Yamaha's new YZF-R6 and BMW's future vision: PH2

Yamaha sees life in the supersport while BMW has its eyes firmly on connected bikes

It's here! Yamaha has bucked the trend and put its weight behind the supersport class with a brand new YZF-R6. And like the last time it received a major overhaul in 2006, the firm has spared no expense when it comes to spec.

Now this looks exciting...

As well as a new R1-style look with a gulping central air intake, the R6 gains a sharper and claimed eight per cent more aerodynamic fairing. On the technology side, the R6 already had ride-by-wire (the first bike to have it, no less), but it now gains six-level variable traction control, ABS and a quickshifter.

The suspension has been upgraded with 2mm larger R1-style 43mm KYB forks while the 320mm brakes are also taken from the R1. A magnesium subframe and aluminium fuel tank also help keep the weight down to a claimed 190kg wet. There are no power or torque figures given, and spec on the motor is limited, but it does have titanium valves, a slipper clutch, a magnesium head and a redline that appears to be at 17,000rpm. Sounds like fun! More details will be released at the Milan Show at the start of next month.

BMW has been unveiling some concept models under the 'Vision Vehicles' banner to celebrate its centenary recently, and in Los Angeles this week Motorrad got in on the act.

17,000rpm!

The Vision Next 100 is described as BMW's plan for biking in a connected world and is, as you can see, very much a concept. Interestingly, BMW has designed the bike to be ridden by a rider without a crash helmet or protective clothing to "enjoy the forces of acceleration, wind and nature and be in touch with the surrounding world", which is quite a bold statement. Could we see a future where protective clothing is a thing of the past? BMW thinks so, although the clever part about the rider's suit is the fact it responds to the climate and either heats or cools the rider. Air conditioning on the go? We like it!

The bike itself is a fairly far-out concept as the flexible frame is designed to be part of the steering system rather than use conventional joints and the engine is a zero-emissions unit, but it is interesting nonetheless. However, what's more interesting is the future technology it employs.

Is this the future of biking?

The use of connectivity between the rider and bike is certainly something manufacturers are experimenting with for real word applications as Kawasaki recently announced. This concept talks about the bike identifying dangers and anticipating situations, which is similar thinking to basic systems currently on cars that auto-brake or warn when you are straying out of a lane, while the 'self-balancing' system is also a very real possibility as bikes do have an annoying habit of falling over.

As for the information visor that is effectively a pair of glasses that displays info to the rider, this is also very real. BMW has been experimenting with a kind of head-up display that gives the rider vital information in their helmet's visor as well as even projecting holograms onto the road's surface ahead. When true connectivity between vehicles happens (and it will) this could certainly be used to identify dangers and even show the rider ideal lines through corners or warn if they are going too fast.

Will it ever happen? According to Edgar Heinrich, BMW's Head of Design, "Normally, when we develop a motorcycle, we tend to think five to 10 years in advance. On this occasion, we looked much further ahead and found the experience especially exciting. There are some very attractive prospects. I firmly believe the BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100 sets out a coherent future scenario for the BMW Motorrad brand." So not for a while then...

And BMW in the current

More current is the new K1600B bagger that was also unveiled. Basically a K1600GT that has been modified to give it the bagger look that is popular in America, the B variant is more of a Stateside targeted model than a European one but should make it over the pond if it floats your boat.

And finally, MV has shown off two F3 RC models. Basically they're tarted up 675 and 800s that are painted to look like the firm's supersport race bikes. Only 350 are slated for production and they come with a few unique parts and a certificate of authenticity, but the bigger issue is whether they will actually be made. There were a lot of rumours circulating at the Cologne Show (MV didn't have an official presence there) about MV's current financial state and the UK's dealer network is certainly worried about the firm's situation. Hopefully all will become clearer at the Milan Show, MV's home turf.