Yamaha YZF-R6 (2022) Review: The Last Dance of a Track Weapon

Introduction

The Yamaha YZF-R6 needs no introduction for sportbike enthusiasts, yet the 2022 model year carries particular significance. This marks the final production year of Yamaha's iconic middleweight supersport before emissions regulations forced its discontinuation in global markets. While not radically different from earlier iterations, this "last call" R6 represents the ultimate evolution of a platform that redefined 600cc class performance. After spending a week wrestling this machine through mountain roads and track sessions, it's clear Yamaha went out swinging - delivering a razor-focused instrument that rewards skill while punishing complacency.

Design & Styling: Form Follows Fury

Park the 2022 R6 beside its 2006 ancestor, and the evolutionary path becomes clear. Yamaha's designers have incrementally honed the bike's aerodynamics over generations, resulting in a silhouette that looks fast even standing still. The twin LED position lights flanking the central intake create a predatory face, while the M1 MotoGP-inspired bodywork features functional winglets generating downforce at speed - a rare trick in this class.

Three color schemes anchor the final model year:
- Yamaha Racing Blue: The traditional Speed Block livery
- Vivid Orange/Matte Raven Black: A sunset-like fade
- Raven: Stealthy murdered-out aesthetic

At 190kg (418.9 lbs) wet, the R6 feels shockingly compact when straddled. The 850mm (33.5") seat height puts hips at a racer's angle, though the magnesium subframe and narrow tank design make reach to the ground manageable for average-height riders. Every surface feels purpose-driven - from the wind-cheating screen to the GP-style reverse-spoke wheels.

Engine & Performance: A Screamer's Swan Song

Let's address the elephant in the room first: The 599cc inline-four remains unchanged from previous years, and that's both its greatest strength and weakness. Peak outputs of 123.5 HP @14,500 RPM and 67.5 Nm (49.8 ft-lbs) @10,500 RPM tell only half the story. This engine lives in the stratosphere - below 8,000 RPM, it's docile enough for parking-lot maneuvers. But crack open the ride-by-wire throttle past 10k, and the R6 transforms into an angry hornet swarm hurtling toward its 16,500 RPM redline.

Key tech specs:
- 13.1:1 Compression Ratio: Requires 95 RON premium fuel
- YCC-T/YCC-I: Yamaha's chip-controlled throttle and intake optimize response
- 6-Speed Gearbox: Dense ratios keep the engine boiling
- Fuel Economy: 5.6 L/100km (42 mpg) when ridden sanely

The soundtrack deserves special mention. With the stock exhaust, the R6 wails like a Formula 3 car at full chat - a metallic, urgent scream that turns heads at any track day. Aftermarket systems (which we'll discuss later) amplify this character exponentially.

Chassis & Handling: Scalpel Precision

Yamaha's Deltabox aluminum frame remains the gold standard for feedback. Paired with fully adjustable 43mm KYB inverted forks and a piggyback rear shock, the R6 communicates every ripple in the pavement directly to your palms and seat bones. At 1375mm (54.1") wheelbase, direction changes happen with telepathic immediacy - flicking through chicane transitions feels like steering with your knees rather than handlebars.

Braking performance matches the chassis' capabilities. Dual 320mm front discs gripped by monobloc calipers deliver staggering power, with ABS intervention feeling seamless during panic stops. The 220mm rear disc provides just enough bite for trail-braking finesse without overwhelming the front.

Tire dimensions (120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear) strike a perfect balance between quick steering and high-cornering stability. Push hard enough, and you'll appreciate the 24-degree rake and 97mm (3.8") trail keeping the front end planted mid-corner.

Electronics & Features: Minimalist Warfare

Don't expect the TFT displays or smartphone integration found on newer rivals. The R6's dash combines an analog tachometer with a monochrome LCD showing speed, gear position, fuel level, and mode status. It's Spartan but effective - at 240 km/h, you want information absorbed through peripheral vision.

Three riding modes tailor response:
1. Mode 1: Direct throttle mapping for track use
2. Mode 2: Smoother low-RPM delivery for street
3. Mode 3: Rain-friendly power reduction

Traction control offers six levels of intervention (plus off), though seasoned riders will appreciate how unobtrusive the system feels compared to earlier implementations. Notably absent is an IMU-based cornering ABS or wheelie control - this remains a purist's machine.

Competition: The 600cc Class Finale

The R6's discontinuation leaves a void in the middleweight supersport segment. Here's how it stacked against its final rivals:

Honda CBR600RR:
- Similar power (118 HP) but softer power delivery
- More street-friendly ergonomics
- Lacks Yamaha's razor-edge chassis feedback

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R:
- 636cc engine offers stronger midrange
- Heavier (196kg) with less precise handling
- Includes bi-directional quickshifter

Suzuki GSX-R600:
- Budget-friendly but dated design
- Softer suspension setup
- Lacks modern electronics package

Aprilia RS 660:
- Newer parallel-twin challenger
- 100 HP with advanced electronics
- More versatile but less track-focused

The R6's advantage lies in its singular purpose - this is a bike designed to annihilate lap times rather than coddle commuters. While competitors added practicality, Yamaha doubled down on track performance.

Maintenance: Keeping the Beast Hungry

Owning an R6 demands mechanical sympathy. Key considerations:

Oil Changes:
- Use full synthetic 10W-40 every 6,000 km (3,700 mi)
- Check strainer screen for metal debris during changes

Valve Adjustments:
- Every 42,000 km (26,000 mi)
- Requires shim-under-bucket tool kit

Chain Maintenance:
- O-ring chain needs lubrication every 500 km (310 mi)
- Replace when stretch exceeds 2% (approx 25,000 km)

Brake Service:
- Bleed lines annually with DOT4 fluid
- Replace pads when thickness <3mm

Cooling System:
- Flush coolant every 2 years
- Monitor for leaks at quick-connect hoses

Common Upgrades:
- Exhaust Systems: Akrapovič or SC Projects slip-ons shed weight and amplify sound
- Suspension Springs: Öhlins or K-Tech cartridges improve damping for heavier riders
- Rearsets: Adjustable sets from Woodcraft enhance cornering clearance
- Brake Pads: Sintered compounds like EBC HH offer better bite

At MOTOPARTS.store, we stock everything from OEM-spec filters to track-day essentials. Our recommendation? Start with frame sliders and axle spools - this bike deserves protection when pushing limits.

Conclusion: A Legend's Curtain Call

The 2022 Yamaha YZF-R6 isn't for everyone - it's cramped, loud, and demands constant revs. But for those willing to meet its challenges, few machines deliver such visceral rewards. This final edition serves as both a swan song for ICE-powered supersports and a reminder of why middleweights once ruled racetracks worldwide.

Will future electric models replicate the drama of a 16,500 RPM inline-four? Perhaps. But for now, the R6 remains the ultimate graduate school for sport riders - a machine that teaches precision while punishing mistakes. As emissions regulations tighten globally, this last-of-breed predator reminds us why we fell in love with motorcycling's sharpest edge.

The author testing the 2022 R6 at Motorland Aragón Circuit. Photo: MOTOPARTS.store Media Team

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Specifications sheet

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