fzs600 vs fzs1000

[JoeRock]

Think I need a test ride on the 8   

It's underpowered for its weight - basically a sleeved down version of the Fz1. Be better off trying the FZ1 if you want big power and good handling!

[Dave48]

I just dont think I could get the 1000 to do what I can on my 600 -- im just not big enough. If there were 2 of me the fazersharp on the 1000 would not be able to keep up with the 600 fazersharp, not on the twisties which is where I do all my riding, the stright bits are just the bits i have to ride to get to the twisties
 
For me at 5'.8" and 10st (with pies) the 600 is a perfect fit even the suspension people moan about, its hard to tell where man ends and machine starts.

Got me thinking when we compare 600s with 1000s-theres such a variety of riders height, limb length, body weight, age & stamina so its finding the best all-round compromise if like me you can only have one bike at a time. In an ideal world I would have a variety of machines. Being "old skool" and remembering the dimensions/weights of bikes from my youth (60s Bonnevilles etc) Ive never understood my anyone would want to ride a 250+kg behemoth. Power to weight ratio is what matters to me with a good spread of torque for real world road riding. Thats why I prefer the FZS 600 to the FZ6.
I used to have great fun wringing the neck of low powered lightweights to extract the last bit of performance around the A & B roads of the West Country but I was more agile then. Have managed to keep bodyweight pretty constant for 30 years sub 11 stone. Wouldn't want to be riding many of the current crop of 600s if I was say 15-17 stone!

[Hedgetrimmer]

I'd say you were spot on Dave. For me it's not a weight issue but height, and leg length. Being a lanky 6' 2'', with legs that don't bend very well, I prefer the thou. If I had to choose a different bike, that'd be a big part of the consideration. So many bikes I'd like to ride, but most I couldn't bear to be on for more than a half hour or so. I'd love it if the thou were a bit lighter, but as I don't (yet) have problems with that weight, it's still the best thing I can find for me.