My new Fizz, some questions...

[kdog209]

Hi all, my name is Kris and I'm a fairly new rider. I finally pulled the trigger on an FZ6 - albiet the wrong time of year. I was able to score an '08 that had 5,800 miles for $3100. I wanted cobalt blue but the black looks slick too. This is my second bike after a short stint with the TW200. First impressions: throttle a bit jerky but super comfy and smooth on the highway. Being new to motorcycling my questions are:

1) How many miles are the tires rated for and what is the best replacement tires?
2) The previous owner had a 600 and 2400 mile service done, so he could rev it out properly he told me. Should I get a 6000 mile service or oil change?
3) There is a small dent (3-4 inches) on the tank's left side towards the front. It fell over while stopped. What's the best way to remove this dent or should I just buy a new tank?
4) Being in the Northeast is it necessary to 'winterize' the bike or can I get away with starting it up once a week and moving it around?

Thanks for any input and nice meeting you all! Enjoy the pics!

 

[VEGASRIDER]

Welcome to the forum, you sure ask a lot questions. But they are all great questions which can and have already been answered. As a member, you can take advantage of the extra features, like the search tab right up a the top, type in the key word or words, like "Dent Removal" or "Tires" and Bingo, it works just like Google.

 

[Botch]

$3100 for an '08!!! Congrats on the great deal, and Welcome! :thumbup:

 

[wrightme43]

Welcome to the site man. Great deal on that bike.

Just leave the dent. Every time I fix something on the bike, I do something worse. I am starting to think if I had just left the little bitty scratch alone..... LOL LOL

Tires will last different depending on you the rider. Find the wear bars and when they are even with the tread in the center remove and replace the tires.

Mich. Pilot Road and Pilot road 2ct are highly reccomended. I have Avon Storms and this set is wearing great. The first set didnt do so hot.

Do you have some mechanical ability? If so you can do pretty much all the maintence yourself. Its easy.

 

[DefyInertia]

Find the full PDF service manual available on this site, change the oil/filter and check the bike over completely. If you're not mechanically inclinded, you can find a friend or pay someone else to do it (dealerships will be VERY expensive and no one cares about your bike and your safety more than YOU do).

There is lots of information on this site and the internet regarding winterization. Generally, starting the bike 1/week is not advisable unless you're really riding it (cold starts FTL).

Forget the dent for now and get some frame sliders!!!!!!!

 

[kdog209]

Guys, thanks for the welcome, I'll try to make my inqueries shorter next time.

I actually paid $3200 after a $100 fee for having it brought to me. It was orginally listed for $3500; the owner was looking to get rid of it fast. The bike was heavily used and pretty beat up but functionally sound and still in-warranty.

I must say I'm hooked. It was almost 50 degrees today in NJ. Tomorrow suppose to be over 60F cannot wait for the night to pass. I think the FZ6 is all the bike I'll ever need. I got fizzer fever and I got it bad. Winter stay away!

 

[Shafe716]

Hi all, my name is Kris and I'm a fairly new rider. I finally pulled the trigger on an FZ6 - albiet the wrong time of year. I was able to score an '08 that had 5,800 miles for $3100. I wanted cobalt blue but the black looks slick too. This is my second bike after a short stint with the TW200. First impressions: throttle a bit jerky but super comfy and smooth on the highway. Being new to motorcycling my questions are:

1) How many miles are the tires rated for and what is the best replacement tires?
2) The previous owner had a 600 and 2400 mile service done, so he could rev it out properly he told me. Should I get a 6000 mile service or oil change?
3) There is a small dent (3-4 inches) on the tank's left side towards the front. It fell over while stopped. What's the best way to remove this dent or should I just buy a new tank?
4) Being in the Northeast is it necessary to 'winterize' the bike or can I get away with starting it up once a week and moving it around?

Thanks for any input and nice meeting you all! Enjoy the pics!

Welcome!:welcome: Sweet deal on that bike. you got a steal!

Not sure about the tires but the oil has been well discussed on the forum to the point where people have gotten into molecular differences of different oils (kind of exaggerating.... but not by much)

as far as the dent, I say just leave it. but if it really bothers you, there are typically some tanks on ebay for sale. you might have to have it painted to match(which also might be the perfect time for some custom paint :thumbup

For winterizing... fresh oil and lube the shiat out of your chain. Depending on where in Jersey you live you might be able to ride it all year. Or at least take it out on the warm days for a short ride to keep everything lubed and happy.

The best thing you can do as maintenance for your bike is make sure the chain is lubed. I didn't think it was that big of a deal (against pretty much every recommendation on this forum:spank I didn't lube at all. I figured my first dealer service was enough. So my chain was only lubed 2 times before I put it up for the winter. I was doing the oil change and lubing the chain and I noticed a very small amount of rust on the chain because I wasn't keeping up on it. My advice? Buy some lube and use it like a porn star! .... just to be clear that means a lot.... not sexually.

 

[opds9091]

Welcome congrats on the bike sounds like it was a steel. As far as the dent, depending on the location on the tank, if you lift up the tank and look to see if it possible to get to, IMOP i would use a rubber mallet and see if you can bang or ping it out.

 

[MisterX]

:welcome:

Wow! Fantastic price for the bike. For an '08 model at that. :thumbup: As for the dent in the tank, as Shafe716 mentioned, you can find some pretty good deals on eBay, or if not there, then I'm sure you'll be able to find them elsewhere on the Web for a decent price. Regardless, welcome to the forum.

 

[CrioGeniC]

1) How many miles are the tires rated for and what is the best replacement tires?

Tires mileage varies from tire to tire, but yeah, you should be able to check the wear bars and be able to tell if it is time for some new tread.

2) The previous owner had a 600 and 2400 mile service done, so he could rev it out properly he told me. Should I get a 6000 mile service or oil change?

You should be able to use the site and check all the fluids and be good to go. Just my opinion, but first thing I would do is change the oil and filter so you know exactly when it was done last.

3) There is a small dent (3-4 inches) on the tank's left side towards the front. It fell over while stopped. What's the best way to remove this dent or should I just buy a new tank?

If the dent didnt break the paint, I wouldnt worry to much about it.

4) Being in the Northeast is it necessary to 'winterize' the bike or can I get away with starting it up once a week and moving it around?

Are you able to store the bike somewhere out of the elements? If so, I would start it up every few days and maybe take it for a quick spin when ever you can. If not, would look at making sure all the fluids are good to and get a cover for it, and possibly a battery tender to keep the charge up.

btw, really nice bike for a great price. You are going to love the FZ6. Awesome all around do everything bike.

 

[Fz6Sa]

1) How many miles are the tires rated for and what is the best replacement tires?

It really depends on your driving-style, - do a burnout and the tire is gone in less that a mile :Flash:.

3) There is a small dent (3-4 inches) on the tank's left side towards the front. It fell over while stopped. What's the best way to remove this dent or should I just buy a new tank?

Try putting a vacuum suction piece on it, - I've seen my local car dude do it on small dents in cars, - it might work for you also.