2020 Yamaha YZF-R6 And YZF-R3 First Look Preview

Yamaha's sportbike lineup is headlined by the growly YZF-R1 and R1M superbikes, both of which get several updates for the 2020 model year. They receive new cylinder heads, upgraded electronics, and evolutionary styling updates. The downside of the R1 is that it's priced at $17,399, putting it financially out of reach for some riders.

Read About the Updates to the 2020 R1 and R1M

Fleshing out what Yamaha calls its “R World” line of supersports are the YZF-R6 and YZF-R3, providing thrills and grins for sporty riders who prefer smaller, lighter, and cheaper faired sportbikes. Unfortunately, the 2020 models don’t receive significant upgrades like their bigger brothers.

The R6 has been perhaps the most successful 600cc sportbike, whether talking about sales volume or racetrack wins. It received an injection of new components in 2017, adopting the R1's styling and suspension, as well as ride modes and traction control. Other nice bits on the four-cylinder R6 include an aluminum fuel tank, magnesium subframe and engine covers, and titanium valves and exhaust.

What you won’t find are any significant updates to the platform for 2020. It will be available in three colorways when it arrives at dealers next month: Vivid Orange/Matte Raven Black, traditional Team Yamaha Blue, or Raven. ABS is included at its $12,199 MSRP. Specifications are listed below.

Related: 2018 Yamaha YZF-R1 MC Commute Review

The R3 is the entry point to Yamaha's "R World," giving sport-minded riders access to the brand's enviable supersport cachet for about $5K. The R3 debuted in 2015, and it was given fresh styling, new instrumentation, and an inverted fork for the 2019 model year.

Changes for 2020 amount to nothing beyond revised pricing and colors, plus the introduction of a Monster Energy special edition. The price-point version comes without ABS to retail at $4,999 in Team Yamaha Blue. Versions with ABS are available in Matte Black, Matte Silver, and Team Yamaha Blue at an MSRP of $5,299. Look for them at dealers in November.