2009 Yamaha R6

Justin Fivella: Associate Editor
Miles Ridden: 2730
Modifications: Two Brothers Juice Box, BMC Race air filter

No matter how nice a bike looks, how well it handles or how light it is, the ultimate yardstick by which we measure performance is power. While some might disagree, I'd bet they still have a pipe or an air filter on their bike-and it certainly wasn't added just for sound.

I'm not saying the other aspects of performance aren't important - in fact they're equally significant - but you can't deny that most riders mark "Mo powa" at the top of the list. As such, this month I set out down the elusive path for greater speed.

If you've been with me since the start you already know I've traded high-dollar items for a budget brawler theme. I started with a Competition Werkes slip-on a few months back that dropped some weight and gave me nearly one pony at the rear wheel.

This month I decided to maximize the pipe with a Two Brothers Juice Box and a BMC Race air filter. True, a full system would be ideal, but I'm keeping the budget realistic here, and a $1,000+ full system is just too much coin at the moment.

While the slip-on did improve power, it only accentuated the ultra-lean air/fuel condition from the factory. The stock R6 makes good power and meets the strict emissions tests but at the expense of a lumpy power curve that's lean on the bottom and fat up top. How lean? We're talking an AFR of 15:1, and that's just scary.

I hoped that a Two Brother's Juice Box would be just the remedy. Its preloaded map was just about perfect; the R6 gained 4 HP and the air/fuel ratio was tons better.

Since the R6 was still running slightly rich in the high RPMs I figured that a BMC Race air filter would increase air flow and help bring the mixture back. It did just that. Not only did it pick up 1 HP but the intake sound is now insane! I thought it howled before, but with the airbox "snorkel" removed and the BMC in place this thing whales.

Something else worth a mention was the ease of installation on both parts. The filter and Juice Box were both quick and easy, and anybody with basic skills could do it at home.

All said and done, the R6 gained another 5 HP over the slip-on for a total of 6 HP and 2 LB-FT over the stocker-all for under $600, including the pipe. There are no losses anywhere, and from 10,000 RPM and above this thing rips; power wheelies in first are now just a roll-on away.