Convince me to buy an FZ6!

[Bowhunter]

I think Ive pretty much convinced myself, but I figured id ask you guys.

Im a 20 year old Welder in the middle of nowhere, and Im getting ready to go back to school. My current truck gets 7 mpg highway, I just need something that is somewhat economical, as well as comfortable to ride for 100 miles or so.

This will be my first bike, but I have grown up around dirtbikes. I currently have a yz450 in the gorage, and will sell this/trade in as the downpayment for the bike. Im pretty confident I can handle the YZ as my first bike. Last weekend a buddy of mine let me take a 20 mile trip on a CBR, and I did fine.

I've been lurking for about a month, stopped at some dealerships and have done some online insurance quotes. $80 a month for full coverage seems to be what Im coming up with for insurance.

Id like to buy new, just because im sure the temptation to open her up when its not fully broken is rediculous, but if I do end up buying used, what should I look for?

So what do you guys think, should I go ahead and get this bike, or look for something else?

Thanks alot!

[wrightme43]

You should buy two of them.
Also get a FZ6 tattoo.
Then have FZ6 shaved into your head.
Yes thats the answer.

[Wavex]

I`d recommend buying used as it`ll be your first bike.

I would get an '06 or '07 with less than 10k miles on it, and look for a price around $4k, $4.5k.

Good luck!

[Scott64a]

Hells yeah, get an FZ6!

New or used, it doesn't matter.
Stay within your comfort zone, watch the road and for god's sake, the other idiots in those four-wheeled boxes!

You'll like it WAY more than the svr650.

[grumpy1luvs2eat]

First bike, on the road that is? Go with the FZ6. It's economical, fun to ride, and you will learn to be HUMBLE! After you get used to it, it will treat you you as well as you treat it. Just remember, Be afraid, be very afraid! The other people on the road drive like they are out to get you! When you start riding it as an extention of your self, you will naturally extend your experience and have boat loads of FUN! And the 50+MPG will help, too. GRUMPY

[Bowhunter]

Ok guys, thanks for the replies. Where should I look for a used bike? Id like to stay away from ebay because most of the bikes I generally see there are really far away. Theres a nice one in the for sale section of this site but Id rather not have red!

From what I understand blue is faster anyway

[Wavex]

Craigs list, local classified & yamaha dealerships, online moto-trader sites...

[Avalon786]

Get an FZ6, you'll really enjoy it!
Also check the CycleTrader for used bike

[marke14]

Oh boy. I know I'm walking into the buzzsaw here in this forum, but ...

I would say that any 600cc inline 4 sportbike or thereabouts (however you'd classify the FZ6) would be a poor choice for a first (road) bike. I would go for a 500 CC twin, like the Ninja 500 or a GS-500, for starters. The powerband is much tamer and it's more conducive for a beginning rider.

That said, if you insist on going with a larger displacement, I would recommend looking at the Suzuki SV650 (standard/"naked") or SV650-S (the one w/ the clip-on handlebars and a half fairing if you want a sportier look.

If you really live in the middle of nowhere, you might even consider the V-Strom - it's the SV650 V-twin engine in a sporty dual-sport/ adventure touring chassis. I love it and I will probably buy this bike as my next one. It's pretty big (chassis-wise) so shorter riders are sometimes put off by the seat height and the width. But good God is it comfortable!

I'd definitely stick with a used bike for your first one. Also, take the MSF class and get a proper license!

Good luck no matter what you choose!

[Botch]

After looking at your handle, I'd just like to point out that the largest game you can strap on the back of an FZ is probably a coyote, and I don't even know if MD has them.

More seriously, I'd never even ridden a dirtbike and learn't on the FZ-6 just fine, at age 48. A year later I'm still in love with her. Good luck!