Yo guys! I am considering a new "used" bike. It is an '08 yamaha fz6. It's got 50k on it BUT, it has new rubber, appears very well maintained and has many touring upgrades, Corbin saddle, racks, heated grips etc... Bike is very clean and priced at $4k. I ride a little with a friend from work who rides an fjr 1300. He's a quick rider and I'm wanting something that is easie to keep up with him. And I plan to take much longer rides this coming season. I love my GS, but fuel injection and 98 HP is calling my name! Do you guys have any thoughts on this bike? Such as reliability, power, comfort, yada yada....
Thanks
Yammies are good bikes.
Just make sure it hasn't been laid down, or has any serious issues.
Other than that, it's a good buy.
It is a racing bike. You will be able to keep up (not from a dead stop, but once it gets in the HP band, usually 10+K RPM, it'll keep up nicely).
It's probably less comfy as a touring bike.
My next bike is gonna be a Yammy FZ-07. That FZ-06 is not really a racing bike. Its a naked street/touring bike. I think MeeLee is confusing the FZ6 with the R6, which is a supersport bike.
I was very impressed with the Yamaha FZ line at the DC IMS this weekend. Great, sexy, reasonably priced bikes!
The 2015 FZ-07.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/11/89294ae49e3b4892f71c1212d0f48cab.jpg)
Roaring via Tapatalk.
50K is a lot of miles on any bike (other than maybe a BMW). It would have to be really cheap.
If you are planning on doing some long distance touring you sure don't want to break down a long way from home.
They are great bikes. Would make a very comfortable commuter.
I've seen the FZ6R, but it's more like a racing bike than a touring bike.
The handlebars are still too low, and seating position is a lot forward.
Suspension is pretty stiff.
Smooth acceleration all across the rev range; struggles to get past 110MPH to 130+MPH top speed.
I don't know, I just wished the handlebars where about 3in to 5in closer to my shoulders, would make touring so much more comfortable!
There's nothing "racing" about the FZ line of bikes. They are naked/standard bikes, and all are pretty sweet.
On a related note, you people need to QUIT TALKING ABOUT THE FZ-07. Seriously, you're killin' me! :icon_eek:
I already want one, and any mention of it just twists the knife. lol
In any event, the FZ6 is a great bike, I think you'll be happy with it.
Are you planning to keep your GS or sell it?
I find an engine that revs to 10+k is a racing engine.
Hard suspension is track suspension.
Low handlebars, is not touring IMHO.
So, aside from having no side fairings, it's pretty much a racing bike.
I much prefer Honda engines.
Lower revs, less top speed, but higher low rev power.
My future bike doesn't need to be able to go 130MPH.
I'd be glad with 115-120MPH, just as long as the torque curve can be a bit more flat, and HP band is wide.
It's nice that you can rev it to 10k RPM, on a small engine like that, it runs pretty fast!
But the majority of touring guys would rather rev their engines in the lower RPMs, like 3k RPM, than 10k RPM.
Quote from: Elmojo on January 11, 2015, 07:11:34 PM
There's nothing "racing" about the FZ line of bikes. They are naked/standard bikes, and all are pretty sweet.
On a related note, you people need to QUIT TALKING ABOUT THE FZ-07. Seriously, you're killin' me! :icon_eek:
I already want one, and any mention of it just twists the knife. lol
In any event, the FZ6 is a great bike, I think you'll be happy with it.
Are you planning to keep your GS or sell it?
Its an amazing bike. I test ride one next week....Oh, you wanted me to stop talking about it...
MeeLee, it does not have low handlebars and its sitting position is upright. Its suspension is actually on the softer side, yet the bike is still exceptionally nimble. It is not really a higher revving engine, it hits maximum torque at 6K.
(http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/11/8d5902349dcdac1a8b189d47299c59a3.jpg)
That's the one I sat on Saturday.
Roaring via Tapatalk.
Thanks for the input (and future input). I've sat on the fz6 and the handlebar position is real nice. Mind you, this is not the fz6r, it is the fz6. The touring upgrades on the one I'm looking at are probably in the $1500 range. I can think of no other accesories I'd need to add. This is at the big cycle shop here in columbus, Ohio. Iron pony motorsprts. It is in superb shape.
As for my current GS, I'd like to keep it since it's such an awesome bike, but I will probably sell. It's a 93 E. 7,800 miles. Runs beautifully. I'll let you folks here know first when that time comes.
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Fz6r. .. maybe a streetfighter-ish bike... maybe a track day bike. ... NOT a "race bike" ... unless it's "race you to the next lights" lol
I don't think 50k miles is necessarily excessive. Many people are a bit simplistic regarding mileages. It really depends more on the TYPE of use (city, country cruising, thrashing etc), and quality of servicing, oils used etc.
Many Jap machines will/have gone 3-4 times this mileage. Gimme a bike that has done 80,000 gentle miles and been well serviced over a city traffic-light blaster that has done 20,000 anyday.
