First day with FZ6, have some ?'s

[JesseeS]

Hey guys, today I finally picked up my FZ6. I have ridden bikes in the past, but this is my first sport bike. I rode it all over and noticed that the throttle seems very snappy, as in goes from nothing to everything in an 1/8th of a turn. Is this normal? Like I said I've never ridden a sport bike or I4 before so this could all be normal. It would also seem 1st gear is all but worthless, so I'm already thinking sprocket change. Also, I noticed this plug on the side of my bike. Does anybody know what it's for? Sorry for all the noob questions and thank you for any help you have to offer.

 

[cmantis]

You will get used to the throttle just take it easy at first until you get comfortable.

That plug is a SAE plug used with a battery tender to keep you bike charged.

 

[ChanceCoats123]

I have a little bit of play/dead zone in my throttle as well. You can try turning the throttle cable adjuster to see if you like different settings better.

I personally like first gear. I cruise around my neighborhood in first because it helps me warm the bike up on cold mornings.

I'm not familiar with that connector, but I would just tuck it up into the bike and make sure it's not dangling.


Ps. Welcome to the forums!!

 

[Erci]

:welcome:

As cmantis said, the plug is almost certainly SAE lead to the battery, to let you easily keep it charged.

The snatchy throttle is normal for FZ6, but it's not normal for all sport bikes.. some are infinitely smoother (FZ1, for example), while others are worse (stock FZ-09).

You will definitely get used to it.. it's not so bad. One way to smooth it out if you're doing slow speed stuff: drag the rear brake as you get on the throttle and once it starts pulling, ease off the rear brake.

What don't you like about 1st gear? To low? I used to love it for slow speed stuff (u-turns).

 

[JesseeS]

Thanks for all the info guys, I guess my wrist will need to get used to it. I came off a DRZ (completely different animal) but the throttle was smooth. What I don't like about 1st gear is I feel and hear like it's about to die out, almost like a stutter, as if it's saying "let's speed this up, if not i'm done" BUT, it could have to do with the fact when I do try to speed up a bit, the snatchy throttle makes me buck a bit so I tend to just keep it in 2nd. I am making the mistake of comparing it to the DRZ, when I should be starting with a blank slate. All in good time I'll get adjusted. I also noticed if I was in 3rd gear+ and pulled in the clutch and shifted down to 1st like when approaching a red light without blipping the throttle the engine would cut out. If I did blip the throttle it was fine. Found that odd but once again, just another difference to get used to. I thank you all for the help, and I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me haha

 

[kenh]

The throttle does take some time in getting used to, not just with starting out but also with maintaining a constant speed. Initially when I was getting used to to mine, I likened it to a horse that was trying to throw you off, of course it was never that severe, but if you twisted too much and were not prepared for it you can slide backward especially with a stock seat. I have to say that with a little time you will tame your beast and really start enjoying it. :thumbup:

 

[Erci]

I also noticed if I was in 3rd gear+ and pulled in the clutch and shifted down to 1st like when approaching a red light without blipping the throttle the engine would cut out. If I did blip the throttle it was fine.

Engine should never cut out.. something's off there.

 

[JesseeS]

Engine should never cut out.. something's off there.

Do you have any idea what it could be? From past experiences I would say carbs, but with EFI I'm not sure how I would go about adjustment

 

[iSteve]

Is the idle speed set correctly?

 

[JesseeS]

Is the idle speed set correctly?

I'm not sure. To be honest I haven't checked. I will give it a look if the rain holds off. I also read about the TPS being off so I will check that out as well

 

[Erci]

Do you have any idea what it could be? From past experiences I would say carbs, but with EFI I'm not sure how I would go about adjustment

As iSteve mentioned.. what's your idle speed when the bike is hot? Besides that.. could be quite a few things. My suggestion is create a separate post describing the issue.. you'll get loads of good help that way.

