Advice needed from Experienced Riders

[MDManley10]

I have been riding dirtbikes offroad and some short trips on old county roads for about 15 years now and a dual-sport for about 3 years now. My under 250cc class dual sport is getting a little small for my growing want to ride more and more. I have been considering a larger dual sport (KLR 650) until I saw a 2007 Yamaha FZ-6 in a classfied advertisement in my hometown. I like the look of the FZ-6 but the persona of sportbikes still weights heavy with me. Im not a beginner on bikes by any means but Interstates and 50+ speeds are a new adventure. Anyone have any advice on if this is a good around college campus bike considering my past with duals sports and offroad bikes. I like upright position so also consider that and my size of 6'0'' 220lbs. Also another question is the bike a good deal. 2007 FZ-6 Red with 1,500 miles for $3,500 I have yet to see this bike in person but consider all mechanical in excellent condition and the usual small cosmetic flaws. Thank for any useful advice.:thumbup:

 

[RJ2112]

The mileage is quite low, for a 4 model year old bike. Maybe it was bought as a left over, and wasn't put into service right away. Maybe it was ridden, the owner crashed, and it sat without any storage maintenance for years. It's a cr@p shoot.

I'd suggest going over the bike with a fine toothed comb.

The FZ 6 is a really nice blend of all the things a street bike should be. Comfortable, flickable, and pretty quick. At a shade over 400 lbs, it's relatively light for a commuter bike, and the roughly 85 rear wheel HP are PLENTY for getting around at well into stupid speeds if you twist the throttle for too long.

 

[tcmalker]

The mileage is quite low, for a 4 model year old bike. Maybe it was bought as a left over, and wasn't put into service right away. Maybe it was ridden, the owner crashed, and it sat without any storage maintenance for years. It's a cr@p shoot.

Or maybe I was riden with the speedo cable off? At any rate, don't take any advice from 'tcmalker'.

 

[youngy]

Persona of sports bikes?

The FZ-6, though hardly a sportsbike, is so much more bike than an old clunker like a KLR650, but if you like big singles you may find the FZ-6 too revvy for your needs.

 

[MDManley10]

I forgot to mention if the bike is in good cosmetic condition I have a expert motorcycle mechanic that will go thrue and check for any major problems before purchase.

To clarify the sportsbike persona comment: when you see someone riding thrue campus with a screaming GSXXR or CBR all decked out in flame riding gear you see some funny looks. Not saying all riders/bikes have portray that just throwing that idea out there that again how the FZ-6 cought my attention of haveing the attributes of a sport bike and the position of upight.

 

[FB400]

It's a great all around bike that will probably make you happy once you get used to the new attributes of a high revving 4 cylinder. This bike is as happy at 4,000k rpm as it is at 12,000k+ rpm so indeed, it is very versatile.

The bike sounds like a steal at that price given the many upgrades Yamaha did beginning in '07. As others have said be sure to check it out thoroughly before you buy it.

and oh yeah, for commuting you will get great mpg. I've been averaging 49-52 without any regard for trying to save gas.

Edit: and with regard to the whole sportbike reputation, most squids go straight for the gixxers since they are in plentiful supply and don't cost that much. People who are totally oblivious to motorycles in general could lump the FZ6 in with supersport bikes and the reputations they garner, but anyone with even a little knowledge wouldn't mistake the FZ6 as a supersport bike.

 

[RJ2112]

Or maybe I was riden with the speedo cable off? At any rate, don't take any advice from 'tcmalker'.

There isn't really a speedo cable in the traditional sense.... the transmission output shaft has a magnet on it, that a sensor 'reads'. Each blip is one revolution of the output shaft.

It's much more likely someone bought the bike for cash, and then decided they didn't like riding. Now it's been in the garage taking up space for a few years....

