Yamaha Announces All-new YZF-R6, Improved YZF-R1, Limited Edition YZF-R1

Yamaha Announces All-new YZF-R6, Improved YZF-R1, Limited Edition YZF-R1

© 2005, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Yamaha has made several changes to its Super Sport model line-up for 2006. The biggest news is an all-new YZF-R6. The bike comes with a new frame, a new swingarm, new suspension with high- and low-speed compression adjustability at both ends, a new engine with a bigger bore and shorter stroke that revs to 17,500 rpm, more compression, a revised ram air intake between the headlights, new ram air ducting, a shorter wheelbase, more trail, less rake and a slipper clutch. No horsepower or weight numbers have been released for the new bike, which will come in black, Yamaha blue and a 50th anniversary yellow, black and white paint scheme. Expect a suggested retail price higher than the $8399 Yamaha asked for the 2005 YZF-R6. The newest racer replica will be supplemented by two other, lower-cost, middleweight sportbikes aimed more toward the street/occasional track day rider rather than the ultra-high performance rider/racer. The YZF-R6S is identical to the 2004-spec YZF-R6, complete with conventional forks and front brake calipers. The even more relaxed YZF600R will again return to the line-up. The YZF-R1, which was introduced two years ago, receives minor, but significant upgrades to the engine, resulting in two more horsepower, and chassis, including a 0.8-inch longer swingarm, resulting in a wheelbase of 55.7 inches versus the previous model’s 54.9 inches. The 2006 YZF-R1 also gets a gold anodized treatment to its forks legs. Yamaha will also produce a YZF-R1 LE (Limited Edition), which in addition to the more powerful engine and longer swingarm will come with Ohlins suspension front and rear, forged aluminum Marchesini wheels and a slipper clutch. 500 numbered YZF-R1 LEs, all in the yellow, black and white 50th anniversary paint scheme, will be imported it into the United States, making the bike eligible for AMA Superstock racing, according to 2005 AMA rules. Yamaha has totally revamped the FZ1, fitting the semi-naked bike with the 2004/2005-spec YZF-R1 engine, an all-new die-cast aluminum frame, gold-anodized inverted forks and a swingearm similar to that seen on the 2005 YZF-R6. The FZ1 also will get a price higher than the 2004 version’s $8599.

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