Yamaha YZF-R6 Discontinued Globally: Finds A Permanent Home At Race Tracks

The company has announced that the Yamaha R6 will not be updated to meet the Euro 5 emission standard, due to lack of its sales performance. Along with the R6, the company has also axed the VMAX, WR250R, and the SMAX models as well.

However, the Yamaha YZF-R6 has found a permanent home at race tracks across the world. The company has announced that it will continue to sell the non-homologated version of the motorcycles called R6 RACE, which will be restricted only for track use.

The track-only 2021 Yamaha R6 will be available as a stock bike, targeting the track day riders, racing teams and privateers. Additionally, Yamaha is also offering a GYTR Stage 1 kit with a host of bolt-on accessories, that converts the stock R6 into a track-ready machine.

This includes a GYTR race cowl set, an Akrapovic full-system race exhaust, race-spec ECU set, a GYTR wire harness set, a GYTR ABS emulator, a GYTR seat cushion, Stainless steel brake line set for front and rear, front brake lever guard and a shark fin rear sprocket guard; among others.

Both the new Yamaha R6 Race and the GYTR conversion kit will be available from January 2021 onwards. In addition to the GYTR kit, The company is offering a range of GYTR and Öhlins parts for racing enthusiasts to personalize their R6 RACE even further.

Yamaha first launched the YZF-R6 back in the year 1999. The middle-weight supersport motorcycle never made it to the Indian shores, officially. However, due to the motorcycle's popularity, some of the bikes were imported to the country.

The Yamaha R6 has been the go-to model for the company to introduce a host of new technology in the past. This includes the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) and, Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) systems, which made the motorcycle's power delivery extremely precise.

The Yamaha R6 is powered by a 599cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine. It produces a maximum of 117bhp at 14,500rpm and a peak torque of 61.7Nm at 10,500rpm. The engine comes mated a to a six-speed gearbox with a slip-assist clutch. The motorcycle also features a bi-directional quick shifter on the Race spec model along with 6-position traction control, multiple drive modes and dual-channel ABS.

Thoughts About The Yamaha YZF-R6 Discontinued Globally

The Yamaha YZF-R6 will surely be missed on streets across the globe with its iconic design and distinctive exhaust note. However, the motorcycle will still be seen on tracks doing its best to post blistering lap times with a host of bolt-on accessories offered by the company. The Indian market has to bid goodbye to the R6, without ever being sold in the country.