• Welcome to the Yamaha FZ6 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

Tyre Condition

Two things...OEM FZ6 tyres are crap...remember, Yamaha probably uses them cause they get a real good deal, and they cant sell you a bike with no tyres...so until you replace OEM tyres, you gotta put up with a compromised product...

Second thing, 42psi is way high.....man, you must of been able to feel every tiny stone, or miniscule bump you rode over....i put 41 in a rear recently on a long straight tour to stop the tyre from flat spotting, but as soon as i got to the Twisties...i put the tyre back to abnout 37.5psi....

Kris, get yourself some Pilot Road 2ct's.....they WILL last at least 10000km's, and wont go square...

:thumbup:

Going to go to the dealer this avo after tafe and get some prices, I'll definately ask them about the Pilot Road 2cts, they seem to get rave reviews from everyone who has them!!!
Any idea what general range I should be looking to pay for them installed?
 
Going to go to the dealer this avo after tafe and get some prices, I'll definately ask them about the Pilot Road 2cts, they seem to get rave reviews from everyone who has them!!!
Any idea what general range I should be looking to pay for them installed?

You should be able to get Pilot Road 2CT's for well under $500 fitted!

:thumbup:
 
Ohh nice stuff, I've seen Pirelli's on sale alot recently normally for a set of 2 at about $499 or so, but I think I'll aim for something of an all rounder.
 
Almost 13000km on my stock tyres now! I bought the bike second hand from an instructor who hardly used it. And for the first year of riding I was pretty steady and on crappy unexciting roads in the UK (and mostly commuting) it did start to square off a bit. But since moving to France the Fazer has changed from being my regular commuter to the fun machine (ditched the top box, touring screen and centre stand), and riding the awesome (and almost always empty!) mountain twisties I have soon rounded it right back again!

TBH, having not ridden on other tyres I don't really know any better yet. I'm pleased with the wear I've got from the stock ones so far, and they seem reasonable - but can't wait to get some really good ones on and experience the difference!

What I do know is that so many people try to have one set up for all their riding styles, i.e if you commute in the week but hit the twisties at the weekend whilst not changing your tyre pressures or suspension settings etc. My advice is set it to what you use it for the day you ride, then you'll get the most enjoyment out of your bike. So after a nice plush commute during the week, take off your top box, firm up your preload, check your all lubed up and adjust your tyre pressures for riding style and tempterature - then have some fun! :rockon:
 
Mr. Withak sir, you are going to love the feel of new rubber. If you are first and foremost commuting, and doing it all year round in all weather, but want to go sport riding on the weekends, there is no better all rounder than a Pilot Road 2ct for an FZ6 IMHO. It wears well, it sticks satisfactorily in the dry and sticks almost the same in the wet. They will let go if you get nutty on them, but will give you satisfactory feed back (squirm slightly) before they let go, and they'll only do this if you push them. I've been hanging off the bike, and had a peg scraping the deck in the wet on Pilot Road 2ct's.

I ran 32/36 summer pressures, and 34/38 winter pressures on these tires.

They tip in fine, but one of the coolest things I noticed is that once in a lean you can almost let go of the bars and they hold the lean firmly.....very reassuring.

7500km is the lowest I got from a rear from memory, and it felt great up until 6500-ish. They have twice the number of treads at the edge of the tire as do the Powers, which is why they rock in the wet. However these tend to get flared up at the rear of the grooves after a time (especially with sports riding) and this will add to the squirming when you're "on it". This will let you know it's coming up to replacing your tire time (more than likey around 9,500km).

Down side? On cold crisp nights, of around 0 degrees C when the roads have been cold for some time, they won't warm up enough for hard sports riding....don't bother trying...lol...I've spent hours on them trying to get them up to temp:(. Also the front will scallop a little if you don't pay reasonable attention to pressures. Not as bad as the Powers for this.

If they are unavailable, the Dunlop Roadsmarts (not as good) are nearly as good in the wet, nearly as good in the dry, have a different shape that doesn't seem to hold a lean angle with as little effort, and will not last quite as long. Not too bad though, as an alternative.

These are all just my opinions, but I was riding my FZ6 hard in all weather, all year round, and was replacing my tires on average every 6 weeks, and I paid attention.

Hope this helps mate.:thumbup:
 
Thanks for all the input!
Got a quote of 540$ for a set of the Pilot 2cts installed which seems high from what Wolfman said, but the guy also thought my stock tyres where not too bad condition-wise and probably just needed some air and the rear suspension tweaked.
The tyres where a little low, so I pumped them up and rechecked them, and they seemed alot better, but haven't changed the suspension yet.
The guy also told me not to trust the petrol stations pressure gauges, apparently they are total ****, so I borrowed one from a friend (very expensive and fancy apparently). Lesson learned on this one, buying a proper gauge on the weekend when I have spare time to visit a shop.

I'll give the suspension a go and see how it changes, because the suspension seems really really soft at the moment (gives way too easily with very little rebound).

