2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 Specifications

Name: 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6
Brand: Yamaha

Sport • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 Overview

For 2012, Yamaha offers the YZF-R6 as a sport motorcycle with 599 cc on tap. The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 is built around an In-line four, four-stroke engine running DOHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 13.1:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 67 x 42.5 mm. In everyday use, the 2012 YZF-R6 tips the scales at 189.2 kg, carries a 17.03-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 851 mm and spans a 1,374 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 5.6 kg lighter than the average sport motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 spec sheet below.

2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 compared with other bikes in the Sport category

Measured against other bikes in the Sport category in our database (up to 2003 models, one entry per model), the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 comes out as follows.

With 851 mm, the YZF-R6 has the joint 43rd tallest seat height of 1607 bikes in the Sport category, 6% above the category average of 803 mm.
Engine displacement of 599 cc is smaller than that of 1249 of the other 2002 bikes in the Sport category.
Narrowing the field to the 708 models within five model years of it, the seat height of 851 mm is taller than that of 686 of the other 707.

Versus the 2011 model

The figures we track are unchanged from the 2011 model: wet weight, displacement and seat height all match.

2012 YZF-R6 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Strong front braking: The double disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.

Considerations

Tall seat height: An 851 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the YZF-R6 comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on DOHC-equipped engines like the YZF-R6's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Double disc with floating disc; radial-mount 4-piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by 41mm inverted fork up front and Single shock at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Chain final drive on the YZF-R6 means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.

Frame & chassis check

The Hybrid steel and aluminum frame with a Controlled- Fill aluminum subframe and cast aluminum swingarm chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

YZF-R6 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 with its 599 cc sport should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 14 years old, this sport is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept YZF-R6 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the YZF-R6's 599 cc in-line four, four-stroke - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 2.60 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. With a 13.1:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the YZF-R6's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a YZF-R6's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 have?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 uses an In-line four, four-stroke engine with 599 cc of displacement.

How much does the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 weigh?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 weighs 189.2 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 has a 17.03-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 283-340 km between stops.

Is the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 has a seat height of 851 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.

What brakes does the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 have?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 uses double disc with floating disc; radial-mount 4-piston calipers at the front and single disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 use?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

How much oil does the 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 take?

The 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 takes 2.60 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.

Yamaha YZF-R6 Spec Evolution

The Yamaha YZF-R6 was produced across 23 model years (1999-2022). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2022
Wet Weight	195.0 kg / 429.9 lbs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	187.8 kg / 414.0 lbs	189.1 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs	190.1 kg / 419.0 lbs	190.1 kg / 419.0 lbs	190.0 kg / 418.9 lbs	190.0 kg / 418.9 lbs
Dry Weight	-	169 kg / 372.6 lbs	167.5 kg / 369.3 lbs	168 kg / 370.4 lbs	162 kg / 357.1 lbs	162 kg / 357.1 lbs	161.9 kg / 357.0 lbs	161 kg / 354.9 lbs	161.9 kg / 357.0 lbs	166 kg / 366.0 lbs	-	-	-	-	210.5 kg / 464.1 lbs	59 kg / 130.1 lbs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Engine Detail	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Titanium intake valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves	Titanium valves
Engine Type	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke	In-line four, four-stroke
Top Speed	250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph	260.0 km/h / 161.6 mph	250.0 km/h / 155.3 mph	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	120.0 km/h / 74.6 mph	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Seat Height	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	820 mm / 32.3 in.	850 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	851 mm / 33.5 in.	850 mm / 33.5 in.	850 mm / 33.5 in.
Fuel Capacity	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	-	17.00 litres / 4.49 gallons	-	4.50 litres / 1.19 gallons	17.50 litres / 4.62 gallons	17.41 litres / 4.60 gallons	17.41 litres / 4.60 gallons	17.41 litres / 4.60 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons	17.41 litres / 4.60 US gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 US gallons	17.00 litres / 4.49 US gallons
Bore x Stroke (in,)	2.6 x 1.8 inches	-	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.8 inches	-	2.6 x 1.8 inches	2.6 x 1.8 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches	2.6 x 1.7 inches

Key Specifications

Engine

In-line four, four-stroke

Power

Not recorded

Torque

Not recorded

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons

Full 2012 Yamaha YZF-R6 Specifications

Colours Pearl White/Rapid Red, Pearl White/Candy Red, Raven, Team Yamaha Blue/White

Warranty 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

Ground Clearance (in.) 4.5 inches

Ground Clearance (mm) 114 mm

Seat Height 851 mm / 33.5 in.

Wheelbase 1,374 mm / 54.1 in.

Height 1,095 mm / 43.1 in.

Length 2,040 mm / 80.3 in.

Width 706 mm / 27.8 in.

Oil Capacity (l) 2.60 litres

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 0.17 quarts

Fuel Capacity 17.03 litres / 4.50 gallons

Wet Weight 189.2 kg / 417.0 lbs

Bore x Stroke (in,) 2.6 x 1.7 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 67.0 x 42.5 mm

CO2 136.4 CO

Displacement (cc) 599.00 cc

Displacement (ci) 36.55 cubic inches

Engine Type In-line four, four-stroke

Fuel Control DOHC

Engine Detail Titanium intake valves

Fuel System Injection. Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I

Compression Ratio 13.1:1

Fuel Consumption 5.88 litres/100 km (17.0 km/l or 40.00 mpg)

Ignition TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

Clutch Drive Train

Final Drive Chain

Gearbox 6-speed

Primary Drive O-ring chain

Frame Type Hybrid steel and aluminum frame with a Controlled- Fill aluminum subframe and cast aluminum swingarm

Suspension - Front 41mm inverted fork

Suspension - Rear Single shock

Rake 24.0°

Trail 97 mm / 3.8 in.

Wheel Travel - Front 102 mm / 4.0 in.

Wheel Travel - Rear 102 mm / 4.0 in.

Lighting system Dual 30W Krypton multireflector Headlights and 3.9/0.5W LED Brake light

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 12.2 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 310 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 8.7 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 220 mm

Brakes - Front Double disc. Floating disc; radial-mount 4-piston calipers

Brakes - Rear Single disc

Tyres - Front 120/70-ZR17

Tyres - Rear 180/55-ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.