Sounds like your on the right track with the seat, they stock seat is pretty brutal. Have fun!
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
To me the seat is fine, just know your mileage and update us with pics 
You have the important stuff already identified: heated grips, luggage, taller windscreen. Have you considered the dual headlight mod?
How far are you going? The biggest thing for me was installing memory foam in my seat to aleviate pinched nerves due to crooked hips/spine and learning to reposition my feet on the pegs every thirty minutes or so. After doing this I have found the stock seat just fine for mid-distance touring, such as my 1200 mile trip in October.
I have the GIVI V46 and E21 cases and they haven't affected the handling of my bike for sport touring at all -- even when full. Just try to load them up equally, and you'll be fine.
As brainfrz said, bring raingear. If you're not already doing so, ride with earplugs as Poutanen suggested.
You may want to consider some kind of communications, whether it be via Chatterbox or something else. If you read my trip write-up, it was hard to ride and determine if my stepfather was still behind me or if he ran out of gas.
Have fun!! Remember to stop and take pictures!
How far are you going? The biggest thing for me was installing memory foam in my seat to aleviate pinched nerves due to crooked hips/spine and learning to reposition my feet on the pegs every thirty minutes or so. After doing this I have found the stock seat just fine for mid-distance touring, such as my 1200 mile trip in October.
I have the GIVI V46 and E21 cases and they haven't affected the handling of my bike for sport touring at all -- even when full. Just try to load them up equally, and you'll be fine.
As brainfrz said, bring raingear. If you're not already doing so, ride with earplugs as Poutanen suggested.
You may want to consider some kind of communications, whether it be via Chatterbox or something else. If you read my trip write-up, it was hard to ride and determine if my stepfather was still behind me or if he ran out of gas.
Have fun!! Remember to stop and take pictures!
Barb might not answer. It's been 13 years since she posted this thread. Vancouver Island is a great place to ride. Years ago I had an un-expected week off work in the summer due to business being slow. Hopped on the FZ1 I had at the time in Portland, road up to Port Angeles. WA, camped in an RV park. The next morning caught the Black Ball to Vancouver Island and rode the full length of the island to Port Hardy and camped there. Next day got a no cabin spot on the Ferry to Prince Rupert and spent all day on the ferry before departing at last light in P.R. and scoring a tent spot just up the hill from the ferry landing. Managed to get the tent up before full dark. Next day I rode to P.G., then home the following day, cutting across at Cashe Creek to take 99 over to Vancouver again before heading South in the 5 to home. Got some rain on the P.R. to P.G. leg, but otherwise a beautiful ride. I've been to Hyder many times since then and far north in the Yukon and Alaska.
The FZ6 I have now is a little buzzy at speeds over 100 kph, but you get used to it. I added some Re-Grip grip covers and they help dampen the buzz a bit. Easy to install and fairly cheap too. They just fit over the existing grips. You want the .79-1.5 size if you do this. Grip Buddies or Grip Puppy also work, but are different textures of foam. The Re-Grip is smooth and I like it better, but tastes vary. FortNine might have some of those or even Canadian Tire.
The bike isn't bothered by wind much. Flows thru just fine. I have a '05, not the R model with full fairing or the Naked model, just the normal every day FZ6. Plenty of power for touring at any speed you want to and some you shouldn't! (It's got 97 Hp!) The FZ6 is more upright than the 900 Ninja, sort of Sport-touring with emphasis on Sport. Power band is higher rpm, but it's completly happy cruising along at anything over 4k rpm. If I recall correctly, 120 kph is about 6500 rpm. 100kph is 5k rpm.
The FZ6 might not be my first choice for a touring steed, but it will do the job just fine. Something like the Honda CB500F or X is more relaxed rpm at highway speeds and more upright ergos for body position. I've done 500 mile days on the FZ6 w/o issues, but I'm used to long days in the saddle from Endurance riding. The seat gets a little butt burn after a couple hours for me, but a short break and it's fine again. If you're wanting a bike for commuting and some touring, the older FZ6 is fine. Especially if you want a bike to carve the corners too. Get a tall windscreen, or better, a Laminar Lip for colder/wetter season and you're set. (I have a brand new Laminar Lip from a warranty return for '04-06 FZ6 if you end up wanting one. I'll give you a good deal, even in Canadian funds.)
The FZ6 is a fun all round bike and capable of touring and spirited riding as well as doing commuter duty. I've put about 1k miles a month on mine since I got it back in Dec of '19. If you have another specific question, feel free to PM or post here.
Vancouver Island is a great place to ride. Years ago I had an un-expected week off work in the summer due to business being slow. Hopped on the FZ1 I had at the time in Portland, road up to Port Angeles. WA, camped in an RV park. The next morning caught the Black Ball to Vancouver Island and rode the full length of the island to Port Hardy and camped there. Next day got a no cabin spot on the Ferry to Prince Rupert and spent all day on the ferry before departing at last light in P.R. and scoring a tent spot just up the hill from the ferry landing. Managed to get the tent up before full dark. Next day I rode to P.G., then home the following day, cutting across at Cashe Creek to take 99 over to Vancouver again before heading South in the 5 to home. Got some rain on the P.R. to P.G. leg, but otherwise a beautiful ride. I've been to Hyder many times since then and far north in the Yukon and Alaska.The FZ6 I have now is a little buzzy at speeds over 100 kph, but you get used to it. I added some Re-Grip grip covers and they help dampen the buzz a bit. Easy to install and fairly cheap too. They just fit over the existing grips. You want the .79-1.5 size if you do this. Grip Buddies or Grip Puppy also work, but are different textures of foam. The Re-Grip is smooth and I like it better, but tastes vary. FortNine might have some of those or even Canadian Tire.
The bike isn't bothered by wind much. Flows thru just fine. I have a '05, not the R model with full fairing or the Naked model, just the normal every day FZ6. Plenty of power for touring at any speed you want to and some you shouldn't! (It's got 97 Hp!) The FZ6 is more upright than the 900 Ninja, sort of Sport-touring with emphasis on Sport. Power band is higher rpm, but it's completly happy cruising along at anything over 4k rpm. If I recall correctly, 120 kph is about 6500 rpm. 100kph is 5k rpm.
The FZ6 might not be my first choice for a touring steed, but it will do the job just fine. Something like the Honda CB500F or X is more relaxed rpm at highway speeds and more upright ergos for body position. I've done 500 mile days on the FZ6 w/o issues, but I'm used to long days in the saddle from Endurance riding. The seat gets a little butt burn after a couple hours for me, but a short break and it's fine again. If you're wanting a bike for commuting and some touring, the older FZ6 is fine. Especially if you want a bike to carve the corners too. Get a tall windscreen, or better, a Laminar Lip for colder/wetter season and you're set. (I have a brand new Laminar Lip from a warranty return for '04-06 FZ6 if you end up wanting one. I'll give you a good deal, even in Canadian funds.)
The FZ6 is a fun all round bike and capable of touring and spirited riding as well as doing commuter duty. I've put about 1k miles a month on mine since I got it back in Dec of '19. If you have another specific question, feel free to PM or post here.
I appreciate your post. As a new owner of an ‘06 Fz6, I can tell that the seat will likely be an issue. I haven’t driven it on the highway so I’d love to know if you found a good replacement screen. I have the wrist saver pseudo cruise control that I had on my old commuter and it works fine so far. Love what little experience I’ve had with the bike just want to be smart about any upgrades
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
