FZ6 makes you a better rider

[jmerch44]

I own a 2007 FZ6, It's my first bike. I recently rhode my friends gsx-r 600, I noticed that the power and shifting came alot smoother than that of the FZ6. When I accelerated I found myself anticipating the jerk as I shifted from 1st to 2nd, but it never happened. I was kind of amazed at how easy it was to operate the gsx-r 600 in comparison to the FZ6. So I got to thinking, If you come to shift and accelerate smoothly with the FZ6, then you should be golden on any other bike. this makes the FZ6 a great starter bike if you ask me. Also, the Fz6 has no steering damper, soft suspension and mediocre tires, I can almost drag a knee on my stock FZ6, so a sport bike (once adjusted to the new riding position) should actually be quite simple to ride. Am I wrong?

 

[fz6nick]

I dont believe thats true.
Its the rider that makes the bike, not the bike that makes the rider.
Just because your on a cbr1000 doesnt mean your good
Its kinda like saying masturbating will make you better in bed.

 

[OZXJR]

Its kinda like saying masturbating will make you better in bed.

So thats why I never get laid

 

[jmerch44]

I dont believe thats true.
Its the rider that makes the bike, not the bike that makes the rider.
Just because your on a cbr1000 doesnt mean your good
Its kinda like saying masturbating will make you better in bed.

im not saying it would make the rider completely, thats just taking what i said out of context. all i,m saying is there are certain things about the fz6, that if mastered, would be alot easier to do on other bikes. in order for this to happen the rider has to be good already, i assumed this in the first post.

 

[Howattzer]

I agree with the first post. If a rider learns to be quick and smooth on an FZ6 that has medicore suspension, tires, etc... that same person would be smoother on a bike that has better handling, suspension, tires, etc... right out of the box.

If a driver is fast in a mid 90's Ford Escort, that same driver using his skills learned in the Escort would be even faster in 2008 Porsche.

I'm not saying that an FZ6 is an Escort. I really do love our bikes.

"Its kinda like saying masturbating will make you better in bed." Exactly. Don't expect me to run a marathon when I train to be sprinter.

 

[DefyInertia]

Whether it be the track or the street, the bike is only a small part of the equation when it comes to how well you're riding. I get what you're saying, but relatively speaking, I think you're extending the theory too far.

If you come to shift and accelerate smoothly with the FZ6, then you should be golden on any other bike. this makes the FZ6 a great starter bike if you ask me.

Interesting thought process.

 

[jmerch44]

I think some people are reading to much into this post. I'm not saying that the fz6 will teach you how to ride, I'm just saying in comparison to other bikes, the fz6 is harder to operate to a certain degree. the fz6 is completely dependant on your input. there is no steering damper, no adjustable front suspension, mediocre tires, no ABS, no slipper clutch, Etc... whatever you do, the bike responds to, theres no buffer between you and your mistakes. it's like driving a 1958 impala 100 miles on a track, the car is harder to control because there is no technology to make up for human error. but if you get out of the impala and into a 2008 ferrari, you will immediatly notice the difference, and if you were really good driving the impala, you'll be better driving the ferrari. the Impala won't teach you how to drive!

 

[Shafe716]

I own a 2007 FZ6, It's my first bike. I recently rhode my friends gsx-r 600, I noticed that the power and shifting came alot smoother than that of the FZ6. When I accelerated I found myself anticipating the jerk as I shifted from 1st to 2nd, but it never happened. I was kind of amazed at how easy it was to operate the gsx-r 600 in comparison to the FZ6. So I got to thinking, If you come to shift and accelerate smoothly with the FZ6, then you should be golden on any other bike. this makes the FZ6 a great starter bike if you ask me. Also, the Fz6 has no steering damper, soft suspension and mediocre tires, I can almost drag a knee on my stock FZ6, so a sport bike (once adjusted to the new riding position) should actually be quite simple to ride. Am I wrong?

