Fz6r

[ninjaone]

Originally Posted by SMman

The older FZ6 had an aluminum frame and swingarm, better brakes, and better suspension. A friend of mine had one and I liked it but found the seating position too upright.

I have not tried the FZ6R but it seems like a cheaper step backwards. I know it appeals to more riders because of the full fairing.

If I were in the market for a bike in that range, I would buy a Suzuki SV650 or Kawasaki Versys.

Exactly my point, people look at the specs and say "seems like a cheap step backwards", but if you actually rode one it's night and day better then the FZ6.

It may have a steel frame, but it has better mass centralization and better balance through turns. I also don't agree that the brakes and suspension were better on the older model, they "just work" on the new model, just like they did on the old model. If anything the newer suspension feels better then the older bike just due to age and use.

My experience comes from having actually ridden both bikes.

[SMman]

Guess I will reserve final judgement until actually riding the R version. I didn't say it was a step backwards but it does read that way and looks cheap in person. What do I know though, I acutally like the styling on Kawasaki's Versys

[02337]

In the dealer was cramped with bikes so I didn't really get to feel out the bike, but in looking forward to seeing what it feels like to actually ride, and the 650 too.
There's one white one going for 4800 with 300 miles or so.

[ninjaone]

Originally Posted by SMman

Guess I will reserve final judgement until actually riding the R version. I didn't say it was a step backwards but it does read that way and looks cheap in person. What do I know though, I acutally like the styling on Kawasaki's Versys

There goes your credibility man

Just kidding, I also like some pretty oddball looking bikes (Ducati 999 )

[fleemos]

I've test ridden one at a Yamaha demo day and really like it, pretty sure it will be my next bike. I wouldn't call it a supersport, it is very similar to a 650 and no one would call that a supersport.

The riding position is very comfy and coming from a Ninja 250 the lack of vibration is very noticeable when you first ride it. The power delivery is very smooth with no spikes in the power band from the few miles I had on it. It is a lot heavier on paper but it didn't feel too heavy while riding, we didn't go on any demanding roads though. If you are a shorter rider like me with a 30 inseam then this is a good bike for a shorter rider.

[Yasko]

Originally Posted by ninjaone

but if you actually rode one it's night and day better then the FZ6.

Let see. Less power, more weight, no slipons, and plastic all over, that's better?

I looked long and hard at the Ninja 650, SV 650, Ducati Monster, Street Triple, FZ6R, and the Shiver. Bang for bucks, the 07-09 FZ6 beats them all.

[Old Lemon]

I didnt read any of the posts except for the first one but since this was brought back from the dead ill give my opinion.

the fz6r is the ONLY other motorcycle i have ever ridden on the street. It felt exactly like the 2fiddy in the flickability and body positioning (i rode it only after about 4 months with my 2fiddy) but just with a lot more power.

Oh, and the seat was amazingly comfy too.

[Bigballsofpaint]

my friend rode the 650 and fz6 back to back at the demo day in americade last year. I rode the R6 (hated it), he said he preferred the 650. Hes also a short rider, about 5'4". But thats all i can say, i never rode either one.

[ninjaone]

Originally Posted by Yasko

Let see. Less power, more weight, no slipons, and plastic all over, that's better?

I looked long and hard at the Ninja 650, SV 650, Ducati Monster, Street Triple, FZ6R, and the Shiver. Bang for bucks, the 07-09 FZ6 beats them all.

Sorry man I didn't mean to insult your bike. The FZ6 can definitely be a heck of a fun ride. I do think as a package the FZ6R pushed the game forward for that series of motorcycles, and those bits and pieces you mentioned above are not all negative.

[Yasko]

Originally Posted by ninjaone

Sorry man I didn't mean to insult your bike. The FZ6 can definitely be a heck of a fun ride. I do think as a package the FZ6R pushed the game forward for that series of motorcycles, and those bits and pieces you mentioned above are not all negative.

No insult...We can talk about bikes without insults..

[MistahT]

Just found this forum and this is my first post. I look forward to learning more about the 250 as my wife and I fix, ride, mod, and enjoy the bike. Before my thoughts on the FZ6R, maybe a "who the hell is this guy" ?

I'm almost 30, a music teacher, and love anything with an engine. When my wife and I bought a house, project car had to go. I quickly moved from a 50cc Honda Ruckus scooter, up to a massive engine swap, then to a 1991 Suzuki GS500, and a year later to my FZ6R. Not long after that, got a Ninja 250 for my wife. Now we ride together. Oh, and recently my friends and I got a 1977 Suzuki GS550 we want to turn into a cafe racer. $200 is an awesome price, but still trying to get it running.

So, I've been mostly daily driving my FZ6R for almost a year now. I love it. I've daily driven all the bikes I've owned. The Ninja 250 is a little cramped as I'm mostly legs and the engine does feel underpowered, even compared to 150cc scooters and the GS500. I know everyone says that, but there it is. However, I was really surprised how much I enjoyed riding it. I can still safely and confidently ride the twisties faster on our 250 then I can on the FZ6R.

