Striking a pose with its stylish, new full fairing, the 2009 FZ6R is ready to be your do-everything commuter, sport-touring, trackday machine. image: thanks yamaha

Ever since Yamaha launched the do-everything middleweight FZ6 a couple of years ago, it's garnered exceeding praise from customers and press wags alike. The bike's versatility has been the key to its success.

For 2009, Yamaha added an "R" to the FZ6's nomenclature and upped the fun-factor even more. In the process, they've essentially redefined what to expect from an entry-level sportbike.

New riders, as well as seasoned sportbike pilots, will appreciate the full fairing, low seat height, and handlebars that put the rider comfortably in control. In fact the new FZ6R offers seat and handlebar adjustability to make the machine comfortable for a wide variety of riders.

The underslung exhaust features a nicely tucked-in tip that won't ground out no matter how far you lean. image: thanks yamaha

The torquey, proven, fuel-injected engine from Yamaha's championship-winning YZF-R6 supersport bikes has been re-tuned and re-purposed to give the FZ6R an entirely new and different character. The cylinder head, crankcase, intake and exhaust system, and clutch and shifter have all been designed to provide smooth, usable power.

An all-new diamond-shaped steel frame and solidly mounted engine offer an optimum balance of high vertical rigidity and comparatively low lateral rigidity for stability at speed and sharp cornering performance.

The new fairing gives the FZ6R a sporty aggressive look, with extensive wind protection to match the upright seating position.

Like the all-new R1, the new FZ6R will be on dealer floors this January. The starting price for the FZ6R is $6,990, and it will be available in Team Yamaha Blue/White, Pearl White, Cadmium Yellow and Raven.