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Your help please

Congratulations!! Glad you opted for the newer model, not bad for an additional $900. I think that if it were stolen or totaled (which I hope neither happens), the difference you would get from the insurance company would be more than $900. Where do you want to break her in?
 
chuckfz6ryder said:
Congratulations!! Glad you opted for the newer model, not bad for an additional $900. I think that if it were stolen or totaled (which I hope neither happens), the difference you would get from the insurance company would be more than $900. Where do you want to break her in?
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I'll probably do mostly local riding (North Shore of MA), although I'm already scheming to take it to Yonkers (NY), a 3.5 hour trip. I asked the dealer about break in and he just said don't push it too hard and keep the RPM's down, but that I could do highway driving. I figure I'll ride gently and vary speeds and keep it under 60 or so for the first 600 miles. Does that sound OK? Or is highway travel a no-no for the first 600 miles.
 
I'd say you'd be fine on the highway. as long as you don't hold it at high rpms or lug the engine for to long.

P.S. remember to take it easy on your tires for the first hundred or so miles til there scrubbed in
 
Norm, the FZ6 is all that you want it to be. It can be tame or the tiger. It can be relaxed or aggressive. It's all about the RPM range you use and the amount of throttle you want to give it. I don't feel that you'll have any issues with the FZ6. It does have a short friction zone but just get the bike and practice a no-throttle start in a parking lot. Muscle memory will then take over and stalling is non-existent. It's lighter than what you drive but it is more top-heavy even with the lower weight. Given your size, you shouldn't have any trouble. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!

So, get it and come up to NH for the Aug. White Mtns meet! :D
 
FZ6inNH said:
Norm, the FZ6 is all that you want it to be. It can be tame or the tiger. It can be relaxed or aggressive. It's all about the RPM range you use and the amount of throttle you want to give it. I don't feel that you'll have any issues with the FZ6. It does have a short friction zone but just get the bike and practice a no-throttle start in a parking lot. Muscle memory will then take over and stalling is non-existent. It's lighter than what you drive but it is more top-heavy even with the lower weight. Given your size, you shouldn't have any trouble. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed!

So, get it and come up to NH for the Aug. White Mtns meet! :D
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Thanks. All I got to do today was the short ride home. I can't wait for the morning! I'll have to find out more about the White Mtns meet. Sounds great. It was good by car (driving in the White Mtns). Bike has to be a whole lot better.
 
[email protected] said:
Thanks. All I got to do today was the short ride home. I can't wait for the morning! I'll have to find out more about the White Mtns meet. Sounds great. It was good by car (driving in the White Mtns). Bike has to be a whole lot better.
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We've got quite a crew going, mostly couples. We've got a few from the Beantown, North Shore and the Cape coming as well. Check out this link:http://www.600riders.com/forum/usa-northeast/3625-northeast-fz6-meet-interested.html

Hope we can see you there! Ride safe!
 
[email protected] said:
My name is Norm. I've been lurking on your outstanding forum. My history is as follows. I'm 51 years old. 5 years ago I bought a Yamaha Zuma (49cc) and began tooling around on this. I had a moped as a kid but had never driven a motorcycle. 2 years ago I decided to move up the food chain. While I drove stick shift cars my whole life I was a little reluctant to go straight to a motorcycle since I didn't want to be shifting and learning how to battle cagers at the same time. I therefore started with a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter. I put 2000 miles on this, and then got my motorcycle endorsement as I was feeling pretty good about riding. With a lot of "hints" from the scooter forums I later took the MSF course for good measure.

I then bought the Honda Silver Wing (600cc scooter), a 2007 model, that I have now put 7000 miles on in under a year. No mishaps so far on any of these, thank goodness. The bike I have lusted for since day one was the FZ6. I did not buy it on day one figuring I needed experience on easier, less powerful bikes. I have ridden my friend's Honda Pacific Coast and my nephew's Yamaha XT225 many times and I have no issues with the shifting/clutch etc.

I have ridden in Boston and New York City traffic, highway, and overnighters so I feel good about the nearly 10,000 miles of riding being representative of what's out there.

The Yamaha dealer has a brand new 2006 model (no miles) which was assembled in May of this year. He'll take my Silver Wing and $1000 for the FZ6. Would the members be so kind as to answer a few questions:

1) Is this bike too big a jump for me in your opinion? I'm 5'10" 150 lbs and sitting on it and moving it around the showroom floor is easier than moving my 550 lb Silver Wing, so I'm hoping not.

