FZ6 on short list....Perhaps a nudge?

[T Bong]

Hi guys I am a long time rider (last 20 years on a couple Honda VT1100 Cruisers)

My last "standard" was a Yamaha 750 Special and a Honda CB900 Custom. I know motors have come a long way since.

The F6 is on my short list along with the SV650S, and VFR interceptor.

According to some "reviews" I have read the FZ' weak spot is it's engine. I read it was buzzy at 5k, Very peaky, and has a fuel injection system/throttle response not to be desired.

Now I realize this is an FZ forum and there will be plenty of support for the bike. But I was wondering if you guy found any of this to be true and to what degree.

I also am looking at a black one at the local Honda dealer. What is a good and fair OTD to offer minus tax?

I sat on the bike for 5 minutes and already had a Corbin seat add as a necessity along with a taller screen. What other farkles did you guys find imperative.

I also have not found many accesories for this bike. Where are they hiding?

What is real world fuel economy? The VFR has me reeling with only 35MPG!!! My VT1100 does nearly 50!!

The reason I like the SV650 is the V twin torque. I really do not want to have to constantly shift to stay in a narrow power zone. Does the FZ play nice around town from 35-60 or does it require a couple pulls of the clutch to get some roll on going?

Thanks for your input.

[Nelly]

Originally Posted by T Bong

Hi guys I am a long time rider (last 20 years on a couple Honda VT1100 Cruisers)

My last "standard" was a Yamaha 750 Special and a Honda CB900 Custom. I know motors have come a long way since.

The F6 is on my short list along with the SV650S, and VFR interceptor.

According to some "reviews" I have read the FZ' weak spot is it's engine. I read it was buzzy at 5k, Very peaky, and has a fuel injection system/throttle response not to be desired.

Now I realize this is an FZ forum and there will be plenty of support for the bike. But I was wondering if you guy found any of this to be true and to what degree.

I also am looking at a black one at the local Honda dealer. What is a good and fair OTD to offer minus tax?

I sat on the bike for 5 minutes and already had a Corbin seat add as a necessity along with a taller screen. What other farkles did you guys find imperative.

I also have not found many accesories for this bike. Where are they hiding?

What is real world fuel economy? The VFR has me reeling with only 35MPG!!! My VT1100 does nearly 50!!

The reason I like the SV650 is the V twin torque. I really do not want to have to constantly shift to stay in a narrow power zone. Does the FZ play nice around town from 35-60 or does it require a couple pulls of the clutch to get some roll on going?

Thanks for your input.

Hi Mate,
Welcome to the site. This question has been asked a load of times already. Firstly you will get honest answers.
The bike has a motor that is different to many others. I have never found it wanting for torque or power.
Yes the power comes in really strong and high up the rev range 7000rpm (smiles per hour) 9-10000 (grins per hour). If you dont shift up until 5000rpm then its fine and has enough roll on power.
I really disliked the on off throttle of my 2005 first. I am now used to it and don't even notice it. In terms of power the FZ6 beats the SV hands down. Test ride them both and see which one is you. I am betting that the FZ6 will fit the bill. At the end of the day its your money. Purchase the one you are most happy with.

Nelly

[jamesfz6]

First off the engine is a little buzzy but that is something minor, at least to me. Also be careful of the taller windshield because you might be funneling air to your helmet. I know the wind can seem to push you around with the stock windscreen but wait till all that force is at your helmet versus your chest.


One last thing, trying to compare a sv to the fz is like comparing a dog to a cat, two different things

[T Bong]

Originally Posted by jamesfz6

One last thing, trying to compare a sv to the fz is like comparing a dog to a cat, two different things

Not in as much as they are both motorcycles in the mid range and are compared routinely in magazines and on line shoot outs. I take reviews with a grain of salt.
(BTW the reviews all picked the SV. Honda 599 and FZ6 in that order because of the engine the FZ6 was third. Thats why I come to the source of real world riders to see how much of what the reviewers say is true. I post the same question in the SV forums.

If indeed they should not or cannot be compared what makes the FZ6 incomparable?

If that question was answered I would know the definite differences and make a decision quickly. Unfortunately The dealers here does not allow "test rides". A test ride would instantly anser all my questions about both bikes.

[Red Wazp]

What type of riding do you do? That and ergonomics are the big factors in chosing what type of bike you want.

The VFR is a really nice bike but check service costs, I thought I read where the valve adjustment is big $$ due to the vtec motor.


SV650 good handling bike but down on power and brakes next to the FZ.

Farkles: frame sliders! I like my stock windshield and 2Bros exhaust, after that mostly cosmetic farkles.

Cost: check cycletrader online for what the bike sells for in your area.

You can spend all day in second between 35-60 if you want to have fun.

Great motor and fuel injection is smooth, a bit abrupt only when ridden incorrectly. Smooth throtle inputs make happy riding.

Which ever bike you get take a riding class at a racetrack, best money you can spend!

[dark_isz]

Welcome, fellow South Carolinian!

I have never found my FZ-6 wanting for power. You've got to keep in mind that magazine reviewers have ridden hundreds of bikes, and most of them with bigger engines than a 600cc. With that in mind, it's no wonder they feel the FZ is down on mid or low end power. Everyone is going to have their biases when judging a motorcycle. For example, I only weigh 120lbs, so every bike is going to feel 'more powerful' to me than to someone weighing 200+lbs.

