Last year, Yamaha announced that it was ceasing production of its popular YZF-R6 sport bike for the street, effectively killing the most popular 600cc supersport on the market.
The move was a sign of the times, and a glimpse into the Japanese brand’ unwillingness to update the platform for the stringent Euro5 emission standards in Europe.
With no European market to help bolster sales, the news also meant that the Yamaha YZF-R6 would cease for production as a street bike in the United States as well. But, there was a silver lining.
The European announcement said that Yamaha would continue to support the R6 on the track, offering the track-only Yamaha YZF-R6 RACE machine for track day enthusiasts and racers.
The news made no mention for a similar consignment in the US market, however.
At the time, Asphalt & Rubber reached out to Yamaha Motor USA press officer Gerrad Capley to see if the American subsidiary would follow Europe’s lead.
True to Yamaha Motor USA form, who black-listed A&R several years ago for not lavishing the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 with enough praise to the liking of their fragile egos, the email went without reply.
We got our answer soon enough however, when the R6 failed to show up on the manufacturer’s list for 2021 model year motorcycles. Now, that has changed…sort of.
While the Yamaha R6 does return to the USA for the 2022 model year, it does so like its European counterpart, as a track model only.
As such, the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R6 GYTR will be available in very limited quantities for those looking for an inline-four 600cc race-prepped motorcycle, direct from an OEM.
Like the European Yamaha YZF-R6 RACE model, the Yamaha YZF-R6 GYTR comes with the following features:
- GYTR race cowling set
- Akrapovic full race system
- GYTR ECU set
- GYTR wire harness set
- GYTR on/off switch
- GYTR Interface cable
- GYTR AIS plug set
- GYTR ABS emulator
- GYTR keyless fuel cap
- GYTR seat cushion
- Stainless steel brake line set for front and rear
- Front brake lever guard
- GYTR fully adjustable race rear set with optional reverse shifting kit
- Rear sprocket guard (shark fin)
- Sprocket drive 14T fits 520 chain conversion
- Rear sprocket, 45T fits 520 chain conversion
- Sprocket nut set for 520 conversion
- DID gold race chain 520 conversion
- Rear paddock stand hooks
- Paddock stand
If you like what you hear, you’ll need to open your wallet wide, as the 2022 Yamaha YZF-R6 GYTR will be selling for $18,399 MSRP – a $6,200 premium over what the 2020 model street bike sold for in the USA.
Deliveries are set for April 2022, and you will want to contact your local Yamaha dealer immediately to to place an order and a deposit for this limited production motorcycle.
Source: Yamaha Motor USA
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