She's amazing

[Tommyk]

Got me fork conversion done bar a few tweaks and adjustments
A before ,during , after pic
Was doubting if it was worth the time expense and heart ache during the build but after my first ride of the bike it was totally
Worth it it's like a totally different bike
Handles like a dream
Was previously handling like a nightmare
And looks awesome too

[Paulfzs]

looks great apart from the lights!

[Tommyk]

Cheers Paul the lights were not thought about to much by the time I came to the
Lights time and money sort of dictated those
But still looks loads better than before
I'm well chuffed
I did it mainly due to the original suspension being awful to the point I didnt want ride the bike but now it rides great which was the goal

[Paulfzs]

yeah they do handle badly!


try a single round headlight?
or something similar to the s1000rr?

[sinto]

Looking good, glad it worked out for you. :-)

[darrsi]

In what way was it handling so bad before?

[Tommyk]

The only way I can explain is that it was like riding on a wet sponge horrible
Saying that I'm no expert on bike suspension but when I found this forum and the guide for the r1 conversion
It made sense so I did it . Now the bike that's spent a lot time unused and unloved is now my new favourite toy
Again I couldn't part with it nor could I ride it so conversion was the only way to go

And I'm so glad I did it now turns tight and feels planted beforehand it felt scary as f@@k wobly and wide every time and nose diving if I even looked at the front brake

[anutz]

looks nice - i am interested in how people find the fazers handling, i have found it ok...


that said i have no other biking experience to compare it to and i have never looked into tuning the suspension but its on my to do list....

[unfazed]

The only thing I ever did to the 600 was change the front springs and the rear shock, it has embarrassed many a 1000 sports bike owner on the twisties including an R1 Fireblade and S1000RR.

Never handled so badly that it was unrideable

[richfzs]

Yep, it's not a bad handling bike. I recall a friend of a friend following me back from peebles way. He said to our mutual friend "that bloke on the fzs600 has the heart of a lion". Mind, he was a bit grumpy, as the 916 he was on had tried to spit him off on the a68 just south of the border - he smashed his screen with his helmet as he hung on - while he was trying to keep up.

It's a pretty good handling little bike...

[sinto]

It's a pretty good handling little bike...

As I say "its not the bike it's the rider"

I've always thought that any bike is more than capable of doing what you want to do on it. I don't think any rider would be able to take a bike to its max.

[richfzs]

While there's a lot of truth in that - I think the 600 does make it easy for the rider. It's a very forgiving bike, and gives a good amount of feedback (with the right tyres) - it flatters a decent rider, and makes them look another stage better.

[sinto]

it flatters a decent rider, and makes them look another stage better.

I've never minded looking better than I am

[ChristoT]

While there's a lot of truth in that - I think the 600 does make it easy for the rider. It's a very forgiving bike, and gives a good amount of feedback (with the right tyres) - it flatters a decent rider, and makes them look another stage better.

Much as the Thou boys blag about their machines, in anything but a straight line, they will lose to a similarly skilled rider on a 6. The 6s handle better, turn faster, and are more responsive on the twisties. The Thous have power and 20mph more. And that's it, really.

[sinto]

The Thous have power and 20mph more. And that's it, really.

And also leaves you with less money in your wallet lol

[richfzs]

And smelling of wee.

[unfazed]

A well set up 1000 is extremely flickable, but it takes more work than the 600 to get it that way. The big advantages of the well set up 600 is its weight (20Kgs lighter than the 1000) and the narrower front tyre, as this makes it quicker turn in, you can brake later into corners and get on the power sooner out of corners which is why it will beat most 1000s on the really twisty bits, but you really need to use the gearbox to the max.
As Richfzs say the 600 can be a very forgiving bike when things go wrong

[hotmetal]

And smelling of wee.

Oi! Tinkle-tinkle... The Thou is a heavy old beast compared to the 6 granted, but they don't come with a zimmer frame as standard y'know!

[darrsi]

This is why i keep telling people to change the oil in the forks from 10w to 15w, it made a very positive difference in my opinion,and firms up the handling so it's much more stable.
I've never considered the 600 to be that bad at handling at all, in fact i've found it better than a lot of bikes i've ridden.
I'd say the VMAX was probably the most hard work for me, it was like trying to steer a rocket.

[unfazed]

And smelling of wee.

Oi! Tinkle-tinkle... The Thou is a heavy old beast compared to the 6 granted, but they don't come with a zimmer frame as standard y'know!

I have the fold up one which fits in the top box

[richfzs]

Well known fact, thou owners smell of wee. For a long time, the thou section was titled "Wee corner".


Embrace your inner incontinence!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Well known fact, thou owners smell of wee. For a long time, the thou section was titled "Wee corner".

It's because we can't help but piss ourselves laughing at the claims of 600 riders 

[kebab19]

Well done, Tommy 
Did you get the standard speedo working ok with the FZ1 sensor? Changing the rear shock over for the complete experience  ?

As an owner of two 600s and a 1000, I'd say the longer wheelbase of the 1000 is the most limiting factor. A 46 tooth rear sprocket and 40mm shorter 5SL R6 forks shortened my bike by about 25mm, pretty much handled as the 600 did. 

[Tommyk]

Thanks kebab the speedo was tricky wasn't working properly at first
Then a few combinations of sensor gap and washers later I think it's about right now
But still needs testing properly

To all you other foccers don't think I'm slating the fazer I've had mine for 6-7 years and I love it
Maybe my forks were low on oil maybe my springs were knackered who knows but I can tell you
All I love my fazer a bit more now than I did a couple of weeks ago

Plus there's the added pride of doing the conversion myself I love to tell people about it
R6 rear shock next when I got some more pocket money can't wait to do that

When she's finished which will probably be never I think I want a thou aswell

[unfazed]

When she's finished which will probably be never I think I want a thou aswell

Know the feeling, which is why I have both