp @ 14,500rpm (135bhp with ram-air)
Torque (claimed): 48.5ft-lb @ 11,000rpm
Carburation: electronic fuel-injection
Gearbox: six-speed
SuspensionFront: 41mm inverted telescopic fork, fully adjustable (including high and low speed compression damping)
Rear: rising-rate monoshock, fully adjustable (including high and low speed compression damping)
BrakesFront: twin 310mm discs with four-piston radial calipers
Rear: single 220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Wheels/TyresFront: Dunlop Qualifier, 120/70-17
Rear: Dunlop Qualifier, 180/55-17
ChassisType: die-cast aluminium Deltabox twin spar
Rake/trail: 24degrees / 97mm
Seat
height: 850mm
Wheelbase: 1,380mm
Fuel capacity: 17.5litres
Dry weight: 166kg
Contact: 01932 358000, www.yamaha-motor.co.uk
