Breaking ranks (new bike) (2008 FZ6)

mcteague · May 30th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Well, I broke down and bought a new bike today. I got a good deal on an '08 Yamaha FZ6. I love the 250R but felt too cramped and wanted a bit more power, EFI, better suspension, etc. I sat on lots of bikes and this felt the best but you never know until you ride it. This was the last '08 I could find. It only comes in black and dark blue. I'm used to my lime green Ninja so this will take some getting used to.

So far I have just 50 miles on it but my lower back felt fine and the ride is amazing. Shocks are firm but not harsh, the wider tires really feel planted and the power (still during break-in) is a kick. Look for my 250R to show up in the classified once I clean it up and take some new photos.

Tim McTeague

DerTeufel · May 30th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Congrats on the new bike.

Strider · May 30th, 2009, 06:05 PM

Congrats on the new ride

... are you sure you want to sell your 250 though? You may miss it once it's gone ...

Elfling · May 30th, 2009, 06:14 PM

Grats!! New shinies are always good

Kwattro · May 30th, 2009, 06:19 PM

Those are nice bikes. I tried an FZ1 and it just didn't fit me, which I know is strange. Basically felt like I was on top of the bike and not part of it. They sure get outstanding reviews though. Enjoy your new machine and be safe.

Zero260 · May 30th, 2009, 07:17 PM

Grats. I love Yamaha bikes too. I would like to get my hands on an 08 R6 Raven, lol my wife would kill me. Be safe, enjoy.

CC Cowboy · May 30th, 2009, 07:24 PM

Nice ride. I've had a few Yamahas and they are good bikes.

backinthesaddleagain · May 30th, 2009, 07:45 PM

best of luck - really nice bike. my local dealer has left over fz1 for $7,700, what a deal. but like someone else said i just don't feel "right" on it, not a good fit for me.

mcteague · May 31st, 2009, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strider

Congrats on the new ride

... are you sure you want to sell your 250 though? You may miss it once it's gone ...

I'm sure I will miss it but there is no room in the shed. Plus, unless gas goes back to $4\gallon I know I'll be on the FZ6. For all the things I love about the 250R my 6'1" frame, and old back, just don't get along with it. I'm thinking of selling it for $3200 with rear cowl and ZG DB. $100 more if the Corbin seat is included. Sound fair?

Tim

Snake · May 31st, 2009, 04:26 AM

Congatulations on the new bike.

tinng321 · May 31st, 2009, 05:05 AM

congrat.

IlBLisSlI · May 31st, 2009, 06:17 AM

looks great i'm sure you're going to be very happy (and make someone else who buys your 250 very happy)

ride safe

Strider · May 31st, 2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

I'm sure I will miss it but there is no room in the shed. Plus, unless gas goes back to $4\gallon I know I'll be on the FZ6. For all the things I love about the 250R my 6'1" frame, and old back, just don't get along with it. I'm thinking of selling it for $3200 with rear cowl and ZG DB. $100 more if the Corbin seat is included. Sound fair?

Tim

Sounds like a fair deal to me.
I wish I had the money and a way to get the bike here! My wife is looking for one ... <sigh> if only I had more production work, I'd be on this in an instant...

lockie · May 31st, 2009, 01:14 PM

I had an FZ6 out for a spin this past week at a dealer demo. Nice bike. Bigger yes, but just as smooth as my 250. It didn't sound quite as nice but that's just my biased opinion of my bike. The FZ6 is a great upgrade. Good Luck

mcteague · May 31st, 2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lockie

I had an FZ6 out for a spin this past week at a dealer demo. Nice bike. Bigger yes, but just as smooth as my 250. It didn't sound quite as nice but that's just my biased opinion of my bike. The FZ6 is a great upgrade. Good Luck

As I've mentioned, fit was the main motivation for moving on. I'm actually suprised the I4 engine on the FZ6 has as much vibration as it does. I thought twins were the buzzy ones. I'm loving the new Yamaha. No back pain, MUCH better suspension, brakes and power.

I was washing the 250R today and started to miss it already. It is one beautiful bike.

Tim

BlueTyke · June 1st, 2009, 08:04 AM

Still only using the bike as a commuter or you actually going to take this one out and play?

TrueFaith · June 1st, 2009, 08:25 AM

Good choice, Tim. Awesome all-around bike. I loved my Yamahas and came very close to buying an '08 FZ6 myself before I settled on the Ninja. I still think there's another Yamaha in my future someday. They make a great product. Enjoy!

mcteague · June 1st, 2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueTyke

Still only using the bike as a commuter or you actually going to take this one out and play?

Mostly fun rides but I plan to take it to work on nice days. Having more power will be nice when trying to merge and get out of the way when someone on a cell phone moves into my lane. With the Ninja I had to anticipate when I really needed to move. Not always something you have time for in traffic. I have a feeling I'm REALLY going to miss the 250 if gas hits $4\gal again.

Tim

Kolya1981 · June 1st, 2009, 10:29 AM

What's the gas mileage on the FZ6 though? It can't be that much lower then the 250 once its broken in. Riding hard on the ninja I get about 55mpg. Riding hard on my street triple r I still get low 50's.
Posted via Mobile Device

mcteague · June 1st, 2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolya1981

What's the gas mileage on the FZ6 though? It can't be that much lower then the 250 once its broken in. Riding hard on the ninja I get about 55mpg. Riding hard on my street triple r I still get low 50's.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yamaha's website lists 40mpg!!! Reviews seem to be around the 50mpg range. We shall see.

