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Time to build me an FZ6 Touring bike! Help!

Wolfman

Wolfman

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Ok, i have just finished making my black FZ6 into a no comprimises canyon carver, by putting clip-ons on, and the associated steering stop...which makes manouvering the bike when parked real fun...not!, and makes the riding position, anything but "touring".

And i like to do a bit of Touring...in fact i love going on big Interstate Rides...

My original plan was to sell my other FZ6 (07 Ex FZ6 Cup bike converted back to pretty much fully OEM spec), and get myself a dedicated touring bike! Then tonight, i rode this bike from my old workshop to my new workshop, and i realised that i was making a mistake to sell the bike....it is in near perfect condition, and only has 6000km's on it...

I was sitting on the perfect touring bike for me...a stock standard FZ6 with factory gearing, suspension, footpegs, quiet exhaust, upright bars, etc, etc...

I even have a lot of the stuff to make this bike into a great touring bike. I have a Bagster Tank Bra & Bag, A Yamaha Screen, Powermadd hand guards, Yamaha Top Case rack & Top Case, and a Garmin GPS.

Am thinking that i should get some hard panniers, heated grips, a power outlet for my GPS, and other stuff...

Now i have never really researched this touring stuff much, and have no idea what is available in terms of hard panniers, and mounting hardware, and which brands work best, and, or are the best value for money...

So if anyone wants to point me in the right direction re what panniers to get, that would be awesome...

Is there anything else i need, that i have not thought of...

This bike will be all about comfort, and usefulness when touring...carrying capacity, etc...

Going to get started later tonight, and start putting what i do have for touring, and start putting it on the bike...This bike will become my everyday bike...

:thumbup:
 
Im not sure about everyone else but if i was building my fz for just touring I'd put full fairings on it. Dont really have a reason, it just seems they would bring the touring look/feel/operation to the bike
 
I liked the idea someone had to slap some foot pegs to Givi engine guard... Looked odd but wow would it be nice to stretch every once in a while

I love the look of the "hooked up" Givi set with the sides and top box lit up and functional...
 
what you have mentioned is pretty much what you need to do.

+ touring windscreen (windshield). i have the large givi windshield which is excellent.
+ topbox
+ semi-hard or hard side panniers
+ gps mount
+ 12v cig socket for charging of gps, phone
+ suspension. to me, be it track or touring or daily use, changing to better suspensions is a very good upgrade.
 
+1 for the fairings. Paniers:
- Cortech are used by many people here
- "Oxford first time panniers" is what I used

If you're going to be touring a lot, condider the hard luggage. I miss the touring cababilities of my FZ6....and I only appreciated it's ability to tour when I got the CBR. HTH

Now let's go see what Jorge Pedrosa and Stoner can do :)
 
Twitch said:
Im not sure about everyone else but if i was building my fz for just touring I'd put full fairings on it. Dont really have a reason, it just seems they would bring the touring look/feel/operation to the bike
Click to expand...

I have toured on an FZ6 without fairing's and didnt find it a problem, to convert the bike to an S model could be quite expensive...
 
The one thing when touring is your going to see different kinds of weather while your on the road. Having an oversized wind screen to hide behind is nice. I've thought about adding the full fairings because at times when it's cold out I wish I could hide the rest of me behind it too. Just a break from the wind or rain.

I don't know if my expectations are off, but I've understood the fairing helps move that wind around you.
 
The main concern/problem for me when I toured with the FZ6 was the extra weight on the back. I had a lot of stuff with tent etc and it made it heavy. First problem was it was a bit tall and second the suspension wasn't good for the extra weight. Hopefully height isn't a problem for you, but if it is, you could buy the lowered Hyperpro spring and/or shave the seat (especially the sides) and maybe use better foam so you get better comfort than stock with less height. I dropped mine twice when turning round in roads etc as it was heavy and too tall with all the stuff on the back.

Also, a waterproof sat nav cover is useful (although that may not be needed in oz). Here in the UK I always plan for the worst weather.
 
For the panniers, go with the Givi V35 side cases. They are very large and fit the bike well. They almost look stock.

Don't get the Givi racks, though. Get the SW-Motech racks instead. The GIVI racks are permanently on the bike. The Motech racks come off in less than a minute using only a flat bladed screwdriver.

Here are some pictures of the Motech rack, and then off of my bike.
Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum - Fred's Album: V35

Budget for tires and know where you can get a new one. A loaded FZ6 will eat rear tires at an impressive rate. Going to a touring tire will help some, but not as much as I'd hoped. My old K75 got 10,000 miles out of the Dunlop 491 rear tire. I can't seem to get more than 4,000 miles out of any tire on the FZ6.
 
I'd go for the Givi V35s if I had a spare 800 bucks layin around. Awesome setup, but certainly not cheap. I've been touring with a set of Fieldsheer Expander saddlebags for a couple of years now. They're nothing to brag about, but they work and they cost me $100.

I hope to get a top box at some point.

Major concern for touring: the seat. I've had my bike since buying it new in 07, and for some reason the seat didn't bother me too much until this year. Now it maddens me. Seems most on this forum go with a Corbin or TS replacement. I'm looking into them both.
 
As I mentioned in my SS1000 thread, the only things I am missing is a better seat, and a throttle control, keeping in mind that I have the full fairing mounted, which brings me good protection from wind & water.

That being said, I know that many tourers like the Givi side & top bag sets, - I however feel that it ruins the bike. If I wanted side and/or top packs, I would go for a FJR1300 instead. This is however just my own opinion, and I know that many tourers disagree with me on this.
 
Definitely put a fairing on there if you're really going to tour. A full bolt on fairing with front stay, blinkers, lights, etc. etc. goes for around $300 USD.
 
This just came to mind:

Talking touring, a MUST is watertight!,- Meaning that all additions are watertight (Extra plugs, cameras, GPS etc.)
When touring you don't have the option not to go out in the rain, - every once in a while you will be caught by it, - and as always, best be prepared.
 
my wish list (partially completed) for long distance riding comfort as follows:

TALL windshield, I like the solution posted up here by Willard, MadStad Robobrackets

SW Motech bar riser/bar back kit

lead shot filled bars, updated grips, throttle hand cramp buster

lowered foot pegs, engine guard with highway pegs

updated seat

storage based on budget (few hundred for soft luggage, grand for Givi rigging)

quiet helmet, versatile (multi temp-water proof) jacket
 
Givi V35. pricey, but worth it.
Throttlemeister or some other type of throttle lock. I wish there was a REAL cruise control that wasn't rediculously overpriced.
Fairings are practical, but for me they kill the charm of the FZ. (Yeah Yeah, this from a guy who has a BMW RT)
Seat/pegs/bar riser to your preference.
I saw the thread with the forward pegs added to the Givi engine guard. I've got the guard, and been meaning to get some pegs on there.
 
I'm going to follow this. I want to figure out how to get some types of pegs on some type of engine guard. My 6'3" frame sees my legs aching on the long hauls.

I'll try to research that as well.
 
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