Project two:The canyon carver
Baseline: 2006 Yamaha R6 / Budget: $6,000
Why drag the tailsection when you can slam the bike on its side and drag your knee around a corner? Many riders cringe at the thought of changing any part of a bike that won't somehow make the bike lighter, quicker or easier to hustle through a set of curves. If that's the way you feel, Project #2 will be the one for you. It's been years since the world has seen a mass-produced, street-legal motorcycle that is better suited for the corners game than the 2006 Yamaha R6. With 117-claimed hp, weighing in at just over 400 pounds and with trick features like fly-by-wire throttle, the bike is a scream (quite literally, when you get the revs above 10,000 rpm) out on the open road. With help from our friends at Graves Motorsports, Powers Stuntworx, Vortex, Hotbodies Racing, Patrick's Performance and more, we're going to tweak the engine and suspension on this little rocket to maximize its potential for back-road railing. In addition to performance mods, we'll also tweak the bike's sharp, angular good looks with a few complimentary accessories. We will be using bolt-on upgrades that avoid cutting or welding and can be done with basic hand tools and a little bit of mechanical know-how. And to prove that any monkey with a wrench can pull this off, we'll be doing all the wrenching and assembly on this one ourselves in the Super Streetbike shop. All of the add-ons for this bike will be capped with a $6,000-dollar limit-a number that will hopefully leave readers with enough money to purchase fresh tires, some good safety gear and maybe even admission to an open track day or two.
GPR Stabilizer
Facts: A steering stabilizer helps prevent headshake when accelerating over uneven pavement (or during stoppies or when landing wheelies crossed-up!).
Cost: $475
www.gprstabilizer.com
Graves Motorsports Billet Bar Ends
Facts: A quick and simple way to replace the ugly round ends from the factory with something just as functional but much better looking.
Cost: $29.99
www.gravesport.com
Hotbodies Racing Windscreen
Facts: Taller-than-stock profile blocks more breeze for improved aerodynamics and comfort, and tinted color looks trick too.
Cost: $69.95
www.hotbodiesracing.com
Hotbodies Racing Led Turn Signals
Facts: Replaces the big bulky stock signals with a sleek and subtle flush-mount style.
Cost: $59.95
www.hotbodiesracing.com
Powers Stuntworx Race Railz
Facts: Like a supersized frame slider (or a cut-down cage), Race Railz allow greater protection in a crash then frame sliders without affecting corning clearance.
Cost: $150
www.powersstuntworx.com