Buying an FZ6?

I won't be able to buy anything until about April next year so I still have time to choose. I will have to try and see if anywhere will let me do test rides.

Does anyone know what the requirements are for test rides? I'm only 20 and have been on my Full Unrestricted licence since April.

I've got an FZ6, and while I will admit that it lacks character, I never had it step a foot wrong. Enough power to do anything that I needed, a rock solid engine, comfortable (enough) two up, etc. I've just gotten an SV650S - I tried it, and it just fit.

Regardless of what everyone says, it's a fantastic bike, provided you don't expect more than it should deliver. Mine didn't fit me, and I prefer the torque of a twin over the power of the IL4 (the FZ6S2 has MUCH longer legs, and is much more responsive).

The SV650S is, in my opinion, a better touring/commuter. But for a Sports/Commuter? I'd keep my FZ6.

Having said that about the SV650 over the FZ for touring, I had the FZ6N-S2 - naked version. Might have been a different story with an S model.

[Sir Trev]

Try a few different models of IL4 - some are more tractable than others, some are more top end happy. My GSX650F fits me well and does what I want it to - all day comfy, cheap to run, powerful enough for the day trips I do, faster than my old SV and better weather protection. Not quite as punchy out of corners but not that gutless or boring as some bikes either. Try one for a year or so - you can always change back but at least you'll know for sure rather than relying on other people's (often biased) opinions.

I've had a look at a few different bikes and the FZ still interests me the most. The service intervals and general reliability is the main reasons. I also like the styling of the newer models and the cheap insurance. The low down performance doesn't bother me much, although a test ride will help.

Getting test rides will no doubt be pretty hard for me as I'm only 20.

I had an FZ6 N (non S2) for about two years and rode it for over 22,000 miles in that time. It did go a little furry as already mentioned (more so than my current SV but at that time i hadn't discovered ACF50). Service intervals i think were 6000 miles and reliability wise it never failed me except once where something went wrong with the battery but it was an easy fix.

If it's something for pootling around town on then yeah its alright but like the others compared to the SV it is gutless at lower revs and when you do push it it doesn't inspire confidence like the SV does - it was my first big bike and taking it over 9000 rpm wasn't fun... more scary - not really the point of an IL4.

Comfort wise with the high bars it was easier on the back and wrists than my SV650S but I still would not go back from my current SV650 Sport with Gilles bars on it.

Why was taking it over 9000rpm scary?

You will be up and down the box like a fiddlers elbow in comparison to a SV. Most small capacity IL4's just do not have the torque low down that a V or triple does.

[yorkie_chris]

Which is why you should either get a naughty little IL4 that makes doing the Fred Astair on the gear lever really good fun.
Or a snorting gert big un that's 750+ that's got loads of torque that you can be lazy with.

The 900 that I've got will pull easily from 1500rpm/20mph in top gear. And that's half knackered!

Originally Posted by Dunn-y

Why was taking it over 9000rpm scary?

Coz I was a noob back then and it felt a little out of control over that rpm