For you, you will probably find the FZ less powerful than the cruisers you are accustomed to, simply on the basis of low end torque. Whereas an 1100cc twin is quite happy to offer roll-on acceleration from under 5k rpms, the FZ doesn't 'get up and go' until around 6-7krms minimum. If you ride the FZ the same way you would a cruiser, it will not perform. If you modify your riding style, and keep the rpms up, it should provide enough power to walk away from most of the cars on the road.

From what I've heard, the throttle control issues were considerably smoothed out in the 2007 redesign where they remapped the EFI. I haven't ridden a 1st generation FZ, so I can't speak for the throttle control on those. On my 07, I find the throttle control and power delivery to be very smooth, for an I-4 engine.

What accessories are you looking for that you are having trouble finding? There is a plethora of aftermarket add-ons out there. Exhausts, windscreens, frame sliders, and luggage all have multiple options to choose from. Try TwistedThrottle.com and kneedraggers.com to start.

I get 45-55 mpg. Remember I'm a flyweight, and that makes a difference in fuel economy, too.

As for the SV, it's a great bike that many people enjoy and spend years with. I considered it as well. The main thing I didn't like was the more aggressive ergonomics, the faired/clip-on version had too much forward lean for me. The naked version felt better, but I wanted some wind protection since I like to tour.

Here's some more articles on the FZ-6:

2007 Yamaha FZ6

2006 Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki SV650S and Yamaha FZ6

2004 Yamaha FZ6 - MotorcycleUSA.com

Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (2004) - MOTORCYCLE REVIEWS Yamaha Motorcycle Reviews - MCN

[jamesfz6]

Originally Posted by T Bong

If indeed they should not or cannot be compared what makes the FZ6 incomparable?

If that question was answered I would know the definite differences and make a decision quickly. Unfortunately The dealers here does not allow "test rides". A test ride would instantly anser all my questions about both bikes.

The motors in general are different. The sv will have good solid low end torque but they still have the vibrations of the v-twin. I chose the fz over the sv because of that reason. They both can handle and they both are comfortable. there is just no substitute for the feel of an inline 4 cylinder.

[sideshow_downs]

plus the FZ6 has the best forum on the internet

Originally Posted by T Bong

Hi guys I am a long time rider (last 20 years on a couple Honda VT1100 Cruisers)

My last "standard" was a Yamaha 750 Special and a Honda CB900 Custom. I know motors have come a long way since.

The F6 is on my short list along with the SV650S, and VFR interceptor.

According to some "reviews" I have read the FZ' weak spot is it's engine. I read it was buzzy at 5k, Very peaky, and has a fuel injection system/throttle response not to be desired.

Now I realize this is an FZ forum and there will be plenty of support for the bike. But I was wondering if you guy found any of this to be true and to what degree.

I also am looking at a black one at the local Honda dealer. What is a good and fair OTD to offer minus tax?

I sat on the bike for 5 minutes and already had a Corbin seat add as a necessity along with a taller screen. What other farkles did you guys find imperative.

I also have not found many accesories for this bike. Where are they hiding?

What is real world fuel economy? The VFR has me reeling with only 35MPG!!! My VT1100 does nearly 50!!

The reason I like the SV650 is the V twin torque. I really do not want to have to constantly shift to stay in a narrow power zone. Does the FZ play nice around town from 35-60 or does it require a couple pulls of the clutch to get some roll on going?

Thanks for your input.

How's about some real world input from somebody that is truly sick of hearing about the lack of torque, buzzy feelings, tricky throttle, weird clutch, touchy brakes and on and on and on. I have the 2004 model and I use it for everything I can squeeze out of it. In regards to the shifting around town, no I do not have to as I can run in third gear, have plenty of pull and hold it there up to 100mph if needs be but for the most part 50 will do nicely. The FZ6 may not have quite as much torque as the SV650 but it really doesn't matter as the FZ6 will eat that 650 for breakfast in any range if the rider knows what he/she is doing and hasn't short shifted it. As far as gas mileage goes I have been able to pull better than 50 but this does require me to totally change my ride style in an effort to become a throttle miser. As it is I seem to have problems keeping it under 75 on the slab and I have zero problems riding 100+ miles on the stock saddle without stopping.

The FZ6 is a solid mount which requires very little in terms of maintenance. It good on tires, brakes and flat hasn't given me any troubles for over 15,000 miles. Yeah, it does love RPM and it does need to be kept in the zone but then again, you have 14,000rpm to play with too. Bottom line, find me another bike that has as diverse a use as the FZ6 as it can be tracked, toured or just plain putzed around.

[T Bong]

WOW great comments. I did take pause on the one that said the FZ may pale vs my 1100 in terms of what I am used to.......That would be a disappointment for sure. I wisjh I could remember what it felt like on the slab with the CB900 and the XS750 I had. I do remember the thumper 650 Yamaha.

I do like the tractor pull feeling of a big V twin chugging up a hill rolling on in 4th gear though. Its just not nimble and too easy to scrape bike parts when you forget for a moment the lack of clearance especially 2 up.

Well bike week is coming and the big boys will be here with the trailers full of rice to try. I may just buy the FJR and be done with it.....LOL,