2001 Yamaha YZFR6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
5,206 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 28 complaints (71.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 19 | 67.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 20 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 5 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 20; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 5; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 1; Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber: 1; Suspension:Rear:Springs: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2002: 4; 2003: 11; 2004: 7; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006956 · 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)
BATTERY LEADED ON SWINGARM AND REAR SHOCK CAUSING MAJOR CORROSION. SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS AND FOUND HTTP://WWW.HOUNDHEAVEN.COM/BATTERYLEAK.HTM. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*768011
Owner-reported narrative. 6,546 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011023 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
MY 2001 YAMAHA R6 MOTORCYCLE IS LEAKING BATTERY ACID CAUSING DAMAGE TO STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE MOTORCYCLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036790 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
MY 2001 YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE HAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE 2ND AND 6TH GEAR DOG EARS OF THE TRANSMISSION.. NUMERIOUS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH 99 - 02 MODELS OF THIS MOTORCYCLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND OUT.. THE PROBLEM IS YAMAHA IS DOING NOTHING TO COVER THE PROBLEM SAYING IT IS EITHER RIDER ABUSE OR NORMAL WEAR. WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING TO RESPONSIBLE RIDING ADULTS, THEY CANNOT MAKE THAT CLAIM. THEY ALSO CHANGED THE 03 MODEL OF THE BIKE TO PUT EXTRA DOG EARS ON THE 2ND AND 6TH GEAR ONLY.. THEY SAY THIS WAS JUST A ROUTEIN CHANGE, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153299 · 2006-03-21 (March 21, 2006)
I HAVE A 2001 YZFR6 AND THE 2ND GEAR IS GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. I DON'T STUNT RIDE OR ABUSE MY BIKE. I BOUGHT THE BIKE BRAND NEW BACK IN '01 AND IN 01 OR 02 I HAD TO REPLACE THE SHIFTING FORKS FOR 2ND AND 6TH GEAR, ALSO THE GEARS THEMSELVES HAD TO BE REPLACED, 1500 DOLLARS. YAMAHA SAID THIS WAS FROM RIDING ABUSE. SUMMER OF 05 *BIKE WAS PARKED FOR ALL OF 04, 2ND GEAR STARTED TO SLIP AGAIN. I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER SOURCES THAT ALL R6'S FROM 99-02 HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT'S BECAUSE OF A MILLING ERROR IN THE TRANSMISSION DRUM. SINCE THER…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060197 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
YAMAHA 2001 R6 BATTERY LEAKED ALL OVER SHOCK, SWINGARM, GAS TANK, FRAME, CHAIN, AND REAR WHEEL. THE BATTERY HAS NEVER BEEN ON A BATTERY CHARGER, THE BIKE HAS NEVER BEEN TIPPED OR WHEELIED PARKED ON AN INCLINE CARRIED UP A RAMP OR BEEN STRAPPED TO A ROLLER COASTER DOING LOOPS SO THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR A BATTERY THAT IS CLAIMED NOT TO LEAK. THE BIKE ONLY HAS 3583 MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,483 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064302 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
FAULTY BATTERY, ONE OF THOUSANDS ON 1999 TO 2002 YAMAHA YZF R6, LEAKED ACID ALL OVER MY BIKES FRAME, SUBFRAME, RESET, AND SHOCK, CAUSING CORROSION. IT ALSO LEAKED ON THE BACK OF MY GAS TANK UNDER THE SEAT WHERE IT IS NOT VISIBLE UNLESS THE SEAT IS TAKEN OFF CAUSING THE PAINT TO PEEL OFF AND THE TANK TO RUST, ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH. ALSO LEAKED ON THE CHAIN CAUSING CORROSION PROBABLY WEAKENING THE CHAIN. YAMAHA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE FAULTY BATTERY PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND MADE NO ATTEMPT TO LET ME OR OTHER R6 OWNERS KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM VOLUNTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064302 at NHTSA ↗