New love for the FZ-6 - Some times bland is just right

[chornbe]

I never met a motorcycle I didn't like, to some degree. Ok, that might not be entirely true, but for this discussion, let's make that assumption. Even some bikes that I wouldn't own often have some level of appeal to me. I think it comes down to the fact that I like riding more than I like bikes. Bikes are just the tool to afford me the chance to ride. Some tools are better than others.

My friend Steve has a Yamaha FZ-6, a 600cc "sport naked". Specifics about his bike can be found at the Yamaha FZ-6 site. The thing is, he's owned the bike coming up on two years and it has less than a thousand miles on it. He's had the battery go dead once or twice from sitting. Every now and then he'll ask me to take it home, ride it for a few days, get some miles on it, flow some gas through it, air it out a bit. The last time I did so I swore I'd had enough of that bike. I was convinced it just flat out sucked. So, I was a bit hesitant when he asked me again.

This time... it's different.

The bike is smoother - much, much smoother - than the last time I rode it. This is not my imagination. I know smooth bikes, I ride an F4i. I rode an F4i last time I rode his bike. This time it's much smoother, so maybe last time I had it there was an issue with some bad gas or something (remember, this bike sits - a lot!).

When I rode the bike home the other day my thoughts during the entire trip were on how bland and seemingly uncharacteristic this bike is. The brakes work. The throttle makes it go. Pushing on the bars makes the bike lazily turn in and take you through a turn. Everything seems to work, but nothing jumps out as "wow". No feature is really a stand-out. I decided to ride the bike to work today and take the bike down a twisty road that is part of my "most of the time" commute.

The roads were a little damp this morning and there was a heavy mist in the air. The FZ-6 doesn't develop half the torque of my FJR, so I wasn't worried about spinning the back tire through every turn or low-siding from delivering too much power mid-turn. As I pushed the bike through the the first 90-degree turn at about 45 miles per hour and rolled the throttle on a little farther, this bland and boring machine took me through the turn with no excitement or upset at all, then straightened up to take me the 3/4 mile down the next turn at about 70 miles per hour.

This next turn is a 90-degree to the left, then about a 1/8 mile later, a 90-degree to the right. Both are fairly tight radius turns, and after lazily turning through both of them at speeds in excess of 40, I stood the bike up and continued on my route. Yep, still bland and boring. By the end of this stretch of road, I was very much in tune with how much I needed to hang off, or not, and how hard I had to push the bars, or not. I was perfectly comfortable with the throttle and power delivery, and the somewhat different clutch feel from my bikes.

The 2 1/2 "S" turns at the end of this road fell behind me with nary a concern and my speed was hovering somewhere around 55-60 as I exited the last of the turns. The engine wasn't screaming, though I did have it wound up pretty well in 3rd or 4th gear. I don't even remember which. It didn't matter. The engine felt bland and smooth enough. The ample disc brakes brought me to a smooth an secure stop at the stop sign as my left thumb just naturally fell to the turn signal switch with no excessive reaching or hunting.

Then it hit me, all of a sudden and with such realization that I laughed aloud in my helmet.

This bike isn't bland. This bike is well-freaking-engineered, to the point of actually working with you and for you, rather than needing to be pushed and coerced into every part of riding. Holy Crap! Is this bike really that good? That well thought out?

Yes. I believe it is.

The seating position is absolutely perfect. I mount the bike and fall immediately into a neutral and comfortable seating position. If I were to change anything, I would simply soften the angle on the wrists; a simple and easy handle-bar change.

Don't get me wrong... the bike isn't perfect (but which one is?).

    * It does turn in fairly lazily, but I wonder if that's just yet-another issue with cheap OEM tires and proper tire pressure (the stock tires on my FJR were complete trash).
    * The forks are non-adjustable, standard rod forks. They could use beefier springs and thicker oil, like nearly every damping rod fork. I'm no 160lb light-weight.
    * The wind management could be a little better; I get a slight draft up the front of my Scorpion helmet, but then I think the chin skirt on that helmet is too small anyway.

But really, if those are the only issues... this is a bike done right. I hated this bike the first couple of times I rode it. Maybe I'm more open-minded now, or maybe Steve made some adjustments I'm not aware of. Maybe I just needed more saddle time. I don't know.

But, I could easily see myself slapping some luggage on it and doing long, tour-style rides on that bike with no issues if were mine.