Tim

beowuff · June 1st, 2009, 02:00 PM

Please keep us in the loop on mileage. My wife wants to up grade to an FZ6R, so any info you can give us is greatly appreciated!

mcteague · June 1st, 2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowuff

Please keep us in the loop on mileage. My wife wants to up grade to an FZ6R, so any info you can give us is greatly appreciated!

I checked out the FZ6R and it felt lower\smaller and more like the 250R. The FZ6 is much taller. The clutch on the FZ6 has a very narrow friction zone, something the R version is supposed to have fixed. The R has less power and a cheaper steel frame but most of the reviews have been very positive.

I'll pop back in on this thread when I check mileage on my first refill.
Tim

Kolya1981 · June 1st, 2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcteague

I checked out the FZ6R and it felt lower\smaller and more like the 250R. The FZ6 is much taller. The clutch on the FZ6 has a very narrow friction zone, something the R version is supposed to have fixed. The R has less power and a cheaper steel frame but most of the reviews have been very positive.

I'll pop back in on this thread when I check mileage on my first refill.
Tim

The first refill is going to be lower then what you will eventually get. Your mileage should creep up slowly as your bike is broken in.

Alex · July 17th, 2009, 05:05 PM

/moved to ex-ninjetters lair

May 30th, 2009, 07:24 PM	#7
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	Nice ride. I've had a few Yamahas and they are good bikes. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

June 1st, 2009, 08:04 AM	#16
BlueTyke So slow I'm first! Name: Sunny Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Oct 2008 Motorcycle(s): 06 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 10	Still only using the bike as a commuter or you actually going to take this one out and play? __________________________________________________ Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself. Save yourself the trouble and Learn.

July 17th, 2009, 05:05 PM	#24
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to ex-ninjetters lair __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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May 30th, 2009, 05:32 PM	#2
DerTeufel ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Wildomar Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2009 KTM 690 SMC, 2001 Suzuki GSX-R 750 (track bike) Posts: 172	Congrats on the new bike.

May 30th, 2009, 06:05 PM	#3
Strider Back on the Black! Name: Alan Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 (Black) Posts: 831	Congrats on the new ride ... are you sure you want to sell your 250 though? You may miss it once it's gone ...

May 30th, 2009, 06:14 PM	#4
Elfling ninjette.org guru Name: Becca Location: Clearwater, FL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 03 Ninja 250, 02 CBR600 f4i Posts: 253	Grats!! New shinies are always good

May 30th, 2009, 06:19 PM	#5
Kwattro ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Shermer, IL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Hayabusa, 900F. Posts: 15	Those are nice bikes. I tried an FZ1 and it just didn't fit me, which I know is strange. Basically felt like I was on top of the bike and not part of it. They sure get outstanding reviews though. Enjoy your new machine and be safe.

May 30th, 2009, 07:17 PM	#6
Zero260 ninjette.org member Name: Zero Location: Georgia Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 250R Posts: 56	Grats. I love Yamaha bikes too. I would like to get my hands on an 08 R6 Raven, lol my wife would kill me. Be safe, enjoy.

May 30th, 2009, 07:45 PM	#8
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	best of luck - really nice bike. my local dealer has left over fz1 for $7,700, what a deal. but like someone else said i just don't feel "right" on it, not a good fit for me.

May 31st, 2009, 04:26 AM	#10
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Congatulations on the new bike.

May 31st, 2009, 05:05 AM	#11
tinng321 ninjette.org sage Name: Tin Location: NJ Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 black 250r (sold); '09 black zx6r Posts: 903	congrat.

May 31st, 2009, 06:17 AM	#12
IlBLisSlI i'm a cow killer Name: Drew Location: Daytona FL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 250r Posts: 142	looks great i'm sure you're going to be very happy (and make someone else who buys your 250 very happy) ride safe

May 31st, 2009, 01:14 PM	#14
lockie ninjette.org sage Name: don Location: Port Elgin NB Canada Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 blue ninja 250R Posts: 742	I had an FZ6 out for a spin this past week at a dealer demo. Nice bike. Bigger yes, but just as smooth as my 250. It didn't sound quite as nice but that's just my biased opinion of my bike. The FZ6 is a great upgrade. Good Luck

June 1st, 2009, 08:25 AM	#17
TrueFaith ninjette.org sage Name: Wayne Location: Brookfield, MA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Honda CBR250R Posts: 585	Good choice, Tim. Awesome all-around bike. I loved my Yamahas and came very close to buying an '08 FZ6 myself before I settled on the Ninja. I still think there's another Yamaha in my future someday. They make a great product. Enjoy!

June 1st, 2009, 10:29 AM	#19
Kolya1981 Generic User Title Name: Nick Location: PA, USA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): Green 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Slate 2009 Triumph StreetTriple R Posts: 110	What's the gas mileage on the FZ6 though? It can't be that much lower then the 250 once its broken in. Riding hard on the ninja I get about 55mpg. Riding hard on my street triple r I still get low 50's. Posted via Mobile Device

June 1st, 2009, 02:00 PM	#21
beowuff ninjette.org member Name: Yancy Location: Redmond Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 225	Please keep us in the loop on mileage. My wife wants to up grade to an FZ6R, so any info you can give us is greatly appreciated!