Up-Close with the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6

The 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 is more than just “bold new plastics” as one A&R commenter said, with traction control, ABS, new suspension, and R1-esque bodywork being added to the supersport machine – among other changes.

Still very much “evolution” rather than “revolution” for the Japanese manufacturer, the Yamaha R6 however is a very striking machine, visually, and that’s what we wanted to share with you today.

Yamaha isn’t shy that the R6 gets its look from its older sibling, the YZF-R1, with both bikes sharing a number of visual elements: MotoGP-inspired air intake, koi fish headlights on the fairing, vented tail section, and sinister LED marker lights – just to name a few.

The effect though is perhaps the most dramatic change to the venerable supersport, as it takes the 12-year-old design for the YZF-R6 and gives it a modern look and feel.

Feel is important on a motorcycle, though I would argue it is something we talk about with unfortunate infrequency. How a motorcycle feels between your legs, and how you interact with it as a machine, are two attributes that are perhaps more important than what is on any spec-sheet.

A new motorcycle should make us lust after it, and entice unsuspecting enthusiasts to buy one right off the showroom floor. With that in mind, the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 does quite a good job of stoking our moto-lust.

It is subjectively one of the most beautiful machines in the 600cc supersport category, with some enjoyable visual details (especially in tasty matte black). You can see what we mean, in our gallery below.