[Thundergod]

Nice write up and insights.

When it comes to most technology (non-visual design)
Great design has an inverse relationship with your perceptions. IE-- the better its designed, the less you notice it.

A true engineer/designer will perfect the machine to the point where you STOP noticing why it is/isn't doing something...you just enjoy the experience. Of course the visual designers have a harder job-- they must deal with the sex appeal, while also developing form/function relationships-- IE RamAir Ducting...External engine case designs....

I have to hand it to Yamaha-- All of their product lines, from motorcycles to musical instruments are stellar. Their materials, quality, reliability and R&D is second to none.

I would hate to experience a Ducati Surround Sound System, or a MotoGuzzi WaveRunner, or a Triumph Keyboard.

Yamaha designs, and they design well. I have never met a "yamaha" I didn't like.

[November]

Thanks for that writeup! It's good to hear these things about a bike I'm interested in.  

[phoenix]

Of course the visual designers have a harder job-- they must deal with the sex appeal, while also developing form/function relationships-- IE RamAir Ducting...External engine case designs....

I'll partially disagree with this. The case fairly often is that the design studio makes a non-functioning model to show off and "wow" the public. Then the engineer has to try to emulate everything that dazzled the people and still make it functional.

I will say that in the engineering world, its a fuzzy line between developing something that has "character" (which later can convert to reliability problems) versus the bland, flawless, tried-and-true techniques to avoid issues down the road. Its just plain too hard to please everyone, just look at comments about ANY brand of motorcycle.

Still, you should beat your buddy over the head with a hammer. If you've got entertaining roads in your region, I have no idea why he's not putting miles on that baby.

[StacyT]

Hopefully you had a chance to experience the range between 9,000 and 13,000  RPM.  It's a fun place.

The bike is a bit unusual but my previous bike was an RZ350 so I kinda like them unusual.  I enjoy riding mine I just wish the weather in my area would cooperate more.

Good write-up!

[MisterEd]

Isn't that a neat bike?  A friend of mine here in Portland bought a brand new '07 one in May.  I've had a chance to ride it a couple of times and I find it thoroughly enjoyable, plenty quck enough, comfy, and damned fun!

[chornbe]

Hopefully you had a chance to experience the range between 9,000 and 13,000  RPM.  It's a fun place.

Not yet. But what the hell... I'm not giving it back yet. I told him he's not getting it back yet, so

[Giaka]

Go try the NEW FZ1.  

[Barabus]

I came off an FZ6 to a FJR.   I still miss the "6".  Fun bike above 8K rpms.  Nice and light too.  The styling suited me nicely with the double undertail.  Rode a lot with the FZ01A board and kept near the middle of the pack.  But gave up too much straight away speed.

[chornbe]

Bah! Straightaway speeds are for squids. 40 in the straights, 60 in the turns.  

keke

[Mr Sunshine]

So with my SV up on blocks I am having to ride the wife's FZ6.  It has R6 forks and brakes and a top case.

It is a fun little bike but frankly three things really bug me.

1. Short engagement travel on the clutch.  Makes it hard to do a smooth non-engine rev from a stop and makes it wheel prone if you are doing clutch upshifts rapidly.

2.  Snatchy throttle. Off-On throttle transitions suck!

3.  Seatting position.  The bars are not in the right spot for me or my wife.  We have a part on order which will hopefully resolve this.

Oh and the crappish rear shock...but I have an Ohline on my SV now so I shouldn't try to compare.

[JamesG]

I would hate to experience a... MotoGuzzi WaveRunner...

Hey now!  You know how to swim don't ya?  

Yamaha designs, and they design well. I have never met a "yamaha" I didn't like.

Yeah I feel the same way about my YZF600R.  It is just a damn fine motorcycle that functions without any fuss or pertention. Its the Civic of sportbikes.

But at the same time, that same predictableness and reliabilty is its only "flaw". It doesn't have any rough edges and so you wind up bitching about little quibbles like its styling or the fact that it doesn't have a center stand or a clock in the dash...

[davop]

I'm very pleased with mine. You do have to wind it up to pick up the pace, but thats what gears are for right! I like having liter bike ergos on this middleweight because i'm a big guy.

[chornbe]

I'm very pleased with mine. You do have to wind it up to pick up the pace, but thats what gears are for right!

