Ten Kate Racing Products YZF-R6 Crossplane
THE TEN KATE RACING PRODUCTS YZF-R6 CROSSPLANE
Discover the one of a kind YZF-R6 Crossplane engineerd by Ten Kate Racing Products. A unique supersport machine that pushes the boundaries of motorcycle engineering.
This special machine features a fully engineered crossplane crankshaft developed in-house by Ten Kate’s elite motorsport engineers.
Born from years of racing expertise and cutting-edge development, this exclusive variant isn’t just modified, it’s reinvented.
This isn’t a simple bolt-on upgrade, it’s a true engineering masterpiece crafted for him who demands something extraordinary.
for €49.900 ex VAT
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A technical statement, not a production model
High-end engineering by Ten Kate Racing Products – GYTR Pro Shop
Since 2019, Ten Kate Racing and Yamaha have maintained a close collaboration within the framework of high-level motorsport and performance development.
Independently from this partnership, Ten Kate Racing Products has undertaken one of its most ambitious engineering projects to date: the development of a fully in-house engineered crossplane crankshaft for the Yamaha YZF-R6.
This project was conceived, developed, and executed exclusively by Ten Kate Racing Products, driven by our own technical vision and expertise. The objective was to create a crossplane configuration specifically designed for racing applications, delivering ultimate performance while maintaining the reliability standards for which Ten Kate is known.
Why a Crossplane R6?
For Ten Kate Racing, the crossplane crankshaft represents far more than a technical solution — it is a core part of Yamaha’s identity. Yamaha is the only motorcycle manufacturer in the world that has successfully introduced crossplane engine technology into mass production, making it a defining characteristic of the brand’s DNA.
The Yamaha R1’s crossplane engine, with its raw, pure racing sound, delivers a maximum emotional and racing experience not only for the rider but also for the spectator — pure passion in every rev. By developing a crossplane Yamaha YZF-R6, Ten Kate Racing aimed to translate this unique identity and emotive experience to one of Yamaha’s most iconic Supersport platforms.
The objective was not simply to create something different, but to share Yamaha’s passion, engineering philosophy, and technical expertise, while further strengthening the intensive relationship between Ten Kate Racing and Yamaha.
Engineering as the foundation
At Ten Kate Racing Products, performance always starts with engineering. A crossplane configuration introduces complex forces, moments, and vibration behavior that cannot be predicted using conventional calculation methods alone. For this reason, the complete development process was supported by advanced simulation and analysis software.
The project began with an in-depth study of the Yamaha R1 crossplane crankshaft and its balance shaft. The assembly was fully 3D-scanned and converted into a highly accurate CAD model. Simulating this configuration provided a reference framework to evaluate whether the R1 architecture could serve as a guideline for the R6 crossplane design.
Where required, the entire Yamaha YZF-R6 engine was incorporated into the simulations, including the valve train. The camshafts play a key role in the dynamic behavior of the engine, as they can introduce additional moments that influence crankshaft loads. By including the camshaft design in the system-level analysis, small geometric changes could be used to generate beneficial counter-moments.
From simulation to multiple prototype crankshafts
After completing the computer simulations, Ten Kate Racing Products produced multiple prototype crankshafts, each with different balance factors. These prototypes were physically manufactured, installed in running engines, and tested under real operating conditions.
Testing and analysis
Each crankshaft variant was tested, measured, and validated in practice, allowing direct comparison between simulated results and real-world behavior. This iterative development loop — simulation, manufacturing, testing, and evaluation — ensured that the final configuration was not only theoretically correct but also mechanically robust and suitable for race use.
Vibration analysis and real-world validation
Beyond virtual analysis, Ten Kate Racing Products placed strong emphasis on practical vibration testing. The various crossplane R6 crankshaft prototypes were subjected to extensive vibration measurements and systematically compared with data from a conventional Yamaha YZF-R6 and Yamaha YZF-R1, engines whose vibration characteristics are widely accepted as workable and reliable benchmarks.
Because the Yamaha YZF-R6 does not feature a balance shaft, tungsten weights were integrated into the crossplane crankshaft design to minimize additional vibrations. This approach allowed Ten Kate Racing Products to preserve the distinctive crossplane character while keeping mechanical loads within acceptable limits.
Additional vibration measurements were carried out during dyno testing and on-track evaluation, both on the engine itself and at multiple locations on the chassis. This holistic testing approach made it possible to fine-tune the complete package and achieve the optimal balance between performance, mechanical smoothness, and rider feedback within a race chassis.
Performance focus: character over peak power
In its current specification, the crossplane Yamaha YZF-R6 delivers performance figures comparable to a conventional YZF-R6. Maximum output is approximately 128 HP and 65 Nm of torque, with peak torque occurring at around 14,200 rpm, and a maximum engine speed of 15,800 rpm.
However, outright peak power was never the primary objective of this project. The focus was deliberately placed on the emotional riding experience — the distinctive and characteristic crossplane exhaust sound, the improved sense of throttle connection, and the way torque is delivered to the rear wheel. These qualities play a crucial role in rider confidence and controllability, especially under racing conditions.
GYTR ECU – race engineering within the Yamaha ecu system
A deliberate decision within this project was to retain the standard Yamaha GYTR R6 ECU. This choice reflects Ten Kate Racing Products’ philosophy of delivering race performance while remaining fully aligned with Yamaha’s official racing ecosystem.
To accommodate the crossplane configuration, the ignition and starting maps were modified, and the fuel injection firing order was revised to achieve a stable and fully functional engine. In addition, the entire ECU fault-code strategy was rewritten, ensuring compatibility with the altered crankshaft geometry and firing sequence of the crossplane layout.
This deep level of ECU integration ensures that the crossplane R6 engine is not only mechanically sound, but also electronically optimized for competitive racing.
From engineering study to a one-of-a-kind prototype
The result of this intensive development process is a fully functional Yamaha YZF-R6 Crossplane prototype. The motorcycle was tested on a closed circuit at TT Circuit Assen by an experienced track rider, allowing Ten Kate Racing Products to validate the concept under real-world racing conditions.
The focus of these tests was not lap times alone, but the complete riding experience — throttle response, traction feel, mechanical smoothness, and rider confidence. The results confirmed that the crossplane concept delivers a unique engine character that aligns perfectly with Yamaha’s racing philosophy.
A technical statement, not a production model
At present, Ten Kate Racing Products has no plans for series or limited production of the Yamaha YZF-R6 Crossplane. This project will therefore remain a single, one-of-a-kind prototype — the world’s only Ten Kate Yamaha YZF-R6 Crossplane.
It stands as an ode to our passion for engineering, and as a clear demonstration of the knowledge, experience, and craftsmanship within Ten Kate Racing Products. Above all, it celebrates Yamaha’s crossplane DNA and the close, trust-based partnership between Ten Kate Racing and Yamaha.
