Road-testing the Yamaha YXF R6: This machine is the David to everyone else's Goliath.
It is only a 600cc machine, but it can churn out the equivalent of 211 bhp per litre or 789 bhp per tonne. It revs to 17,500 rpm and can carry you up to a mind-blowing 265 km/h (165 mph).
An all-new, from the ground up, redefinition of this popular machine, it has already shown its ability to trounce 1,000cc machines on the track. For those keen to have cutting edge technology, allied to the ultimate in performance terms, this is one very hot, very serious machine.
A recent market survey of motorcycling suggested that the coming market is amongst affluent, young, high-earners who have been there - bungee jumping, skiing and learning to fly; done that - and are now attracted to the adrenaline thrills of sports motorcycles. If so, then this machine was very much made for them.
The 2006 R6 is the third edition of the model. Technically it is brilliant and sophisticated. It has a YCC-T fly-by-wire throttle system (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle). It looks pretty much the same, the twist grip still has cables at the bar end. The cables turn a wheel which is not connected to the throttle bodies.
Instead they connect to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which has an array of sensors for air temperature, throttle position, intake air pressure, atmospheric pressure, crankshaft position, engine speed, engine temperature and amount of oxygen. Based on the various readings the ECU precisely opens the throttle for maximum performance and efficiency.
There is a secondary set of injectors that come into play at 6,000rpm, this ensures good low-speed behaviour and optimum fuel efficiency at higher rpm.
To permit higher revs the bore has been increased, and the stroke shortened and piston weight reduced by 13 grams. The compression is raised to 12.8:1. Larger titanium intake and exhaust valves are fitted. The crankshafts internal mass is reduced by 26 per cent. The result is a power plant that now red-lines at a mind boggling 17,500rpm.
Add to the mixture magnesium heads, a semi-hydraulic cam chain tensioner and, for the first time on a 600cc machine, a titanium Yamaha EXUP valve. (Exhaust Ultimate Power Valve). The new titanium mid-ship silencer tucked away, where it should be, underneath the engine.
To get the equivalent sophistication in the four-wheel world you would be looking at a Grand Prix car.
It has to be said that its proper home is on the track where, in good hands, its astonishing potential can be exploited. Yet the truth is that the vast majority of R6s bought will never be used on the track but on ordinary, everyday roads. With so potent a machine staying within legal limits to say nothing of the riders limits, is an exercise of restraint and self-denial. Actually it is downright impossible!
This is a machine at the extreme end of the scale even in sportsbike terms. Those new to modern sportsbikes and those no longer in the first flush of youth probably, would find the riding position uncomfortable and indeed unnerving.
One's natural gaze is about three metres ahead of the front wheel. To see where you are going you need to crane your neck a good 35 degrees more than is comfortable. The riding position closely resembles a foetal position and the footpegs, which are set high for ground clearance when banked, seem best suited to a midget's legs. None of this will come as news to the dedicated sportsbike enthusiasts. They seem to thrive on the maxim "no pain, no gain".
In terms of day-to-day commuting or touring it is hopelessly impractical. In reality it is a race bike with lights.
When it comes to performance it is superb. It has all the bells and whistles you could ever wish for on a track bike. The range of suspension adjustments is impressive. You would have no problem setting it up for any kind of track.
All considerations of comfort and practicality are banished into insignificance when you wind on the throttle and get into the "plus 6,000rpm sector and climbing", when the bellow of that mass-centred, titanium exhaust crescendos from wounded beast to yelping banshee.
If you want uncompromising performance the R6 has it in abundance, and all for the price of the cheapest car!ENGINE: 599cc, fuel-injected, 16 valve, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, forward inclined parallel 4-cylinder. 12.8:1 compression, 6-speed gearbox, chain drive. 127 bhp @ 14,500. Torque 49 ft. lbs @ 12,000rpm.
CHASSIS: Aluminium Deltabox frame, 41mm USD telescopic front forks, 120mm travel. Dual 310mm disks, 120/70 ZR17M/C(58W) tyre. Rear suspension: link suspension swinging arm, 120mm travel single 220mm disk, 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W) tyre.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 850mm. Wheelbase 1,380mm Weight: 161kg. Fuel 17.5 litres.
PRICE: €12,500