FZ-6 opinions

[reiobard]

Anyone have one? Used to have one? Know anyone who has one?

I am looking into getting one and would like to know what people have to say about them. I would be getting an 07' Leftover and adding the lower fairings to it and trading my 2004 YZF600R for it (unless someone wants to buy that from me).

I still want the riding position/Comforth that i am used to but would love some of the technology with the new bike FI, Digital gauges, aluminum frame, Undertail exhaust...but do NOT need the power of a 1000cc bike, the power of my YZF is fine for me and how i ride. (although it will be fun to have the 10HP bump up)

[OreoGaborio]

Get the FZ-1 (wish they had that naked version in the States)

At least ride my Tuono before ya decide

[reiobard]

Get the FZ-1 (wish they had that naked version in the States)

At least ride my Tuono before ya decide

Well as i will take you up on the offer to ride the Tuono, I don;t like the FZ1 as much as the 6 and i also doubt that i would use the 1K motor. I am perfectly happy sticking with a 6 and with the upgraded brakes, swingarm, gauges, and fairings i think they took care of their biggest problems. I foresee a little suspension work though down the road as it is not a fully adjustable setup.

[Zed]

We had an FZ6 for a couple of seasons; it was my wife's bike.

Nice bike; well made, comfortable upright ergos, decent wind protection for a half-faired bike. Good mileage, fun to ride, handles good, and sounded great with Leo Vince cans.

But it was buzzy as hell. Felt like it needed a 7th, 8th, and 9th gear above 50mph. Not a great highway bike, but we're used to big-bore sport-tourers.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

The main problem with those bikes are the frames Most of them have steel tube frames that dont use any of ducatis technology where a steel frame works. Or the more common twin spar or sportbike frames, so what you get is a modern sportbike with a 1980 CB750 type frame. The one that really stands apart is the triump street triple or even the older speed four. Those are real naked sportbikes

[Zed]

The main problem with those bikes are the frames Most of them have steel tube frames that dont use any of ducatis technology where a steel frame works. Or the more common twin spar or sportbike frames, so what you get is a modern sportbike with a 1980 CB750 type frame. The one that really stands apart is the triump street triple or even the older speed four. Those are real naked sportbikes

Ok, I'll bite. How is the frame the "main problem" with a half-faired standard streetbike like the FZ6?

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Ok, I'll bite. How is the frame the "main problem" with a half-faired standard streetbike like the FZ6?

The frames tend to flex and give weird feedback(ever ride an ex500 on the Track) and they are heavier as well, And on those bikes they tend skimp on the quality of the components such as forks breaks Ect.Yu will find the suspension to be non adjustable, the brake not radial. ect.

The guy would do better to buy a lighly crashed r6 and put the motorcross bars on it.

[butcher bergs]

The main problem with those bikes are the frames Most of them have steel tube frames that dont use any of ducatis technology where a steel frame works...and blah, blah, blah....

You speak from experience I take it? I mean, a 1980 CB750? Come on meow...



reiobard- Get over to yamahafz1oa.com. There's an FZ6 section with plenty of help and information.

Also, don't discount the FZ1 during your search. The Gen1's (2001-2005) are great sport-tourers with excellent comfort and plenty of range.

The Gen2's (2006-present) like the one Pete posted is closer to the R1 end of the spectrum with regards to power and comfort.

I offer a free test ride for you on my 2003 FZ1. Trust me, you don't know what you're missing!

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

You speak from experience I take it? I mean, a 1980 CB750? Come on meow...

1980 Cb750 Yeah a gross exageration(sp?) Yes I rode a 2005 FZ6 for a weekend about 400 Miles, Borrowed it from a friend as I was thinking of buying it. The motor was nice and it was definitly comfy on the highway However when really pushed hard it tended to feel like it was fighting back. compared to The Daytona 650 I owned at the timeThe frame on that bike was closer to cb750 then it was to RgsxrzxRR

and yes I hav owned 3 CB750's a 74 and and 2 1975 supersports.

Its just one riders point of view.

[reiobard]

I offer a free test ride for you on my 2003 FZ1. Trust me, you don't know what you're missing!

Depending on when i make the decision to pull the trigger on this i may take you up on that offer, i haven't "Discounted" the FZ1 I just am not sure if i need or want a 1000cc bike, Insurance is more and i do A LOT of riding (about 14k miles a summer) so the fuel economy is a consideration for whatever bike i do get. I love getting 50+ MPG while having a blast on my bike. With that being said what do you get for mileage on your FZ1? Also are all the FZ1's Fuel Injected or are any of the older ones still carbs?

The main problem with those bikes are the frames Most of them have steel tube frames that dont use any of ducatis technology where a steel frame works. Or the more common twin spar or sportbike frames, so what you get is a modern sportbike with a 1980 CB750 type frame. The one that really stands apart is the triump street triple or even the older speed four. Those are real naked sportbikes

the new FZ6 has a Controlled Fill aluminum frame and they also redesigned the swingarm to "Provide a more stable feel".

I would love to test ride a few of these different bikes but it is not much of an option given the time of year and also the fact that most shops won't let you just take a new bike out.

[Wishbone]

You should take Bergs' advice and check out FZ1OA it has tons of useful info.