Agreed 100% FTW!!!!! :Flip:

 

[agmom98]

If you come to shift and accelerate smoothly with the FZ6, then you should be golden on any other bike.

I'm following this logic, mostly, but it's all relative. Don't assume that every other bike will be easier to ride by comparison to an FZ6. Each motorcycle brand/model has its own riding/handling quirks. Ask a Harley rider how his clutch hand feels after a long session of stop-and-go traffic. Ask the rider of a BMW K1200LT or a Honda ST1300 how his bike handles after having to do an emergency evasive maneuver while going slow in a parking lot. Watch riders of cruiser-style motorcycles with their long wheel base and extended front end rake try to do a U-turn in a tight space.

Besides my FZ, I also ride a BMW, which is notoriously finicky when it comes to shifting...RPM's must be spot-on for a smooth shift, and preloading the shifter and only pulling the clutch lever in just enough to permit the shift help enormously. So riding my FZ, by comparison, is like the GSX-R felt to you. I've ridden a really wide variety of motorcycles and have to say that the FZ6 was one of the easiest motorcycles to adapt to: very sweet throttle response, excellent handling in slow, tight maneuvers, and I find the rear suspension for my size (120 lb) to be - dare I say it - almost too stiff when I'm not carrying all my loaded up Givi's.

Yes, the FZ front-end is relatively soft and dives on a hard brake, but so do many of the other stock bikes out there. Good braking technique - trailing off the front brake, once the weight shift has stabilized, and easing on the rear as you come to a complete stop - really diminishes that effect.

The OEM Bridgestones on my FZ were replaced almost immediately with Michelin Pilot Roads and the handling, braking, cornering improvements are unbelievable.

I agree that the FZ6 is a very forgiving bike and a good first bike for responsible new riders. But IMO, it's forgiving because it's so darned easy to ride.

 

[Hollow]

I own a 2007 FZ6, It's my first bike. I recently rhode my friends gsx-r 600, I noticed that the power and shifting came alot smoother than that of the FZ6. When I accelerated I found myself anticipating the jerk as I shifted from 1st to 2nd, but it never happened. I was kind of amazed at how easy it was to operate the gsx-r 600 in comparison to the FZ6. So I got to thinking, If you come to shift and accelerate smoothly with the FZ6, then you should be golden on any other bike. this makes the FZ6 a great starter bike if you ask me. Also, the Fz6 has no steering damper, soft suspension and mediocre tires, I can almost drag a knee on my stock FZ6, so a sport bike (once adjusted to the new riding position) should actually be quite simple to ride. Am I wrong?

I see what you are saying jmerch44. I know your not saying riding a bike that is harder to ride makes you the best rider in the world. Your just saying the little things of the bike that make it more difficult to ride will make it more relaxing or in ways easier to ride a bike that has certain features. I would think though any time you buy a bike that is built for both touring and sport you are going to gain and loss things from both catagories. I mean it would be hard to build a bike completely adept and tuned for both catagories. Like for example if you by a all out sports bike it will perform better and worst than a touring bike in different catagories. If you buy a all out touring bike then its just the opposite. But this is just my noobie 2cents worth.

 

[Botch]

The FZ-6 was my first bike too, and the clutch drove me absolutely bonkers, I was constantly stalling the engine (I still do on occasion ).
A month after getting it I finally got into the MSF course, got on a Kawasaki for the weekend, and didn't stall it, once!
So I guess it helped my clutching...

 

[ozzieboy]

Its kinda like saying masturbating will make you better in bed.

It doesn't?


I've had bikes that were a horror to ride and a couple comfortable bikes. This is one of the comfie ones:thumbup:. I've done an overnight camping trip 1100km return. I commute every night with it and it is loads of fun in the twistys. It covers a lot of different areas and so is probably not perfect in any one area but I wouldn't say it was hard to ride. I've never stalled or had any issues other than keeping my right hand under control and my front wheel on the ground:rockon:.
Cheers
Mike