New member

[alarue]

Just signed up. Had to to see a picture on a thread I had googled!

Anyway, I'm a Houston, TX area guy who has been without a motorcycle for about 2 years. I've had 3 since 2003: A 2000 VStar Classic (650), a 2002 FZ1, and a 2000 Honda Shadow Aero (1100).

I have the itch really badly right now, and I'm leaning toward an FZ6. That's actually what I went in to look at in June 2004, but there were none in stock; they had some 2-year-old unsold FZ1s that they'd brought up from a store in Victoria, and they gave me one for the then FZ6 price ($6499).

Anyway, Tejas Motorsports in Highlands, TX currently advertises $5999 for both the FZ6 and FZ6R. There's a Kawa dealer about 30 miles away that has 650Rs for $4999... similar bike, huge price difference. Maybe Tejas can be swayed into dropping some off.

Have to say, what I really, really want is a Honda NT700V. I can see myself riding that even when the temperatures drop into the upper 30s, and our sunniest days here tend to be in the winter time. Not sure I can come to terms with a $9000 price tag, though. With that in mind, the FZ6 is probably the bike for me.

Only thing that concerns me is the under-seat exhaust. Is that hot on the passenger, or is it pretty well insulated?

I'm a old guy, I suppose... turned 50 in January. Could be part of why the "standard ergo" bike appeals to me.

 

[kyle]

Welcome. I considered a 650R myself. The FZ6 sits quite a bit more sport-bikish in my opinion. I just installed some SW Motech risers and it's really comfortable now. I'd imagine you'd want to go that route, too.

I test rode the 650R, but while it was comfortable, it was way different. Brakes are not as strong - require a bit more squeeze than the Fazer, but some people probably like that better and see it as more laid back. Definitely not as zippy as the Fazer, either - but it was fun in it's own way with the mid range being stronger as a parallel twin.

I've only done a small amount of two-up riding in the short time I've had it, and I don't recall any complaints about the seat being hot, but I have felt my tail bags after being in stop-go traffic for a while, and I can tell there is a bit of heat there.

If you got the FZ6 route, you should definitely consider used. I only paid $3,500 for my '05 with only 10k miles and I've seen some even better deals on craigslist and elsewhere since. Some really clean late models were listed on Ebay around the time I bought mine, but too far away to make it worthwhile for me.

 

[Motogiro]

:welcome: alarue! I have a brother that lives in Houston.
Sounds like you've got a few bikes to choose from and the FZ6 is an awesome bike with great dynamic qualities. If you're looking for more shelter in the winter the NT does have that taller adjustable windshield but won't have the power plant or the handling the FZ6 has. The FZ6 will lack a little out of the hole in lower RPMs compared to the inline and V twins of the same displacement but then the FZ6 will make you proud when it's comes into it power band.
Enjoy the forum! There are a lot of great folks and good info here.

 

[alarue]

Thanks, guys.

Yes, new ones are going cheap right now, but there are some almost reasonable asking prices on Craigslist, and they don't say "firm". I was actually thinking "new" until I read your comments, but that would be foolish for various reasons right now.

 

[texcollect]

I have an Fz6 and live in Houston. I don't remember feeling the exhaust through the seat. My riding buddy has an FZ6R and I think you feel more heat from the engine of the 6 as there isn't the plastic there to shield it duct it away from your legs.

One thing to remember is that the silver you see under the seat of an FZ6 is a PLASTIC cover on the exhaust so it can't get too hot !!