Title pretty much says it. New or used, I think.
Have you ridden one? What bikes have you ridden in the past and what kind of riding are you planning on doing with it?
I am 6'1" barefoot and ride a raised up Suzuki GS500e. I want at least a partial fairing, and more power for the highway part of my commute. I have a kind of mangled left thighbone, so a more upright riding style is better. Towards that end I changed footpegs on the GS500e. I just repainted it, and I like the handling, but I want more power and at least a half fairing.Originally Posted by dankatz
oh yeah, haven't ridden one, want to try one. Commute daily 25 miles. Could be 18 miles on the highway, but now it is 4 miles highway and balance on secondary roads due to lack of power with the GS500e. Commute often averages 80, and my diesel car has better top end and gets equivalent highway MPG.
If you come down to Boston I'll let you ride my bike. I think that if you are looking for a highway mostly bike I would consider a GSX650F - it's heavier, has a full fairing and would probably be a better highway tourer. They are much harder to find and cost the same as an FZ6 when new. I have had my bike for two years and commute daily in Boston. I do love it and think it is a very versatile bike.
FZ6 is a pretty kick ass machine. Spent a fair amount of time on my sister's and it's alot of fun. Plenty of get up and go too!
Thanks for the offer, that's quite nice. Unfortunately I am travelling out of the country for the next month or so, and I might get the itch to buy once I am back here before I make it to Boston.
Well, I looked at a GSX650F online, and based on the look of the position and the fact that the seat height of the FZ6 is higher, on paper it looks better, but I will have to at least sit on both. Some reviews say it is quite comfortable, I 'll have to check it out.
Yes, the seat height of the FZ6 is higher, but I think the GSX650 is a little wider, so the seat definitely does not feel as low as it is reported. My biggest pick with the FZ6 has to do with narrow clutch engagement, clunky 1-2 gear change and very peaky engine. I came from a Ninja 500 and it is a big improvement, but not an animal under 6k rpm. The GS500 is even weaker compared to the Ninja 500 from what I read. I have collected a bunch of articles and some are scanned about the two - researched a ton and decided on the FZ6. Either choice is great, but I do wish I had the opportunity to ride both and compare.
Enjoy your trip!
I rode the EX500 first, but the tank cut makes placement of my right femur head difficult. The GS500 tank is better that way, but the EX500 has noticeably more power and a fairing. Knowing what I know now, I might have raised the EX500 a bit and dropped the peg/rear brake assembly. I might add a windscreen to the GS500e and drop that peg/brake or add foam to the seat in an attempt to get another year out of it.
I was under the impression that the clutch and 1-2 shift were improved by the 2nd generation FZ6, as well as the fuel injection. I read about this for the 1st gen FZ6. Perhaps I am wrong?
My current ride and the reasons why I won't be racing 600s:
Last edited by intergalactic; 04-08-10 at 09:17 AM.
2nd generation is better...no issues with FI. 1-2 shift and short clutch engagement point takes time to get used to. It's not bad, but definitely takes time. I need my clutch adjusted. Ninja was much better...of course, the Ninja has been around for over 20 years, so they had plenty of time to iron out kinks.
The gearbox is subjective, IMO. I haven't seen any shifting issues whatsoever with the 2005 I've ridden.
screw it, maybe I'll get a salvage K1200S. That should be big enough.
I had an 07 FZ6. Good bike and super comfy. I am 6'2. I miss it. The R6 is killing my wrists.
I am weary about salvage bikes, especially if I don't know the details of the assesment and why the have the salvage title.
The FZ6 is an overall great bike, but like any other bike has its pluses and minuses. I think as a purely highway cruiser there may be better choices (GSX650). For the city it is awesome. Go ride it and report your thoughts! 8-)
Yeah, there are a few on craigslist. I was hoping to find a new leftover for cheap. And get some side cases for it.
still looking for a blue leftover...
I hear you. I bought mine new. I am not sure I would do that over. I feel like you take a big hit and pay for stuff like assembly. I got a good deal for mine OTD, $6600, and then invested well over $1000 in mods. It is hardly worth more than $5000 just two years later. Buying new you always take a hit when you sell. That being said, I have no rationale reason to switch. 8-)
I work in Merrimack and if you want to come try my 2007 FZ-6 out during the day sometime, you can (with the you break it, you pay for it stipulation). I have had no issues with a clunky gearbox, or peaky engine, i find the bike very comfortable and ridable.
Remember...once you go bigbore...you don't go back.
-Christian LRRS/CCS HasBeen ECK Racing
2011 Pit Bike Race CHAMPION!
OK, so people have misunderstood me. Peaky engine does not mean that it is not fine in the lower revs. What I mean is that it is truly a beast above 6k-8k compared to other competitors in this price range. As for the gearbox, overall it is excellent. The 1-2 shift takes time to get used to. Maybe, it is just my bike and my clutch needs to be adjusted. Overall, no regrets and an excellent all rounder.
http://www.getamotorcycle.com/MC/ind...p?UnitTypeId=1
Put left over fz6 and you will come up with Reynolds in Maine - they have two left overs
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