YAMAHA R6 (2017 - 2021) Review

The aluminium frame is lifted from the old bike - with the rake and trail remaining the same - but the fully adjustable forks have been stolen form the R1 and now have a 2mm wider 43mm diameter. The front wheel comes from the MT-10, which now accommodates a larger 320mm front disc (up from 310mm). The calipers and radial master cylinder are new, again borrowed from the R1, and ABS comes as standard.

The ABS brakes are a step forward over the old model’s, as is stability under hard stopping. The new forks deliver first class feel, and give you the confidence to brakes late and deep into corners. Once turned the R6 craves even more corner speed than before. Its agility and accuracy on track are stunning; it hits every apex with ease.

The R6 steers beautifully, it’s accurate and easy. I added a little more preload as the forks were bottoming out on the run into the Mountain, causing the R6 to understeer a little, but otherwise the front was perfect.

The rear was a little soft. I’d previously reduced the preload for the road, from 5mm to 13mm of unladen sag. We could have reduced the sag a little more to 10mm but I actually preferred the soft compliant feel of the rear end. I’m more accustomed to road bikes not race bikes with very little feel and prefer the softer set up and increased feedback.

On the brakes

The ABS brakes are a step forward over the old bike, with improved stability. The new 43mm forks offer excellent feel and give you the confidence to break late and deep into corners. It’s agility and accuracy on track is first class, it hits every apex with ease.

The ABS can’t be switched off though, however it doesn't feel like it's hindering a fast lap. The same can be said of the standard traction control. It still allowed small controllable wheelies over Cadwell’s famous Mountain and only kicked in when the rear tyre started to spin when the bike went light.

Again, if I was really trying for a fast race lap I’d want the traction control switching off, but like the ABS, for normal trackdays it’s perfect.