After 24,000 miles on a Ninja 650R, I left it in Canada, moved back to MN, and bought an '06 Yamaha FZ6.
Old bike:
New bike:
Took deliver of the FZ6 on Aug 3, when I arrived back home in the states. First impressions: this is a very well finished bike. No fairing buzz or awkward panel gaps. Simple instruments, including a fuel gauge, temp gauge, dual trip meter, miles-since-reserve counter, clock, and digital tach. The centerstand is a nice touch. Overall, a very well executed bike. For two bikes that both came out in '06, the FZ6 is miles ahead of my old 650R.
Living right in Minneapolis, I only had the chance to do a lot of urban riding and a little on the metro freeways, generally in traffic. In that environment, the FZ6 is beautifully smooth - clutch is maybe a little heavy, transmission a little snatchy in 1st and 2nd, but preloading it and rev matching takes most of that away. The motor only buzzes a little at 5500 RPM, and is smooth elsewhere in the 14,000 RPM range of operation.
All this makes for a simple, smooth city bike, if incredibly gutless. Really, don't bother cracking it wide open at 4-5k - you'll be rewarded with gentle forward motion. Not good for shooting gaps in city traffic. I've learned to ride it a gear lower than the Ninja, but on surface streets, getting caught out in 2nd gear is frustrating, particularly since the transmission doesn't particularly appreciate downshifts to first at higher speeds. I want my DR650 back.
Finally took a trip on the highway with it, and en route managed to ride some wide open sweepers in the Loess Hills in SW IA. The fog lifted around Worthington, MN and I was able to wind it out a bit. A bit, because the damn thing was still pulling hard at 120 when I thought 'double is probably jail' and backed off. Holy crap. This bike is all top end, and the rush from 8k up is intoxicating. I need to do a track day.
In the Loess Hills, which is a series of scenic byways with blind driveways and the odd gravel thrown on the road for good measure, I was fairly tentative. Still took some sweepers at 70-80, and even with luggage and about ~40lbs on the back the fork and shock were compliant and doing there job. Preload was at 5 of 7 on the adjuster. The same could never be said for the Ninja - it wallowed like mad at elevated speeds with luggage on back.
All in all, I'm loving the FZ6. I need a bike that can pour on the highway miles, and the FZ6 is perfect for that. I knew I was compromising the city portion a fair bit, but I'm planning to get a scooter or supermoto for that duty anyway.
Plus it looks good.