 

[FinalImpact]

As iSteve mentioned.. what's your idle speed when the bike is hot? Besides that.. could be quite a few things. My suggestion is create a separate post describing the issue.. you'll get loads of good help that way.

Mines Happy 1100, spec is 1250 ~ 1350 and is adjusted on the left side of the bike w/a thumb screw.

What can you tell us about the bikes past? Any known maintenance?

Chain slack could be factor too, but don't rush out and snug it up. It wants and needs slack. So 2" of total movement is good as checked just past the swing arm guard just to the rear of the swing arm pivot.

How many miles and maybe it needs a little TLC??
Oil change, filter check/change, plugs and perhaps some fuel cleaner like Chevron Techron (black bottle)...

 

[Erci]

Mines Happy 1100, spec is 1250 ~ 1350 and is adjusted on the left side of the bike w/a thumb screw.

What can you tell us about the bikes past? Any known maintenance?

Chain slack could be factor too, but don't rush out and snug it up. It wants and needs slack. So 2" of total movement is good as checked just past the swing arm guard just to the rear of the swing arm pivot.

How many miles and maybe it needs a little TLC??
Oil change, filter check/change, plugs and perhaps some fuel cleaner like Chevron Techron (black bottle)...

+1 on all of the above. Can be as simple as old gas in the tank (if this is your first tank.. from previous owner).

 

[PhotoAl]

the throttle bodies may be out of sync - I found that syncing my throttle bodies made a big difference.

 

[FZSexy]

Hey guys, today I finally picked up my FZ6. I have ridden bikes in the past, but this is my first sport bike. I rode it all over and noticed that the throttle seems very snappy, as in goes from nothing to everything in an 1/8th of a turn. Is this normal? Like I said I've never ridden a sport bike or I4 before so this could all be normal. It would also seem 1st gear is all but worthless, so I'm already thinking sprocket change. Also, I noticed this plug on the side of my bike. Does anybody know what it's for? Sorry for all the noob questions and thank you for any help you have to offer.

Thanks for all the info guys, I guess my wrist will need to get used to it. I came off a DRZ (completely different animal) but the throttle was smooth. What I don't like about 1st gear is I feel and hear like it's about to die out, almost like a stutter, as if it's saying "let's speed this up, if not i'm done" BUT, it could have to do with the fact when I do try to speed up a bit, the snatchy throttle makes me buck a bit so I tend to just keep it in 2nd. I am making the mistake of comparing it to the DRZ, when I should be starting with a blank slate. All in good time I'll get adjusted. I also noticed if I was in 3rd gear+ and pulled in the clutch and shifted down to 1st like when approaching a red light without blipping the throttle the engine would cut out. If I did blip the throttle it was fine. Found that odd but once again, just another difference to get used to. I thank you all for the help, and I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me haha

its hard to tell if you are having low speed riding issues or your bike is having problems. being that the bike cuts out (shuts off, yes?) on downshift and deceleration who knows what can be up? you could be lugging the engine by not giving enough throttle, but i suppose it could be a bike problem, too? hard to say being you don't know the bike well

that said it sounds about right except for the cutting out. i was new to this bike four months ago coming off scooters and having never rode a motorcycle before. this bike likes to be rode fairly hard. 1st gear is not useless, it will go to 60mph before redline, and shoot you to the speed limit in a flash. if you choose to rev it that high. it will never thrash about, it just keeps going as far as you want. if you are riding casually at street speeds you will like 3rd and 4th gear. higher, even. its up to you and traffic conditions where you want to keep the power

but no, you won't be cruising around in first gear. however the bike goes to 14,000rpm in first, as well as any other gear. that is far from useless

its a fast bike. you have bought a fast bike. one with a peaky I4 engine. i felt the same as you four months ago and was "herky jerky" and too careful taking off from stops for the "grabby" clutch

abrupt throttle
short friction zone clutch
lugging the engine in too high a gear
not giving enough throttle at low speed / low gear
not accustomed to winding an engine up and out
afraid i would take off like a rocket if i punch the throttle, or wheelie the bike

