2003 Yamaha YZF600R Thunder Cat

A model of civility attuned to the everyday needs of the real world. That’s not to say the 600R doesn’t feast on twisty tarmac as hungrily as its supersonic R1 and R6 siblings.

Rest assured, this YZF can carve with the best of them. Which should really come as no surprise considering its high-performance pedigree: a liquid-cooled, 16-valve Genesis in-line four tuned for potent low- and mid-range punch, slick-shifting 6-speed transmission, Yamaha’s legendary Deltabox frame and fully adjustable suspension front and rear. Add it all up, and what stands before you is a razor-sharp scalpel delivering some of the lightest, most precise handling in the class.