Buying an FZ6?

After a lot of thinking I've finally decided that I want to try and buy a FZ6 early next year as the SV is fun but I want something a little more comfy and also to try out a i4.

I'm going to do some more searching but what do you orgers think? Especially those who have had an FZ6. Reliable? Fun? Long Distance Comfy?

Also if there are common problems I should look out for when looking to buy apart from the usual.

Thanks

[yorkie_chris]

Why an FZ6? Have you ridden one?

All the disadvantages of a supersport 600 with non of the good bits! Fizzy gutless engine, missing the 2 stroke esque top end that the R6 has. Not unconfortable, can have some high frequency vibration.

Reasonable enough "do everything relatively well" bike, but not something I'd buy by choice. If you want an IL4 for lazy long distance buy a stonking gert big un.

I'm after something that's cheap on insurance and well rounded. I like the SV but want to try something different.

YC is right if you want an I4 for long distance/touring etc big is best, soft enough for comfort, enough torque for pulling you + luggage + pillion and not losing performance, and get your suspension right and with a decent set of hoops on you'll keep up with the 600's on the twisties no dramas!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Dunn-y

I'm after something that's cheap on insurance and well rounded. I like the SV but want to try something different.

Fits those categories alright.

I'm not after performance and won't be doing mega long distance touring. I also kinda like the new styling of the FZ from 07 onwards.

I'm basically looking for something about as quick or quicker than the SV. More comfortable, newer, but still easy to maintain, cheap on insurance and not too thirsty.

Why doesn't anyone seem to like the FZ? Is it just down to performance or is there something else I'm missing?

[yorkie_chris]

You ridden one? You will see what I mean.

It is character they are lacking. Ride an R6 to see what the point of a small IL4 is, you'll grin when you hit the powerband.
Despite the engine being castrated to make it more "friendly" and "tractable" it feels same at bottom as R6, just without the top end giggles.


No solution but to go and ride. You need to see for yourself. Everyone's notion of what makes a bike fun is different.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Fits those categories alright.

As YC

One thing to add is they seem to go furry quite quickly if you ride all year (which I know you do). Just googled the specs and they are gutless compared to the FZS600. I'd be buying a 4 for the top end giggles too.

Would have suggested a Hornet if they still did the S version in the age bikes your looking at. You looked at the blandit 650's or a late oil boiler model?

I did ride an FZ6. Completely gutless low down. Very different from an SV, which has plenty of low down torque to make lazy overtakes and city riding a breeze.

Comfort wise, I wouldn't trade the SV. Much rather take on a bar kit (LSL for example: http://www.aftermarketcycles.com/lsl...ki-sv650s.html ).

You won't get better economy, fuelly lists them with similar mpg figures: here's the figures for the sv650s: http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/suzuki/sv650s and here's for the fz6 : http://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/yamaha/fz6

If you really want an IL4, I think you can do better than the FZ6. It's not a bad bike by any means, but if you're going to go through the hassle of changing, maybe you should change to something that would really thrill

[mep]

Our son has recently bought an old W reg Fazer FZS 600. I test rode it and was suprised art how gutless it was untill it hit the powerband. After riding the SV for a few years I was really caught out by this. The engine wheezes and sounds like it's doing more, but isn't. I have since had a good ride out and have got used to it, but for me the SV is more fun more of the time. The FZS is comfy enough, but no more so. The powerband is ok, but you hardly get the chance to use it unless you are dual carriage way riding. We swapped bikes and rode some B road twisties. He got off and had that smile on his face and said he wasn't expecting a ride like that (even though he has ridden pilion alot on the SV). He said he's happy with his Fazer, but then he would I suppose.