In 2004, Yamaha launched the YZF-600R, a street-oriented bike almost identical to its R6 sibling and a perfectly balanced, versatile middleweight machine with an engine that provided low-mid range performance.
Also, the bike featured enhanced ergonomics with its wide, plush seat, slightly rear-mounted footpegs, taller windshield, and fairings that provided a highly practical ride.
The legendary twin-spar, diamond type, Deltabox steel frame, and swingarm were the perfect combination of lightweight and rigidity with precise handling and used the engine as a stressed member, which resulted in a more rigid chassis and enhanced handling performance.
On the front end of the chassis, the bike packed a fully adjustable 41 mm fork and a fully adjustable monocross shock absorber on the rear end that provided race-inspired suspension performance.
The bike rolled on a set of three-spoke cast aluminum wheels with reduced weight for better suspension performance with two 298 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front and a 245 mm disc with a tow-piston caliper on the rear that provided strong braking performance.
In the power department, the 2004 Yamaha YZF-600R was brought to life by a 599cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 100 hp with a peak at 11,500 rpm and 66 Nm (49 lb-ft) of torque available at 9,500 rpm. Attached to the engine, a six-speed manual transmission set the bike in motion and pushed it to a top speed of 247 kph (153 mph).