Lo and behold, the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 is out of the box and it does look like the latest generation YZF-R1, which is what we expected more or less.
However, the changes are not just skin deep and while the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has not revealed any engine specifications yet, it is now Euro-4 compliant.
CHANGES – Loads of Electronics
The new R6 gets loads of electronic gizmos to make it go faster and safer than before. There’s 6-level Traction Control, ABS, Quick-shifter (unfortunately there’s no auto-blipper) and D-Mode. Of course, the Traction Control can be completely switched off.
There’s also a new pair of 43mm upside-down forks at the front which is taken straight from the YZF-R1 with 320mm discs and radial mounted brake calipers.
Design
The design of the latest R1 is heavily based on Yamaha’s MotoGP bike, YZR-M1. The new R6 gets the same treatment.
First up, is there anything that still looks like the outgoing R6? Yes, the exhaust end-can still looks quite exactly the same which makes it appear a bit out-of-sync with the rest of the ultra-modern design. But perhaps it’s only a matter of time that we get used to seeing it.
Now, the real changes – the bodywork. The new YZF-R6 carries the same design language as its litre-class sibling but with clever and clear differences. The front has similar air-intake at the centre as in YZR-M1 while there are two LED headlights just like the R1. The difference is in the inclusion of single LED strips above each headlamp. Also, Yamaha says the fairing has a layered pattern for overall better aerodynamics, in fact, this is Yamaha’s most efficient aerodynamically designed R6 ever with the claimed 8% less air-drag than the previous R6.
There are updates to the chassis and the rear sub-frame is completely new manufactured from CF die-cast magnesium. It is 20mm narrower than the previous R6 making the rider seat narrower as well which in turn makes for an overall narrower profile of the motorcycle between the legs.
No engine details yet
Yamaha has not revealed specific engine updates and details but it is now Euro-4 compliant. We believe that we will get all the remaining info at the upcoming EICMA show in November.
