Fazer 600 - what's the bike like?

[slowkitty]

Hiya,

I am looking to buy a FZ600 soon, and I came across this forum and WOW!

I would like to know if there are any issues that I need to think about before taking the plunge? I will be using it mainly for touring, and I do love the underseat exhausts.

Anything to watch out for when looking at a pre-owned machine?

thanks so much ... :Flash:

 

[nimzotech]

Hello Kitty! - you're a Female right?

Welcome to the Forum
The FZ6 is fast, nimble, comfortable, looks great, and has no mechanical issues. It is my first bike and I also liked it for the underseat exhausts. I tried the SV650, but FZ6 was the better fit and looked better. I am glad I chose it.

 

[HavBlue]

Welcome Kitty. How long have you been riding? Is this your first bike? I have had zero problems with mine in over 14,000 miles.

 

[Admin]

Welcome to the site Slow Kitty.... Glad you found us:thumbup:

 

[Nelly]

Hi Kitty,
Welcome to our happy band of brothers & sisters. There were a few recalls on the 2004 model. These were sorted under Yamaha warrenty. Defynertia has recently posted an answer to this question. Other than that some riders report a slightly tappy valve train.
I have 6000 miles on my bile and no problems todate. You can use the search option to find moat answers your looking for.

Neil

 

[mrvica]

Bike is great. I have FZ6 Fazer S2 and I it's jusr like the picture :Sport: :thumbup:

 

[slowkitty]

Hello Kitty! - you're a Female right?

what makes you say that?! I am curious? All will be revealed ..... (ain't that mysterious?)

I tried sitting on one, had to tip toe. Love the underseat exhausts, and the cooooooool factor! How does the bike handle at low speed? I have been riding a small bike, this will be a big one :Flash:

 

[HavBlue]

I tried sitting on one, had to tip toe. Love the underseat exhausts, and the cooooooool factor! How does the bike handle at low speed? I have been riding a small bike, this will be a big one

Define small bike? The FZ6 handles well at 5mph or 75mph but I would not say it is an entry level bike although I have heard of folks that have purchased them as their first bike after completing an MSF class.

 

[steveindenmark]

what makes you say that?! I am curious? All will be revealed ..... (ain't that mysterious?)

I tried sitting on one, had to tip toe. Love the underseat exhausts, and the cooooooool factor! How does the bike handle at low speed? I have been riding a small bike, this will be a big one :Flash:

I had to tip toe on mine as well Kitty so I bought another seat from Yamaha which is 3cm lower than the original seat. It has made a huge difference to me.

Welcome to the group. You will find it very useful to be a member in here.

Steve

 

[steveindenmark]

Define small bike? The FZ6 handles well at 5mph or 75mph but I would not say it is an entry level bike although I have heard of folks that have purchased them as their first bike after completing an MSF class.

I also have the opinion the FZ6 is a small bike in comparison to my 800 Intruder. By small I mean in size and not in power, in fact it feels very small when I sit on it.

The insecurity feeling is wearing off as I cover more kms, my Intruder was set up to feel like an armchair and I am now getting used to the balancing act.

In the real world I would think it is classed as a mid sized bike.

Great fun.

Steve

 

[slowkitty]

As it is I am appreciative of the responses.

I have asked around and some views (ironically from non-FZ6 riders) are that the bike "does not have a low end" and "only usable power is at high speeds". I reckon I'll find out the truth from FZ6 riders themselves; are these statements accurate or to be taken with a pinch / bucket / tone of salt?

 

[photoandrew]

As it is I am appreciative of the responses.

I have asked around and some views (ironically from non-FZ6 riders) are that the bike "does not have a low end" and "only usable power is at high speeds". I reckon I'll find out the truth from FZ6 riders themselves; are these statements accurate or to be taken with a pinch / bucket / tone of salt?

Helo and welcome.

I got myself a FZ6 recently and I was gong thru everything you are going now But I am happy I got FZ6!

So far I have done only 1000 miles therefore I can't give you comprehensive review. But...

FZ6 looks like a big bike for a beginner, but once you are on it, you realize it is not that bad after all. It is new construction and it is well engineered. It feels just right, comfortable and it is easy, enjoyable to ride for a new rider.

When I was deciding what to buy, I read reviews saying that the fz6 lacks power at low end and I was worried about that. But I spoke to my good friend who has ridden many bikes and he said that's not true and there is nothing to worry about.
And now I can say he was right. Do not worry about it. Fz6 is revvy but it is not a bad thing.
Or I will put it this way - fz6 may feel underpowered at the low end
ONLY IF COMPARED to what is happening after 7-8 k rpm, as then it is really fast. So in basic words you will have more power from 2k to 14k that you will need for a while.

