Yamaha YZF 600 R6S

Riding the Yamaha YZF-R6S is a real blast as the motorcycle offers crisp throttle response and positive feedback in virtually any command given by the rider. I was very happy to be riding this motorcycle because I’ve always admired how Yamaha kept one stage of evolution and proved it is still competitive after a few years

My first thing on the list was the engine so after firing it up, I took my time and familiarized with the throttle and commands. This is how I immediately noticed the permissive riding position given by the narrow fuel tank, and especially positioned handlebar.

Once on the move I choose to test it in the urban jungle and the R6S’s high-revving 600cc motor didn’t disappoint in any given aspect. It provides user-friendly power through all the rpm range but racing abilities are always present and ready to deliver the best performance in any given gear. Frankly, I didn’t manage to go higher than third but that was enough for the Yamaha to convince me of its acceleration abilities and performance taken right out the race circuit.

Changing gears is an absolute pleasure and that was a very positive aspect for when I rode it between stop signs and red lights. It doesn’t require wide openings of the throttle before changing a gear but maybe that was just me keeping my ears opened for the exhaust sound. I admit that I preferred keeping it revved because that is what sportbikes are all about.

Another charming aspect was handling. This machine will lean you as much as it can. That’s right, you’ll feel like a visitor on the R6S and the curves will pretty much be taken by the sharp-handling Yamaha. Wide opening the throttle after such a curve provides the rider with great amounts of adrenaline as the fuel injected engine makes sure to offer the needed power in virtually any situation.

I was now getting used to this motorcycle and I decided that a fast lane won’t hurt anyone, so I headed out of town in order to get the best out of the 2008 Yamaha YZF-R6S. Outside town I encountered a completely transformed machine, one with tremendous power available on twist of the throttle away. I noticed that the racy and power oriented engine doesn’t require shifting up until around 15,500 rpm, where redline is encountered and that was my goal: bringing the needle close to redline in every single gear in order to really make my point on this bike. I found myself far away of the long arm of the law but the R6S kept going and going forever. 6th gear in top end brought a TopSpeed of 165 mph and I believe that it is more than needed from a 600cc motorcycle.

Reducing the speed was no problem as the reliable braking system made stopping more of a kids play but it is more than worth mentioning this bike is no beginner’s motorcycle although it can be user-friendly and very easy to accommodate with. The only aspect that requires take care of is the throttle opening. If you are a conscious kind of guy and you look for a fast and efficient mean of transportation, the Yamaha R6S might be it.

Overall, the bike was excellent and it left me with the best impressions. After riding its bigger brother, the R1, I tended to underestimate 600’s but this one is quite an opinion changer.

My conclusion is that if you want it, than you should have it no doubt about this. By offering aggressive styling, powerful engine with a wide powerband, and a relaxed riding position, the Yamaha YZF-R6S is one of the best sportbikes out there I don’t wonder why. If you are not convinced, I strongly advise you to take a look at it and, eventually, twist its throttle.

Key Features:

Light weight, big horsepower, razor-sharp handling and a comfortable cockpit make the R6S an outstanding do-it-all sportbike.
Competition-bred suction-piston-type fuel injection with 38mm throttle bodies features short intake ports and a special vacuum-controlled intake system to ensure instant throttle response all the way up to the 15,500-rpm redline.
The YZF-R6S achieves fuel economy up to an estimated 42 mpg** with a fuel tank that holds 4.5 gallons of gas.