Recent FZ6 Magazine Articles

[cmayer31]

Anyone know of recent reviews/articles for the FZ-6, or comparison reviews with other standard bikes?

I've found quite a few reviews and comparisons of the 2004 model and many note the twitchy throttle and clutch. I was looking to see how "professional" comments on the bike have changed with the remapping that was done in 2006 and 2007.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm 99.6% sure that I'll be a new FZ owners, but I'd like to read up a bit more on the changes through the model years to make the best decision.

Thanks!

[markgm]

The clutch has a small engagement point, I wouldn't call the throttle twitchy on my '04.

[jdager]

the fz6 was my first bike, an '05, I was worried about the reviews that said the throttle was touchy, but I never found it to be so. I really like the throttle response, and think it is very managable, as long as you have the self control to lay off till you get some experience on the bike. the clutch engagement is short, and at the end of the throw, and might take an hour or so to get used to, but again I really like it. I recently rode a crb, with the engagement right next to the grip, and I didnt like it nearly as much. just my 2 cents

[CCHOUSEKY]

Originally Posted by jdager

the fz6 was my first bike, an '05, I was worried about the reviews that said the throttle was touchy, but I never found it to be so. I really like the throttle response, and think it is very managable, as long as you have the self control to lay off till you get some experience on the bike. the clutch engagement is short, and at the end of the throw, and might take an hour or so to get used to, but again I really like it. I recently rode a crb, with the engagement right next to the grip, and I didnt like it nearly as much. just my 2 cents

+1 on all of this. I feel the exact same way on every point. Well, except that the FZ6 was my first bike...but other than that, I agree on everything!

[Parabellum]

Just find a review of the 07 FZ6. It will have the scoop on what the changes did as compared to the previous models (new swingarm, monoblock calipers, engine mapping, instrument cluster, etc...)

[fxclm5]

06 FZ6 was my first bike, clutch engangement area is small like stated, touchy throttle response? well it was my first bike so i made sure to not kill myself so i never really "experienced the touchy throttle" HOWEVER now that ive got over 10k on the bike and feel pretty comfortable to get on it and GOOOOO..... the throttle at cold starts is A LIL touchy, meaning i start it up let it warm up a min... jump on it and go, making the left hand turn outta my driveway i give it throttle.. there is a slight delay then all of a sudden i surge forward weird, but this is the only experience of "touchy throttle" and it only occurs at cold starts.

[JOKERzREMAIN]

I clutch up wheelies all the time, after a year on the bike.. My clutch is perfect. Only saying this because wheelies are supposedly bad for a clutch, and all I've heard was how crapy the clutch was when I looked up reviews for this bike, but Ive had no problems with it at all. Hope you get one, It's fun all together, and you get all these guys on here for help and just to bs with

[cmayer31]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm the proud owner of a '07 FZ6. The shop is running through everything now as it is a floor model with 0 miles on it. I'll pick it up tonight after it has all fluids topped off and we go over it a final time.

I have my MSF course this weekend and look forward to time spent both during and after in the parking lot. I have a lot of dirt bike experience and have been learning street manners on my friend's spare Ninja 250.

I'll take some pictures once I get it out of my truck tonight; can't ride the freeway on a permit only.

[JOKERzREMAIN]

Congradulations.

[Parabellum]

Originally Posted by cmayer31

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I'm the proud owner of a '07 FZ6. The shop is running through everything now as it is a floor model with 0 miles on it. I'll pick it up tonight after it has all fluids topped off and we go over it a final time.

I have my MSF course this weekend and look forward to time spent both during and after in the parking lot. I have a lot of dirt bike experience and have been learning street manners on my friend's spare Ninja 250.

I'll take some pictures once I get it out of my truck tonight; can't ride the freeway on a permit only.

1) In the first 500 miles, double and triple check every bolt on the bike to ensure none have rattled loose. The first few hundred miles is classic for shaking things loose that might not have been properly torqued from the factory or during assembly. DO NOT TRUST THE KNUCKLEDRAGGERS working on your bike.

2) Pay special attention to the clutch cable slack adjustment. I had to tighten mine almost weekly during the break-in. You should have enough play in the cable to just barely slip a nickel into the slot which opens when you begin to apply pressure on the lever.