2) Were there any major changes on the FZ6 from 2006 to 2008?

3) Are there any issues unique to the 2006 as opposed to any other years.

4) I saw that one member had issues with the clutch and stalling on his new bike. Has your experiences been mostly trouble free on this bike? I would just kick myself if I began having problems with the new bike after having zero problems with the Silver Wing.

5) I'm hoping you'll all say "Go for it!" because I LOVE this bike.

Thank you in advance. This forum is awesome!

Norm
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If it was me you seen had posted about the problem with my clutch and stalling. Well I fixed those issues. I found out that the bike needs to be idling around 1350rpms once warm. Mine wasn't it was only right at 1000. I raised the rpms idle to 1350 and no problems since with stalls. I even now let my wife ride and we don't have any problems. I also am a noob and have learned to not be afraid to give it a little throttle when starting off. The clutch issue I was having was just an minor adjustment problem. I kept having problems with the bike continuosly skipping (N) when I would try to put it in (N). But I took it to a friend and its as simple as turning that wheel at the clutch. Now I haven't had no problems. I also love my FZ6 and as of now never plan on getting rid of my first bike. I hope this helps clear any confusion you may had got my thread. Sry.
 
Congrats on your new 08 FZ6 Norm!:cheer::thumbup:
They are wonderful motorcycles that can run with the big dogs if necessary. ;)
Take it easy on the bike for the first 1000 km's...don't over-rev it, but don't let it lug either...use the transmission as much as possible (it needs to be broken in as well as the motor) and keep the motor spinning freely. You can increase your max rpm gradually as you put in your first 1000km's. Do NOT use full throttle until you've got about 500 km's at least on the bike, and then only for very short bursts.
I'm 61 years of age and came back to bikes in January of 07 after a 25 year layoff. I rode bikes almost exclusively for nearly 15 years in the 60's and 70's. I purchased an XT225 (I had ZERO intention of riding a bike on the road again), but after 6 months, the call of the road was just overwhelming. I looked at and sat on many, many different brands and models, and settled on an FZ6. My local dealer was out of blue ones so I had the extraordinary good fortune to purchase a RED one. Much faster than the blue ones.... :D
Anyhow....enjoy your ride! You picked a good 'un.
Now let's talk accessories.... :D
 
Norm,

Well I was going to respond but I guess Congratulations are in order.

+1 on what Sportrider said about the tires, be very careful as new tires are very slick. It will take around 100 miles for them to start sticking.

I will add that you are well ahead of the game due to your many miles logged from your previous transportation. It's not just about skills, but you need to have the knowlege and abilities to ride safely.

This is a great site for questions and answer as you already have found out. This is also a safety oriented site that strongly believes in wearing protective gear, so make sure you gear up!
 
Warning: if you go for the FZ6 expect waves from near 100% of sportbike crowd. This despite the fact that on the FZ6 you're not riding hunched down. That's one of the cool things about the FZ6, it's both tour and sport in one package. Power is not anything to scoff at either. I think that you'l, after the bikes you've already had, be a good matchup with the FZ6.
 
Tailgate said:
Warning: if you go for the FZ6 expect waves from near 100% of sportbike crowd. This despite the fact that on the FZ6 you're not riding hunched down. .
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Actually, this depends on your height. The taller you are, the more upright you will be. If you're on the short side, you will have more of a foward riding position.
 
Hi Norm,

I don't really understand your anxiety :)

I'm 29, I have bought a new 2007 FZ6 3 months ago. It was my first bike ever, have never owned a moped or dirt bike or anything.

So far I've put over 4000 miles on her without any problems. Have only stalled her twice, have never dropped her, haven't fallen... And I have ridden during the day, during the night, in the sun and the rain, in the country side, and in rush hour traffic in our country's capital. And I don't stay under 8k rpm at all.

I ride carefully and responsibly, and I practiced my emergency maneuvers on empty parking lots plenty. I'm far from an expert or experienced rider, but I'm confident, and my ride is smooth.

So get out there, go buy your FZ6 and grow with it. You'll have a blast. Stop breaking your head over it, and follow your heart :D

Edit : ok I just saw that you have bought one. Well congrats!! You won't regret it! And post up pics! :)
 
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One thing about height: from the waist up to the top of our heads most adults are about the same height. It's the legs that make the difference.

