Reports of the demise of the 600cc supersport motorcycle category may have to be put on hold with the release of the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6.

The new R6 features sharp bodywork inspired by MotoGP and the Yamaha M1. That includes a central forced air intake and recessed LED twin headlights. The smaller lights allows for more focus on aerodynamics, which are claimed to be 8% more efficient with the new front fairing and screen, plus side ducts to improve the airflow. The indicators now form part of the your mirrors to further reduce drag.

Also at the front are the new KYB upside-down forks which come from the R1 with large diameter 43mm tubes. That should help the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 to feel more planted and stable in corners and on the brakes, along with a larger 25mm front wheel axle. As you’d expect from a sportsbike, both the front and new KYB rear shock are fully adjustable.

The rear subframe is also new. It’s made from CF die-cast magnesium and tapers to be 20mm narrower at the front. That should allow you to get a more effective crouch over the tank, along with a new seat which may be the same height as the 2016 R6, but has a less steep angle up towards the rear, making it easier to move around. Quite often it’s not the height of a seat which is a problem for riders, but also the width, so having the centre section 20mm slimmer should help.

You’ll be hugging the new and more streamlined aluminium tank which weighs 1.2kg less than a steel version. Apparently the sculpted design is only possible by combining robotic and human welders with a special Cold Metal transfer technology to get a shape which should let you move around easily and use the deep knee recesses to grip the tank firmly.

The 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 is powered by a 599cc liquid-cooled DOHC four cylinder, four stroke engine with forged aluminium pistons and a 13.1:1 compression ratio. In addition to the magnesium head and case covers, you also get the Yamaha Air Induction System and Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) and twin-injector Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T)

To help get the most from the 2017 Yamaha YZF-R6 is a new Quick Shift System similar to that on the YZF-R1, which pauses drive when you shift up – which means no need for the clutch to get through the close-ratio six-speed gearbox. The R6 also gets an advanced Traction Control System controlled by the handlebars, and giving you a choice of six active settings or switching it off completely. And there’s ABS to help you when you finally want to stop.

Also listed on the spec sheet is the Yamaha D-Mode which can switch between engine modes. So you get a Standard setting, one for times when you might want to dull the engine response (wet conditions for example), and one for a low and mid-speed boost. Plus the Yamaha trademark EXUP valves to give more torque whatever mode you choose.

The 2017 Yamaha R6 also gets new R1 inspired instruments with an analogue style rev counter, digital speedo and a display which includes showing your TCS and ABS settings etc.

The titanium exhaust is pretty inoffensive for a modern Euro4 compliant motorcycle. And the 2017 Yamaha YZR-R6 will be available in either Race Blu or Tech Black with a full range of accessories sure to include a racier exhaust. It will be ready in dealers from April, 2017.