Is this typical? and other newbie questions

[Getaway]

Okay so, riding about 300 miles has cleared up some of my questions, but I have a couple more.

I was on the interstate in a 60 mph zone, where people normally run about 10 over, say 70 mph. My speedo said I was going 75, but I was getting passed left and right. Moved up to 80 just to stay in the flow of traffic. Is the speedo a little off on the FZ6?

I know that the bike isn't supposed to have much low end torque, but it seems that my bike jerks or snatches real hard in first gear if I don't roll off and on the throttle carefully. Could this be a symptom of something else, like my inexperience?

Getting new rubber decided to go with the Michelin Pilot Power 2 CT. Considering using Dyna Beads. Heard that they wear the inside of the tire and can essentially bead blast the wheel. Can someone verify this and give an impression of Dyna Beads?

Sorry I'm long winded, but would appreciate a response.:thumbup:

 

[jerdman89]

to answer your first question yes the speedo is a little fast about 5mph at those speeds. Less if your going slower never looked at the speedo going faster to tell.

 

[Shamus McFeeley]

I've been using Pilot Road 2cts with DynaBeads for at least 4 sets of tires now and I've not seen what you're describing. DynaBeads are awesome, and I have not paid to have someone mount or balance my wheels in a long, long time. What you're talking about might happen if some over anxious individual didn't read the directions and put more than 1oz of beads in the tire.

Yes, the throttle is snatchy in 1st gear. I've seen it addressed in reviews of the FZ6 in Cycle World I think. It takes some getting used to, especially if you're coming from another bike that is more forgiving. You're going to have to practice finessing it until you get the muscle memory down.

Yes, the speedometer is slightly off, I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that is it about 15% generous.

 

[McLovin]

Your fz6 is perfectly fine..just give it time to get used to it..and go to a small empty parking lot and practice turning at 5-10 mph with hadnlebars locked to left or right...this will strengthen your throttle hand and get u used to the weight of the bike pretty good..

 

[Rob2222]

... practice turning at 5-10 mph with hadnlebars locked to left or right...

Don't know if this is a good idea to begin with, it raises the risk to go down with your bike I think.

BR Rob

 

[Getaway]

I've been using Pilot Road 2cts with DynaBeads for at least 4 sets of tires now and I've not seen what you're describing.

good to know. So, what kind of mileage are you getting out of your 2 CTs? I'm kind of excited about them, partly because I think I got a good deal. Also, they seem to rate as pretty good all-rounders.

Good to hear about the DynaBeads, too. I went ahead and ordered a set. I've been flabberghasted at what shops want to install tires. Anywhere from $100 to $150, even though their shops fees are $65 to 70 per/hr.

Do you put the beads in before sealing the tire or do seal and then deflate the tire, remove the stem and put the beads in?

This thread probably should be in the Garage section, sorry 'bout that.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Your speedo is about 10% off, it's fairly accurate at slower speeds, but one you are going past 50-60, you're going about 8 0r 9 over. Many have gotten speedo healers to correct the inaccuracy.

This has been a subject that's been discussed down to a science. Just utilize the search tab and type in some keywords and you can pretty much find enough information that will keep you occupied for days on this subject or anything else.

Samething about the tires, and the 2CT's, plenty of info on tires on this fourm.

Cut to the chase, I got 17,000 miles out of them and had plenty of tread left before I replaced them due to a nail in the back tire. I hadn't even reached the wear marks on the tires.

 

[Getaway]

The search function has been useful for a lot of things, but sometimes it can be frustrating.

I have to admit that this being my first bike and having had it less than a week, has left me a little geeked up. I listened to this woman prattle on about her 4 year old for 15 minutes, just so I could show off my Fazer.:Flash:

Thanks for the info on the Pilot Powers 2s. I felt pretty confident about that purchase anyway, but 17000 miles is far more than I would have thought.

 

[Shamus McFeeley]

good to know. So, what kind of mileage are you getting out of your 2 CTs? I'm kind of excited about them, partly because I think I got a good deal. Also, they seem to rate as pretty good all-rounders.

Good to hear about the DynaBeads, too. I went ahead and ordered a set. I've been flabberghasted at what shops want to install tires. Anywhere from $100 to $150, even though their shops fees are $65 to 70 per/hr.

Do you put the beads in before sealing the tire or do seal and then deflate the tire, remove the stem and put the beads in?

This thread probably should be in the Garage section, sorry 'bout that.

I've had the Pilot Power and Road 2cts. I've reached 8-9000 on a rear Pilot Power and 10-11000 on a front. On a Road 2ct I've been able to get at least 12-13000 on a rear and maybe a few more thousand on the front.

I put the beads in before I seat the second bead on the new tire. I remove the old tire, mount the first bead of the new tire, fill it with beads, mount the second bead, and inflate the tire.

 

[Red Wazp]

It's really easy to remove and replace the wheels (centerstands are great).
Most shops around here charge around $25-$30 with balancing per wheel to install a new tire. You may want to ask around at local shops.

