GS500 Vs. R6

[SAFE-T]

I still think it's a great bike for people who ride in places where more hp may actually be dangerous. I don't about other people, but from my own experience sometimes having more power and acceleration only encourages reckless behaviour. Having been the unfortunate witness to this in the past, for myself, given my druthers I would rather live in an area of twisty roads riding a properly set up GS500 than in an area of long sweepers on a Hayabusa.   

[SAFE-T]

One thing I did always appreciate about the GS500 was how unintimidating it was to ride ~ you could flail on it without going 200+ km/h yet not feel like it was too underpowered either. My only complaint was that after awhile you would remember how much more sophisticated your 'other' bike was.

[shonole]

One thing I did always appreciate about the GS500 was how unintimidating it was to ride ~ you could flail on it with going 200+ km/h yet not feel like it was too underpowered either. My only complaint was that after awhile you would remember how much more sophisticated your 'other' bike was.

You must have had the fastest GS ever! 

[SAFE-T]

Er, 'without' going 200+ km/h...thumb typing fail 

[fraze11]

I've been eye-balling these all winter.  Anyone ever ride one or know anyone that does and could perhaps provide any feedback?  I like the look of these, the riding position and more-so there are 2 for sale at a local dealer for $7499 new (2011 models).

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelspecs/619/0/specs.aspx

[tt_four]

I know someone who used to have a yellow one. It looked really good in person(and sounded great with the stock exhaust) and he loved the bike.

[SAFE-T]

My wife bought a 2009 FZ6R to replace her GS500. She loves it.

I have ridden it a number of times as well and think it's a pretty fine ride. Has good giddyap, which is to say it goes just fine up to speeds that are far beyond acceptable North American speed limits.

A little on the heavy side compared to more sporting 600's. Has a small amount of speedo error which is corrected with a +1 front sprocket, which also brings the revs down a little bit on the open road.

The bike features a re-tuned 2003-era R6 motor that sacrifices some top-end for a nice midrange. You don't have to scream it to get some forward motion, although dedicated FZ6 owners sometimes like to crow that the 'R' stands for reduced. I quite like the engine feel myself, and the clutch and throttle are well-sorted and smooth. Fuel mileage is in the high-40's to low-50's.

I can't say I'm a big fan of the seat but that is about the only thing I haven't been really thrilled with.

At least one ride review said the FZ6R had fairly low ground clearance, but we've dropped ours 3.5" and I haven't scraped anything other than the lower fairing just grazes the curb going up into our driveway. I suppose if you rode it like you stole it you would be disappointed, but neither of us has touched anything down in a season of normal riding, and both of us used to touch down the centrestand tang on the 2007 GS500 we had that was only dropped 1.5"

It's one of the few current-model bikes I like at the moment.

[BaltimoreGS]

although dedicated FZ6 owners sometimes like to crow that the 'R' stands for reduced.

I thought the R stood for Rust  (steel frame) 

-Jessie

[mister]

In Aust the FZ6R is in the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme which means is has less than 150kw per tonne. Close to the same HP as the GS500 in other words.

Michael

[fraze11]

My wife bought a 2009 FZ6R to replace her GS500. She loves it.

I have ridden it a number of times as well and think it's a pretty fine ride. Has good giddyap, which is to say it goes just fine up to speeds that are far beyond acceptable North American speed limits.

A little on the heavy side compared to more sporting 600's. Has a small amount of speedo error which is corrected with a +1 front sprocket, which also brings the revs down a little bit on the open road.

The bike features a re-tuned 2003-era R6 motor that sacrifices some top-end for a nice midrange. You don't have to scream it to get some forward motion, although dedicated FZ6 owners sometimes like to crow that the 'R' stands for reduced. I quite like the engine feel myself, and the clutch and throttle are well-sorted and smooth. Fuel mileage is in the high-40's to low-50's.

I can't say I'm a big fan of the seat but that is about the only thing I haven't been really thrilled with.

At least one ride review said the FZ6R had fairly low ground clearance, but we've dropped ours 3.5" and I haven't scraped anything other than the lower fairing just grazes the curb going up into our driveway. I suppose if you rode it like you stole it you would be disappointed, but neither of us has touched anything down in a season of normal riding, and both of us used to touch down the centrestand tang on the 2007 GS500 we had that was only dropped 1.5"

It's one of the few current-model bikes I like at the moment.

Thanks Safe_T, this is GREAT info.  The bike appeals to me for mainly the features the GS lacks (FI, a bit more power, modernized, insurance friendly, and the price) ...

Thanks again,

[SAFE-T]

Maybe in Australia they restrict the FZ6R for LAMS ? In the FZ6 the motor put out 100hp; the FZ6R is closer to 80-85hp, or around 60+ hp at the rear wheel ~ this is a significant increase from the GS500 and it will handily keep up with my VFR800. I wouldn't say it's faster by any means but it has enough poke that wifey doesn't have to watch as someone disappears over the horizon LOL

[fraze11]

Crotch rocket speed is not what I'm after, but it puts out more HP than the Ninja650 and the GSX650 which is more than enough for my needs, but its more that neither of those bikes really appeal to me.  Updated technology aside, its going to give me that extra bit of "ooomff" that the GS just can't give me.  I'm close ... I'm negotiating trade in value today after work, and if they can get close I'm going to pull the trigger...else I'll have to private sell my GS if their trade amount is insulting.  I'll be buying it from the local dealer where I got my GS so maybe they'll be a little nicer seeing as I'm a repeat customer.

[pantablo]

Up until about 6-8krpms, it had about the same power as my GS from 3-10k. yea, it was in a narrower power band, and I didn't have to WORK to tap the power, but it wasn't as much as a step up as I thought it would be.

it IS actually quite the step up. its docile around town, but for a new, learning rider who might accidentally grab a fistful of throttle it could be bad. It also felt docile because you were below the power. Once you get used to the speed and start to wring every bit out of the R6 you'll really see what it can do. My 600rr was amazing. I pointed it and it went, regardless of corner or speed. A 600 is a great next bike after the gs500. I heard the R6 is the least comfortable of the 6's too. My 600 was pretty comfortable, although for my light weight the shock was too stiff and was a rough ride on uneven freeway pavement. Penske took care of that, lol.
The gs500 is a great little bike and tons of fun. So are the 600's. The liters are ridiculous.

[tt_four]

Haven't seen you in a while!

Yeah, you can survive going from a gs500 up to a 600 ok, but there's definitely no comparison between the power. Any bike is manageable at lower rpms, but I still remember the first time I rode a 600 and gave it gas in the midrange and just about fell off of the back haha.