 

[scottsst]

the FZ6 is a good all around bike you can reall do alot with it. Coming from a dirt back ground you will really take to sport riding alot more than you think give it time and you will love it. That being said the bike you are looking at should be looked at by some one. either you can take a good look at it or take it to your local Yamaha dealer. Ask a dealer to do a trade in check on it they should be able to do it cheap and easy. The big thing will be a compression check that will tell you the real health of the engine above all the other things you can do! Now for the big thing if you do pick up the FZ6 is an inline 4 so it will be much diffrent from the single cyclinder dirt bikes you are used to. Just be carefull and know there is a lot more power than a 250cc dirt bike

 

[tcmalker]

There isn't really a speedo cable in the traditional sense.... the transmission output shaft has a magnet on it, that a sensor 'reads'. Each blip is one revolution of the output shaft.

It's much more likely someone bought the bike for cash, and then decided they didn't like riding. Now it's been in the garage taking up space for a few years....

Didn't know that, thanks. My Ninja 500 had the speedo cable. Then again, it also has an analog speedometer.

 

[Kazza]

Persona of sports bikes?

The FZ-6, though hardly a sportsbike, is so much more bike than an old clunker like a KLR650, but if you like big singles you may find the FZ-6 too revvy for your needs.

That's exactly what are bikes are - sports bikes.

That's the category they are given by Yamaha, bike magazines etc.

 

[Red Wazp]

Price seems good due to low miles as long as your mechanic likes it. It's a real well built machine, cheap to maintain too. Fairly good wind protection for getting out on the road and it will cruise 85 + all day long. It would be a good transition bike to learn street skills and in a few years you may want to step up to more cc's.
Don't worry about the 600, under 7k rpm she's a pup but after a bit you'll learn to have some fun with the big dog side of 13K.
Will he let you ride it first? Always a good thing to take it for a spin.
Go for it, at that price if you don't like it you could sell it for another bike.
Candy Red the way cooler than Blue one :Flash:

 

[tcmalker]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I did a little research into this and it seems there is a speed sensor in the FZ6. Couldn't someone just remove this wire and ride without adding mileage?

 

[Erci]

Sorry to bring this up again, but I did a little research into this and it seems there is a speed sensor in the FZ6. Couldn't someone just remove this wire and ride without adding mileage?

I'm sure there's a way to cheat the reading. Heck, using a laptop, ODBII connector and clever software, crooks can reset digital odometers on cars in less than a minute. I'm sure same can be done on bikes.
I wouldn't worry about it nearly as much on moto though. SO many bikes out there get purchased and spend much of their lives just sitting around.
Looking over the bike should reveal fairly quickly if it's done 1500 or 15k.

 

[youngy]

That's exactly what are bikes are - sports bikes.

That's the category they are given by Yamaha, bike magazines etc.

I don't think I've ever seen it advertised that way. A street bike, sure. It certainly doesn't have sportsbike suspension or riding position but is an excellent all rounder.

 

[Kazza]

I don't think I've ever seen it advertised that way. A street bike, sure. It certainly doesn't have sportsbike suspension or riding position but is an excellent all rounder.

You're getting confused with supersports bikes....

See Yamaha link here

Road Products | Yamaha Motor Australia

Can't blame your confusion Youngy - you're heads a little in the clouds at the moment due to the cricket :scared:

 

[youngy]

You're right I am a little heady at the moment........ in the UK they're listed as "FZ Series", also in Europe. What the hey........

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

The speed sensor does tie into the ECU so I doubt its been disconnected.

A close examination of the bike (especially tires) will indicate if it has more miles than what's showing...

The previous owner could have had several bikes in his stable, that may be the reason for the low mileage.

 

[Redback]

Mate don't stress have a look at the bike and its condition you will be able to see if its been looked after or done a million k's. there are alot of crooks but also alot of genuine people you could be on a good bargain here 1500 miles whats that about 2,400 k's just run in mate.
as far as riding goes you will laugh mate just get on it take it easy for few days get used to it you will be fanging around in no time

 

[macem29]

great bike for someone with your riding experience, it's like
a swiss army knife: good for everything...that does seem like
a good deal....and agree with the comment about the ODO...
don't think the bike would run (well) with it disconnected,
an inspection will indicate if the miles are true...IMO it's the
fairing ass. that makes the FZ6 look like a crotch rocket to
the ill informed, the rest of the bike is clearly quite different

 

[Erci]

Let's not forget that there's always the streetfighter conversion option if you really want to have a non-sport bike look.