Yep FZ1N look friggin awesome. Haven't seen any in Welly yet though...
Large Falcon Collider
Yep FZ1N look friggin awesome. Haven't seen any in Welly yet though...
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
Deus ex ukulele
Any day now somebody will do a comparison between the FZ1 and new Z1000...
"Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]
Forum whore
Mst had a test ride organised on an FZ6n, but, while they were getting the bike ready, she saw a nice new silver FZ1 - took that out for a run ...... still hasn't ridden an FZ6.
Not that keen on the new FZ1's though. The only part we like better than the old bike is the fairing - you can keep the rest.
“- He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.”
The 2nd-most bad arse KBer.
z1000 = faster and better but ugly?Originally Posted by Hitcher
fz1 = good all round fast (but not as fast) and sexy?
That was my uneducated guess?
Then I could get a Kb Tshirt, move to Timaru and become a full time crossdressing faggot
Forum whore
I wouldn't think so. My money is on the FZ1 as a better all round bike and MUCH faster than a Z1000.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
Large Falcon Collider
It would be a comparo that I'd be real keen to read though..
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
gee wizzz
dude if ya want a nice easy bike to ride--try a bandit 600 or the xj600 --dunno why but theyre pretty relaxed to ride.
To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?
Highway Biker
Heh, better get the Beamer then. The FZ6 is pretty powerful and will rip the tarmac up very nicely above 8k rpm. However, below that it is very docile and manageable, and is a breeze to ride around town. I commute on my FZ6N every day and I love it. It's a very stable bike, comfortable for long distances, gets good mileage, and has a brilliant community (the faired version is incredibly popular as an all-rounder in the US; see the FZ6 forums on Sportbikes.net).
For your needs I would say the FZ6N would be ideal. As long as you don't go crazy with it, it will be very forgiving, provided you have some riding experience. If you want the power, it is there. It will cruise at 110 very comfortably and have plenty of power left over for passing. It's comfortable long distance. It's very reliable, and every possible issue you could encounter has a veritable knowledge-base behind it on the FZ6 forums, along with numerous HOWTOs and an active and friendly community for support. I really couldn't overstate how much I think the FZ6 is a good choice for a medium-skill rider with a bit of experience wanting to do pretty much anything.
What the heck have you been riding? A Triumph Rocket? You're welcome to your opinion, but you're the first person I've ever met to bad-mouth this bike. A lot of bike journalists think it's wimpy below 8k rpm and thus "boring", but the truth is that its fairly weak torque in the lower rev ranges makes it a perfect commuter. I just don't want too much pickup down there when I'm in stop-and-go traffic. Obviously the engine won't perform the same as an R6 of the same year, because it's been retuned to be more docile, but it's still got plenty of power. Get it above 8k rpm and it turns into a completely different bike; it's like having two completely separate engines. Once you hit that mark, it screams for more until the 14k rpm redline and pulls hard the whole way. I can't see how you wouldn't find it enjoyable, but maybe if you're used to a liter supersport or something...
As for handling, didja tweak the rear suspension? The rear preload is a bit soft and I agree that the front suspension, at least, needs 15w oil instead of the stock 5 (better springs make a marked improvement too), but again, to what are you comparing it? I find it handles just fine. If you're expecting it to get around as quickly as a supersport, again, you're going to be SOL; but that's not what this bike is intended to do. It's a budget standard, intended for all-purpose riding, not trackdays. Its brakes and suspension are perfectly adequate unless you're expecting it to be a supersport—but it's not one, so that would be silly, right? Certainly they're better than a lot of similar-specced and -priced bikes out there.
Not particularly; certainly nothing like Jim suggests, and not even compared to something like a Hornet 900. As with any bike, there is a slight jerk between the off and on throttle, which takes a little getting used to, but it's hardly a show-stopper, nor is it specific to the FZ6. It's not something that happens all the way up until 6k rpm either. I think Jim must have ridden a faulty bike or something.
Again, I haven't seen these reviews. All the reviews I've read have been US ones, and although they criticized the engine for being weak in the low rpm range (which I've covered above), they uniformly were very positive about the bike in general.
Anyway, if you're thinking of buying one, you can't go wrong having a look at the FZ6 forums and asking some questions there. There are dozens of people there who ride one every day, and range from n00bs to pros in experience and skill levels.
Forum whore
Having ridden both, I'd agree with that. (the old models)
The Z1000 was a bit nimbler though.
“- He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.”
Forum whore
I was looking at replacing my 2004 R6 because I couldn't get on with it in commuter traffic and I thought the FZ6 would be just the thing. The back to back comparison gave a stark impression of just how badly Yamaha "retuned" the FZ6 engine. I don't know where you are getting your impression that the FZ6 makes "power" above 8000rpm. I found a Suzuki GSX600F a much better all round bike than the FZ6, lacking only top end in comparison, but a much fatter bottom end and mid range, making it a much better bet as a "my first big bike" than the FZ6.
I respectfully disagree that no bottom end torque makes for a good commuter. Commuting is the time that you need instant low end snap more often than any other time you ride. Acceleration is an evasion tool, and below 10000rpm the FZ6 has nothing. The FZ6 engine is vibey, gutless, and hugely disappointing after riding an R6 with same engine architecture. The fuel injection was nightmarish, making it impossible to smoothly negotiate low speed corners with any commitment.
