If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
the fz6 is a really good bike for letting loose. It has a hell of a top end on it but it wont have the low end grunt of the 650. It will pull around 2 up with ease though. i do it all the time! I had to get a gel pad installed into my seat right away cause my but went numb from the crappy foam yamaha had in the seat to begin with. The seating position is comfy and the gas milage varies according to user. I get around 40 and i like to push it. Also the FZ6 is really quiet to ride. a lot of riders ended up with an aftermarket exhuast for a better louder sound from the bike. The engine in the FZ6 is the R6 motor tuned for a little more low end torque. check out the fz6 forum to answer more of your questions. They are both good bikes but i dont think the vstrom can keep up with the FZ6 in the corners. I love my bike and have had it since march 26th.
__________________
Fazr6's Fender Eliminator (Thanks Mike!)_____PCIII usb (Thanks Doug!)_____Speedohealer_____ Dual Headlight Mod_____Cheetah Alarm sys_____15 Tooth JT Front Sprocket_____BMC Air Filter_____Gel Pad installed_____My CAT eliminator.(The first homemade one for the FZ6!)_____FS6 Frame Sliders
-The V-Strom might be better for long trips. Any trips requiring luggage.
-Doesn't the V-Strom have an adjustable windshield? Nice!
-The FZ6 seat isn't too bad. I wouldn't mind that gel seat though.
-The FZ6 is really comfortable, but I think the V-Strom would be just as if not maybe more.
-The FZ6 will win hands down at the higher speeds. That V-twin will romp at the lower
-Mileage similar to KDK1899s
-Aftermarket Laser Xtreme exhaust is pretty loud. Racerish. But stock is quiet.
My advice would be to go to each dealer and ask to test ride them both. You'll really get a feel for it and make a better decision upon pure oneness with the bike alone.
I think that the FZ6 is just as well suited for long trips as the V-Strom. I use a full Givi (3 piece hard luggage) set up and a gel seat and have been comfortable for many 400+ mile days. Although my next purchase will be a taller windshield. Fuel range is about 200 miles, for the V-Strom I am unsure. Before I purchased my FZ6 I was also torn between the same 2 cycles, I ended up going for the Yamaha because I like bikes that look and ride a bit more on the sporty side. Not to mention I love the silver color and the underseat cannons.
I dont have any pic of the FZ6 with the givi bags yet, so here is my previous set up with soft eclipse bags.
__________________
duff beer for me, duff beer for you, I'll have a duff, you have one too
I don't think you could go wrong with either. I have never ridden an FZ6 before but it's gotta be a great bike based on what I've read and should spank a V-Strom on any road except dirt. That said, the V-Strom 650 I rode made me feel immediately at home and very comfortable. I have never been so immediately "used to" a bike before. It is a bike I am sure I could do longs days aboard in total comfort. I plan to get one for the 4th bike in my little collection someday. My other bikes are a Bandit 400, a ZX9R and a Concours.
__________________
2004 Yamaha FZ6-Custom Naked Mods:
Mike's FE kitScorpions SS CansR6 Front Forks/Brakes removed fairing painted bike all black (flat)/black wheels Blue Led Accent LightsScorpio i300 Alarm w/Armed Blinking LedYamaha Lower CowlHugger Mod
Posts: 12
Casino Cash: $250
Sportbike: 1992 Yamaha TDM, 2003 Suzuki V-Strom, looking to add a more purpose-built sportbike
I have a V-Strom, though mine is the 1000. Ergonomically they are very similar except that the 650 has a lower seat. I've ridden my V-Strom on thousand mile days without any discomfort, and it holds its own in the twisties, especially when the conditions are less than ideal. It laughs at wet pavement, bumps, or gravel in the curves. It's also a good bike for carrying a passenger or to load down with luggage; it handles large and heavy loads really well. It has a 5.8 gallon tank and gets about 50mpg so it's got tremendous range. The SV650 powerplant is no slouch, and it's a well proven motor. I think the V-Strom is a much more versatile bike.
But for day trips, canyon carving, etc, the FZ6 is probably a little more fun, and it probably has a higher top end.
I guess it all comes down to what you plan to do with it.
I wonder how the insurance compares? I know the FZ1 just slays people with high insurance prices; does the FZ6 suffer this curse as well?
I wonder how the insurance compares? I know the FZ1 just slays people with high insurance prices; does the FZ6 suffer this curse as well?
Ah yes. The insurance. I did have Progressive as my carrier, but this last renewal statement was progressively worse. They doubled my rates!!! The reason was because they considered it a sportbike when the new year came, along the lines of R6s and CBRs, according to the VIN number.
I changed companies and my rates are now back to around $55 a month for comp and collision for a 24 year old. Gotta shop around for insurance. Different companies base their rates on different variables such as category of bike (i.e. sportbike, cruiser) and engine size ( tell them the actual size such as 599 for the FZ6 ).
It just amazes me how different insurance can be. I found that State Farm charged me only based on CC's (My Warrior had 1670cc's though...) But I kept all my insurance needs with the same place (house and two cars, along with the bike) and those 1700cc's only cost me $50 a month.
FZ6 or V Strom 650?
Linear Mode
