With 12 WorldSSP titles—including the 2025 Championship with Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing’s Stefano Manzi—Ten Kate Racing Products (TKRP) has revealed a unique interpretation of the Yamaha YZF-R6, featuring a bespoke crossplane crankshaft developed entirely in-house.
Traditionally reserved for larger-capacity machines such as the Yamaha YZF-R1, crossplane-crank technology has not previously been applied to a 600cc inline-four in this manner. Ten Kate’s engineering team undertook a full design and testing program, producing several prototype crankshafts before finalizing a version deemed suitable for track use.
The revised engine setup alters the firing order from the standard screamer-format R6, emphasizing smoother torque delivery and better connection to the rear tire rather than boosting peak power. Performance figures are said to stay mostly consistent with the traditional model, although the delivery characteristics are noticeably different.
Adapting the R6 engine to this layout required careful attention to internal forces, especially because there was no balance shaft. To address this, extra mass was added to the crank assembly to control vibration and ensure durability during racing.
The electronics have also been recalibrated to match the changed combustion behavior. Although not meant for production, the project functions as a technical showcase of what is possible within the now-discontinued YZF-R6 platform.CN
VIDEO | Ten Kate Tuning | Yamaha YZF-R6 Crossplane
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