YAMAHA FZS600- and touring Europe?

**gsp0702** · 27th April 2008, 09:13

I used to have a 600 FZS Fazer when i was in the UK, good bike handled well, wa comfy and reasonable weather protection. However budget bike with a rear mono shock that would need replacing at 20-30k, And bearing in mind the age and they were popular as commuters most will be well used. The later FZ6's have a peaky engine (R6 rather than Thundercat) and for that sort of bike not always what you want, and the hornet and Kwaka Z750 seem to win out on tests on these later models. Also check out the fazer owners website.

http://foc-u.co.uk/new/news.php

Also as an alternative might want to look at the big trail bikes ie Tiger 900, Africa Twin, Caponord, V-Strom, etc, Comfy two up. Or for a strong six hundred tourer look at the ZZR600 produced up until a year or so ago in the uk.

Cheers

Andy

**Bikernereid** · 27th April 2008, 10:04

Went on Tiger to northern France and found it quite uncomfortable, to be honest preferred being on the back mates Moto Guzzi.

The bike I am looking at has been a fair weather bike as it only has about 8000 miles on the clock and is 4 years old. The guy seems really anal about it getting dirty when I take it out tomorrow which for me is a good sign that he takes care of his bikes.

We will only have it until about Feb 2009 so shouldn't have to worry too much about rear mono shock. I have been checking out reviews and they all seem very favourable and friend who have riden them have good things to say so we shall see tomorrow how it goes.

Originally Posted by gsp0702

I used to have a 600 FZS Fazer when i was in the UK, good bike handled well, wa comfy and reasonable weather protection. However budget bike with a rear mono shock that would need replacing at 20-30k, And bearing in mind the age and they were popular as commuters most will be well used. The later FZ6's have a peaky engine (R6 rather than Thundercat) and for that sort of bike not always what you want, and the hornet and Kwaka Z750 seem to win out on tests on these later models. Also check out the fazer owners website.

http://foc-u.co.uk/new/news.php

Also as an alternative might want to look at the big trail bikes ie Tiger 900, Africa Twin, Caponord, V-Strom, etc, Comfy two up. Or for a strong six hundred tourer look at the ZZR600 produced up until a year or so ago in the uk.

Cheers

Andy

**jonbuoy** · 27th April 2008, 16:54

Originally Posted by owner

Cool as when are you heading over holiday?working? where will you be based
that bike trader is mint
50000 yikes thats alot. we have about 2500-3000 to spend. the 600 we were looking at has 7000 miles on it 04. luggage rack and new rubber
I know a thou would be mint but Im not sure what the insurance cost difference would be.
I see there is a fazer thou in honda bourneworth 2999 we should check out. it has 29000miles 50000kms
Id be happy with a older high km big bike if I knew the history or felt I could trust the last major owner, I definetly dont want any mechanical issues what so ever.

How many km would you get out of serviced 01 fazer thou? I dont trust people enough to believe a bike has been serviced
I have never riden big bikes, 600 2up are fast enough for me. the only advantage I can see is less gear changes=more comfortable, would it really be more economical?

Hi - I'm working in Spain but shipping my cafe back to my parents place I'll be back there for holidays and long weekends. I'm thinking of going for a ZZR1100 I've always wanted one - 175MPH top speed ain't bad for an old whale

.
I've seen them go for around the money you have with panniers too. If they advertise as FSH they normally have the book or a stack of receipts to prove it. I don't know much about the FJ's but I hear they can rack up some astronomical mileages. A breakdown would spoil your holiday. I've never been able to make up my mind if its better to go for something with high k's but well looked after, or something only dusted off and used a few times a year. Whatever you choose you'll have fun.

**owner** · 28th April 2008, 00:28

600 it is and here it is

not to worried about top speed 140-150 should be heaps i just hope it does good jumps

**skidMark** · 28th April 2008, 02:33

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

Not that bright are you!! I would have thought that even the most stupid of moron would have realised that I wont be riding it as I am asking about pillion comfort.

Also if you understand anything about Europe you would realise how much cheaper, easier and more fun it is to do on a bike than in a car!!

He doesn't crazy steve is an idiot...

...like me.

**Bikernereid** · 28th April 2008, 05:47

We shall see about the jumps!!

not to worried about top speed 140-150 should be heaps i just hope it does good jumps

[/QUOTE]

**owner** · 1st May 2008, 11:49

Ok, so we need to take three weeks worth of stuff around europe how the hell do we fit it all on the bike? any ideas ?

givi quote 700 pounds ouch

**vega** · 24th June 2008, 20:27

HI

I am really interested in your trip. I have just started riding and am absolutely hooked. I am planning to ride through Europe next year. Please give me some advice on the best way to get started. Are you heading over and buying your bike there? What is the best size bike? Any advice appreciated.

Cheers Vega

**owner** · 3rd July 2008, 02:13

Well we did it KB! 5500kms in 16 days over 7 countries on a FZ6
We had an awesome time it rained ALOT which is weird for Europe in June but shit happens. We did some amazing roads and speeds 2up.

Our little FAZER6 did the trick. The only gripe was the wind If we were to do it again we will get a taller screen.
Because of the riding position you actually sit higher than the screen which is great for around town, as cars can see you and you can see over cars,
But on the hiway in high winds it kinda sucked being beat'n up by the wind.
Highlights ....there were to many get over here and see for yourself you lazy gits

One of them was this road http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lpkarzx0-aY
and also doing the tourist thing... missing the exit on the Mway by a km and just turning around going back the wrong way on a 6 lane Mway at 100km+