FZ6- Set Fazers to stun, Mr Sulu...

[spinalator]

A cheap leftover 06 is at a local small town dealer and my friend is interested in it. Since we can not test ride for 5 months up here (three feet of snow already), how about some of you wonderful people give me some his and lows, hits and misses and everything in-between. He rode a 599 and felt like a shriner on that bike. He is 5'11" 200 lbs, and as ugly as a bag full of arseholes.
But I get ahead of myself...

He is experienced, likes spirited solo touring and is all-weather. He is most worried about low and middle range, mushy suspenders, vibrations, rain protection and squirrelly handling when pushed. He will attempt to throw Givis on it if the subframe allows hillbillies to do that.

Thankyouverymuch.

[Black Ice]

A cheap leftover 06 is at a local small town dealer and my friend is interested in it. Since we can not test ride for 5 months up here (three feet of snow already), how about some of you wonderful people give me some his and lows, hits and misses and everything in-between. He rode a 599 and felt like a shriner on that bike. He is 5'11" 200 lbs, and as ugly as a bag full of arseholes.
But I get ahead of myself...

He is experienced, likes spirited solo touring and is all-weather. He is most worried about low and middle range, mushy suspenders, vibrations, rain protection and squirrelly handling when pushed. He will attempt to throw Givis on it if the subframe allows hillbillies to do that.

Thankyouverymuch.

If he doesn't like the fit of the bike now, it's going to suck for him pretty soon.  The hardest thing to change on a bike is ergos (OK, if the bike has tubular bars, that's not bad.  But if the footpegs are annoying him, that's big bucks).  You can upgrade the suspension, change the gearing, alter the counterbalance shafts etc...but if it doesn't fit him, it's going to be a pretty expensive procedure to fix that problem.

You get that Seca running yet?

[JamesG]

The FZ6 does look kind of smallish when you put a full sized 'Merican on it, but not too bad (better than a SV650 anyway).  Mid range is pretty weak. Suspension is what you pay for, but it can be fixed by throwing $$$ at it.  Vibration isn't much of a problem, the little fairing works well, and the bike handles well on good pavement and as long as you don't go outside its performance envelope.
I've often been tempted to get one, put a AM shock on the back, a set of R6 forks out front and a lower fairing on it.  But then I would just have another YZF600R...
Tell your buddy to try one of those on before he puts money down on the Fizzer.

[spinalator]

He has sat on the fz6 ans thinks it fits him better than the Honda 599, which is the one that he believes makes him want to buy a Fez and swear allegiance to the Shriners Temple.

Seca was running, but I have the carbs and airbox off and I have a new Hindle exhaust I am trying to hack, beat and weld onto it. Chicks will SO dig me it won't even be funny.

How much better is the YZF? I thought it had bargain suspension on it as well, and the R6 had the good stuff.

[Bruce]

Three words - FJR
Makes a fat guy sing. Get a used one for the same dough.
IMHO

[SuperHans]

I'm 6' and 205 pounds and the FZ6 fits me fine. The low end is a little weak but you just have to keep the RPM's up as with most 600cc I-4's. Keep it above 4,000 rpms and all is good. It's the same motor as the previous generation R6.

The clutch has a small friction zone but it's easy to get use to that. The seat just plain blows. Easy to fix with a aftermarket seat.

Great ergo's make the bike easy to tour on. You can easily put some Givi hardware on it and set it up for touring.

I've had mine since Sep of '04 and really like it. The suspension is a little on the budget side but doesn't take much to upgrade. I think the FZ6 is one of the best bargains on the market right now. You really get a lot for your money.

[spinalator]

What improvements were made in 2007? Just seat and fairing?

[JamesG]

How much better is the YZF? I thought it had bargain suspension on it as well, and the R6 had the good stuff.

It was state o' the art... in 1997. But that is mostly in the engine dept. (carbs, a conservative engine with decent mid range and power band) The suspension was good then and still is. Fully adjustable front and rear, better than alot of newer designs. Brakes are outstanding, the R1 and R6 both used the YZF's brakes until the last couple of revisions.

[SuperHans]

What improvements were made in 2007? Just seat and fairing?