If its still an issue I'll definately fork out for a new pair since I have a bigish trip away coming up soon, and want to make sure the bikes in good nick for it!
I'm wondering if adding the rack on has made a difference, but the rack and topbox realistically don't weigh much and I doubt even with my bag for tafe would be above 3-4kg out behind the rear wheel.
It actually felt really good with that little extra weight on the back, but suddenly went ****.
Can taking a heavier pillion effect the suspension in more than a passing fashion (after they are gone?)
 
Thanks for all the input!
Got a quote of 540$ for a set of the Pilot 2cts installed which seems high from what Wolfman said, but the guy also thought my stock tyres where not too bad condition-wise and probably just needed some air and the rear suspension tweaked.
The tyres where a little low, so I pumped them up and rechecked them, and they seemed alot better, but haven't changed the suspension yet.
The guy also told me not to trust the petrol stations pressure gauges, apparently they are total ****, so I borrowed one from a friend (very expensive and fancy apparently). Lesson learned on this one, buying a proper gauge on the weekend when I have spare time to visit a shop.

I'll give the suspension a go and see how it changes, because the suspension seems really really soft at the moment (gives way too easily with very little rebound).

If its still an issue I'll definately fork out for a new pair since I have a bigish trip away coming up soon, and want to make sure the bikes in good nick for it!
I'm wondering if adding the rack on has made a difference, but the rack and topbox realistically don't weigh much and I doubt even with my bag for tafe would be above 3-4kg out behind the rear wheel.
It actually felt really good with that little extra weight on the back, but suddenly went ****.
Can taking a heavier pillion effect the suspension in more than a passing fashion (after they are gone?)

hopfully for your wallet and safety it was just the preasures, i wouldnt trust the servo guages either just imagine how many tyres they have pumped up and been dropped etc. The suspension could now be in the "broken in" stage and will be slightly softer compared to when new, just try the adjuster on the rear shock 1 notch at a time:thumbup: The tyre prices are about the rrp with fitting added in top but im sure you could bargin a bit and get them fitted for nothin:thumbup:
 
Can taking a heavier pillion effect the suspension in more than a passing fashion (after they are gone?)

You would'nt think so, I reckon the FZ6 shock would be a pretty sturdy item, with Yamaha making sure it was good for a long life...

Have never heard of anyone's rear shock giving up the ghost on an FZ6.

:thumbup:
 
Yea I think the RRP on them was about 215 and 309, so its almost free fitting, but my old mechanic used to fit for free and do really good prices for me.
/sigh
 
The shock thing is weird, I am wondering if its possible it might have slipped a notch with a pillion on the back?

Highly unlikely i reckon, have you adjusted the rear shock before? it's mighty tough to move, even using the right tools...
 
I actually did with a bit of help from Dad a few weeks ago, it was extremely hard to make harder, but would easily move back down a notch (with the tool).
I am assuming of course we did it in the right direction (used the manual) though there was some arguement with me reading the manual and Dad wanting to turn it the other way....
It also started feeling crappy more recently, although maybe thats the tyre pressure...
Also do you measure pressure cool or warm?
 
very unliky but all you got to do is lift the seat and have look to see if its in the stock spot. There are some things that go when new that are unusual, like the xjr forks sticking down from kazzas hubby, seen a carby simply not work straight from the factory on new bike before and a top end let go in an ag quad in just a few hours from new. There is always the exeption, just check the shockie for leaking oil too and if your worried about it take it to a dealer and have them have a quick look at it
 
Will measure them again tomorrow and check.
I noticed the rear shock looking a bit dirty hopefully its not oil leaking, but it is in warranty.
Don't have a pressure cleaner so its hard to clean spots like that thoroughly.
 
That price quoted was for Road 2ct's? Almost seems like a Power 2ct price. Might wanna check. I've never paid more than 480 for the Road 2ct pair.

If when you were reducing the preload it was easier than going up....then it sounds like you were turning it the right direction to me. Harder to go up than down.

I got one of the fairly cheap 'Slime' gauges, that you might see on the counter at auto pro or the like as an impulse buy. Then you find yourself a tried and tested accurate gauge, and set your tires up. Then you measure it with your new gauge. Then you mark on masking tape on the cheap gauge what pressure it is. This way you don't need to buy a super expensive gauge, and should be able to get it pretty well spot on every time.

Next tip...lol....get them spot on.....then go sporty riding. Then pull over and measure them. You now know how much pressure you need in them when warm (pretty close anyhow). Now you don't have to do them cold.:thumbup:
 
just an observation

When we state stock tyres (tires ;) ) can we actually state which ones as my Owners Manual FZ6S (the S2 might say something different) specifies either the Dunlop D252 or Bridgestone BT020 . . . .

As Nelly posted earlier the tyre pressures are specified for different loads and also there is a high speed pressure, so we need to also not be bashful and give an indication of the total rider/passenger/luggage weights . . . . .

check your pressures regularly . . . . as it's got warmer I've had to let some air OUT :eek:
 
Back
Top