I ended up buying the Zed, despite its suspensions shortcomings, because the engine is actually connected to the throttle, not an on/off switch and a selection of different strength rubber bands. Much easier to fix suspension than a fundamentally flawed ECU.
If a man is alone in the woods and there isn't a woke Hollywood around to call him racist, is he still white?
Highway Biker
Lol, nightmarish eh. All I can say is you must have ridden a dud.
Large Falcon Collider
Impressions of power and usablility is clearly an individual experience. I'd leave it at that. Besides, nobody should buy a bike on peer review alone.
"If life gives you a shit sandwich..." someone please complete this expression
L-Plate Rider
If you want an opinion from an actual owner, then read on.
I was in the market for a naked middleweight. My first choice was an SV, but found the SV uncomfortable; bars to far away and pegs too rear set.
The CB900 / FZ1 were just too heavy for what I wanted this time around.
The FZ6 was/is a perfect fit, nice and comfy.
The motor is just a gem, there are bands of power to suit your style of riding. From 4000-7000 (5500 @ 100kph) pulls hards enough to overtake with no fuss. I never have to drop gears to overtake at 100kph. From 7000 its gets real interesting but in any gear apart from 1st you're breaking the speed limit, 10000-12000 rocket ship. I've seen 12000 (2000 more to the read line/limiter), thats 100kph in first but don't think that I'll be doing that too often.
I have the 2005 model and cannot fault the throttle, no lag or fuel shutoff problems here.
I get 20 km/ltr at normal commuting pace.
The suspension is OK, non-adjustable front and a 7 position rear. @90kg I'm on position 4.
Brakes are up to the job.
General finish is very good.
The best forum I've found is http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=69
These guys (mostly from the USA) are fanatical about the FZ6. Worth a visit.
The bad bits:
It is a buzzy engine. Various bits of the bike vibrate at certain rpms, the worst for me is the seat vibes at 5500 (103kph), ball tingling. After that the vibes are there but more muted. Apparently the clutch lever rattles at 8000, but then I've not ridden at that rpm, through it but not at it
However there was a mod posted on the above forum tonite to remove some of the seat bungs to cure the seat vibes, so I'll see if that has the desired effect.
The mirrors on the faired model vibrate, however the naked ones (attached to the bar) do not.
Its quiet. Not that thats a bad thing in my opioion, but there are a number of aftermarket exhausts that improve power at bit (5%) and noise (100%).
The clutch is a bit binary, either on or off and at the end of the lever travel. I'm still trying to get smooth changes after 2 months.
The digital tach is sometimes real hard to see, 2007 models have reverted to analogue.
MY riding is 95% commuting and the rest having a bit of fun. And fun can definately be had on the FZ6. I do the occasional 3-4 hour weekend rides and get a numb bum after about 100ks. Lets face it its no tourer but comfort seats are available either from Yamaha or after market.
So there it is, It is what it is, a general purpose bike that does everything well enough. If you want a recommendation, you've got mine. Oh and my son (30 years my junior) can't keep off it, never seen him smile so much.
L-Plate Rider
Sounds like me after a couple too many pies....
Highway Biker
I think the clutch lever problem is not a general one; it only seems to happen on some bikes. Certainly I've never seen it and I sit at 8000 rpm fairly often on the highway, depending on what I'm doing. I also like the narrow clutch engagement because it makes for quicker and more precise shifting. There's no need to haul on the lever to disengage the engine. It only took me a couple of weeks to get quite comfortable with the engagement band, and I have no problems with being smooth whatsoever now (I ride with a pillion a lot as well).
Speaking of which, I have to disagree about touring. The FZ6 is a very capable tourer both one and two-up, commuter also. Although you say you get a numb bum, this seems to vary a lot between people. I can do 200 to 300 km before I start to get sore, but my wife gets stiff much sooner. This is partly because the position is a bit cramped for the pillion (but much more roomy than most bikes you'll find), but also partly just because she doesn't have nearly as much riding experience. Once you've ridden for a while you get used to sitting on the bike for long stretches and it doesn't hurt nearly as much. Anyway, with the preload set correctly the FZ6 performs really well with a pillion on the back. I followed a group of bikes back home from Te Awamutu yesterday, and although they weren't hauling ass, they weren't slouching either. I had no problems keeping up with them despite having my wife on the back. Similarly, in the twisties I have no issues dragging parts carrying a pillion, and there is plenty of power to spare unless you're trying to keep up with someone on a 900 cc Honda Hornet who is caning it and performing very dangerous passing manoeuvers. The grab bars are also nice and big, and the seat is quite wide (as opposed to, say, the SV650's postage stamp).
Speaking of the SV650, I think you'll find that vibrates a lot more than the FZ6. Certainly the ol' fizzer can be a little buzzy, but if you test it against other engines I suspect you'll find it quite smooth in comparison.
The tacho I agree can be a little hard to read sometimes, but I haven't had many problems with it myself. Still, the switch back to analog was a good move.
HTH.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks