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Wednesday, 23 August 2006 |
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| The R6 has often been compared with Yams' own TZ250 for sizing and manoeuverability, in reality it's never been true - the R6 is obviously bigger and heavier and an easier ride than the more race competent TZ, and whereas the R6's a sword, the TZ's a laser. For 2006 though the R6 seems to be heading toward the TZ because it's a very peaky and demanding ride now. Few people (don't be pointing your finger at me?) will be capable of maxing out the R6 on the race track but when you start working toward it you'll get real rider satisfaction and not to mention a serious adrenaline rush because this thing sings. |
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Torque has never been a strong point (relatively speaking) of the Supersport class. The old bike liked to be 8000 and higher before it started making up some steam. The new bike is worse (better?) And likes to be over 11k or closer to 12,000RPM before it starts to get busy. It was difficult for me, especially as I own a big V-Twin to rev this thing out to the indicated 17,500 (really 16,000) my mechanical sympathy seemed to hold me back. However, when I took advantage of the RPM and rode the thing like a two-stroke, it all came together. Screaming this bike is where it's at. If you bust a corner and lose that RPM you have to dig deep to get it back again. If you don't maintain all your corner speed you start to lose the R's and it can sometimes be saved (like a two-smoke) with some clutch slipping or you have to row that gearbox again. On saying that though, the over-rev on this bike does make it easier to hold the RPM should you feel brave. |
| Just like a ring-dinger, get it right and you'll look good, can stare Jason D' in the eye, and life is grand. Get it wrong and you're going hopelessly backwards, hating life and the new bike. This bike does reward you if you're up to bettering your race track prowess. The more I think about this bike the more I think its going to be a pretty capable all-rounder. Without sounding too hypocritical I feel that for day to day stuff you can ride it off the cam and be reasonably happy, especially with you knowing what you have stowed down below (should you need to bust it out.) Sure, off the cam won't see you braking any speed records (or laws) but then again you won't be making a bunch of noise either, or attracting Johnny Law - win, win. (Was that three wins?). |
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Stability is exemplary - at speed and on your ear, mid-corner bumps don't make much of an impression on the Yamaha. The suspension is very compliant with high and load speed damping to really dial the bike into your weight and riding style. Under hard acceleration and over the bumpy stuff, you might get a little waggle of the bars - just enough to get your attention but not enough to head back to the pits with dramatic tank slapper stories. I must admit I even looked around to see if the thing was carrying a steering damper (it hasn't). A great example is the left turn seven before the bowl right turn 8 at the Streets - you're on your knee at a tad over 100mph, there's a mid corner bump there that instead of me adjusting my race line, I could ride right over it. That tighter, stiffer chassis allows a compliant (read softer) suspension setting and it took the hit with no ill effects. |
| The rear shock has a ramp style preload adjuster - sure it doesn't have a finite range of adjustability that the threaded style enjoys but the ease of use negates any downside, especially with it being a quick and easy visual clue to your bike's stance (relative to your weight). Both the front and rear suspenders also have high and low compression adjusters. With the adjustments available to you, your chances to muck up this bike's handling is just as easy as it is to improve it. So just like riding the thing, you have to pay attention (to your tweaking.) |
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Race wins are not always about brute power and forcing the issue, it's also about smoothness and finesse. The 2006 R6 comes with a feature that every "real" performance bike should have - a slipper clutch. The upside of this type of clutch is that it'll bail you out (rather than off) if you charge a corner and lose composure (hey, it happens). Red mist might sometimes see you banging gears a little later and sometimes a little untidier. The slipper helps with rear wheel hop and you'll be rewarded with some stylishly looking backing in maneuvers, especially if you're really lazy, really force the issue, are sloppy, have poor timing and/or are an idiot like me. The brakes on this bike are also the dogs danglies too, one or two fingers max - so this slipper's going to come in handy trying to match down shifts with braking inputs. |
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