Brand New FZ6 rider question

[troyw]

I think this falls under "tech", so here goes.
I just today traded my VTX1800C for a new FZ6. I realize that these 600s do
not have but a third of the torque my beastly 1800 has, but I experienced
something odd on the maiden voyage home. I was at about 4500-5k rpm
in 6th, and just tried a 3-4 throttle, started to pick up, then full throttle
just to check out the midrange pull at that rev. It seemed to kind of die
at full throttle. Now, since it's break-in time, I did it for just a few seconds,
but still, it felt like it weakened at full throttle. Is it just that I haven't had
a 600 sportbike since 2002, and I've forgotten that these need to spool
up to get power? Anyone else have this experience? It could just be me
and being used to 90 ft. lbs. of torque at 2k rpm on the other bike...:Flash:

- Troy

 

[Wolfman]

If you try and pull on the power in top gear below 4000rpm, the bike will "lug", gotta keep the Revs up on the FZ6, decent power above 4000rpm, real decent power at 6000rpm, at 8000 rpm, the FZ6 takes off a lot like it's sporty bro, the R6.....Just my 2 cents.

:thumbup:

 

[xj750_Pete]

The FZ6's motor is very rev happy. Give it too much down low in the RPM range and it wont like it. However, give it full throttle at 7K-8K RPM or so and it will be more than happy to go ludacris speed.

 

[FZyLarry]

+1 to what the other guys said on the rev range. Also, even at 7k in 6th gear it isn't going to feel very snappy. If you're on the freeway and want to do something quick, snick down to 4th and try it.

Once you get used to revs= go fast, you'll do fine

 

[Stumbles06]

Yup, as above. Also, even though it red-lines at 14K revs, the power plateau's at about 12K.

6th is just for cruising, if you want to bang on the power, drop it down a gear or 2.

 

[The Toecutter]

Once you get past your first 500 and oil change.you will be very suprized at how hard this bike will run!!!! past 8,000 rpm is where the fun begins!!!

 

[troyw]

Shreveport1, gotta love the Toe Cutter!

Alright gents. That's about what I figured. I won't worry about it then.
Once it's broken in, I'm doing exactly what you guys said. Just zipping
around from the dealer to home, it does feel like it just wants to rev.
It's been a long time since I was on an inline 4, so I just gotta get back
used to it.

Thanks guys. The welcome so far has been great. Gotta love these
biker communities. A real brotherhood...love it!

- Troy

 

[wrightme43]

Welcome to the site man. Hope you enjoy it.

From 7 to 12 in second and third its just crazy fast.

 

[Red Wazp]

A 1800 to a 600, being these two have nothing in common other than 2 tires Iv'e gotta ask "why the trade to a FZ6? (not that there is anything wrong with that)

 

[troyw]

Well, Red, that's a really good question, and one that does defy logic
just a bit. The answer is pretty simple though. I'm 5'6" tall and weigh
in at about 130 lbs. The VTX, while I could handle it just fine, just had it's
moments where it's just too much motorcycle. Yeah, I miss the
gut-wrenching torque, but having shed 300+ lbs. has been dream-like
already on the first day. It's the only reason I did it. I loved that beast,
but this is just better for curvy mountain riding, and for ease of just
moving it around.

- T.

A 1800 to a 600, being these two have nothing in common other than 2 tires Iv'e gotta ask "why the trade to a FZ6? (not that there is anything wrong with that)

 

[flamewulfe]

Just get used to making it scream all the time, if you really want to get around fast . . . I came from a 1000 inline 4 with lots of low end torque, so sometimes I catch myself upshifting too far, and it 'lugs'. Letting the engine scream still seems 'wrong', but I'm getting used to it. For reference, with stock gearing, I was mostly in 3rd gear around town at 50 mph, but I always aim for the 6k mark on the tach whichever speed I'm going, as it seems like a good compromise of fuel economy and acceleration on demand . . . in other words, I'll upshift and downshift as necessary to keep the RPMs around 6k, but if you want less throttle lag (even better acceleration), aim for 8k on the tach.

 

[troyw]

Yeah, you got that right. At 70 mph on the 1800, I was at 3k rpm.
This bike, at about 60 mph I'm at 5k rpm! HA! Big difference. It will
take some getting used to. I remember always feeling that way on the
YZF600r I had back from 2001-2002. I had no desire to go to the R6, and
I really like that bike, except my hands & wrists always hurt, thus I went
back to cruiser. A Honda Magna, then up to the mighty VTX. I think these
new nekked bikes are a good compromise.

Oh, and if anyone can tell me about this 78HP vs. 98 HP version thing I've
seen floating around the forum? Is the lesser horsepower bike just in Europe? My owner's manual says mine is an FZ6X(C). Does that mean
lame, or good?

I also thought there wouldn't be much I could do to this bike, but I see some
of you have many mods. Uh oh...even in this bad economy I feel the urge
to mod like I did with the VTX. My wife shall killeth me...

- T.

 

[dako81]

If you bought your FZ in the US, it is unrestricted. Welcome to the forum, and keep the revs UP!!!

 

[agmom98]

I think this falls under "tech", so here goes.
I just today traded my VTX1800C for a new FZ6.
- Troy

Congratulations on the new FZ6 and welcome to the forum, Troy. I have nothing to add to what the others have said. Have fun and enjoy the FZ6!

 

[champion221elite]

Oh, and if anyone can tell me about this 78HP vs. 98 HP version thing I've
seen floating around the forum? Is the lesser horsepower bike just in Europe? My owner's manual says mine is an FZ6X(C). Does that mean
lame, or good?

My 2008 FZ6 manual says the same thing... FZ6X(C). You've got the 98 hp version! The 78 hp version is sold in markets where beginner riders must "graduate" to the higher HP bikes. My bike also came with a certificate from Yamaha that lists the horsepower at 124 hp SAE. I'm guessing that must be rated at the crankshaft, whereas 98 is rear wheel HP.

 

[troyw]

Well, ok now, I just got back from about 2-3 hours of riding up in
the mountains here where I live in northern GA. I know it's break-in
time, but I couldn't resist just whomping it open in 2nd and 3rd just
a couple times right to the red, then let it spool down (kinda the motoman
break-in way). I did some revvin' around a bit too, but trying not to beat
on it, not that I would anyway, but just spirited riding. I gotta say...
HOLY SHNIKEEZ is this "little" bike fast once it passes 8k rpms.
I mean, I knew it would be, but experiencing the rush is gold.

Most of the time, however, I can only get around 4-6k rpm because there's
ALWAYS some slowpoke in front of me. I hope this won't affect the reliability
and breaking in properly. It just gets up so much speed revving it up that
90% of the time I just don't have the running room.

But, still, that's the most fun I've had on a bike in a looong time. I don't
miss my 1800 so much now! WOO HOO!!:rockon:

Troy

 

[opds9091]

well ounce again welcome and enjoy the fizzer. After the break in the bike loves to be reved and ridden at around 5500-6500 all the time. I ride at 6k all the time and just hit the throttle and swoosh. I ride at 6k all the time and if i need it to get up and go in a hurry, just pop it down one gear, hit the throttle and no joke you are gone. I did the sprocket mods so like i said before, if i need it to go and go quick, i pop it down hold on and it just takes off like a good NOS shot and i can feel the front wheel come off the ground. You can't compare your old bike to the fizzer, but ounce you get use to it, you will be impressed.

 

[troyw]

Yup. I'm already impressed. If my ride today is any indication, then perhaps
I may not need to think about "upgrading" to the FZ1 in 1-2 years.
Maybe I'll just do all the mods & spend the $$ on this bike here...
starting with lowering springs from Hyper Pro so I can touch the ground
better...LOL!:rockon:

- T.