Yamaha SZR 660 2000 — Specifications

A trail single-cylinder in a 90s Japanese sport chassis, was it a stroke of genius or a technical dead end? By launching the SZR 660 in 1996, Yamaha dared to make a bold bet, far from screaming four-cylinder engines. The goal was clear: to offer a motorcycle with a sharp sporty look, with a serious frame, without breaking the bank. The heart of the beast, borrowed from the XTZ 660 trail bike, develops 48 horsepower at 6500 rpm for 54.9 Nm of torque. Figures that, combined with a dry weight of 159 kg, suggest agility, but not a grand scale.

The Deltabox aluminum frame and the 41 mm inverted fork inherited from the Japanese TZR 250 promise a sporty feel. On paper, the recipe for a small, accessible sportbike, ideal for an A2 license, is appealing. But once in the saddle, the marriage reveals its limitations. The single-cylinder, although lively on a trail bike, proves strangely polished and discreet in this sporty frame. It lacks bite at low revs and requires being kept above 3500 rpm to respond, stifled by an overly efficient silencer. The maximum speed of 186 km/h is honorable, but far from the punch and exhilarating sensation of a small four-cylinder engine. For those looking for a base for a cafe racer project, this reliable but overly sensible engine is a starting point that will require work.

It is nevertheless in the corners that the Yamaha SZR 660 finds its raison d'être. Its precise and reassuring chassis invites you to play with counter-steering without fear of being overwhelmed by excessive power. It is an excellent school for learning to prioritize trajectory and passage speed. The brakes, with a 320 mm front disc, are sufficient for this lightweight machine. The riding position, very committed with low clip-on handlebars, is clearly geared towards sport, making urban journeys painful in the long run. It is a motorcycle for winding roads, not for everyday use in the city.

Today, finding a used Yamaha SZR 660 on LeBonCoin or elsewhere is the only way to experience this curiosity. Its then new price, around €6660, made it an economical alternative. The balance sheet is mixed. It offers entry into a sporty world with a quality chassis, simple maintenance, and often moderate insurance. But it will always be lacking due to its overly placid engine for riders seeking thrills. It is a machine for a demanding traveler on handling but lenient on mechanics, or for a young A2 license holder wanting to get their hands on a sporty motorcycle with a unique character, far from the standards. A proposition that, ultimately, may have been just twenty years ahead of its time.