On to the FZ6R. My first impressions still stand. It's incredibly smooth, and while not huge, a substantially bigger and heavier bike. Weighs in around 100 pounds heavier than a Ninja. It's also top heavy. Not a bad thing, just takes some getting used to. If you're ridden a super sport, they are known for seating position and engine characteristics. This bike is a SPORT, not a SUPER SPORT (but really not trying to restart the argument from page 1....). This is a good thing. Upright riding and bars make it very easy to control, and the most comfortable seat I (and many other who have sat on it) have felt. I've done 6 hours stopping only for water and bathroom. It's amazing. While a real SS engine is rough until about 6k rpms and not happy to go slow, this bike is super smooth and happy at any rpm above 2k. While a SS explodes with power in the upper rev range, this bike pulls consistently to an 11-12k redline. Could it be more dramatic and exciting, sure, but it's plenty fast. Someone from the FZ6R boards swapped in some FZ6 cams and gained some of that kick up top. (and speaking of the boards, yes, we stole DakineChick. You have visitation rights and can come talk to her whenever you want )

Oh, and driving it nicely, I've done 60mpg. With an exhaust, power commander, aggressive tune, and lots of WOT, I've gotten as low as 36mpg, but I average a pretty consistent 50mpg on regular.

It's happy as a commuter bike and just as happy in the canyons, backroads, or mountains. Doesn't have trouble keeping up with my buddies CBR600rr or ZX6R either. I LOVE everything about it except being a little top heavy and the factory tires could be stickier, but last close to 10,000 miles. I went otd for about $7,000, my payment is under $100 a month, and could not be happier. Better than the Ninja 650 in almost every way imo. Power is so controllable it could even be a beginner bike.

I have some reviews, how-tos, etc on my youtube page www.youtube.com/theRealMistahT if you want to see more of it. Hope I've helped you guys out. Happy to be a party of this board!

-- T

[csmith12]

Welcome Matthew! You should copy some of that to an intro thread.

[Jiggles]

Originally Posted by MistahT

Better than the Ninja 650 in almost every way imo.

Now you're in for it



Have you ridden the redesigned 650? (2012+) I really did not care for the earlier 650s and was pretty deadset on the fz6r, but then, the new 2012 ninja 650s came out and my love affair with the fz6r was abruptly ended

[MistahT]

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Now you're in for it



Have you ridden the redesigned 650? (2012+) I really did not care for the earlier 650s and was pretty deadset on the fz6r, but then, the new 2012 ninja 650s came out and my love affair with the fz6r was abruptly ended

The one I rode was either a 2009 or 2010 I believe. IMO it didn't have the same fit and finish. Stuff rattled and vibrated. Had good torque though. Very similar bikes.

So nope, haven't ridden the 2012 or 2013, but I hear they've really improved lots of little things that make a much nicer overall package.

[fleemos]

@MistahT How much was the down payment? Thanks for putting up the figures, I'll be going in to get one soon and really appreciate knowing what someone else paid.

[MistahT]

Originally Posted by fleemos

@MistahT How much was the down payment? Thanks for putting up the figures, I'll be going in to get one soon and really appreciate knowing what someone else paid.

Think I put $2500 or $3k down and got a 4.xx% loan. Got excellent credit. You can find some 2009 and 2010 around 5k if you want to go used.

[Havok]

Originally Posted by Yasko

Let see. Less power, more weight, no slipons, and plastic all over, that's better?

I looked long and hard at the Ninja 650, SV 650, Ducati Monster, Street Triple, FZ6R, and the Shiver. Bang for bucks, the 07-09 FZ6 beats them all.

This man speaks the truth. I have had my 07 for about a year and a half, it has 48k miles on it and still looks and runs like a champ. I have been on both bikes and the older model of this bike is better. The newer version while it was not a POS bike was slow and sluggish compared to the older ones. I felt like i had to really lean off the bike to get it to turn that bar inputs were mushy if that makes sense. The older model just preforms better and at an average price of 3k here in the LA/OC area i see no 600 sport bike at a better value.

Now out of the newer versions of the 600 sport bikes i like the 650r the best.

[Havok]

Needed a pic to show how sexy she is

[SMman]

Nice bike Havok. I definitely prefer the syling of the older bike but think I am in the minority.

The FZ6R is a good bargain and I should ride one at some point before making any conclusions, but it just doesn't get me excited at all.

[MistahT]

Originally Posted by SMman

The FZ6R is a good bargain and I should ride one at some point before making any conclusions, but it just doesn't get me excited at all.

It's a great bike at everything it does.... it's just kind of vanilla.... a little plain. Sometimes I wish I picked a bike that was more exciting, but I still love my FZ6R.

[SMman]

Gotcha. Nothing wrong with vanilla or the girl next door

[Yasko]

Mods: dual headlights, OES frame sliders, FZ1bars, Two Brothers carbon fiber cans, 12volt adpt., 2 wheel folding adjustable levers, painted radiator grill sides, Pro Grips 724s, and Metzler Z8s...

[fleemos]

Thanks for the info MistahT