That's one of the things I like most about it and my F4i and other small & mid-weights. Some days - like today when the streets were slick as buttered snot - I don't *want* to throw 1300cc of torque at the road in the first 500rpm of acceleration.

[SuperHans]

That's one of the things I like most about it and my F4i and other small & mid-weights. Some days - like today when the streets were slick as buttered snot - I don't *want* to throw 1300cc of torque at the road in the first 500rpm of acceleration.

That's one of the things I like about the FZ also. I can keep the RPM's low and just take a lazy ride or I can wind it out and tear it up.

The suspension is not the best but it works. The clutch takes a little to get accustomed to but you do. The throttle is a little snatchy but I've found that in other FI bikes. It's not perfect, but it is a good bike overall. It does what it was made to do, be a good all around bike.

Yeah, it probably is a little bland, but it was a perfect bike for me to get back into riding with. It's also a great bike to throw some bags on and take a little trip. Hell, the wife and I rode 2-up to the STN Nationals in WV last year on an FZ6. It worked well for around 1,600 miles in 3 days 2-up. Not perfect, but it worked.

[timmybob4]

...Still, you should beat your buddy over the head with a hammer. If you've got entertaining roads in your region, I have no idea why he's not putting miles on that baby.

I disagree. Don't encourage him to put miles on the bike. Instead set a goal of adding his low mileage bike to your stable in the future.

[chornbe]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'd snatch this thing right up right now if I could and if he'd part with it. He's enamored with our other friend's Stratoliner touring cruiser, so I might have the chance.

[Max Wedge]

But, I could easily see myself slapping some luggage on it and doing long, tour-style rides on that bike with no issues if were mine.

Like this?

[Corwin]

I'm probably going to get a 07 FZ6 this year.  I tested the 06 and 07 models.  Clutch is no worse than my KLR, both have short engagement ranges, I got used to the KLR quickly, and I'm sure I'll get used to the FZ6 just as quickly.  Throttle on/off is smoother than the KLR.  No concerns there.  I like the cosmetic changes to the faring, swing arm and instruments on the 07.  The low end torque seems a bit better on the 07, I think they remapped the FI.  There is absolutely no problem out accelerating cars even at 2500 rpm's, so city traffic is not a problem.  

I enjoyed testing both bikes and really like the rush of power over 8000 rpm's.  I think it's a great bike.  I hope to own one by October.  

[November]

Like this?

Thanks for posting that picture. I read a review of the 07 FZ6 in Rider magazine and they stated that due to the undertail exhaust you could not put side bags on the bike. I figured surely there must be a way.

Did you have to do anything special due to the exhaust or was Rider just being narrow-sighted?

[Lucky_Devil]

Thanks for posting your thoughts.  I've enjoyed every one of the 13,000+ miles I've put on mine so far.  I'm surprised how many people consider it to be a "bland" bike... but it easily goes from mild to wild with a twist of the wrist (this bike's naughty side reveals itself at >9,000 RPM)

[MotoYoda]

It kind of reminds of when people say that those things that you thought were endearing about your spouse at the beginning are the very things that will drive you nuts after 10 or 15 years (or was it 7 years?).  A lot of bikes have "character", and sometimes they make it interesting, and sometimes in the long run they become problems.  Some degree of predictability, and a bike that is not demanding in terms of constant attention or unusual attributes is probably a better long-term prospect.

[November]

Thanks for posting your thoughts.  I've enjoyed every one of the 13,000+ miles I've put on mine so far.  I'm surprised how many people consider it to be a "bland" bike... but it easily goes from mild to wild with a twist of the wrist (this bike's naughty side reveals itself at >9,000 RPM)

And now a pic with hard bags! Most excellent.  

[Max Wedge]

Thanks for posting that picture. I read a review of the 07 FZ6 in Rider magazine and they stated that due to the undertail exhaust you could not put side bags on the bike. I figured surely there must be a way.

Did you have to do anything special due to the exhaust or was Rider just being narrow-sighted?

Did nothing but mount them. Original exhaust covers get warm, not hot. Have had them on there for 95 degree days, sitting in traffic, no problems. Just be careful with the routing of rear straps, but it's no big deal.

[November]

Did nothing but mount them. Original exhaust covers get warm, not hot. Have had them on there for 95 degree days, sitting in traffic, no problems. Just be careful with the routing of rear straps, but it's no big deal.

Awesome. Thanks for the info!