3) Be really careful for the first 100 miles and the first times you really lean it over...the tires are new and need to be scrubbed in.

4) BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE GET FRAME SLIDERS!!!!! I highly recommend the Motivation sliders, they saved my bike once already.

5) HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE!!!!

[Davec719]

Congrats on buying the FZ6, have fun and ride safe.

[Fleksta]

I saved two magazines with '07 reviews:

Motorcycle Consumer News (May 2007 v.38 no.5)
-Has a comparison between FZ6, SV650s, and Ninja 650r

Rider (July 2007)
-Review of the updated '07 FZ6: "Is the FZ6 Yamaha's best bargain bike ever?"

I think my scanner is dead, but I'll fiddle with it for a bit.

[cmayer31]

Originally Posted by Fleksta

I saved two magazines with '07 reviews:

Motorcycle Consumer News (May 2007 v.38 no.5)
-Has a comparison between FZ6, SV650s, and Ninja 650r

Rider (July 2007)
-Review of the updated '07 FZ6: "Is the FZ6 Yamaha's best bargain bike ever?"

I think my scanner is dead, but I'll fiddle with it for a bit.

Awesome! If you can't get the scanner to work I can head over to the libraries and see if either one of them has copies of the two mags.

Thanks!

[CrazyBiker]

Originally Posted by Fleksta

I saved two magazines with '07 reviews:

Motorcycle Consumer News (May 2007 v.38 no.5)
-Has a comparison between FZ6, SV650s, and Ninja 650r

Rider (July 2007)
-Review of the updated '07 FZ6: "Is the FZ6 Yamaha's best bargain bike ever?"

I think my scanner is dead, but I'll fiddle with it for a bit.

please do so!! No one takes the FZ6 into account when comparing middleweights these days..

[joe1971]

here
2007 Yamaha FZ6 - Top Speed

2007 Yamaha FZ6



Review

Picture Gallery


Posted on 06.15.2007 15:49 by Anthony Kodack, Maxx Biker
Filed under: Yamaha | sportsbikes | Yamaha FZ6
yamaha fz6
While maintaining the basic structure of the popular existing mid-class sports model "FZ6-S Fazer"(with cowling), the new "FZ6" has been designed with greater running performance, new body parts and environmental performance that clears EU3 standards to achieve a higher level of overall product performance.
History
85.1988 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer
1988 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer

Introduced in 1998, the previous Fazer was built upon a retuned YZF600R engine positioned on a steel-tube frame. The bike sold very well because it was eminently functional.

The Yamaha FZ6 is a motorcycle that was introduced in 2004. The bike was developed basing on the 600 cc Fazer, who needed a brand new design and a smoother engine. The bike is build around the 2003 YZF R6 engine which was retuned for more usable midrange power.
Competition
96.2004 Yamaha FZ6, Honda 599 and Suzuki SV650S
2004 Yamaha FZ6, Honda 599 and Suzuki SV650S

This motorcycle belongs to the super sport-touring class and this segment tries to be dominated by all Japanese builders. So the bike has a very strong competition coming from the Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650.

Both the SV650 and FZ6 are fuel-injected, but as the Honda’s 599 engine is derived from a pre-fuel-injection CBR600 carbureted as well, and has a handlebar-mounted choke. The 599 mill is mounted in a mono-back-bone steel frame, while the FZ6 and SV650 have aluminum-alloy main frames, though weight-wise the 599 actually falls between the heavier FZ6 and minimalist SV650.

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Introduction
94.2007 Yamaha FZ6
2007 Yamaha FZ6

The 2007 model is a very versatile, middleweight with fuel injected R6 power and light, strong aluminum frame that gets a new swing arm, four-pot brake caliper, fairing, seat, and revised injection mapping. The bike is strongly built to do almost anything and to take you anywhere. This is the bike you will ride to work during the week and through serpentines in the weekends, satisfaction included.
Exterior

We have to admit: Yamaha’s FZ6 has always looked great. The headlights give the bike its cool looking face and the windscreen provides her with aerodynamics. Redesigned fairing, windscreen and new, high quality paint look great and reduce turbulence. The gas tank has a very modern design and it looks like an integrated part of the aluminum frame.

