Yamaha SZR 660 2001 — Specifications

What if the path to a sportbike went through a single-cylinder engine? At the turn of the 2000s, Yamaha dared to make this incongruous bet with the SZR 660. Far from the sharp symphonies of four-cylinder engines, it offers a different score, rooted in an assumed budgetary realism. For around €6660 new, you embarked on a Deltabox chassis derived from the fine Japanese TZR 250, fitted with an inverted 41 mm fork and a front brake with a four-piston caliper. The base was promising, almost tailored for a future conversion into a café racer. But the heart beating, it, came from elsewhere: a large single-cylinder engine of 659 cm3, borrowed from the XTZ trail bike and slightly reworked to deliver 48 horsepower at 6500 rpm and a torque of 54.9 Nm.

On paper, the combination makes sense. Contained weight, 179 kg in running order, and moderate power should offer agility and accessibility. The technical specifications of this Yamaha SZR 660 appeal to novices or A2 license holders seeking a sportbike with simple maintenance. But the reality of the road is more nuanced. This single-cylinder engine, despite its reputation for character, proves surprisingly refined, even muffled by its silencer. It lacks bite at low revs and requires being kept above 3500 rpm to respond. We are far from the typical “kick in the pants” of singles, and the 186 km/h top speed is conquered without frenzy. For a test of the Yamaha SZR 660, the verdict on the engine is unequivocal: it is too tame, too smooth for such an engaged silhouette.

However, where the engine disappoints, the chassis almost redeems the situation. The riding position is typically sporty, leaning forward, ideal for attacking a lean but demanding in the city. The machine is incredibly healthy and educational. Its stability and effective suspension inspire confidence, allowing you to focus on trajectories without being disturbed by excessive power. It is a motorcycle to learn on, to understand mass transfer and late braking. The braking, just, although only a single disc at the front, proves quite sufficient for the size and power of the beast. It will just be criticized for a lack of incisiveness on entering corners, a certain placidity that contrasts with its aggressive look.

Today, searching for a used Yamaha SZR 660 on LeBonCoin or elsewhere is a particular quest. It is neither a successful sportbike nor a raw character machine. It is a hybrid object, a rational proposition for young license holders who want the sporty style without the hassles and costs of a complex engine. The Yamaha SZR 660 Belguarda, named after its Italian manufacturer, remains a pleasant curiosity. For those who accept its limitations and are looking for a healthy base for the road or even a customization, it has arguments. But for those seeking the thrill of a real sportbike, even modest, the single-cylinder, despite its good intentions, sorely lacks soul. The pleasure is more intellectual than visceral.