But let me try to help. The first gen fz1 has carbs and a steel frame. Gets between 40-50 mpg and I always ride at around 6k plus. The stock suspension SUCKS and is set up for a 80-90lbs rider but hey PK is not to far away. The brakes are a bit spongy but the calipers are the same as the first few generation R1's and bet it could be fixed with just some good pads and SS lines (I can't say for sure because I switch to a Brembo master SS lines and Verasah pads all at once, but now it stops on a dime ) also it is one heavy pig of a bike, 500lbs wet from a scale in person. The ups are the fact that it can be ridden ALL day especially if you shave the seat and put memory foam in it also has a GREAT after market and a cult following. Plus a clean first gen can be had for 5K or less IE

The second gen fz1 (06+) has FI and an AL frame

fz6 (I think it is in the first gen still?) has FI AL frame and under tail exhaust and it must be pretty good because "terminal" likes it good enough to buy 2 of them this year and total them both

[reiobard]

the FZ6 is in Gen2 as of 07+ and that is why i am looking now for some 07 leftovers, they changed the gauge cluster, swapped the previously lacking front calipers from 2 post to 4 post, re-designed the swing arm to work better with the aluminum frame, re-mapped the FI, and changed the fairing and headlights a bit.

All in all i have only read good reviews online and will be checking out that web site (i have been bouncing around at Yamaha FZ6-Forum Community as well for more information on the new ones compared to the 1st gen ones).

[butcher bergs]

Depending on when i make the decision to pull the trigger on this i may take you up on that offer, i haven't "Discounted" the FZ1 I just am not sure if i need or want a 1000cc bike, Insurance is more and i do A LOT of riding (about 14k miles a summer) so the fuel economy is a consideration for whatever bike i do get. I love getting 50+ MPG while having a blast on my bike. With that being said what do you get for mileage on your FZ1? Also are all the FZ1's Fuel Injected or are any of the older ones still carbs?

Throw a leg over a Gen1 for a few miles and you'll see what I mean. Despite it's larger size and extra weight (over the smaller bikes), it's still very capable in the right hands.

It's power delivery is very smooth and gets progressively stout above 6K and on to redline, so it's not a particularly difficult bike to ride but certainly not an ideal choice for a first bike.

Allthough I disagree with Jon's assessment of the suspension (I weigh what the bike was set up for...that being 80-90 lbs....but really around 160), it is fully adjustable front and rear.


The brakes are fine and even feel better than my 929, IMO. However, I felt a noticable difference in brake performance once I swapped in EBC HH pads front and rear. I have the stock lines still as I haven't seen the need to upgrade just yet.

50 MPG is attainable on a Gen1 but not so much on the Gen2. I had mine completely stock for the first two years and returned plenty of 200 mile tanks with a one time high of 220-ish...I think it was 227 but I don't remember for certain...

I saw only a slight drop in MPG once I did a jet kit and slip-on and even then I think it's because I tend to ride much harder now when compared to two or three years ago.

I can still acheive hi-40's very easily and wouldn't be surprised one bit if I could hit 50 or better if I were really trying to behave....but what fun is that?

If one of your top concerns is MPG then stay away from the Gen2 FZ1's. They have smaller tanks and are a bit more thirsty than the Gen1's.

[Wishbone]

It's power delivery is very smooth and gets progressively stout above 6K and on to redline, so it's not a particularly difficult bike to ride but certainly not an ideal choice for a first bike.

Thats why I keep it at 6k+

Allthough I disagree with Jon's assessment of the suspension (I weigh what the bike was set up for...that being 80-90 lbs....but really around 160), it is fully adjustable front and rear.

WOAH, WAIT A SECOND! It's John not Jon

No, but seriously the spring needed to be changed by about 200lbs/per/inc to be set up right. The front not so bad, but the rear was WOW

The brakes are fine and even feel better than my 929, IMO. However, I felt a noticable difference in brake performance once I swapped in EBC HH pads front and rear. I have the stock lines still as I haven't seen the need to upgrade just yet.

I think the big difference was going from a Duc to the fizza. So it just felt like night and day after switching. Even when I rode to Wagner for a test ride on a monster it was still a huge difference and my m/c is from a 996

50 MPG is attainable on a Gen1 but not so much on the Gen2. I had mine completely stock for the first two years and returned plenty of 200 mile tanks with a one time high of 220-ish...I think it was 227 but I don't remember for certain...


I saw only a slight drop in MPG once I did a jet kit and slip-on and even then I think it's because I tend to ride much harder now when compared to two or three years ago.

I can still acheive hi-40's very easily and wouldn't be surprised one bit if I could hit 50 or better if I were really trying to behave....but what fun is that?

If one of your top concerns is MPG then stay away from the Gen2 FZ1's. They have smaller tanks and are a bit more thirsty than the Gen1's.

I bought my bike with a slip-on and got 170-180 till the light constantly for the first 12k

I would seriously consider riding a Fizza just to at least try it out. I would offer mine but it is so far gone from stock. But I bet if Rob asked nice Bergs would let him go for a spin


In an ideal world I would have a Fizza set up for touring/day trips/commuting and a tard to rip around the back rounds/short rides/track. But unfortunately I'm stupid and tried to make my bike more sport than touring, but hey live and learn.

[butcher bergs]

WOAH, WAIT A SECOND! It's John not Jon