RD350LC - This is one of the few bikes around that even 20 years
after its launch still gets people talking, the RD350LC (or 'Elsie'
as its known to its fans) is the definition of hooligan bike, manic
little 2 stroke twin, today its only as quick as a 500cc commuter bike
but it just makes you want to ride like a head case and just will not
behave itself, it wheelies like a mad thing, sounds evil and goes like
the clappers, the RD bit of the name stands for Race Developed and the
LC bit stands for Liquid Cooled obviously , love them or hate them the
LC is a cult bike and one of the most handsome machines ever. 96%
R6 - Since its launch in 1999 the R6 has been the most manic
600 available, its tiny proportions make it look more like a 400 than
a 600 but don't be deceived, it has more than 100bhp to play with and
weighs just 168kg the handling is superb but it gets a little flighty
over bumps, the brakes are the best in the class but the comfort is
non-existent as its designed to be thrashed not to poodle around
Fazer 600 - The Fazer 600 is a bit of a parts bin special, the
brakes are the same as those found on the R1 (and pretty much every
other bike in Yamahas range) and the engine and forks come straight
from the Thundercat, this is not a bad thing though as the borrowed
parts it uses are extremely good at what they do, its all wrapped up
in a tubular steel frame that gives good handling and a riding position
that allows you to have fun but is still civilized enough to be comfortable,
the Fazer was restyled in 2002 to look more like its bigger sibling
the Fazer 1000 this was a good move by Yamaha as the previous model
was certainly not the most attractive bike on the market , the Fazer
has now been killed off as it produces to much carbon monoxide to comply
with new regulations.
Thundercat - The Thundercat was launched as Yamahas answer to
the Honda CBR600, it was never at the front of the supersports 600 pack
but it had the best brakes in the class and was very quick, despite
this its always been classed as a sports tourer due mainly to its relatively
high weight and its bulbous look, these are not bad things really though
as it means the bike is an excellent all rounder but not quite as good
as the CBR600
R1 - For 6 years the Honda Fireblade had been top of the sportsbike
pile, this was because it was lighter and more powerful than anything
else, so how did Yamaha plan to beat it? By making something even lighter
and with even more power of course, the R1 was released in 1998 and
immediately the Fireblade was last weeks news, the latest model produces
a genuine 130.4bhp, weighs 174kg and does 172.9mph and is arguably a
better road bike than the latest GSX-R1000 and Fireblade
