Yamaha YZF-R6 Rossi
For those of you not familiar with the man they call The Doctor, here's his career in a nutshell. Seven-time Grand Prix World Champion Rossi is quite simply one of the most successful motorcycle racers of all time. Born in 1979, he began racing in Grand Prix on 125s in 1996 and first entered the MotoGP scene in 2002, taking back-to-back world championships with Honda in 2002 and 2003 before making the bold, big-money switch to Yamaha.
Pundits of the time claimed Rossi's winning ways were down to Honda's dominant RC211V, and that he couldn't continue his staggering success with any other manufacturer. Valentino silenced his critics in the best possible way, by taking the 2004 and 2005 championships with ease on board Yamaha’s YZR-M1. And he only just lost out last year in a final race showdown in Valencia with Nicky Hayden -- a tense race I watched with hundreds of others on a big screen at the NEC during the bike show. Aged just 28, Rossi continues to race in MotoGP on the latest 800cc incarnation, raking in an estimated £15 million a year from sponsorships and merchandise.
But for all the caps, mugs and posters in the world, what better way to eulogise The Doctor’s greatness than to replicate his race bike. And that’s exactly what the paint shop technicians at Yamaha have done. Incorporating the logos of main sponsors Fiat, Michelin and Motul, the R6 Rossi also bears some of the racer’s cartoons emblazoned on his very own paint scheme, all beautifully lacquered in for a deep finish.
Many of the features from Rossi's multi-million pound bike are also incorporated in the standard R6 you see on roads today. A state-of-the-art fly-by-wire electronic throttle system, adjustable slipper clutch, titanium valves and exhaust, and twin-injector electronic fuel injection system come as standard. All this has been crammed in a tiny chassis and matched with a screamer of an engine. Its 600cc inline four pumps out 107bhp and redlines at a sky-high 17,500rpm. A light on the dash comes on at 14,250 letting you know you’ve hit peak power and that perhaps a shift up might be in order. All the while, the sound from the ram-air induction as you work the motor is enough to make your spine tingle.
The R6 is certainly not what you’d call a comfy bike. If you want comfort, buy an FJR1300 -- you can even get one with an automatic gearbox now! The R6 was designed for the racetrack much more than for the road. And despite bolting on a headlamp, indicators and number plate, this slimline hoodlum still only weighs in at 161kg. Its true track focus sees a seat higher than all its rivals. Between three and four centimetres higher, in fact, which helps reduce drag coefficient and makes you better placed for hanging off round the corners. But the trade-off is that it places additional weight, and therefore stress, on your wrists and neck. Dreadful up the M5, but unbeatable round Castle Combe.
Handling is as perfect as you would expect from a bike of this nature while the aluminium Deltabox gearbox copes admirably with rapid shifting at high revs. The dual 310mm front disc brakes are every bit as good as they need to be. The factory suspension set-up is also superb and the R6 was unfazed by either potholes or cats eyes, even at silly angles of lean.
The Rossi version of the R6 usually sets you back an additional £800. But for a limited time, Fowlers are offering the Rossi version at no extra cost over the standard. To arrange a test flight, just call Fowlers and ask for The Doctor.
Article written: July 31, 2007
The Yamaha R6 Rossi was kindly loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information about test rides, call Fowlers on 0117 977 0466.
OUR STEER ON THE R6 ROSSI
Price: £7,499 (@ Jul 07)
Engine: 600cc, liquid cooled, inline 4 cylinder
Top speed: 165 mph (est)
Power: 107 bhp at 14,500rpm
Torque: 43 lb/ft at 11,500rpm
Weight: 161kg
Seat Height: 850 mm
Fuel capacity: 17.5 litres
by Jon Bennett
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