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Can you lean Your FZ6 in confidence?

rzekry

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I'm not confident yet that I can really lean my FZ6 through curves.

Share your side of the story. It will help quite a bit!

Thanks!
 
I'm not confident yet that I can really lean my FZ6 through curves.

Share your side of the story. It will help quite a bit!

Thanks!

Yes, I get right to the edge of my tires now, but it took almost 6 months before I could with confidence, I rode before but hadn't ridden for 4 years before getting the FZ. Setting the pre-load correctly for my weight (I'm not very heavy) really helped.
 
do a track day, you will get the bike to the edge of the tires and learn a ton about yourself and your bike in the process.
 
Not yet....I still have about 1.5 inches of unmarred tread visible...Just not ready to drop that knee. It'll get there, may be on a fun run or it may be on an obstacle avoidance on the way to work this morning but it will get there.
 
I've only had my bike for 3 months. I'm getting there, still not overly confident yet. I've done some pretty good leans but definitely still have some decent chicken strips.I know the bike can handle it and i'm sure I can do it, I can ride quite aggressive through the curves on my snowmobile, there's just something about doing it on two wheels.......... :Sport:
 
Forget worrying about the chicken strips learn to use your body. You will go faster round the bends with less lean if you work out how to move your body around.
:mikebike:
 
Take your time and progress on your own rythm. Don't rush yourself. I think it took me 10 months to use the whole of my tire and when I did I realised that I need to slow down, so....take it easy.
 
Take your time and progress on your own rythm. Don't rush yourself. I think it took me 10 months to use the whole of my tire and when I did I realised that I need to slow down, so....take it easy.
I'm extremelly cautious on my bike. I love riding, I also love my life. I've scared myself a few times, misjudged a corner once which is where I got the most lean in a turn before but haven't had the guts to purposely repeat it. I'm slowly working my way up.
 
I'm extremelly cautious on my bike. I love riding, I also love my life. I've scared myself a few times, misjudged a corner once which is where I got the most lean in a turn before but haven't had the guts to purposely repeat it. I'm slowly working my way up.

+1 - I'm having a really hard time trusting the grip. I need a track day to play around safely. I know the bike will go WAY further than my ability (balls) will let me at the moment so I'm just riding like a granny and not crashing.
 
Take your time and progress on your own rythm. Don't rush yourself. I think it took me 10 months to use the whole of my tire and when I did I realised that I need to slow down, so....take it easy.

I didn't mean to be a wise guy here...just friendly advice :D I was in your shoes not to many months ago, and I am still calling myself a noob! :thumbup:
 
Getting your bike to full lean on public roads, normally means your going pretty hard....and we all know what lurks on the side of roads if you stuff it up...trees, poles, fences, etc.

Have been riding for twenty years, mostly on Sportsbikes,(ducati - my other obsession), and i ride reasonably hard (within sensible reason), and i have never had my knee down once!

Leave it to track days, where there is lots of run off, medical support, and a road surface you can get to know and trust.

That's what i do, still a big risk involved, but at least your minimising it as much as you can.

Maybe an advanced riding course would help too, i did one, and i leant that i was riding like crap, probably still am crap, but at least i understand why.

But after doing the course, i can get maximum lean with a great deal more confidence, but only at track days, and with a healthy respect for my personal limits, even with frame sliders, etc, it is expensive dropping a relatively new bike anytime.

Stay upright. :):thumbup:
 
I didn't mean to be a wise guy here...just friendly advice :D I was in your shoes not to many months ago, and I am still calling myself a noob! :thumbup:
I thought it was a good, candid response!

Pure noob here, and I'm impressed with those that can lay it over. My biggest concern is all the crap I see on the road. Antifreeze, diesel fuel spills, belts and tires on road, I need all the bikes performance to negotiate around that stuff now.
 
Yes, I get right to the edge of my tires now, but it took almost 6 months before I could with confidence, I rode before but hadn't ridden for 4 years before getting the FZ. Setting the pre-load correctly for my weight (I'm not very heavy) really helped.

Slightly OT:
I have been thinking about reducing the preload on my spring; it just feels too tight in corners and when I hit bumps in the road. How much do you weigh and what setting are you at? I weigh 130lb (59kg) and my spring is set to the stock "3".

Thanks!
 
Slightly OT:
I have been thinking about reducing the preload on my spring; it just feels too tight in corners and when I hit bumps in the road. How much do you weigh and what setting are you at? I weigh 130lb (59kg) and my spring is set to the stock "3".

Thanks!

I don't know my weight off hand :jawdrop: but it's about 60 Kg. I went all the way down to 1 for a while, and then up to 2 which I have found the most comfortable for me and have settled with now. If I take a passenger I go up to 3 or 4 depending on their weight.
 
i travel only in straight lines.

when i need to turn I get off the bike and walk it around.

I find this to be the safest possible manner of turning.
 
Traction is really not the issue. Read the books Jay DarkIsz suggested. Read Twist of Wrist II by K. Code. (Not one read number II) You have enough traction to lever your bike off the ground.
 
At first i didnt trust it or myself. I knew it/i was capable (i remember on my previous Yamaha TDR i would scratch the foot pegs all the time and my shoes would rub in the corners :p...) but doing mainly city commuting on my fz6 i had never had a big chance to lean into anything other than a freeway on ramp! Its not until i actually went to a canyon road with some buddies and they were the leaders that i learned to lean my bike. I was able to follow them easily and the FZ6 was wonderful in the twisties, leaning in all the way is no issue for this bike. Plus with my buddies in front that knew the road i didnt have to worry about were the corners were going :)
 
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