I'm not sure about the seat. It looks different in some pics but it hasn't been verified if it is actually more comfortable. The fairing is different but that's just cosmetic.
 
Its claimed that the bike has been tuned for better low end throttle response. It has new gauges also. They got ride of the digital bar tach and went with an analog one. Better front brakes. Heres a list from the Yamaha website of the new changes for '07. LINKY
 

New for 2007:

Even better finish quality of the upper fairing, frame, engine and swingarm back up the FZ6’s outstanding style and performance. Reprogramming/refining the fuel injection mapping produces smooth power and excellent response. A stylish new swingarm complements the bike’s Controlled Fill frame and adds to its light, precise feel. New, four-piston monoblock brake calipers up front provide excellent braking power and feel. High-tech instrument display (like the FZ1’s) features analog tachometer, digital speedometer, etc.—also a cool fade-in lighting feature with adjustable brightness. New passenger pegs are lower and made of aluminum for comfort and appearance. Redesigned fairing, windscreen and new, high-quality paint look great and reduce turbulence. New front fender and alumite-finished outer fork tubes add to the stye parade. A redesigned seat bottom and cover material feel soft but solid, and make it easier for shorter legs to reach the ground.

[spinalator]

Thanks for all the replies. I like the phrase "alumite-finished outer fork tubes add to the stye parade"

[Sarchi]

I had one for 16 months (an '05) and put 21,000 happy kms on it.  It never let me down, except once at a long lineup at the border.  Luckily the muscular canban was there and gave me a push.  Also toward the end of my ownership the starter button got a little sticky.  Otherwise, completely problem-free.

The motor is a gem and has adequate torque if you keep the revs up a little (you don't have to wring its' neck).  Unless you're loaded and 2-up, I s'pose.  I would list the FZ6's shortcomings as:

• The brakes could be a bit stronger.  I think they addressed that on the '07..can't remember for sure.
• The suspension is a bit harsh.  Great handling, but pretty limited adjustment.  It's a budget bike.
• The clutch isn't the friendliest ever made.  It has a short engagement zone and engages very early, so uphill starts are a chore.  You get used to it.
• The seat is downright awful.  Fine for an hour, but hell for an entire day in the saddle.

That's about it.  If you want a bike for long distance, consider something with more weather protection.  FZ6 -> Great bike overall, very very fun to ride FAST.  I think they must fit them with a police transponder coz I was stopped by LEO's almost every ride last year.  Or so it seemed...

[goodhawk]

Leftover 06  FZ6 ?  I think I'd see if there was a Yzf 600 available, probably a better bike - midrange engine power, brakes, susp.  all better than a first generation FZ6 - thou the new  07 model, as mentioned, is supposed to be improved in all areas.

[StacyT]

Well....

I love my FZ6 so I have a bias.  My other bike was an RZ350 so I like them a bit quirky.

It is not an FJR and is not intended to be one.  If you want the FJR either get it or use the FZ6 as a transistion bike to it.  That is a likely scenario for me.

It is not an FZR600 and I don't believe it pretends to be.  If you want a sport-bike don't get an FZ6.  You will want suspension upgrades and R6 forks and Clip-Ons.......  Lots of people spend $$ making the FZ6 into an R6.

It is a mid-weight not quite sport-bike, not quite sport-tourer, value based semi-sport bike.

I am 5' 10'' 230LB.  It hauls me around without trouble.  She really comes into her power at 8K RPM and above and below about 4K she is not real strong.  A couple gears down and she takes off like a cannon.

I really like the styling, I believe it's one of the better looking bikes out there.  My favorite is the 2005 blue.  I bought a 2005 specifically because I prefer the silver frame and wheels to the black of 2006 and 2007.

I wouldn't mind a different seat but there are a couple options out there.  Top Saddlery makes a very nice one at a fair price.


My $0.02

[rockmurf]

I just bought an fz6, 2004 to complement my fjr.  I wanted something lighter that i could through around and use as a "play" bike and it fits in just great. It is what it is.  I4, 600cc's that can be ridden great distances in comfort with minimum mod's.  It is so light and it can get up and go. I am 5'10" 240 and it is great. Good luck. ps i picked mine up used on ebay. Everett