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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: deteplete on March 30, 2004, 08:00:26 PM

Title: my black FZ6 naked finally arrived
Post by: deteplete on March 30, 2004, 08:00:26 PM
Ok, pics later this week after they install the little subcowling and the little fairing.

About the engine and difference from the GS:

a) riding position: more upright than on the GS I think, by a small margin
you feel kinda higher on this bike?

b) clutch - very good, precise, no problems here, feeling like home

c) brakes - precise, good braking, so far predictable

d) engine: very different from the GS. The GS had that old school motor sound like you're driving a motorbike.
The FZ6 has a more mechanic/chaotic noise in a good way, and you feel you're riding a jet plane not a motorbike. I was riding it in 3rd speed in the city. The bike contrary to the reviews I've read online pull nicely from 3000 rpm (not 7000 as stated online). 4500 - 6000 is good rev range to drive the bike in the city.

Highway riding: My model is naked and I was wearing a backpack so max speed I had guts to handle on the highway was 210 km/h or 130 mp/h but there was plenty more left (there was wind and didn't want to risk driving high speed with a regular backpack). Anyway, awesome acceleration, good at cruising speeds - The GS makes a better sound when you drive it at crusing speed due to the Twin architecture.

e) Handling: light, easy. The bike feels easy to drive in the city.

f) Good and clear lights, fuel economy I believe the same or better than the GS.

Overall very pleased with the bike. It's a beast, it has that jet feel to it. I recommend it for all-round driving.

Why have I bought a FZ6 instead of Suzuki V-strom:
a) the naked FZ6 (available in Europe only) looks a lot nicer
b) 180 rear tyre
c) naked looks, feel at home coming from a GS
d) availability: had to wait 4 or 6 months in order to get a V-strom

The only thing I miss is the engine sound that my GS made. The FZ6 has a very modern, futuristic - SCI-FI feel to it. The GS felt so oldschool. But I had to sell it, I made 3+ years with it, it was restricted to 33 bhp and top speed with 1 passenger was 80 mph. It was leaking oil and I had to order parts and it's hard where I live - Macedonia (europe) - the dealers are very lasy. Plus maybe I needed a change and the guy who wanted to buy it was begging me to give it to him.
Title: my black FZ6 naked finally arrived
Post by: Turkina on March 30, 2004, 10:23:16 PM
Congrats on getting your FZ6! I'm glad it sounds like you're enjoying it :)  Is it true the instrument cluster is off-center?  I saw the bump on the mini-fairing on the Yamaha-Europe website and it looks strange.

Anyways, keep coming back and giving updates.  And you probably have some knowledge about the GS we all could use.  Have fun!  :thumb:
Title: my black FZ6 naked finally arrived
Post by: deteplete on March 31, 2004, 02:21:20 AM
Quote from: TurkinaCongrats on getting your FZ6! I'm glad it sounds like you're enjoying it :)  Is it true the instrument cluster is off-center?  I saw the bump on the mini-fairing on the Yamaha-Europe website and it looks strange.

Anyways, keep coming back and giving updates.  And you probably have some knowledge about the GS we all could use.  Have fun!  :thumb:


yep, it's off center, more to the right :)
Title: my black FZ6 naked finally arrived
Post by: krushchev on March 31, 2004, 06:56:42 PM
congrats! :thumb: :cheers:

I'm thinking of converting mine into a naked, though, the fairing is very convenient for me (toll pass is mounted on the windshield, plus wind protection....).......