D
Dave.TX
Background: I purchased my bike a little over two weeks ago. Stock everything except a Hyperpro rear lowering spring and Leo Vance exhaust without DB killers. Also came with Givi hard bags.
Today went on a 300 mile bike ride with mostly Harley riders. There was a Honda CBR600RR, a Honda Shadow and a Victory Vision Tour in the group also.
We met in Liberty Hill, TX, and rode back roads through Marble Falls and to Llano where we ate lunch at Cooper's BBQ. I think it's the best BBQ I've ever eaten, been there about 4-5 times. Back roads on the way home through Cherokee, Bend and Lampasas. That's where some split off and two of us continued on 183 back to Liberty Hill where we split directions and went home. That ride was awesome! Saw some great scenery, ate some great food and met some new people that loved the ride no matter what anyone was riding. I met them through Meetup.com.
I realized the Yamaha FZ6 creates a lot of buffeting on my helmet which caused a headache and my ears are still ringing hours later even though I wore ear plugs the entire time. The remedy is I'm going to purchase a Madstad windscreen.
The stock handlebar is not comfortable as the pullback is too much. That gripe is common throughout online forums for the FZ6. The remedy will be different handlebars.
The bike's suspension is not good. The front forks are too soft and the rear spring is too short for this 6'4", 200lb rider. The remedy is a suspension upgrade. I contacted Hyperpro earlier this week to purchase their combi pack (front and rear springs with fork oil for just under $300 USD) and they notified me it's out of stock for another 4-5 weeks, according to their manufacturer.
The stock seat is good for shorter trips but (no pun intended) my bum was sore on this longer trip. Maybe I just need to ride more and will get used to it. After all, when I first rode two weeks ago my bum was sore for the first few rides then wasn't. They were shorter rides in town. I'll be looking in to an aftermarket seat.
I like the Givi bags even though a young kid riding with the group criticized them for making my "crotch rocket" (his words) look stupid. Children. He's a good kid, was otherwise pleasant to have in the group. One of the other riders (Harley) commented that being an LEO (law enforcement officer) he doesn't like to leave anything on his bike unattended. He stated that after watching me lock up my riding jacket, gloves and helmet before going in to the restaurant. I agree with him.
I like sport touring bikes. I love the FJR. My bike is going to be transformed into a small sport tourer. That was what I liked about the utilitarian FZ6. In seconds I'll be able to attach or remove the Givi bags and someone has already commented the SW Motech mounting bars don't detract from the sportiness of the bike when the Givi's aren't attached. I'll be able to change the windscreen in a few minutes from stock to Madstad or back again when I want. The handlebars will be permanent but I've already decided to try Renthal's Road Medium bars. No need for risers with them either. I also have a stock exhaust being shipped and should arrive by the end of this week. I'm not a fan of loud, buzzy exhaust. I'm going to keep the LV's though, just try out the stock exhaust for a while. [I was looking for a stock bike but this was such a deal I couldn't pass it up]
What's so cool about the FZ6 is it'll be whatever you want it to be. Stock, sport tourer, sportbike, whatever. Like stated years ago, it's the Swiss Army Knife of bikes. It'll accept whatever mods you throw at it. And, it got 49.5mpg on the trip today. Can't complain about that! A couple of the guys asked what the bike was and after a short explanation they approved. One of them asked why I chose this bike and when I was going to get a Harley. Seems to be a natural progression for some people. I'm still glad I have it and know with a few changes it'll be what I want it to be.
:iconbeer:
Today went on a 300 mile bike ride with mostly Harley riders. There was a Honda CBR600RR, a Honda Shadow and a Victory Vision Tour in the group also.
We met in Liberty Hill, TX, and rode back roads through Marble Falls and to Llano where we ate lunch at Cooper's BBQ. I think it's the best BBQ I've ever eaten, been there about 4-5 times. Back roads on the way home through Cherokee, Bend and Lampasas. That's where some split off and two of us continued on 183 back to Liberty Hill where we split directions and went home. That ride was awesome! Saw some great scenery, ate some great food and met some new people that loved the ride no matter what anyone was riding. I met them through Meetup.com.
I realized the Yamaha FZ6 creates a lot of buffeting on my helmet which caused a headache and my ears are still ringing hours later even though I wore ear plugs the entire time. The remedy is I'm going to purchase a Madstad windscreen.
The stock handlebar is not comfortable as the pullback is too much. That gripe is common throughout online forums for the FZ6. The remedy will be different handlebars.
The bike's suspension is not good. The front forks are too soft and the rear spring is too short for this 6'4", 200lb rider. The remedy is a suspension upgrade. I contacted Hyperpro earlier this week to purchase their combi pack (front and rear springs with fork oil for just under $300 USD) and they notified me it's out of stock for another 4-5 weeks, according to their manufacturer.
The stock seat is good for shorter trips but (no pun intended) my bum was sore on this longer trip. Maybe I just need to ride more and will get used to it. After all, when I first rode two weeks ago my bum was sore for the first few rides then wasn't. They were shorter rides in town. I'll be looking in to an aftermarket seat.
I like the Givi bags even though a young kid riding with the group criticized them for making my "crotch rocket" (his words) look stupid. Children. He's a good kid, was otherwise pleasant to have in the group. One of the other riders (Harley) commented that being an LEO (law enforcement officer) he doesn't like to leave anything on his bike unattended. He stated that after watching me lock up my riding jacket, gloves and helmet before going in to the restaurant. I agree with him.
I like sport touring bikes. I love the FJR. My bike is going to be transformed into a small sport tourer. That was what I liked about the utilitarian FZ6. In seconds I'll be able to attach or remove the Givi bags and someone has already commented the SW Motech mounting bars don't detract from the sportiness of the bike when the Givi's aren't attached. I'll be able to change the windscreen in a few minutes from stock to Madstad or back again when I want. The handlebars will be permanent but I've already decided to try Renthal's Road Medium bars. No need for risers with them either. I also have a stock exhaust being shipped and should arrive by the end of this week. I'm not a fan of loud, buzzy exhaust. I'm going to keep the LV's though, just try out the stock exhaust for a while. [I was looking for a stock bike but this was such a deal I couldn't pass it up]
What's so cool about the FZ6 is it'll be whatever you want it to be. Stock, sport tourer, sportbike, whatever. Like stated years ago, it's the Swiss Army Knife of bikes. It'll accept whatever mods you throw at it. And, it got 49.5mpg on the trip today. Can't complain about that! A couple of the guys asked what the bike was and after a short explanation they approved. One of them asked why I chose this bike and when I was going to get a Harley. Seems to be a natural progression for some people. I'm still glad I have it and know with a few changes it'll be what I want it to be.
:iconbeer:
