Hi all,
I've been riding the FZ6 for a little over a month now and learned a lot... and forgotten a lot. Now I'm looking for some advice!
Since the beginning of ownership, I've noticed that the FZ6 has a fairly 'clunky' shifter. Going up or down in gear (doesn't matter which) results in a noisy clunk, regardless of clutch position, engine/tran. rpm, etc. The largest clunk is always from neutral to first at a stand still, and the noise gets less and less noticeable as my speed increases and I go to higher gears.
Normally, this wouldn't really raise too many flags in my head because I've heard quieter bikes with louder 'clunks' shifting from neutral. What really gets me thinking though, is that the clunk totally disappears when it is cold. For example, if I start riding while the temperature indicator still says "Lo", then the shifter is like butter, feels fantastic. No noise.
However, as soon as it gets to about 50C+ indicated, the noise starts coming back. At 80C+ indicated, it's as loud as it will get, and it stays that way until I leave the bike and let it cool to <40C again.
My first thought is the oil. Because of the wet clutch, I'm assuming oil has a pretty big impact on shifting. I'm wondering if changing my oil would improve this? I've heard of people switching to synthetic and getting creamy smooth shifts. I have no problem and no apprehension with switching oils. I've been looking at AMSOIL. It's so expensive though...
Anyway, I've spent hundreds of hours reading up on different types of oil and I'll be totally honest.. I'm an idiot with this stuff. I've read all the info and how to determine what oil works best in what temperature and condition, and how to decipher the 10w40 rating or 5w50 or what have you. Nonetheless, I can't figure out which way to go from my current 10w40. There are a lot of options out there, and I don't really care what I put in it as long as it helps smooth the shifting, and the bike will still run in Calgary climate.
I don't know how cold it will be before I quit riding, but I'm open to suggestion from other Calgary riders or anyone in a similar climate!
I changed the oil about two weeks after ownership simply due to the previous owner having left the bike to sit for nearly a year. The previous owner used BelRay 10w40. I switched to Yamalube 10w40. I'll be due for an oil change again in nearly 3000km or so, so please let me know what you think, so that I can start thinking about where to go from here!
Details:
P.S. Please try to keep it semi-dumbed-down. I'm decent with engines, but I'm new to bikes and I'm not a mechanic by any means. My brother is, and he could help me, but I'd like to understand it myself, too!
P.P.S Sinere apologies if this is a double post. I've read so much on this forum about different oils and different noises the bike makes (the infamous 'buzzing', for one), and all of that fun stuff. So if I've missed the one(s) relevant to my post, please redirect me! Thanks!!
Thanks a lot!!
I've been riding the FZ6 for a little over a month now and learned a lot... and forgotten a lot. Now I'm looking for some advice!
Since the beginning of ownership, I've noticed that the FZ6 has a fairly 'clunky' shifter. Going up or down in gear (doesn't matter which) results in a noisy clunk, regardless of clutch position, engine/tran. rpm, etc. The largest clunk is always from neutral to first at a stand still, and the noise gets less and less noticeable as my speed increases and I go to higher gears.
Normally, this wouldn't really raise too many flags in my head because I've heard quieter bikes with louder 'clunks' shifting from neutral. What really gets me thinking though, is that the clunk totally disappears when it is cold. For example, if I start riding while the temperature indicator still says "Lo", then the shifter is like butter, feels fantastic. No noise.
However, as soon as it gets to about 50C+ indicated, the noise starts coming back. At 80C+ indicated, it's as loud as it will get, and it stays that way until I leave the bike and let it cool to <40C again.
My first thought is the oil. Because of the wet clutch, I'm assuming oil has a pretty big impact on shifting. I'm wondering if changing my oil would improve this? I've heard of people switching to synthetic and getting creamy smooth shifts. I have no problem and no apprehension with switching oils. I've been looking at AMSOIL. It's so expensive though...
Anyway, I've spent hundreds of hours reading up on different types of oil and I'll be totally honest.. I'm an idiot with this stuff. I've read all the info and how to determine what oil works best in what temperature and condition, and how to decipher the 10w40 rating or 5w50 or what have you. Nonetheless, I can't figure out which way to go from my current 10w40. There are a lot of options out there, and I don't really care what I put in it as long as it helps smooth the shifting, and the bike will still run in Calgary climate.
I don't know how cold it will be before I quit riding, but I'm open to suggestion from other Calgary riders or anyone in a similar climate!
I changed the oil about two weeks after ownership simply due to the previous owner having left the bike to sit for nearly a year. The previous owner used BelRay 10w40. I switched to Yamalube 10w40. I'll be due for an oil change again in nearly 3000km or so, so please let me know what you think, so that I can start thinking about where to go from here!
Details:
- 2008 FZ6 (SHG model?)
- Purchased at 1400km
- Oil chainged at 1900km.
- Full inspection and maintenance run came up clean from the dealer at 2000km, including all core components + chain, sprockets, tires, brakes, cables, clutch, etc.
- Currently at 4500km's on the odometer (that's 3100km in just over a month of ownership).
- Location is Calgary, Alberta - Canada.
P.S. Please try to keep it semi-dumbed-down. I'm decent with engines, but I'm new to bikes and I'm not a mechanic by any means. My brother is, and he could help me, but I'd like to understand it myself, too!
P.P.S Sinere apologies if this is a double post. I've read so much on this forum about different oils and different noises the bike makes (the infamous 'buzzing', for one), and all of that fun stuff. So if I've missed the one(s) relevant to my post, please redirect me! Thanks!!
Thanks a lot!!