Rider Input; 08+ Yamaha YZF-R6

Anybody have any opinions to offer on the '08+ (current gen) Yamaha YZF-R6? I'm reading reviews about them online and the general consensus seems to be that its an excellent track weapon but not so street friendly due to lack of low/midrange power compared to other middleweights, and very aggressive ergonomics.

Of all the 600s, the R6 interests me most. I've got some concerns that if I get the thing I will just hop on my FZ1 if its a pain in the ass to ride. The other I'm considering is an '08-'09 GSX-R750. I like the weight reduction on the '11s, they just a bit ugly IMO.

 

The 675s are nice...but I'm kind of sketchy on the motor reliability. For a low volume make there are quite a few instances of blown motors at low mileage. I get that this can happen to any bike, but I'd rather it happen to a Big 4 where motor replacement would be a viable option to bike replacement. Plus aftermarket parts options are many and prices are lower!

If any of the Big 4 made a 600-750cc sport standard with a trick suspension (a la Street Triple R), it'd be a done deal

Sadly, 90% of us stupid Americans are either fat cruiser riders or reckless sportbike demons so we don't get much of the cool Euro models.

 

I only rode an 06 R6, which is really similar to the 2008+ R6. The updates in 2008 won't fix my issue with it. It just felt gutless. At the time I had a 2000 R6 trackbike, so I know in the racing world, it was quite a motorcycle. But my streetbike back then was a Monster S4r. Being a twin, it felt slow. But the R6 felt down right boring by comparison.

When I sold the Monster, wound up with a 636, which was also gutless for street riding. They just don't make power that works well on the street, IMO.

After an FZ1, I would think that if bought an R6, you'll either want to hit the track or you'll likely think of it as boring.

However, if I wanted a Japanese middle weight, it would be my choice. If it were open to all of them, I would try to figure out how much plastic I wanted wrapped around a 675 motor.

 

I love my R6.. Buddy of mine has a GSXR and i would choose it over it any day... Bike doesn't have great bottom end power but it indeed has enough.. If you want to fix some of that throw ya a sprocket on and you are more than good to go..

Only thing i would have to say i don't like about the bike is after a couple thousand miles, the clutches begin to break in and the clutch begins to release at the end.. You can adjust it out a little bit but not to much.. This making it a tad bit hard to pull out from red lights without giving it some gas..Haven't rode the new ZX6R but if i would take one if i didn't have my 6..

All in all i would have to say i love the 6.

 

If your going from an FZ-1 which is tuned for more mid-range, to an r6. I think you will be disappointed. I went from a GSXR to a TL1000s and i won't go back. I know it isn't any faster (probably slower), but the midrange and pull from 3k on is awesome. You won't find that in any 600. If you are looking for a street bike, stick with the FZ-1.

 

D675 was always one of my dream bikes, I absolutely love the way they look and had heard nothing but good things about the triple.

Then I got the opportunity to test ride one for a weekend from my buddy at a triumph dealership. Was the biggest let down ever. It was pretty damn quick but most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden. Any extended rides and my ass also felt on fire from the exhaust. I've heard some of this can be fixed by more upright handlebars but I was pretty sad that I won't be owning one some day after that test ride

 

I've ridden a set up R6, and it was amazing. Light, very responsive, and it wasn't half bad for power. If you want uber power, buy a 1000. I'd go for it. Triumphs are cool, but the blow up every 5 minutes..

 

Every five minutes, huh? How many have you witnessed their death?

I race motorcycles. I like Triumphs. I talk to guys on 675's a lot. I've heard comments like, "great bike, but really needs triples." "It get off a corner well, but it needs power on top."

One time I heard, "I don't run practices because I'm trying to make sure it doesn't blow up." However, that guy rode a Yamaha motard.

Bikes break. I heard the same shit about 636's. The only people I know who blew up 636's were stunter friends (who tend to blow up a lot of bikes, and generally like 636's) and street guys who like to bounce their bikes off the rev limiter so it makes little popping noises. Of course when it shuts off, they give it an oil change and claim that they did nothing wrong. Kawi, pays to fix it and then bikes cost me more money when they move on the next hobby.

 

I was trying to think of bikes I've seen blow up. Here's the list:

A Buell tuber break a crank
A worked 580ish EX500, broken crank
An SV650, broken crank
Two R6's burn to the burn the ground

 

I also race motorcycles. I have seen several triumphs blow on, on track and at the track. Case in point: Beautiful 2009 675 race bike, with about 200 miles. Lots of mods, no motorwork, stock head gasket. Made it 1/4 of a season. New motor. Made it to about the 3/4 mark. New motor. Another 675 came out to do some track days -- new motor.

Obviously, 5 minutes was a bit of an exaggeration, but I've seen stock triumphs blow up more consistently than anything other than Ducati. I'm not knockin' triumph, so please dont take it personally, but I've had a GSXR 1k with motor work that just blew up after 3 seasons. The import reliability is unquestionable. Unless its an 05-07 r6, in which case, the bearings are crap, and you'll be pushing right along side the triumph owners.

 

Of the 600s, the R6 would probably be my choice, but for street duty I think i would rather have the GSXR 750.

Although if I already had an FZ1 I would probably be looking at a big twin. Torque FTW.

 

I got an '08 Raven R6 this past weekend! It was mostly stock except for Scotts damper, crap LED signals/fender eliminator (which I've returned to stock already), and a trumpet style slip-on. Just 3,100 miles and had never been dropped. Bought it from a DC police officer that had the maintenance and mods done by a friend who is a motorcycle fleet mechanic for DCPD. The bike is a peach!

I am completely impressed with this bike! If this bike is gutless unless its really wound up, I'm curious how the other 600s perform. It feels like a damn rocket to me, even compared to the FZ1.

The bike is harder to ride on the street than the 750 I had. Its tall and I'm on my tiptoes whenever I stop. It doesn't seem to want to turn in very well until I get going to around 50mph. Maybe its just something I need to learn - I've only had it a week. I feel like I'm working harder than I should to muscle the thing through tight twisties. Throttle response is great but there is harshness when rolling off throttle and back on. I have to learn to keep a little bit of throttle on through corners to keep the rear planted.

As soon as I hit fast sweepers in it, the bike is amazingly stable and very crisp. I get plenty of feedback from the front and I have a lot of confidence through the corners. Railing it hard gets me high!

My g/f also got an '06 FZ6 this weekend. We're an all Yamaha house

 

I have personally been lucky enough to own both my 675 and 08 r6.
The 675 has awesome low end but the top end isn't that great, the r6 on the other hand is the complete opposite. My friend used to say my Daytona sounded like a jet engine when I was riding and you can't beat how narrow the bike is either. I would say reliability is on the yamaha runs good and strong. I geared mine down to make up for the bottom end. Both bikes are awesome you won't be disappointed with either.

 

One word... DUH. Only place it fits is on the track. As with any 600 or 1000. THey're track bikes with turn signals (which usually get taken off by the squids anyway).
CLosest thing to a street bike that a 600 has been that I've ridden is an FZ6.. and the FZ1. Still race derived engines that have to be over 5000 rpm to leave a street light, but geared a bit better.

THe ONLY thing the big bikes have over the little ones is a bit of comfort at speed. And usually some amenities.. You got a 3-400 pound bike putting out over 100 hp. ITs faster than you can use anywhere but a track. THe 600s don't separate themselves from the 1000s anywhere but the track.