2008 Yamaha R6 - first 600 to break 170 mph
Click on the image above for more high-res images of the 2008 R6
The last time that the Yamaha R6 was redesigned in 2006, the focus was purely on the racetrack, with street riding a distant thought in the backs of engineers minds. We're not suggesting that the R6 isn't a capable bike to ride on the street, but there are certainly far better choices if your main goal were to commute back and forth to work. On the track, however, the R6 shines with its high-RPM power band and razor-sharp handling traits. This year, the R6 got a few tweaks in an effort to add midrange power while still retaining its class-leading high-RPM punch, including a higher compression ratio, Yamaha's Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) and Yamaha's Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T). These changes have allowed the R6 to break the 170 mile-per-hour barrier, a first for a 600cc machine. Fortunately, Yamaha saw fit to increase chassis stability by reinforcing the steering head, engine mounting points and rear swingarm pivot, among other subtle tweaks. Suspension tuning is slightly different too, with a 41mm inverted fork and a more adjustable rear shock.
We are quite impressed by the speed and power that Yamaha has wrangled from its middleweight racer, which makes up more than half its total sportbike sales.
Gallery: 2008 Yamaha R6
[Source: Yamaha, Motorcycle News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mehul 6:31PM (3/08/2008)
I'm getting this baby as soon as I graduate.
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rouse42 7:31PM (3/08/2008)
CBR600RR... is a much better bike all around.
so what if it wont do 170.
07,08 CBR600RR will bounce off the rev limiter(15k) in 6th at 158mph
05,06's were good for 162, before honda changed the gearing.
Greg 10:44AM (3/10/2008)
I sure hope you aren't planning on making it your first bike. That's a good way to waste a lot of money and possibly skin. If not, hey, I'm jealous!
For years now manufacturers have been making their sportbikes more and more like street legal race bikes. I don't really know why they haven't just given up the pretense and made them into single purpose track weapons. It's clear that sportbike riders will continue to buy them regardless of suitability on the street as long as they're still street-legal.
John 7:43PM (3/08/2008)
It's amazing what the 600 bikes will do now. I had a 95 CBR 600 and the new crop of 600 bikes would eat it's lunch.
I think the OEM's are putting the highest priority on this class. The 600's are doing with the liter class bikes did just a few years ago.
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rouse42 8:07PM (3/08/2008)
after crunching some numbers. the r6 is gonna have to turn 15350rpm to hit 170.3mph (and no it doesn't have a 17500 rev limit)
cant wait to see how the CBR600RR vs R6 battle turns out this year.
CBR is approx 20-21lbs lighter. and last year made a few more ponys. i would say there gonna be on par with each other as far as hp goes. R6 might edge it out, but then there's the weight difference.
tomorrow when i go to work i will let you know what the MSO's state as far as HP.
yamaha is claiming 133.57hp with ram air and 127.26hp without.
Das Boese 9:02PM (3/08/2008)
Technology is amazing. Bikes in the 600cc class today put out the power that literbikes had a decade ago, but retain the benefits of less weight. Even the more tame touring oriented ones put out over 100HP while still being comfortable for long distances.
Unfortunately a lot of inexperienced riders underestimate the capabilities of those bikes and overestimate their own. Those who get one of these, remember to ride safe and responsibly within your own limits... that'll let you enjoy your bikes awesome power and handling much more, and for a long time to come.
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Dave B 10:20PM (3/08/2008)
Personally I prefer Yamaha over every other manufacturer out there. Their styling for the yzf series has been top notch since it's debut. If I had the cash and was a bit more crazy I'd get an R1, but I'm planning on getting an 04 R6 instead. Hopfully insurance won't be $8000 on a $7000 R6 like I was quoted last year. Not all sportbike riders are insane, we're just a bit crazier then the average person.
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Das Boese 1:32AM (3/09/2008)
Heh, I think sportbikes are actually the safest kind of bike to ride if you know your limits.
oracle99 5:26AM (3/09/2008)
I'd probably have to choose the CBR over the R6 as I don't hit the track much. But on looks, the Yamaha kills.
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Evotec 6:59AM (3/09/2008)
Yeah i heard R6 has the edge at the moment...
However an average person cant drive in the limits with this machine.
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CEMan 7:33AM (3/09/2008)
170 mph on a two wheeled object.
Hmmm...
Oh Mr Darwin, your waiting room is filling up...
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sw 10:02AM (3/09/2008)
It doesn't really matter how many wheels an object has, if you're not careful it's very easy to get yourself killed at even 50 m.p.h in a car or suv.
almost Dr. G.. 4:55PM (3/09/2008)
yea thats the unfortunate part. too many kids die on these things.
i love them and would love to get one but im scared of everyone else.
i have great respect for all these sportbikes, they are just amazing.
mr.ed 10:29AM (3/09/2008)
What's the grit number of pavement?
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D$ 10:23AM (3/09/2008)
New R6 looks fantastic, however, I'm not giving up my 2007 CBR600RR anytime soon. The CBR is lighter and has much better mid-range power.
Mehul: if the R6 is your first bike be careful and definitely take the MSF class. I would suggest a Ninja 250 first, Kawi redesigned it this year and it looks great.
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993 GTR 12:41PM (3/09/2008)
CBR - tachs out at around 15K I believe. And although we all know the R6 does not tach out at "17,500" it will hit the cutoff between 16,200 - 16,500. I have an 07 that cutsoff at 16,500 - 16,700 I think the bikes vary in that sense.
To say the CBR is an all around better bike is based on??? .....a magazine article? Bikes are based on what you like and what your riding style is IMO. I have owned a Honda 929 and a CBR 600 and I would not give up this 07 Yamaha R6 for a brand new CBR.
Then their is the weight situation??? My bike weighs 357 Dry, the new CBR I believe is around 347?? thats 10 lbs. The new bike is 9 lbs heavier so 19 lbs.
170 very impressive BTW.
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rouse42 4:57PM (3/09/2008)
i have ridden both of them back to back. multiple times.
the CBR is more comfortable, more powerful, lighter, and oh yeah its a honda so its built better. (better build quality, and more R&D.)
the CBR weights 345lbs dry, the R6 366lbs
the CBR carries 1.2lbs more fuel.
the R6 is going to have to be really good to unseat the CBR.
CBR600RR MSO states 114hp.
i will find the R6 on monday.
MCN claims they went 172.34mph
pavement is around 24 grit. and at 170mph your traveling at 250ft per sec.
993 GTR 8:40PM (3/10/2008)
The midrange for the 08 is up to par now. Not to mention I never had a problem taking a CBR or Suzuki at the track due to a lack of midrange. The midrange issue is more for people who want to "cruise" on the street. If I wanted to keep my midrange power high on the street I would let the bike rev out a little higher.
I am not a big fan of the CBR at least not the new ones if they keep trying to shrink the bike down it will turn into a pocket rocket. They saved some weight ...in addition to that they shrunk it down to a mini-bike.
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rouse42 12:05PM (3/11/2008)
cbr vs r6 dimensions
cbr6 r6 gsxr6
length 79.13 80.3 80.3
wheelbase 53.9 54.3 55.1
height 43.5 43.3 44.3
seat height 32.3 33.5 31.9
width 26.97 27.6 28.1
dry weight 345 366 359
rake 23.7 24 23.8
trail 3.86 3.8 3.9
fuel capacity 4.8 4.6 4.5
Pete 2:16PM (3/09/2008)
so is this 170 indicated? or gps-derived?
speedo's can be up to 10% off
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