Mileage is just part of the story.
(BTW My R75/5 BMW was worn out at less than 50k!)
From an FZ6 owner: WELCOME!! Find more of us fz6 loonitiks over at 600riders.com!
Anyway I purchased mine for $4400, with 2,090 miles on it two years ago. Id say a 50,000 mile FZ6 is worth in the range of $2500 or so, depending of course on condition. Max low $3's.
I put 20,000 miles on mine in the last 2 years. Including (2) 1week trips from WI to Co and back. ~4,000 miles in one weeks time.
Reliability is great on these bikes, They do require a valve shim at about 24,000 miles. Usuall at 1st service interval the intake valves are within spec and the exhaust valve lash tends to grow a little.
Somethings to look out for: head tube bearing tend to deteriorate on these bikes They might have been replaced on that bike by now. Brake caliper seals end up a bit sticky and cause a little drag after some years of use (havent done anything to mine yet.
Depending on what service the previous owner has done it might be worth changing out all fluids.
If you like the GS500 You'll probably love an fz6. Great sport-tourer. Love the Undertail exhaust (Akrapovic's on mine!). I love the power band, Tame as turtle under 8,000 rpm, pass the 10,000 rpm mark and she really wakes up. Really gets fun past 12,000 right up to 14,500 red line!
In the quarter mile I ran 11.94 with mine, Keeping pace with the new Cobra GT mustang and ZL1 Camero (Left my Dad's C5 Vette wimpering in the garage stall..
Really the biggest complaint of the FZ6 is the Stupidly bent stock handlbars.. Most people change those out for an Fz1 or Fz6r bar.
You'll probably LOVE the smoothness of the engine compared to the GS500!
Check us out at 600riders.com! Were always full of "good" information over there!
Quote from: MeeLee on January 11, 2015, 08:05:57 PM
I find an engine that revs to 10+k is a racing engine.
Hard suspension is track suspension.
Low handlebars, is not touring IMHO.
The FZ6 doesnt at all have a hard suspension.. is quite softly sprung. most people over 200lbs prefer a racetech spring kit upgrade for the fz, since it can be a bit undersprung for heavier people..
And as you sit on the fz6, the bars are actually higher and more relaxed than the GS500F's.
I would certainly say without a doubt that my Fz6 is
much much more comfortable than my Fiancee's GS500.
Prior to her purchase of the GS would would ride 2up on the Fz6. It wasnt bad at all either.
The engine is based off of the 03-05 R6 engine, but has a different cam profile, and the vavles might even be a touch different. Throttle bodies are smaller. Makes a higher torque characteristic at lower Rpm, with the loss of some peak rpm range and a few ponies up top.
Not a race bike at ALL. Still fast enough to get a person in trouble though.
Sounds like a nice bike, but I think it is over priced based on the mileage. Nothing "wrong" with 50K but it is still a lot of road covered with mechanics that have a useable life. Saw an '07 Fz6 with 28,000 for $3,300 on CL recently. I would not pay more than $2800 personally.
I think you could buy an FZ6 with less mileage and buy the touring upgrades new for $4400. Good luck let us know what you decide.
Thanks again guys! Very useful info.i think I will keep looking for a better priced fz6. I've only seen one on clist here in Columbus.
Yes, You can do MUCH better than 50K miles for $4k.
Like Here's 18,000mi for $2600.
http://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/4788335540.html
Or Here's 4,000mi for $3990
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/mcd/4820020222.html
(for the $ saving you could probably afford to borrow a friends truck and go drive and get one of those bikes)
The FZ6 has to be one of the best bang for you Buck bikes out there. They really are affordable!
Also, Just an FYI, There are 2 different generations,
S1: 2004-2006
S2: 07-09
Both great bikes, same frame, but the S2 had a different (better) fuel map, upgraded swing arm, better front brakes, and (IMHO) a much better looking head fairing.
http://columbia.craigslist.org/mcy/4813322733.html (http://columbia.craigslist.org/mcy/4813322733.html)
basically NEW, but still 2009 $4500
I've never sold a Harley for less than I paid for it. They are money in the bank. Especially the ones from the AMF era (69-84).
My present H-D is an '83 FXRS, which was designed with the help of Erik Buell, with the intention of it being the race version of the classic H-D design from 1936-1979. When H-D puts an R in the bikes model designation, it is supposed to mean race version.
I happened to have a gig as a professional test rider at the H-D factory when this model came out. It was by far faster around the 1 mile test track than anything previous (including cafe racer sportster XLCR). If it is in stock configuration, the cornering ability is beyond that of today's big sport bikes on twisty roads.
The twin cam engine sadly is not like a genuine H-D engine, Harley would never use a chain driven cam shaft. They were always gear driven. And guess where the problems with that engine are comming from? Cam chain adjusters.
How did we wind up talking about 1983 FXR's having better handling than modern big sport bikes :technical: