Few naked sport bike riders, if any at all, wouldn’t like to have the title to a brand new Yamaha FZ6. As a Yamaha Sport bike, the Yamaha FZ6 is a stylish and multipurpose machine more than capable of carving canyons all the way to work or school, whichever your heart might desire. The Yamaha FZ6 is just as adept at either. A 600cc liquid cooled engine provides just the right mix of performance and economy, and the minimalist front faring provides adequate wind protection, though it won’t provide much in the way of protection from rain. The most important aspect of the Yamaha FZ6, however, is more than able to accommodate your every whim. Lay into a corner and the Yamaha FZ6 shows off its lightweight responsiveness with snappy, precise handling, and enough power to blast out of corners like a moto GP racer.
The heart of the Yamaha FZ6 sport bike is the R6-derived 600cc sixteen valve liquid cooled four. The FZ6 features dual overhead camshafts and special cams and intake tracts which work in unison on the Yamaha FZ6 to provide the best balance of torque and horsepower at the ideal midrange RPM level. A catalytic converter allows the Yamaha FZ6 to pass CARB emission standards, while a six-speed gearbox dumps all that power to the 18/55-ZR17 rear tire. Exhaust duties for the Yamaha FZ6 sport bike are handled by a stainless-steel under seat system that mimics the clean look of custom aftermarket exhaust systems and allows passengers and luggage to ride along without obstruction. Yamaha tuned the exhaust note of the Yamaha FZ6 sport bike as well to provide a great sounding ride.
The Yamaha FZ6 may not be the flagship Yamaha sport bike, but you wouldn’t know it by the way it handles. The frame is ultra-strong; thanks to the fact that the Yamaha FZ6 frame is built in two pieces of a die-cast aluminum in what Yamaha calls a Controlled-fill process. The two pieces bolt together in only two places, at the steering head and the swingarm pivot, providing a simple design that works well. Four-piston brakes bring the Yamaha FZ6 to a quick stop, and the R6 style wheels keep the Yamaha FZ6 lightweight enough to be one of the most responsive sport bikes on the market. An upright riding position on the Yamaha FZ6 makes this Yamaha sport bike a competent tourer, as well, when outfitted with the right luggage.
With an MSRP of $6,999, the Yamaha FZ6 is available in either Raven or Cobalt blue as of October 2007, but expect some different colors to become available for the 2008 model year. Yamaha sport bikes provides a one year factory warranty at no extra charge, and of course, an extended warranty is available if you so wish. With all the positives of going naked with the Yamaha FZ6, why would anyone want to ride with a fairing?
