Introduction
Because it is still a fairly new addition to the market and packed with awesome features, you really don’t know where to look first when checking out the Yamaha FZ6R, but I had a hunch that the latest middleweight engine destined to power a Yamaha sports motorcycle would be a good start. Inspired from an earlier generation R6, the 600cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 16 valves motor features redesigned cylinder head, crankcase, intake and exhaust system, improving all engine processes from air admission to exhaust.
As on all its supersport bikes, Yamaha designed the engine for linear power while still retaining their sporty and competitive character. Still, you shouldn’t expect it to rev as high as an R6. Designed to be user-friendly, but still able to teach its riders a thing or two about performance after months of riding, the FZ6R engine reaches maximum output at 11,500 rpm and maximum torque is obtained at 8,500 rpm. That is due to the engine being tuned for low-to-mid rpm sweetness, the key that makes it very versatile.
Also from the R6 engine, the newly designed bike “borrows” the forged aluminum pistons, which are light and reduce vibrations, and the 32-bit ECU and four-hole injectors.
After being injected into the engine and blown up, the burned gas finds its way out of the engine through the modern 4-into-2-into-1 midship exhaust. This makes the inline-four sound like a purring kitty, but also reduces emissions with its 3-way catalytic converter.
The engine is used as a stressed member of the chassis, making the last rigid, just the way you would want you’re bike’s chassis when planning to ride it every day of the week. On top of this, Yamaha engineers added a 26° caster angle and 103.5 mm of trail in order for the bike to handle as good as its engine performs.
Further enhancing the handling characteristics of this bike is the suspension equipment. With a pair of 41 mm inner tubes, matched to a die-cast aluminum upper triple clamp and forged-steel under bracket front suspension and 5.1 inches mono-cross rear suspension, the bike remains steady and safe around the corners, inspiring confidence to beginning riders.
Life on board implies easy to read digital display speedometer, analog tachometer, odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge as well as water cooling gauge.
It hasn’t come such a long way, but it seems like it was here all along as the naked FZ6.
History
The Yamaha FZ6 is a sport bike first produced and marketed in 2004 after Yamaha people had the awesome idea of using the previous generation R6 engine on a commuter bike with lots of features worthy of a high-end bike. Immediate attractions on the new bike were the half-fairing and the underseat exhaust.
An easy to live with motorcycle thanks to the upright riding position and easy maintaining, the FZ6 was the perfect alternative for those who call themselves commuters during the week and adventurous riders during weekends.
The first revision came in 2006 and brought with it an improved engine, frame, subframe, rear swingarm and black painted rims. Most importantly, the fuel injection system was retuned for more torque from the bottom of the rev range and implicit a more appropriate behavior for a bike in this category. Blue and Shift Red were the only colors available.
As a 2007 model year, the FZ6 featured yet again optimized fuel injection system mapping and a new swingarm, but now the front suspension had revised damping and the front brakes, four-piston calipers. There have also been made modifications for more comfortable rides both for biker and passenger. The seat was redesigned and the bike was fitted with new passenger footpegs, while the fairing and screen did a better job in offering wind protection due to their new design. This is also the year when the 4-way catalytic converter was added. Also back in 2007, you could choose your Yamaha FZ6 painted either Team Yamaha Blue or Candy Red.
Nothing changed for 2008 except the Raven and Deep Blue coloring.
Note that these are changes that have been made to the FZ6 model, as the FZ6R was first introduced in 2009.
Competition
It might have come a little bit later, but that is no reason for it not to make a better impression in comparison to the Kawasaki Ninja 650R. This middleweight Kawi remains true to the Ninja name, but doesn’t manage to amaze from any point of view. It features a simple design and, like the Yamaha, it is built for commuting purposes so it is very comfortable. Both bikes feature narrow, low seats (30.9-inch on the Yamaha and 31.1-inch on the Kawasaki), but that’s about where the similarities end. The fairly bigger, 649cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, four-valve per cylinder parallel twin motor of the Kawasaki seems a bit anemic in comparison with Yamaha’s inline-four, but it too mates to a six-speed gearbox, so it should do the trick for riders in search of a rather docile middleweight to start on. MSRP for the Kawasaki starts at $7,099.
This brings us to the closest thing you’ll find to the Yamaha FZ6R, the 2010 Suzuki GSX650F. The bike is similar in appearance and also backed up by a middleweight four-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that, like on the Yamaha and Kawasaki is fuel-injected and valued through a six-speed tranny.
A crisp handler and very comfortable, the GSX650F doesn’t miss a chance to show off both its commuter and sport bike abilities, leaving us thinking that Yamaha had where to inspire when creating the fully-faired FZ6R. The MSRP for the new Suzuki hasn’t yet been announced.
Exterior
But as much as we’d try to find a decent competitor, a single look at the Yamaha FZ6R is enough for a rider to make its choice and a good one, by the way.
The first FZ6 with a full fairing, the “R” model is designed as a speed machine. It shows an aerodynamic body, packed with angular lines and yet it manages to have the adjustable seat positioned very low for an upright riding position.
For a bike in this category it is damn attractive and it hides its price beautifully. Just take a look at those air intakes on the sides of the Suzuki-like headlight. Yamaha inspired on the FZ1 to design this late addition and no mistakes were made there. The bulky gas tank is perfectly integrated and leaves enough room for the rider to tuck into the fairing. This reminds me of the highly efficient windscreen on the FZ6R.
Like on most modern sports bikes, the engine, transmission and chassis parts are painted black, while the color options are: Raven (w/gold wheels), Team Yamaha Blue/White, Pearl White/Rapid Red (w/gold wheels) and Pearl White/Vivd Magenta. The gold rims are supposed to further enhance the bike’s aggressive looks.
Price
Also, like all of Yamaha’s 2010 sports models, the FZ6R will be available starting February 2010 and the MSRP depends on color. So it starts at $7,390 if Raven is your color of choice and at $7,490 for the other three color schemes available.
Conclusion
With the FZ6R, Yamaha requires its share of the middleweight sports bike pie, which was previously shared by the Suzuki and Kawasaki motorcycles. But a manufacturer such as Yamaha doesn’t just make an entry; it sets new standards for the class as it implements one-off features such as the sleek fairing covering the more than potent 600cc engine mounted on a versatile and easy to work with chassis. Want more? How does adjustable seat and handlebars sound for you?
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SPECIFICATIONS
Engine and Transmission
Type: 600cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke, DOHC 16 valves
Bore x Stroke: 65.5mm x 44.5mm
Compression Ratio: 12.2:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Ignition: Digital TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition
Transmission: 6-speed; multi-plate wet clutch
Final Drive: Chain
Chassis and Dimensions
Suspension/Front: Telescopic fork, 5.1-in.travel
Suspension/Rear: Single shock, 5.1-in travel
Brakes/Front: Hydraulic disc, 298mm
Brakes/Rear: Hydraulic disc, 245mm
Tires/Front: 120/70 ZR17
Tires/Rear: 160/60 ZR17
Length: 83.5 in
Width: 30.3 in
Height: 46.7 in
Seat Height: 30.9 in
Ground Clearance: 5.5 in
Wheelbase: 56.7 in
Rake (Caster Angle): 26.0°
Trail: 4.1 in
Fuel Capacity: 4.6 gal
Fuel Economy: 43 mpg
Wet Weight: 467 lb (California model: 469 lb)
Other
Warranty: 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)
Features & Benefits
Key Features:
Engine:
Chassis/Suspension:
Additional Features:
