First impressions and a few Qs

[Pal]

I've had my 2002 FZS600 for only a few days, bought for my 64 mile round trip commute up the A3 in Surrey.

All feels vey good, I'm impressed with the handling, but it does seem a little slower steering than I was expecting. Fairing does provide quite good protection, seeing as there isn't that much of it, but I do seem to get a bit of road noise thrown up at me past it.

Engine is great, more than enough for what I need, and the front brakes are superb. Mine has an issue with the back brake, as I can hit the stop and it only slows the bike slightly. I have bled it, but I think it needs a  bit more attention.

What kind of MPG can I expect and how reliable is the fuel warning light? I have never owned a bike without a reserve tap before, but I seem to manage without one in the car for years.

My bike didn't come with a handbook or service manual, is the Haynes one any good, or are they as bad as they always used to be?

I'm sure I'll have a few more Qs as the miles rack up, but on the whole I'm quite impressed.

BTW tried to find out the correct tyre pressures on this site, one thread had about thirty answers, all with a different combination of pressures! Found the info from Bridgestone in the end.

[HarryHornby]

Hi, welcome to our forum, I hope you have a thick skin! 
You've done well and got yourself a top bike!
MPG seems to be about 50 ish (depending on riding style).  There is a webiste called http://www.fuelly.com/ where you can work out your MPG.
Front brakes are off of an R1 and actually off of a GP bike from some years ago, so yes, great brakes.  The rear ones aren't great (you can always do an easy mod to an FZ1 blue spot calliper if you really hate them) personally, the rear brake does what it want.  APPART FROM, in winter, it's hanging right where all the crud goes so they do need some love.
Haynes is great, or there are loads of topics on here and people who will take the piss help.  Also look for Hot Poop on this site, good info there.
The orange light normally means about 30 miles ish, maybe.

[darrsi]

I've always gone by the loose rule of 10 miles per litre for mileage, which will obviously go either way depending on riding style, motorway riding, etc.
You have the 22 litre tank on your model.


I've always found the Haynes manual to be very good, there's an online version on this site, but you can't beat a hard copy.


Tyre pressures are a very personal thing, some people will swear by 36f/42r, whereas others are quite content with 32f/36r.
It also depends on your personal weight, do you carry a passenger, luggage, etc.
That's one for you to get comfortable with through experimenting.


Not really heard anyone complain about slow steering before, in fact it's quite unusual.
Do yo have a standard 110 tyre up front, or maybe a 120?
Either way it's not ever really mentioned on here that i can recall.


Sounds like the rear caliper may need a clean up or service, once they're in good working order and given the occasional spring clean they work just fine.


Other than that there's plenty of info on here if you use the search box, otherwise just ask away and we can point you in the right direction or try and answer what you need to know. 

[Arbie]

Welcome dude. Ive done 30 miles with the fuel light on taking it steady with about 3/4 litres of fuel left.Enjoy !

[Arbie]

Sorry the should read three quarters of a litre not 3 to 4. 25 miles is safe.

[Pal]

Hi, welcome to our forum, I hope you have a thick skin! 

I'm an Admin on the ZRXOC, I know what forums are like!
Thanks for all the replies.

[His Dudeness]

If your steering feels slow your steering bearings might need a bit of attention/grease/adjustment/throwing in the bin or your front tyre might be worn out. The standard size is 110 but a lot of bike have a 120 which I found slower to turn in. What sort of bike are you coming from? You might just need time to get used to the fazer but they are generally quite nimble. There's all the manuals you need in the download section including a parts manual in case you need to get anything from Yamaha http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?action=downloads;cat=2 A sticky back brake is common as the guys have said. They need regular cleaning because they're mounted under the disc so the brake dust collects in them and the pistons stick on. One other thing to check is the front sprocket nut. It has a tendency to work itself loose. There's a thicker upgraded 12mm nut from Yamaha that replaces the standard 9mm nut. You check that out. Plenty of people have checked only to find out the nut has fallen off and there's nothing holding the front sprocket on.

[helloindustries]

Tyre pressures:
Front: 36
Rear: 42
May need to go up a little more if you have a passenger or a lot of luggage.

[darrsi]

Tyre pressures:
Front: 36
Rear: 42
May need to go up a little more if you have a passenger or a lot of luggage.

That's the max pressures in the book, you shouldn't need to go more than that.
That would be based on the 187kg weight limit, which includes luggage, you, topbox, pillion, etc.

[helloindustries]

Tyre pressures:
Front: 36
Rear: 42
May need to go up a little more if you have a passenger or a lot of luggage.

That's the max pressures in the book, you shouldn't need to go more than that.
That would be based on the 187kg weight limit, which includes luggage, you, topbox, pillion, etc.

I stand corrected.

[darrsi]

Tyre pressures:
Front: 36
Rear: 42
May need to go up a little more if you have a passenger or a lot of luggage.

That's the max pressures in the book, you shouldn't need to go more than that.
That would be based on the 187kg weight limit, which includes luggage, you, topbox, pillion, etc.

I stand corrected.

They are actually common pressures for a lot of people though.
I've always got a large top box that's half loaded, and i'm no lightweight either, so after trying a few pressures out over time i eventually came to the conclusion that 36f/40r suited me spot on.
And i've worked out that nobody over 11 stone is getting on the bike with me, which ain't a bad thing anyway, but at least it's a genuine excuse with the weight limit, so as not to offend.   

[Pal]

.
That would be based on the 187kg weight limit,

Ooops, think I might need to try the Atkins again

[Ruby Racing]

Welcome Pal. Hope you have still got your ZRX?

[Pal]

Welcome Pal. Hope you have still got your ZRX?

Yep, I'm afraid they are going to have to bury me with it!
Are you on the ZRXOC? Don't recognize the name, but your avatar looks familiar.

[Ruby Racing]

Welcome Pal. Hope you have still got your ZRX?

Yep, I'm afraid they are going to have to bury me with it!
Are you on the ZRXOC? Don't recognize the name, but your avatar looks familiar.

Glad to hear it.


Correctemundo. I'm Spikes on that. ZRX is defo my keeper.