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| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989-1999 |
| Successor | YZF-600R |
| Class | Sport bike |
| Engine | 599ccc, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16 valves |
| Transmission | 6-speed, constant mesh, final drive chain |
| Wheelbase | 55.0 in |
| Dimensions | L 82.5 in W 27.6 in H 45.5 in |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 gallons US |
| Related | Yamaha FZR400 Yamaha FZR1000 |
The Yamaha FZR600 was a sportbike motorcycle produced by Yamaha between 1989 and 1999. It was the successor to the FZ600, and was replaced by the YZF-600R. On introduction in 1989, it contained many interesting features, such as the steel Deltabox II frame and swingarm, similar in appearance to the then revolutionary alloy Deltabox frame introduced 3 years earlier on the FZR400. The FZR600 won several professional level sportbike titles[citation needed] before being outclassed by the Honda CBR600F2.
The FZR600 was discontinued in 1999 due to age of the design and the competing 600cc sportbike offers from Yamaha: The YZF-600R and YZF-R6.
The 4-valve Yamaha FZR600 came with the engine heavily slanted forward in the frame. This was the basis of the Genesis frame concept, and helped to lower the centre of gravity and help centralise mass. This layout allowed the real fuel tank to sit behind the cylinders, low between the frame rails, and further aided with lowering the centre of gravity. Forward of this sat the airbox, which fed 4 x 32mm Mikuni downdraft carburettors, and all these assemblies were covered by a plastic cover dummy petrol tank.
Unlike the larger FZR models which had featured 3 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder, the FZR600 had a 4 valve per cylinder layout, necessitated by the different gas flow characteristics of the 600cc engine over the 750 and 1000cc units in the FZR range.[1] Many models came with the EXUP valve system, mandatory for units sold in California. This system located in the lower exhaust manifold helps maintain high back pressure at low RPM's, and opens up more at higher RPM's giving the motor better mid range power. The EXUP system was mainly found in US and some European models to compensate for the loss of power caused by emissions related modifications for those markets. Standard world market models produced 91 BHP, compared to about 76 BHP for EXUP equipped versions.
The FZR600 continued in production until 1999. However, in some markets it was superceded in 1994 by the closely related FZR600R (sometimes called the YZF in some countries), which was mechanically similar but featured an all new aluminium frame, slightly modified engine producing 98 BHP, and different styling with the now famous 'Foxeye' headlamps.
The original steel framed '3HEx' FZR600 remainined virtually unchanged throughout its production, a testament to how effective the original design was for its time. In 1991 the FZR received a single wedge shaped headlamp to ape its FZR1000 EXUP sibling, but Yamaha bowed to consumer pressure and reverted back the the more popular twin headlamp design for 1992. In 1990 the FZR received a different swingarm, notable for being slightly fatter in profile. At this time the model also received slighly thicker fork stanchions, thicker rear wheel and tyre, and 4 piston front brake calipers shared with, although styled differently to, the later Yamaha YZF R6. Aside from the minor mechanical changes, the paintwork and colour schemes were the main change for each new model year, including Vance and Hines and John Kosinski 'signature' special editions.
Over a decade after its demise the FZR600 retains a cult worldwide following, and is a popular choice for tuners, modifiers and restorers due to its simplicity and durability. Many new riders, or those who use their bikes for daily commuting, favour the FZR600 for being more flexible lower down in the rev range than contemporary 600s, while still retaining creditable performance. Road tests and official performance claims have varied immemsely across the years, but a mean of various figures published by different sources across the models lifetime would give the FZR600 a top speed in excess of 140MPH, and a standing 1/4 mile time comfortably under 12 seconds (91 BHP model), assuming a rider sufficiently able to tuck in behind the fairing.
The FZR600 shared the same basic architecture with the more exotic FZR400 range, and is similar to the extent that many components such as bodywork, brakes and even the alloy frame can be fitted to the FZR600 with little or no modification.
Notes
- ^ "The Yamaha perspective", Popular Mechanics (Hearst Magazines) 166 (6), June 1989, ISSN 0032-4558, http://books.google.com/books?id=BeQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60
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