Yamaha FZ6 600 S2 2008 — Specifications

When Yamaha decided to evolve its FZ6 into the S2 version for the 2007-2008 model year, the Iwata manufacturer didn't go for a cosmetic overhaul. No, the engineers preferred to get their hands dirty, where it really counts. The result? A roadster that keeps its winning formula while smoothing out a few rough edges that first-generation owners knew all too well.

Beneath the 19.4-litre tank, the 600 cc inline four-cylinder still pumps out 98 hp at 12,000 rpm for 63.2 Nm of torque available at 10,000 rpm. Figures that placed the Yamaha FZ6 600 S2 at the top of the middleweight roadster class of its era, up against the Suzuki GSR 600 and Honda Hornet 600 playing in the same league. The engine, descended from the R6 lineage, demands you rev it out to extract its full potential, but the revised engine management and new exhaust system make the power delivery smoother, less abrupt than before. The six-speed gearbox does its job without complaint, even if it was never the slickest in the segment.

It's underneath where the changes really come into their own. The swingarm adopts a hexagonal cross-section that stiffens the assembly and improves cornering precision. On a machine that tips the scales at 201 kg wet, every gain in agility is immediately felt, and the FZ6 S2 now turns in with an ease that brings it closer to the standards set by the Japanese competition. The die-cast aluminium frame takes everything in its stride, the 43 mm telescopic fork offers 130 mm of travel that suits both spirited riding on back roads and daily commuting. The four-piston monoblock calipers biting down on 298 mm discs deliver more consistent, more reassuring braking. A genuine improvement over the previous version.

On the ergonomics front, Yamaha completely redesigned the seat and borrowed the instrumentation from the bigger FZ1 sibling. The passenger isn't forgotten either, with repositioned footpegs set lower, rubber-coated, and now removable. The 795 mm seat height remains accessible to most riders, making it a relevant machine for a motorcyclist stepping up to larger-displacement bikes as well as for an experienced rider seeking a versatile everyday roadster. The Yamaha FZ6 600 S2 was priced at €6,990 new, a competitive figure that partly explains the model's commercial success. Even today, those wondering what a Yamaha FZ6 600 S2 costs on the used market find very reasonable valuations, a sign of a value proposition that stands the test of time.

The FZ6 S2 never claimed to reinvent the sporty roadster genre. It simply refined it with intelligence, correcting what needed fixing without diluting a lively and endearing character. Against a rougher Hornet or a tamer GSR, it carves its own path with a rare balance between engine character, ease of handling, and measured running costs. An honest motorcycle, in the best sense of the word.