Yamaha R6 to be discontinued in Europe: Only race variant to be sold from January 2021

The Yamaha R6 is set to be discontinued in the European market. The Yamaha R6 will not be retailed starting January 2021 which is when Euro 5 emissions norms kick in. However, Yamaha will sell the bike in a track-use only avatar, therefore allowing riders to use the motorcycle in race events.

There is no doubt that the Yamaha R6 is a legendary motorcycle. The mid-weight supersport motorcycle almost always brings in goosebumps thanks to its high-revving four-cylinder engine. There are videos that show the motorcycle reaching a dizzying 20,000rpm. In some other videos, the Yamaha R6 keeps up with the flagship Yamaha R1.

Well, the R6 is a motorcycle that will leave its sound ringing in our ears long after it has passed by. Now, reports suggest that it might be the end of the road for the R6 in Europe thanks to the stringent Euro 5 emissions norms. Making the R6 compliant with the Euro 5 norms is an expensive affair.

When this is combined with the dismal sales numbers of the mid-weight supersport segment, this decision wouldn’t come as a surprise. However, the Yamaha R6 is quite a force to contend with on a racetrack and this was proven in the BSB (British Superbike Championship) this year where the motorcycle impressed everyone.

Hence, Yamaha has decided to keep a track-only non-homologated version of the motorcycle on sale in Europe since the Euro5 emissions standards do not apply to machines used on the racetrack. The 2021 Yamaha YZF-R6 Race will be available as a stock bike that riders and teams can customise according to their preferences.

Yamaha will also offer a GYTR Stage 1 kit for the bike that will allow riders to turn the stock bike into a proper track bike. The kit comes with a GYTR cowling set, Akrapovic full race exhaust system, GYTR Racing ECU, wiring harness, switches, ABS emulator, keyless fuel cap, seat cushion, AIS Plug, full-adjustable rear set, etc.

The end of 2020 will mark an emotional goodbye to the R6 on public roads.  Along with this also goes our dream of officially seeing the Yamaha R6 on Indian roads.

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