The 2ct is an awesome tire but a Pilot Road 2 will go even farther and unless you are on the track it will stick just fine. Tire milage is very subjective depending on where and how you ride.

As a total nwby you will get good milage but I can burn through a set in half the miles as suggested due to a right wrist problem :sinister: and living in the mountians but I am having a damn good time.

A parking lot is a great place to practice the first gear throttle control in turns but take it easy, don't want to drop your new baby.

The faster you go the more the FZ speedo is off but usually reading high which helps avoid tickets.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Thanks for the info on the Pilot Powers 2s. I felt pretty confident about that purchase anyway, but 17000 miles is far more than I would have thought.

Tire life is depended on your riding style, weight, and your tire pressure.

If you baby your bike like me, you can get 20,000 miles.

 

[Drinky]

20.000 miles on pilot powers? wtf no offence but you must be driving like an old lady.
When mpp's get warm they're pretty sticky/soft so wear VERY quick.
So when you're able to get 20.000 miles!!! out of em, they're probably never on the right temperature and you do not get above 4000RPM??

 

[McLovin]

Don't know if this is a good idea to begin with, it raises the risk to go down with your bike I think.

BR Rob

I guess i should have explained. The point is to make small circles or 8's at slow speeds. It will be a while before you can do continuous circles with the bars locked to one side. So gradually making smaller circles you will feel a difference in your balance and throttle skills.

 

[Rob2222]

I guess i should have explained. The point is to make small circles or 8's at slow speeds. It will be a while before you can do continuous circles with the bars locked to one side. So gradually making smaller circles you will feel a difference in your balance and throttle skills.

I know what you mean. But with a new biker there is a higher risk that he maybe stall the engine while clutch/unclutch. And when you stall the enigine while doing small circles it really can be that you go down with the bike cause the engine breakes down the speed imidiately at low speed.

BR Rob

 

[Getaway]

I guess i should have explained. The point is to make small circles or 8's at slow speeds. It will be a while before you can do continuous circles with the bars locked to one side. So gradually making smaller circles you will feel a difference in your balance and throttle skills.

Is this similar to the U-turns in the MSF course? I practice that often. It's one of the areas I'm concerned about and part of the reason I asked about the "snatching" in the first place.

My favorite part of the MSF course was the U-turns in the box. Had a great instructor that really drilled clutch control. At lunch he demonstrated U-turns with his BMW K1200GT.

 

[Getaway]

And when you stall the enigine while doing small circles it really can be that you go down with the bike cause the engine breakes down the speed imidiately at low speed.

Is the "snatching" I was asking about related to engine braking? I've noticed what I thought was engine braking even at higher speeds.

 

[SirIsaac]

I know that the bike isn't supposed to have much low end torque, but it seems that my bike jerks or snatches real hard in first gear if I don't roll off and on the throttle carefully. Could this be a symptom of something else, like my inexperience?

Unless I missed it, nobody mentioned the TPS (throttle position sensor?) recall which was applicable to pre-2007 FZ6's. If the recall repair has not been done, that could cause the "snatchiness" you describe. Have a dealer check your VIN to see if your bike has been fixed.

 

[Dennis in NH]

I like the idea of doing the figure eights to practice turns at slow speed. I would start out with wide figure eights and work your way down (slowly decreasing the size) -- don't try to get too sharp too fast or you WILL drop the bike (don't ask how I know). Try to keep it at 70% of your skill level.

For throttle control, I went on the highway (slow 55mph highway), put it in 3rd or 4th gear and rev'ed the bike to say 8K RPM and then let off. I concentrated on letting off and getting on nice and slowly so the bike doesn't flap around so much. When you start out, your throttle control sucks and the bike rolls back and forth abruptly; when you get better, it gets smoother.

If you're new to the bike, don't go to 8K RPM (please stay away ) -- stay maybe 4K and work your way up -- I don't want you to have any issues and I prefer you learn very slowly as this is not your last ride but the beginning of many! Also important: please do not chop the throttle -- this is bad and can cause serious bike roll and inadvertent wheelies .

BTW, the FZ6 becomes a different animal starting at 8K RPM.

Good luck with your training and please learn slowly (or the chances of you dropping increase a lot).

Dennis

 

[Red Wazp]

Is the "snatching" I was asking about related to engine braking? I've noticed what I thought was engine braking even at higher speeds.

Engine braking is when you use the gearing and motor slow down the bike instead of using the brakes. Very helpful to maintain the correct speed in cornering as using the brakes just upsets the suspension which is not a good thing.

Inline fours are know for snatchy (how's that for a new word) throttles, even my FJR is somewhat abrupt.

The key is a smooooth throttle hand. I would think perhaps some of what you feel is due to abrupt inputs. Practice, practice and it will get much better.

We have some local twisty roads where I may stay in second gear for 10 miles and not touch the brakes because I let the throttle and engine control my speed. All that just helps me be in total control.

May I suggest reading Sport Bike Techniques by Nick Ienatsch, amazon has it for under $18.00. I read and reread this book often, great for new and old riders alike.

PS these are good questions you have, the fun factor just grows the more you learn.