Photoshoot of the Week: June 8th-14th 2020 – Yamaha YZF-R6 & Leydi

In 1999, Yamaha unleashed the YZF-R6 onto the world. Since that time, the R6 has helped define what we know as a modern middleweight supersport machine. Over nearly two decades, the R6 has collected three World Supersport titles and more AMA and MotoAmerica wins than I’m able to tally without going blurry-eyed. The Yamaha R6 and has become a permanent fixture on circuits and canyons in the US, not to mention its global footprint. In short, the R6 has been dominant within its realm.
In 2017, the Yamaha YZF-R6 received its first major update in nearly a decade. That motorcycle marked the fourth generation of the revered supersport platform. While it wasn’t a complete revision—the frame, engine, and swingarm remained the same—Yamaha has elevated their beloved R6 to new heights with the addition of adjustable traction control, ABS, riding modes, a new fork, revised shock, larger floating rotors, and, of course, a complete aesthetic redesign. Those were big steps for the (former) little 600.
In spite of its smaller displacement and lighter weight, the R6 boasts the same front brakes as the R1. A pair radial-mount, four-pot, opposed -piston calipers bite the dual, 320 mm front discs while a lightened caliper grips a 220 mm rear disc, thus reducing unsprung weight at the rear axle and enhancing contact-patch integrity. Both ends come with a non-switchable ABS. Surprised? Me too, especially since it’s a race bike, but word on the street from riders better than myself is that it’s very unobtrusive and isn’t likely to upset anyone’s QWAN no matter how in-touch they are with their machine. 17-inch rims round out the chassis with a 120/70 up front and 180/55 to bring up the rear.
With the fourth generation R6 settled into the market, Yamaha didn’t disappoint with its updated R6. Considering that the YZF-R6 has won more AMA middleweight races and championships than any other 600 cc sportbike, it’s no surprise that it is popular both with urban commuters and fast bikers. By the way Leydi is definitely among the second ones.