Am I right or am I wrong?
 
FastZipper6 said:
One thing about height: from the waist up to the top of our heads most adults are about the same height. It's the legs that make the difference.

Am I right or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Just compare yourself to a basketball player, they have long arms too.
 
FastZipper6 said:
One thing about height: from the waist up to the top of our heads most adults are about the same height. It's the legs that make the difference.

Am I right or am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Neither. :D
There is a median height that most manufacturers use as a baseline when designing cars and bikes, and that is (approximately) 5'8". That's right, all you lanky 6 footers that can flat-foot your FZ6's at intersections, I'm normal and you're not. :Flip: :D
From my own observations, "most" people are indeed pretty much the same height from the pelvis up, particularly males...it's the legs that make the difference. Look around a restaurant next time you're in one...Don't dwell too long on the males, though...you'll either end up with a fight or a date.:p
When I'm riding my FZ6, my arms are a bit straighter than I'd like them to be; it's very hard to relax them without leaning forward into more of a crouch, so I'm considering getting the 1" up and 1" back risers. I'm scheduled for lower spine surgery on Tuesday, so that may well decide that issue for me.
 
Thank you Hollow on the follow up. It's good to know your bike is A1 now!
Thanks FZ6inNH for the info as well.
Thanks again everyone else for all your encourgement.

Looks like some T-storms today:( so I don't know how much riding I'll get in. I did sneak in a trip to the gas station to top off and a stop at Dunkin' Donuts. When I was there my son called me and asked me to bring home some donuts. I bought a couple of muffins and a couple of donuts and walked out expecting to throw them under the seat. Ooops! So I got a large plastic bag and tied it to one of the grab handles and off I went. When I got home my son said "Wow the muffins are really fresh!" I didn't tell him they were a little close to the exhaust.:Flash:

BTW, what are the members getting for gas mileage? I was getting 50 mpg with the Silver Wing. I don't expect that but I'm hoping to get a little better than the advertised 40 mpg on the Yamaha website.
 
[email protected] said:
Thank you Hollow on the follow up. It's good to know your bike is A1 now!
Thanks FZ6inNH for the info as well.
Thanks again everyone else for all your encourgement.

Looks like some T-storms today:( so I don't know how much riding I'll get in. I did sneak in a trip to the gas station to top off and a stop at Dunkin' Donuts. When I was there my son called me and asked me to bring home some donuts. I bought a couple of muffins and a couple of donuts and walked out expecting to throw them under the seat. Ooops! So I got a large plastic bag and tied it to one of the grab handles and off I went. When I got home my son said "Wow the muffins are really fresh!" I didn't tell him they were a little close to the exhaust.:Flash:

BTW, what are the members getting for gas mileage? I was getting 50 mpg with the Silver Wing. I don't expect that but I'm hoping to get a little better than the advertised 40 mpg on the Yamaha website.
Click to expand...

If it's like mine it will start off in the low 40's and improve slowly to the low 50's after about 3000 miles. There are a couple of threads on mileage you can search for, including one with a poll.
 
Congratulations!!! Thats awesome. Get some pics up as soon as you can! One quick hint, I dont know how busy your dealership or motorcycle shop is that you'll be doing business with is but the ones around here are usually booked for weeks ahead, so it becomes very hard to judge how many miles you'll have before you can get your bike in to get it serviced.

So take a trip down to the shop and see what the next opening for a service is, try to work something out where you think you'll be around 600 miles.

As for mileage, I get around 55 mpg. Im 6 foot and I weigh 175 w no gear on. I do 90% freeway miles 90 miles a day. I take it easy on the bike and cruise around 75.

If you have questions about anything at all, you can search the forum for almost anything but if you can't seem to find it just post up and everyone will be happy to answer.

Also, your owners manual is your best friend!! It has lots of specs to keep your bike in tune. If you don't have a large tool box in your garage, the tool kit under the seat will do almost anything on the bike!!

There are a few adjustments you might want to mess with while you are still getting comfortable on the bike. Adjust the clutch in and out a little to find where you like the friction zone the best. Do the same with the front brake lever. When you go to adjust the shifter and rear brake, remember to put on your riding boots (or whatever you'll be wearing most often). I adjusted mine for one set of shoes, then got a new pair of boots and had to change everything.

Once you've put some miles on her we'll start talking about some mods!!

Congratulations again!!
Eli
 
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