Yamaha want to win at Supersport racing, and they want it badly. So badly, in fact that they have created a completely new YZF-R6 for 2008. And when they say completely new, they don’t just mean a fresh paintjob and a lower seat height. The 2008 model bears the same name as previous models, but that’s it. All new chassis; Yamaha YCC-I (Yamaha Controlled Chip Intake) taken from the R-1 which varies the intake tract length to create a broader powerband.

Changes for 2008 include: Upgraded fuel injection mapping for the YCC-T dual-injector system; higher compression ratio; a magnesium subframe; an all-new frame, with no frame crossmember and thicker headpipe-headstock and swingarm pivot area walls; a new swingarm; new body work. All in all the 2008 shares almost no parts with the 2007. It even has a built in lap timer, although god knows how you are supposed to watch that as you try and keep up with one of your insane mates on an R-1 at your local track day. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Yamaha want to win so much, they are dumping another serious amount of money into their road racing contingency program, and Yamaha Racing have moved Ben Bostron from the AMA Superstock series into Supersport for 2008 just to promote the new bike.

This should be one quick bike and I can’t help but notice the similarity between this and the old RD350 club racers- it’s even the same color. 2008 should be a good year for road racing largely down to this bike. Supersport is always the most hotly contested class and 2008 should be hotter than usual since the AMA’s decision to drop the class in 2009 – ours is not to reason why.

New colors for 2008 include a seriously sexy Cadmium Yellow with flames. This thing makes me wish I was 19 all over again. It is obviously built for two purposes only – to win races and sell as many as possible to Valentino Rossi-wannabes. I wannabe Valentino too, so it is obviously working. The Yamaha YZF-R6 kicks out a healthy 135 bhp and although Yamaha are being a little coy about maximum revs, I am guessing a red line of around 17,000 rpm. If you are looking for a comfortable long-distance all day bike, look elsewhere. Yamaha have dropped the rider even further forward and lower this year so expect some serious wrist ache after a very short distance. But if you want a genuine race bike on the road, go buy one now.