GS500E VS FZ6

wlaroche · October 22, 2009, 10:42:21 AM

I found a 2005 FZ6 locally that only has 16 miles on it.

I do not know much about these. How is the ride compaired to the GS? Are they a little sluggish with the handleing? Does anyone know about any downfalls / things to look out for with a FZ? I really dont want to get rid of my GS, but I ride the freeways most of the time, and it would be nice to have a bigger fairing to hide behind. Also with my long legs I can sometimes get cramps in them from the riding position.

ohgood · October 22, 2009, 10:49:04 AM

better ergos, awesomely smooth power, 14k valve checks, efi !!!, wind protection, better charging, effortless 2up, better brakes, the gs can't touch it. buy now !

Gary856 · October 22, 2009, 11:14:36 AM

FZ6 is much newer (in design), slicker, bigger; it competes against SV650, not the GS. In the used market, it seems to always list for $500 to $1000 more than a comparable SV. The reviews always knock it for lacking low-end power and not fun around town, but very good at long distance freeway cruising for a taller rider. Handling is supposed to be good. I've sat on one and like it's roomy size and style, but never rode one.

mister · October 22, 2009, 11:33:05 AM

Personally, I don't like the look of them.

Having said that, while I was in a Yammy shop I spoke to the salesman about Yammy Nakeds. He said...

The two they have are the XJ6 and the FZ 6. The FZ has the same moter as the R6 but it has been detuned. And the XJ has the same moter as the FZ but detuned.

Does that mean the XJ is really a double detuned R6 engine? Is the detuning done with the good ol' washers and plastic restricters which can be removed? I didn't delve further as I didn't like the looks, nor the price.

Michael

The Buddha · October 22, 2009, 11:37:05 AM

I believe the XJ in europe is sold as the FZ6R in the US, and its a piece of garbage.
The FZ 600 S was I think called the fazer. Its a lot better than that steel frame POS the FZ6R.

I think 2009 will be the year all the manufacturers introduced steel framed sheite boxes silently to the unsuspecting public in place of aluminum framed ones bikes.

The Gladius is the other one I'd count in this crap pile.
Cool.
Buddha.

O.C.D. · October 22, 2009, 11:54:49 AM

x2 on the Gladius! That thing is a turd pile. I was semi-excited to see one and then looked it over. I would never buy that as a replacement for the SV. Even if I had never heard of an SV I still would not consider a Gladius.

But this thread is about the FZ6. That I have not been around or ridden.

tt_four · October 22, 2009, 01:12:58 PM

how much is it selling for? Anything is a great or awful bike depending on what kinda money we're talking about. I think it looks like a great bike as far as a GS upgrade, based on your description of how/where you usually ride.

ohgood · October 22, 2009, 02:03:15 PM

clarification: this thread is about the fz6, not s, or other. its a fantastic machine, not to be confused with the steel framed junkers.

wlaroche · October 22, 2009, 02:42:20 PM

This bike is through a car sales place. The guy states that he got it in august and has been trying to sell it since then. The price has gone from 4500 to 3700 currently. The price seems good if it had miles on it, but it only has 16 miles when the pictures are taken. My concerns come in with it sitting for so long. What does the cylinder look like, why has it been sitting so long. I did not have a long time to talk with him. It could be a steal of a deal with only 16 miles.

tt_four · October 22, 2009, 02:56:02 PM

Yeah, sounds like a great deal. I can't see why there'd be anything wrong with it just because it's been sitting for 3 months. The gas will need replaced, and I'm sure the battery is dead, but other than that you should be fine.

Car dealerships have a hard time selling bikes, so it doesn't surprise me that it's been sitting there for 3 months. A dealership here has been trying to sell a ninja 500 all summer.

the mole · October 22, 2009, 04:36:27 PM

What he said! ^

Roadstergal · October 22, 2009, 05:29:12 PM

With a bike that's been sitting for four years, you have to go through it a bit. Rubber things - tires, gaskets, hoses - can dry out and crack, or rot. Metal bits can corrode. Batteries can die.

With those caveats, the FZ6 in general a dandy bike, head and shoulders over a GS500. I had the second-gen, and it was supremely competent onroad, smooth, and comfortable.

I never rode a first-gen, but my understanding is that the suspension could use a little love. For simply street use, my second-gen didn't need anything. I added hard bags and gave it a little front brake love, but that was it.

tt_four · October 22, 2009, 07:31:50 PM

I should add that the battery probably isn't even dead. It would probably be fine if you just put it on a charger for a couple days, but the problem with that one, is after you bought a new bike you'd have to just sit and stare at it until the battery was charged.

SmartDrug · October 22, 2009, 11:46:18 PM

The FZ6 is a great bike as has been said and will run circles around a GS any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Not my favorite bike but they are fantastic as a streetbike.

wlaroche · October 23, 2009, 03:41:28 AM

The guy I talked to said that he drove it around and said that it ran just like new. I think I will go and look at it today and see what it looks like. See if everything is what he says it is. From what I read, I think it would be a better ride on the freeway.

The Buddha · October 23, 2009, 07:02:00 AM

Quote from: ohgood on October 22, 2009, 02:03:15 PM
clarification: this thread is about the fz6, not s, or other. its a fantastic machine, not to be confused with the steel framed junkers.

FZ6R is steel framed. The R stands for RUST ... and the salesman @ the stealer pretended he didn't hear it last month when I said it but I made sure the customers did.
FZ6S is the older bike - 02 or 03 and later and aluminum framed ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Roadstergal · October 23, 2009, 09:04:39 AM

Ja, the FZ6S is the American version - they have an FZ6S and an FZ6N over there, just the half-faired FZ6 over here. The FZ6R is the pizza crap.

gregvhen · October 23, 2009, 02:47:49 PM

FZ6 is cooler looking. my only input.

gregvhen · October 23, 2009, 02:50:50 PM

You should ask the dealer if he'll let you test ride it. If he wants to sell it bad engough he should let you.

Player-P · October 23, 2009, 08:30:18 PM

[quote author=wlaroche link=topic=50569.msg571853#msg571853 date=1256294488]
The guy I talked to said that he drove it around and said that it ran just like new. I think I will go and look at it today and see what it looks like. See if everything is what he says it is. From what I read, I think it would be a better ride on the freeway.
[/quote]

I doubt if car dealers are trustworthy enough on motorcycle performance. However, I may be wrong. What type of motorcycle warranty is the car dealer providing? Can you bring it back if not satified within, say 7 days? Will the car dealer allow you to have a certified or experienced cycle mechanic to look at it before purchase? In other words, in my opinion, a car dealer would be waaaaayyyy down on the totem pole on places I would buy a bike from. Now, if you want to get this bike as project bike, then that's different. All I'm saying is just be careful buddy.

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GS500E VS FZ6