For some time now, the Yamaha R6 has been the most hard-edged, track-oriented supersports 600 around. For 2010, Yamaha have tempered down the bike and made it more civilized and easier to ride on the street. Here are some excerpts from what Motociclismo have to say about the machine. Back in 2005, the Yamaha YZF-R6 was the first Japanese sportsbike to be fitted with a short, compact exhaust system mounted on one side of bike rather than under the seat. For 2010, this exhaust system has grown in length, probably in order to allow the bike to comply with new noise and emissions regulations. And while it’s now quieter, the rest of the machine remains the same – sharp as a knife.
According to Yamaha, the R6’s engine has been revised for better power delivery at lower revs. Indeed, because of the new exhaust, air filter and fuel-injection mapping, the new R6 actually has 5bhp less than its predecessor. It’s also a bit slower, taking 9.8 seconds for the zero to 200km/h sprint, while the 2009 bike used to do it in 9.7 seconds. Of course, on the street this difference in performance is barely noticeable.
In terms of handling, the 2010 R6 remains agile as ever and makes you feel like a real racer on your favourite stretch of twisty road. On smooth surfaces, the bike’s very firm suspension works well, but the handling tends to deteriorate on bumpy roads, with the rear end bouncing around a fair bit. The brakes, however, with a four-piston calliper set-up at the front, remain as good as ever.
In conclusion, the 2010 Yamaha YZF-R6 remains one of the most technologically advanced supersport machines. Its engine is still explosive and with its excellent chassis, the little Yamaha is simply an incredible ride. The riding position is a bit too extreme for the street and clutch feel could have been improved, but the bike is certainly less noisy and more civilized than the 2009 model, making it more suitable for everyday use. And for that, we must applaud Yamaha
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