2006 Yamaha R6 Part2 Photo Gallery

Photos of 2006 Yamaha R6 Part1. 2006 Yamaha R6 Second Ride

The new R6 comes in a couple of different color schemes, including the yellow and black 50th anniversary colors.

At $9,300 it may be the priciest supersport to date, but the R6 shouldn't have any trouble finding a place in many garages in the near future.

The R6 excelled in the turns and can take on virtually anything the rider has the nerve to throw at it.

One of the most distinctive styling features on the '06 R6 is the minimalist tale unit, which our tester found to contain the trickest LED taillight in existence.

The R6's rear shock can be adjusted for low and high-speed compression damping.

The front brake's radial-mounted calipers and 310mm rotors were more than able to handle the worst abuse our correspondent could dish out. New fork features high- and low-speed compression damping adjusters.

The front brake with its radial-mounted calipers and 310mm rotors were more than able to handle the worst abuse our correspondent could dish out, they were so adequate he never even had to use the one in the rear.

Out on the Losail track the R6's five-spoke wheels were equipped with a pair of Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier slicks, a 180/55 ZR 17 on the rear and 120/70 ZR 17 on the front.

Manufacturers always seem to tout lighter, faster, and stronger. The R6 is no exception, featuring many titanium components. The goal is high performance and the result for the R6 is an engine that redlines at 17,500 rpm.

Air is rammed into the R6's intake where is funnels through the frame, pressurizing its airbox for greater power at high speeds.

The R6 powerplant remains under the 600cc supersport threshold, but increases the bore from 65.5mm to 67mm by decreasing the stroke by 2mm.

Yamaha claims some of the design of the R6 is courtesy of its MotoGP effort. One of those is the composite delta box frame, based on Yamaha's 'straight frame' concept it includes the steering head, swing arm pivot, and rear axle in a single line.

Bayly threw the new R6 through the ringer at the Losail circuit, doing his best to push the bike to its limits, like rolling into corners hitting the 18,000 rpm rev limiter.

Twisting the throttle is easy, but what you don't see is the YCC-T (Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle) works with an ECU (Engine Control Unit) to react to different sensor readings to deliver the optimal amount of fuel for improved performance.

The R6 is solid in the corners under braking. Subtle changes like a 5mm reduction to wheelbase and miniscule half-mm tightening of rake contributing to the improved handling.

Switching gears on the new R6 was a breeze thanks to the close-ration transmission and new indispensable slipper clutch.

Our correspondent Neale Bayly found himself partial to the 50th anniversary yellow and black.

Beside the tail unit, the other feature on the new R6 that captures the eye is the short exhaust pipe that Yamaha has named the 'titanium mid-ship silencer'.

As good as the R6 looks, the sound output after a twist of the throttle is one which our correspondent assures 'is going to make addicts out of the strongest willed.'