Photoshoot of the Week: October 19th-25th 2020 – Yamaha YZF-R6 RJ15 & Princessa

Although the 600cc supersport class has faded in popularity in recent years, the R6 has proven to be a survivor. In the early 2000s, it was one of the machines that took 600s from all-round usage to a more sport-focused design.
It’s been competitive in race series around the world. Other machines might look better on paper, but the R6 is the bike of choice for many privateers, winning national and international championships in the past two decades. Its last update came in 2017, when Yamaha added traction control, riding modes and ABS, as well as new suspension and front brakes and chassis parts.
Unlike many smaller-displacement sportbikes that have an air of soft-edge civility, the R6 is pure race replica with trick bits to match. The engine boasts titanium valves, ceramic-composite-plated cylinder bores, and magnesium cases. With a 16,500-rpm redline, the R6’s key components need to be strong, slippery, and light. There is, as a matter of fact, a replacement for displacement: light weight.
To that end, the R6 also has a magnesium subframe, a titanium muffler, and an aluminum fuel tank. The electronics package features six-level traction control, including “off,” and three-way-adjustable throttle response. A slipper clutch and variable-length intakes further evince the single-minded pursuit of middleweight performance. The Yamaha YZF-R6, significantly updated four years ago, is a quintessential example of the breed!