Dennis in NH
Member
Sorry for the delay folks. Been busy trying to get the sold aftermarket parts shipped. I hate mail order due to delays and I hope that I can reduce that delay for those who bought.
I took off most of the after market stuff and traded the 2008 FZ6 (almost stock). I had a lot of fun with it and will miss that bike -- the mods/modding, fun just riding the heck out of it, and discussions about problems, issues, mods, etc. I always had that super sport thing in my head and everything I did to the bike was to make it more of a super sport. The bike ended up as a great machine.
Here's what I got:
2009 Yamaha R6 (black and gold). Well red matched my race suit (but I'll rarely wear it), I love blue (but it was just a little to light for me), the black just looked so sexy, I figured if I didn't get it, I'd always be thinking about it (plus, finally my helmet matches -- Shoei Strife
).
I really love new bikes because I like learning how to really ride them and getting them setup; I hate new bikes because it takes time to get them to where you want them and break in sucks.
First day, this bike felt like I was leaning forward; turns and hanging off felt so unnatural. Break in and keeping it under 8.3K RPM (plus varying RPM) was tough esp. on the highway; I was also trying to break in the brakes so I'm rev'ing, braking, etc. I kept leaning too far forward and blipping the throttle accidentally. Shifting was inconsistent -- maybe it's just a new bike feel? This bike sucked.
Second day, I adjusted front/rear preload (using someone else's settings who weighs close to my weight). I also adjust shift rod; tried to go to work and couldn't even shift to third gear -- I kept envisioning a visit to the dealer, etc. I go back home and adjust the shift rod the other direction and now I can shift. I ride and the feel is too rough. I stop again for fuel and reduce front preload a little and adjust the shift rod to remove the little bit of play between my foot and the shifter. Woohoo! now I can shift and it's smooth.
Third day (today), I have 200 miles on it so now I'm opening it up just a little more. This bike feels very natural now and shifting is super smooth most of the time -- still a little learning curve here. Hanging off feels more natural and I'm not feeling like I'm leaning forward. This bike really rocks :rockon:; now I understand when they say it's a razor sharp cornering machine. It corners precisely like a scalpel; quite amazing. I think this bike feels most natural when it's leaned over (it seems to like that position).
Bottom line, it needed some adjustments (but that's what I love/hate about new bikes). Oh, I put my speedohealer on (removed from the FZ6) and now I have a real speedometer. I'm looking into a fender eliminator soon.
My back is working on adapting to hunching over and I'm working on ways to relax it while riding. I haven't gone on a long ride yet but I'm working my way up. My thighs are a little sore from squeezing the tank (I think I need a Thighmaster) but I'll work on that too. Back of my neck is getting better -- I'm getting a double bubble shield to help this.
Anyway, really fun bike.
Today was pretty hot here in NH and sun was good so it was a good time to take pics. I think I need to work on my tan.
Dennis
I took off most of the after market stuff and traded the 2008 FZ6 (almost stock). I had a lot of fun with it and will miss that bike -- the mods/modding, fun just riding the heck out of it, and discussions about problems, issues, mods, etc. I always had that super sport thing in my head and everything I did to the bike was to make it more of a super sport. The bike ended up as a great machine.
Here's what I got:
2009 Yamaha R6 (black and gold). Well red matched my race suit (but I'll rarely wear it), I love blue (but it was just a little to light for me), the black just looked so sexy, I figured if I didn't get it, I'd always be thinking about it (plus, finally my helmet matches -- Shoei Strife
).I really love new bikes because I like learning how to really ride them and getting them setup; I hate new bikes because it takes time to get them to where you want them and break in sucks.
First day, this bike felt like I was leaning forward; turns and hanging off felt so unnatural. Break in and keeping it under 8.3K RPM (plus varying RPM) was tough esp. on the highway; I was also trying to break in the brakes so I'm rev'ing, braking, etc. I kept leaning too far forward and blipping the throttle accidentally. Shifting was inconsistent -- maybe it's just a new bike feel? This bike sucked.
Second day, I adjusted front/rear preload (using someone else's settings who weighs close to my weight). I also adjust shift rod; tried to go to work and couldn't even shift to third gear -- I kept envisioning a visit to the dealer, etc. I go back home and adjust the shift rod the other direction and now I can shift. I ride and the feel is too rough. I stop again for fuel and reduce front preload a little and adjust the shift rod to remove the little bit of play between my foot and the shifter. Woohoo! now I can shift and it's smooth.
Third day (today), I have 200 miles on it so now I'm opening it up just a little more. This bike feels very natural now and shifting is super smooth most of the time -- still a little learning curve here. Hanging off feels more natural and I'm not feeling like I'm leaning forward. This bike really rocks :rockon:; now I understand when they say it's a razor sharp cornering machine. It corners precisely like a scalpel; quite amazing. I think this bike feels most natural when it's leaned over (it seems to like that position).
Bottom line, it needed some adjustments (but that's what I love/hate about new bikes). Oh, I put my speedohealer on (removed from the FZ6) and now I have a real speedometer. I'm looking into a fender eliminator soon.
My back is working on adapting to hunching over and I'm working on ways to relax it while riding. I haven't gone on a long ride yet but I'm working my way up. My thighs are a little sore from squeezing the tank (I think I need a Thighmaster) but I'll work on that too. Back of my neck is getting better -- I'm getting a double bubble shield to help this.
Anyway, really fun bike.
Today was pretty hot here in NH and sun was good so it was a good time to take pics. I think I need to work on my tan
.
Dennis
