Why not an FZ1?

[sFoster]

I'm curious why you guys have an FZ6 instead of an FZ1.
I considered getting an FZ1, but this is my first bike and so it seemed wise to get some experience with a smaller engine first.

I just looked at the user manual for an FZ1, and I'm a little jealous of the shift points. It looks like you could go from 1st gear right into 6th without much of a problem.

FZ1 Gear shifts at ~10, 15, 20, 25, 30mph
FZ6 Gear shifts at ~20, 30, 40, 50, 60mph

 

[The Toecutter]

I bought mine because the price was perfect for what I had to spend,and I liked the under seat exhaust,and I thought the fairing looked better on the fz6.I will get an fz1 someday though because they are FAST!!! :rockon:

 

[Cmayer31]

Like you I was new to the street when I purchased my FZ6, and I felt a 1000cc bike would be too much for me, and I'm pretty sure I was right. I had dirt experience, but wouldn't have been able to ride a FZ1 comfortably.

For me, part of riding is shifting, riding in the power band, being smooth on the throttle and being one with the bike. I'd never go from 1st to 6th on a bike, heck I rarely ride in 6th on the FZ6 unless I'm on the freeway. Around town I might put it in 4th to cruise, but I'm normally in 2nd or 3rd.

I enjoy the mix of power, weight, and fuel mileage that I get with the FZ6. I don't need the extra power, weight, or reduced fuel mileage of the FZ1. If I toured more, rode two up, or just wanted some torque I'd upgrade to an FZ1.

 

[Denver_FZ6]

For me it was a balance of finding a good starter bike and also something I could stick with for a few years. Does anyone heed the advice of starting on a 250/500 cc bike? Probably not, but I couldn't see starting out on a liter bike either.

 

[SovietRobot]

If you actually follow the recommended shift points, you need to ride more(meaning gain more experience)!

 

[Coopdman]

Yeah, the under-seat exhaust is my favorite. I had an R6 before the FZ6 and knew I didn't need anymore power so the engine upgrade was tempting but not smart for me. I was also looking for something with decent fuel mileage and the extra 400 cc's tend to take that option away. I was luckily mature enough to learn on an R6 and not kill myself, but being honest, a liter-bike may have taken me over the edge.

I chose the FZ6 over the FZ1 for comfort, performance and aesthetics.

 

[sFoster]

For me, part of riding is shifting, riding in the power band, being smooth on the throttle and being one with the bike.

For me that is also part of riding.
That being said, for me pushing the engine is another aspect on occasion.

tends to put a grin on my face

 

[FZ1inNH]

While I wouldn't recommend anyone start with a liter bike, what I will say is this: It's all about self control. You need to respect any bike you are on from the start. a 250 will kill you just as easily as a liter bike. If you think that you cannot control the throttle, then go with something that doesn't respond so quickly. If you know you can respect the bike and control the throttle then I don't feel the size of the bike matters... so long as you respect the machine and use common sense.

It's not the quantity of the bike, it's the quality of the rider's skills. Proper caution and you can handle any bike.

If you think you're going to go nuts with the throttle and love the thrill of going fast, start out on a Vespa.

 

[sFoster]

It's not the quantity of the bike, it's the quality of the rider's skills. Proper caution and you can handle any bike.

I try to be cautious, but I have accidently pulled the throttle too hard in my early days on the FZ6. It may have been when trying to reach for the front brake, or going through a far right side turn. Not sure but I do know that accidents can happen when you're developing your initial riding/motor skills.

Just going off of raw engine size, I would assume that the FZ6 is a lot more forgiving when it comes to that sort of mistake.

 

[FZ1inNH]

I try to be cautious, but I have accidently pulled the throttle too hard in my early days on the FZ6. It may have been when trying to reach for the front brake, or going through a far right side turn. Not sure but I do know that accidents can happen when you're developing your initial riding/motor skills.

Just going off of raw engine size, I would assume that the FZ6 is a lot more forgiving when it comes to that sort of mistake.

Yes, the FZ6 is much more forgiving. What this sounds like is you are starting with your throttle hand too high in rotation. Your wrist position when you grab an idle throttle should be slightly down from level. This makes throttle control much smoother. If you have that same situation with the wrist already twisted too high, then a tug on the bars means a rotation of the throttle, hence the accident. Work on the wrist position and practice it while sitting on the center stand idling. You should be able to simulate that pull and not hear the bike rev. If you do, rotate lower at idle.

I hope that makes some sense and helps.

 

[JaysFZ6]

I went from a 1981 honda 500 to a 05 sv1000s and with the bigger bikes you start to push things mabey more than you should. I would say the fz6 offers a great compromise between power and enjoyment. Though I agree that it comes down to self control. But we all know how hard it is to go easy on big horsepower! After having the 1000 I still like my 600 better for touring.

 

[AcesLA07]

The FZ6 was recommended to me as a great starter bike. I was told to get any 600cc sport bike and I liked the more upright position and cost of the FZ6. I have laid her down and am still a noob (only been riding ~4 mos) and am lucky to be in great shape after the accident. But lesson learned and love the 600cc engine. The 1000cc would have definitely gotten me into alot more trouble.

 

[zigzagg321]

I got the FZ6 cause the FZ1 was 3 grand more and I had riiden plenty of 600s and they are fast enough.

 

[jtarkany]

First Street Bike, great reviews, liked the looks, liked the ergonomics, liked the versatility, wanted something that I could use for a long time.

FZ6 fit the bill :thumbup:

FZ1, never crossed my mind, if it had, it would have been too much for me as a knew rider. Also, while the FZ1 is an amazing and beautiful machine, it does have one blemish in my mind, purely cosmetic, that side-cannon, called an exhaust

 

[Tailgate]

I sometimes think that I would like to go down/up to the dealer and negotiate for an FZ1 or some other liter bike (maybe even a liter pure sport bike) but, when I think of the great mileage that we get on the FZ6...I am not so jazzed about "upgrading." The FZ6 mileage is GREAT! I really appreciate the great mileage of the FZ6 over the FZ1, or any other liter bike.

 

[motopete]

I've been riding on the street for over 20 years, ridden all kinds of bikes. 600s
are great for oneup ripping it up and easier to throw around. Litre bikes are better for twoup and touring. It's way funner to ride a smaller bike at redline than a big bike at 5 grand! Thats why I went back to a 600.

 

[OZXJR]

It was purely a matter of economics for me.
I mostly just commute now so a litre bike was overkill.
FZ6 = lower fuel consumption,lower insurance and lower registration.

I miss the power of the 1000cc bikes Iv,e had but I just couldn't justify one .

 

[lonesoldier84]

was my first bike.

 

[LittleRed]

I started out on a 1981 Honda CM400t to learn the ropes and get used to riding before getting a shiny new bike (I'd have been so terrified to drop it that I'd have never ridden!). I rode some of my friends' bikes including a Honda VTX 1300 and a CBR600F4i and decided that a cheaper, lightweight, upright sport bike would be the perfect one for me. The FZ6 fit the bill perfectly (the underseat exhaust was a much appreciated added bonus). I don't need the extra horsepower of the FZ1, though I must admit, it would be fun Maybe I'll move up to it someday, but for now I'm extremely happy with my red fizzer!

 

[mcteague]

I looked at an '08 FZ1 before I got my FZ6. The FZ1 was a good price but I felt I really didn't need it's power. Heck, the FZ6 is really too fast for most riding. Have you ever noticed how most photos of the FZ1, even in Yamaha's brochure, show the left side? Take a look at that huge, fat muffler. What an eyesore. Compared to the beautiful under tail exhaust of the FZ6 it's a sensory disaster.

Tim