So stop worrying and get one, train and enjoy .:rockon: :thumbup:

Just remember to take it easy at the beginning.

Good luck.

Andrew

 

[Doorag]

Welcome Kitty.

Funny that you ask about the lack of power in the low-rev range. I was just thinking about that the other day while I was riding on the motorway and I came to the conclusion that I think it's a good thing for a new 'big bike' (i.e. 600cc v 125cc) rider. Let me explain...

If I'm not feeling confident on a particular day, I just keep the bike in high gears at low revs and the power is more manageable.

On those days when I'm feeling more confident and looking to 'play' a bit, I do the opposite - keep in the lower gears with higher revs. The bike is very quick and responsive when riding this way. Frankly, most of the time it's way beyond my ability so I have to be careful.

It is a different machine depending on which way someone rides it. That's what I love about it. I will be able to grow with it over time as my skills improve.

I hope that helps.

 

[HavBlue]

There seems to be a thought process (mostly from prospective new riders) that if someone is regarded as mature in terms of age and skills, or IS more mature, they will somehow be safer. This is incorrect. Even if someone practices restraint on a throttle, it doesn't mean they're mitigating all risk or even some risk. It goes back to learning. If you've ridden for any length of time, you know that throttle is not everything and there is so much more to riding. The act of riding a smaller bike and acquiring the skills necessary to maintain a respective safety level on that smaller bike by no means offers that same safety level on another bike, a larger bike, a more powerful bike and so on. That smaller less powerful bike may allow a full twist of the throttle to gain full power while a sportbike offers a quarter turn to be in warp drive. So, each bike becomes a new starting point and while the rider may have skills, those skills may in fact be underdeveloped for the new bike. Once again the rider will find the need to bond with the machine in an effort to become as safe as they can be. In any case this is a learning curve that all riders face.

 

[steveindenmark]

My opinion is that up to 7000RPM it is more like a touring bike...over 7000RPM its a racer.

It has plenty of speed all over the board. I have ridden with bikes up 1400cc and have no problems in riding with them.

The FZ6 will go in excess of 200kph. That is plenty fast enough for most people.

Steve

 

[Raid The Revenge]

Hi slowkitty!

I like the FZ6 because it has a beautiful 'Diamond Frame,' with a short wheel-base and wonderful handling. This will help you! The overall design is so elegant, you'll pass all your future STAT. INSPECTIONS with ease. Plus! The engine is liquid cooled, so you won't overheat your engine if you sit idle in traffic for a long time.

The FZ6 is a pet so simple to maintain; even I can do it! It also drinks regular fuel, so you can save a few S$'s in that piggybank too.

You will need a CLASS 2 MOTORCYCLE license to drive an FZ6 in Singapore. It is a good idea to look for places you can park for cheap or free. On July 1st 2008, there will be a 15% Road Tax reduction for all vehicles! Here's the yucky formula for an FZ6:

ROAD TAX FZ6 from JULY 1st 2008 (6 months)
[$40 + $0.15(EC – 200)] x 0.782

I got Claud to figure this out. He said that if the FZ6 was rounded to 600cc then the price of ROAD TAX for every 6 MONTHS, after July 1st 2008, would be S$78.2. That's really cheap! Registration fee is S$140 and Additional Reg. Fee is 15% of OMV. This doesn't include the Excise Tax of 12% of OMV.

(People in North America should feel grateful that they don't have to tolerate these fees!)

Claud told me that lots of people in Singapore are scared of the number 4. Try to avoid that number. They don't like it. I wonder why? And you're NOT allowed to wear a reflective-visor on your helmet in Singapore. The cops gave him trouble for that too.

The FZ6 is a BIG BIKE in Singapore. Therefore, if you don't want to get one, then that's okay. I'll still be your friend!

PS- Your English is outstanding! Where did you learn to type so well?

 

[jamesfz6]

Hiya,

I am looking to buy a FZ600 soon, and I came across this forum and WOW!

I would like to know if there are any issues that I need to think about before taking the plunge? I will be using it mainly for touring, and I do love the underseat exhausts.

Anything to watch out for when looking at a pre-owned machine?

thanks so much ... :Flash:

The only issue i can think of is..........how good are you at handling addictions?


They are addicting!

 

[HavBlue]

The only issue i can think of is..........how good are you at handling addictions?


They are addicting!

Man I failed that one as I have almost a dozen addictions and my own dirt track too..... giggle, giggle