but trust me when i say you will get acclimated and the bike is great. i have nothing else to compare it to but scooters so that is sort of nice. now, the bike feels literally perfect to ride. its fast, smooth, powerful when you need it to be. handles well. it is a fast motorcycle. you can ride it fast even in short burst and its great

like when i lane split at a light. when i take off to just over the speed limit the cars are already way behind me. first gear is great for that. once accustomed you will begin to ride the bike as well as anyone

on the other hand maybe an I4 is not for you? i have heard that tune before. "not enough down low" "too much shifting" "no roll on power in the midrange" "can't ride it slow"

thats all BS imo, but as said i have no idea what a 650 V-Twin feels like. would i really be that impressed with all its low end torque over my high end horsepower? i don't see how i could be, being i have no trouble riding this bike however i like, in whatever gear i like, at whatever speed i like. sometimes it is a "better get on the gas or downshift" kind of bike, but thats a good thing imo

 

[yamihoe]

They do like rpms, you cannot lug it down at 3-4k rpms, like a big twin, that was my issue when I first got a I4, I was used to driving a V8, it has the grunt down low and you can lug it around and at like 6,000 rpms it is going to explode whereas the fz is barely in the usable power.

 

[ChanceCoats123]

They do like rpms, you cannot lug it down at 3-4k rpms, like a big twin, that was my issue when I first got a I4, I was used to driving a V8, it has the grunt down low and you can lug it around and at like 6,000 rpms it is going to explode whereas the fz is barely in the usable power.

It has to have something to do with the fz6 being my first bike, but if you ask me, this things pulls plenty from 4k. Maybe it's just because I've never ridden a similarly sized v motor, or maybe it's because I only weigh 185lbs, but it doesn't seem to be lacking nearly as badly as everyone says.

The next most powerful bike I've ridden is my canam ds450 quad which is a single cylinder (and a large bore). That bike has plenty of low end torque (can pull the front tires up in a 3rd gear power wheelie), but the torque comes from mechanical advantage. The gearing is so short that 5th gear (the highest) is only good for like 65mph when at redline on a good surface. If that bike had similar gearing to the fz6, then it wouldn't feel nearly as torquey.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Besides the above all good recommendations, there's an throttle cable adjustment just ahead of the throttle. Try and adjust that as tight as possible (without binding when the wheel is turned). That extra slop makes a bit of a difference in ridability.

As noted, get the idle adjusted to at least 1,100- 1,300 and get some miles under your belt.

You'll find first gear very handy (and fun) when needed as it will haul a$$ if need be when revved...

And welcome to the forum..:welcome:

 

[JesseeS]

Once again, thank you all. I am getting used to the I4 and it's a blast. I was incorrect to say 1st gear is useless, I'm more used to bikes where I can hang out in first, where as this when I'm in 1st gets a lot of vibrations fast 4k (more than I'm used to) and seemed to want to bog out. I did adjust the throttle. I loosened the lock nut and twisted the adjuster away from me. Not sure how much it's adjusted but I basically just rode around and adjusted until it was better. I have it perfect now and my issues have stopped. After this tank is fine I will throw in.new gas and see if old gas was the issue

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Glad to hear of the progress. I know that throttle cable made a big difference for me. A well lubed and correctly adjusted chain makes a difference too as posted above.

When your ready to get rid of most of those vibs (got some $), a throttle sync, spark plug cap check search, would be worth your while and eliminate 90% of it once its done. Both can be done by yourself for much cheaper than a shop if your halfways mechanically inclined and some basic tools (and a manometer)

When running properly, the bike is a great all round machine, great commuter, can do some serious hard acceleration, super flickable, good to great MPG's (depending on your right wrist).

I came really close to selling mine due to the vibs, until I got the sync dead on (very close to it at least). By far, my fav bike...