This motorcycle has a very comfortable seat but more important it’s what’s under the seat: a stainless steel exhaust system with head shield which looks cool and doesn’t interfere with passengers or luggage.

At the end there are also redesigned passenger foot pegs made from aluminum for better comfort and appearance.
Technical

The bike’s technical features make it as attractive as it’s looks. The 600cc liquid-cooled 16-valve DOHC four cylinder engine with special cams and intake tracks is tuned to produce maximum torque and horsepower at more accessible rpm levels.

The fuel injection system provides the bike with its good response and performance but the large radiator with ring-type fan keeps the engine on a reasonable temperature.

Yamaha’s FZ6 is equipped with a six-speed gearbox with triangulated input and output shafts, heavy-duty clutch and through-the-frame shifter for years of precise, positive shifting.

This bike’s single shock ageless rear suspension is simple and light, with sport-biased damping tuned for a controlled, progressive feel; extruded aluminum swingarm is 23.2 inches long for reduced chain-pull effect, further bolstering the FZ6’s outstanding handling.

43mm, wide-set fork tubes for excellent rigidity and confident braking performance.

Extremely light YZF-R6-type five-spoke wheels keep unsprung weight low for improved suspension action and handling, acceleration and deceleration.

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SPECIFICATIONS
88.2007 Yamaha FZ6
2007 Yamaha FZ6
Engine and Transmission

Type: 600cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, inline 4-cylinder, 16 valves
Bore x Stroke: 65.5 x 44.5 mm
Power: 96.55HP (70.5 kw) @4750 RPM
Torque: 63.10 Nm (6.4 kgf-m or 46.5 ft. lbs) @6440 RPM
Compression Ratio: 12.2:1
Carburetion: Group Fuel Injection, 36 mm throttle bodies
Ignition: Digital TCI
Transmission: 6-speed w/multi-plate clutch
Final Drive: 0-ring chain
Chassis

Suspension/Front: 43mm telescopic fork, 5.1” travel
Suspension/Rear: Single shock, adjustable preload; 5.1” travel
Brakes/Front: Dual 298mm floating discs w/4-piston calipers
Brakes/Rear: 245mm disc w/single-piston caliper
Tires/Front: 120/70-ZR17
Tires/Rear: 180/55-ZR17
Dimensions

Length: 82.5”
Width: 29.5”
Height: 47.6”
Seat Height: 31.3”
Wheelbase: 56.7”
Rake (Caster Angle): 25.0
Trail: 3.8”
Fuel Capacity: 5.1 gal.
Dry Weight: 410 lbs.
Test Drive
98.2007 Yamaha FZ6
2007 Yamaha FZ6

The Yamaha FZ6 is a machine very well developed and with great road characteristics. The bike is extremely maneuverable and because of the position given by the seat and handlebars you feel very confident and relaxed with traffic ahead. Ridding the FZ6 is not a very demanding task but because of the engine’s power reserve at high revs I had to be a bit careful with the throttle. The reconfigured R6 engine is very smooth and it provides usable power for as low as 5500 RPM and things remain strong all the way to the double digits, with enough of the old, rev-happy R6 character.

The suspensions are made to keep the rider in complete comfort but they are also adjusted for a good road performance.

The FZ6 has powerful brake both front ( 4 break calipers) and rear (1 break caliper) and this is great news because the bike is the fastest in the middleweight standard class.

But let’s not forget a very important thing on a bike: the sound it produces. And the FZ6’s is music to my ears and because of the position of the exhaust you get to feel like you are an integrated part of the motorcycle and this is for many riders a very important detail when buying and riding a bike.
Price

This motorcycle, although it has the sporty engine is not a machine build for speed but more for the joy of ridding with a lot of power available. So it wouldn’t be too hard for you to find a 2004 model with a low number of miles and in a perfect condition. That bike will cost you around $5000 and it won’t disappoint.

But if you want a brand new 2007 model you will have to pay a little extra and for $6849 you will get a 0 miles bike to ride and enjoy of.
Conclusion

The FZ6 is a very complex, smart and rational package. The bike has style and power provided by it’s YZF-R6 engine (the best in it’s class) and this seems to be all it needs.