I bought a 2nd hand 2019 YZFR6 for over a year now, and I must say, it’s a beast of a bike. With its 599cc engine, this sport bike packs a punch, delivering rapid acceleration and a thrilling riding experience. In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the R6’s performance, handling, comfort, maintenance costs, and overall value.
The Good
- Blistering Acceleration: The R6’s engine produces ample power, making it a joy to ride on both straightaways and twisty roads. The acceleration is smooth and consistent, and the bike’s transmission is well-suited for both casual cruising and spirited riding.
- Responsive Handling: Once you’re rolling, the R6’s suspension and chassis work well together to provide a stable and responsive ride. The bike carves through corners with ease, and the feedback through the handlebars is excellent.
- Quickshifter: When you have more than 3000 rpm, you can kick the transmission up without the needing to hold the clutch (according to the manual). However, from my experience, I would recommend to use quickshifter if the rpm is more than 8000 rpm. The experiences and sounds of the bike are phenomenal. Using the quickshifter at low RPMs can be difficult and may potentially damage the transmission.
- Speed: I always want to know the top speed of my R6 but I’m too scared to ride it more than 200+ km/h. My top speed I’ve ever to achieved was 233 km/h on a smooth road and no humidity. It was thrilling but everything can go wrong. I don’t recommend riding with high speeds. Apparently, this beast can go up to 280 km/h on good conditions.
The Not-So-Good
- Weight: The R6’s weight is noticeable, especially at low speeds. This can make it feel cumbersome in tight spaces, and parking or maneuvering in tight spots can be a bit of a challenge.
- Comfort and Long Rides: The seat is firm but supportive, and the riding position is sporty. Without tucking in and clinging to the tank, your body weight tends to shift onto your hands and arms, leading to fatigue. However, this bike is designed mostly for tracks, so it’s not the most comfortable for long rides. If you’re planning long trips, you might want to consider other bikes like the Honda ADV or Yamaha MT series.
- Oil Consumption: This bike is a beast for oil consumption, mine consumes about 1 Litre per 9 Km. That’s what to be expected from a sport bike though. I don’t ride much because of this exact reason. If you want to use this bike as your main method of transportation, you better have a big wallet on standby.
- Temperature: The bike generates significant heat due to its high power output. The heat dissipation is noticeable around the footpegs, so you’ll likely feel it. I’ve experienced temperatures reaching up to 117°C. The fans kick in around 107°C. However, if you ride fast enough to utilize the ram air intake, it can help cool the bike down.
Maintenence Cost
In my experience, the Yamaha R6 has relatively reasonable maintenance costs. Oil changes and tire replacements are about par for the course, and I’ve found the bike’s reliability to be good. However, as with any high-performance bike, regular maintenance is crucial to keeping it running smoothly. It will drain a lot from your wallet. Here are some estimated costs to keep in mind:
- Oil changes: Around 1,500-2,500 THB every 4,800-6,400 km
- Tire replacements: Around 6,000-10,000+ THB every 8,000-16,000 km
- Chain adjustments and replacements: Around 1,500-3,000 THB every 800-1,600 km
These prices are estimates and may vary depending on the dealership. On the other hand, I also recommend to ride it at least once a week to keep the battery from dying.
Modifications
My bike has some modifications made to it, but nothing major. Here are my modifications:
- Foldable Tail Tidy: I use short plate holder to make the bike look more sleek.
- Fish-eye tail lights: I also installed small tail lights to make it more modern looking.
Custom Slipon Exhaust: I don’t like this exhaust at all since the sound it produces is too loud. It was already installed before I bought it. Currently I’m searching for Akrapovic 16-18 inches with sound reduction modifications.
- Phone Holder: I also installed a phone holder on the bike so I can watch GPS when I need to. I don’t have to stop for every 5 minutes to take out my phone, look at the GPS and put it back. The brand I use is Promount.
- Ohlins Steering Damper: My older brother gave me the Damper but the mount I use I bought it from Shopee. It’s FAKIE Brand.
The Verdict
Overall, the Yamaha R6 is a fantastic bike for riders who crave performance and are willing to adapt to its quirks. While its weight can be a challenge, the bike’s acceleration and handling make it a thrill to ride. The R6 is a great choice for any serious sport bike enthusiast. But it still has some drawbacks like maintenance cost, oil consumption and comforts. If you want a track bike or a race bike, this bike is for you. However, if you want more a touring bike, I recommend other bikes instead.
Final Thoughts
The Yamaha R6 is a bike that will put a smile on your face every time you throw a leg over it. Its performance capabilities are undeniable, and the thrill of riding it is hard to match. If you’re willing to accept its weight and quirks, the R6 is a great choice for any rider looking for a high-performance sport bike.
Here are some parting tips for fellow bikers:
- I strongly recommend starting with a smaller bike, such as the Yamaha R15 or CBR150, BEFORE moving to a larger one like the R6 to ensure you can handle its power and performance.
- Before buying any bike, I suggest you test ride it at a dealer to see whether the bike is really for you.
- Ensure your budget can cover not only the bike’s purchase price but also ongoing costs like fuel, parts, insurances and maintenance.
I already sold this bike. More detail here.