In an attempt to define the Jekyll and Hyde characteristics of the FZ6 in a completely unscientific manner, on two consecutive days in similar conditions I followed the same route. It's about 35 miles around Suffolk, on a mixture of country lanes, single carriageways and market towns which can be seen
here.
During experiment 1, which we'll call Thursday, I rode to obtain maximum fuel efficiency, while keeping to speed limits. This meant keeping in higher gears than normal, usually changing up before 6000rpm, so while cruising at 60mph I was in top gear, whereas normally I wouldn't be. The FZ6 didn't seem bothered by this at all, and was quite responsive, very smooth. In fact smoothness was the key word of the experiment; I imagined myself to be 30 years older, on an antique Triumph or something, and how I would ride. Smoothly.
Experiment 2 followed the next day, which I titled 'Friday' for the sake of convenience. For this session, rather than smoothness, the key word was 'performance'. This would be achieved by holding it in the lower gears longer than usual and resisting the urge to change up. On this route I never got above 3rd gear. I discovered a number of things. Firstly, that vibration which kicks in around 7000rpm tends to fade by 8000rpm. I found that by 12000rpm the bike is yowling like a demented cat but seems quite happy to do so. And that if you pass a convertible at 12000rpm in 2nd the driver will look like he just soiled himself. I found that the nasty corner on the A12 with the 40mph limit and multiple chevrons can safely be taken at twice that speed. And that by staying in a lower gear through the twisties requires precise throttle control, but if you keep your nerve, the bike will go exactly where you want it to. Mostly.
So there we have it. The conclusion, which we all knew already, is that the FZ6 is two completely different bikes. A comfortable tourer at low revs, and an R6 bastard lovechild lunatic sportsbike at high revs. The experiment was so much fun I'm going to do it again next week.
