Yamaha’s latest addition to the supersport lineup is the FZ6R, an all-new every day motorcycle that gives the impression of being designed for the track. But those are purely design aspects. Mechanically, the 2009 FZ6R is an unbeatable package of performance and price, comfort and, finally, style.

Introduction

Because it is brand new and packed with awesome features, you really don’t know where to look first when checking out the 2009 Yamaha FZ6R, but I had a hunch that the latest middleweight engine destined to power a Yamaha spo rts motorcycle would be a good start. Inspired from an earlier generation R6, the 600cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 16 valves motor features redesigned cylinder head, crankcase, intake and exhaust system, improving all engine processes from air admission to exhaust.

As on all its supersport bikes, Yamaha designed the engine for linear power while still retaining their sporty and competitive character. Still, you shouldn’t expect it to rev as high as an R6. Designed to be user-friendly, but still able to teach its riders a thing or two about performance after months of riding, the FZ6R engine reaches maximum output at 10,000 rpm, while maximum torque is obtained at 9000 rpm. That is due to the engine being tuned for low-to-mid rpm sweetness, something that makes it very versatile.

Also from the R6 engine, the newly designed bike “borrows” the forged aluminum pistons, which are light and reduce vibrations, and the 32-bit ECU and four-hole injectors.

After being injected into the engine and blow up, the burned gas finds its way out of the engine through the modern 4-into-2-into-1 midship exhaust. This makes the inline-four sound like a purring kitty, but also reduces emissions with its 3-way catalytic converter.

The engine is used as a stressed member of the chassis, making the last rigid, just the way you would want you’re bike’s chassis when planning to ride it every day of the week. On top of this Yamaha engineers added a 26° caster angle and 103.5 mm of trail in order for the bike to handle as good as its engine performs.

Further enhancing the handling characteristics of this bike is the suspensions equipment. With a pair of 41 mm inner tubes, matched to a die-cast aluminum upper triple clamp and forged-steel under bracket front suspension and 5.1 inches mono-cross rear suspension, the bike remains steady and safe around the corners, inspiring confidence to beginner riders.

Life on board implies easy to read digital display speedometer, analog tachometer, odometer/tripmeter, fuel gauge as well as water cooling gauge.

It hasn’t come such a long way, but it seems like it was here all along as the naked FZ6.

History

The Yamaha FZ6 is a sport bike first produced and marketed in 2004 after Yamaha people had the awesome idea of using the previous model year R6 engine on a commuter bike with lots of features worthy of a high-end bike. Immediate attractions on the new bike were the half-fairing and the underseat exhaust.

An easy to live with motorcycle thanks to the upright riding position and being easy to maintain, the FZ6 was the perfect alternative for those who call themselves commuters during the week and adventurous riders in weekends.

The first revision came in 2006 and brought with it an improved engine, frame, subframe, rear swingarm and black painted rims. Most importantly, the fuel injection system was retuned for more torque from the bottom of the rev range and implicit a more appropriate behavior for a bike in this category. Blue and Shift Red were the only colors available.

As a 2007 model year, the FZ6 featured yet again optimized fuel injection system mapping and a new swingarm, but now the front suspension had revised damping and the front brakes, four-piston calipers.

There have also been made modifications for more comfortable rides for both rider and passenger. The seat was redesigned and the bike was fitted with new passenger footpegs while the fairing and screen did a better job in offering wind protection due to their new design. It is also the year when the 4-way catalytic converter was added. Last year, you could choose to have your Yamaha painted either Team Yamaha Blue or Candy Red.

Nothing changed for 2008 except the Raven and Deep Blue coloring.

Note that these are changes that have been made to the FZ6 model, as the FZ6R has just made an entry as a 2009 model year.