YAMAHA YZF-R6 (2002-2003) Specs, Performance & Photos

The Yamaha YZF-R6 was a sports bike manufactured by Yamaha from 1999 to 2020, introduced as the super sport version of the YZF-R1 and as a companion to the more street-orientated YZF-600R model.

The R6 motorcycle was the first 600cc four-stroke production bike that delivered more than 100 hp in stock form. Since its introduction in 1999, the R6 was revised several times, such as in 2003 when Yamaha introduced the fuel injection system, and in 2006 when the R6 featured a significant upgrade with a new engine management system like the YCC-T ride-by-wire throttle and multi-plate slipper clutch, and in 2008 with the YCC-T variable-length intake system that optimized power at high engine rpm and improved the Deltabox frame design.

In 2002, Yamaha launched the YZF-R6, a powerful and maneuverable bike dedicated to those riders who were in search of a middleweight class machine with sports bike performance.

Brought to life by a 599cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the 2002 Yamaha YZF-R6 delivered an output power of 120 hp with a peak at 13,000 rpm and 68 Nm (50 lb-ft) of torque available at 11,500 rpm.

With a dry weight of 167 kg (369 lbs) and a six-speed manual transmission, the R6 model registered a top speed of 262 kph (163 mph). From top speed to a complete standstill position, the bike was stopped by two 298 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front and a 220 mm disc with a single-piston caliper on the rear that provided strong braking performance.