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+--- Thread: Help please (/showthread.php?tid=63539)
Help please - Stulomax - 20-05-13
Hi to all,
I have just registered, I'm thinking of getting a fazer, I was a qualified motorcycle instructor years ago, anyone remember Star Rider? I'm disabled now, and when I had to stop riding they had just launched the Fazer 600, god what a beautiful bike I thought, but I was now stricken with becoming a full time car driver, my worst nightmare.
My wife sold both my ZXR 750 and my Vulcan 750, she might as well stabbed me through the heart. And so I was condemned to to the car. My son has just got himself a proper bike a Yamaha YBR 125 Custom, which I persuaded him to get after upgrading from a crappy little 50cc Chinese import scooter, which he did his CBT on, it served a purpose. So I have taught him to ride a geared bike, of course the inevitable happened and it has re-lit the fire again, I have a little way to go but I need a bike again, since I had to stop riding I have had this itch I just can't scratch.
So, the help I need is, which model of Fazer should I go for, it has to be a used model, more the pity, can't afford new. Do I go for the original FZS or the new model? I want to stay at 600 cc for the time being. I would really appreciate any advice you could give me, I need to become a biker again. My illness in more managed now but I would be happy if I can get fortnight or even a weeks worth of riding a year and to have a bike in my garage which is mine again.
Thanks
Stuart
Re: Help please - Dave48 - 20-05-13
Welcome Stulomax!
There is a world of information on the forum. The earlier FZS 600 ran 1998-2003 using carbs. Up to 2001 the headlights are square(Box Eye) 2002-2003 are "Foxeye" . The engine is the same in all models, the main difference is tank capacity-early ones 18L then increased to 20 & Foxeyes have 22L.
FZ6 2004 0nwards is a different bike altogether-with fuel injection to meet Euro 3 emissions.
My own preference is for the carbed bikes & especially "Foxeyes".
Study the ads on ebay, MCN to get an idea of prices -you could even ask on here if anyone has one for sale. Good luck! :lol
Re: Help please - Andy Clap - 20-05-13
From Bike magazine's buyers guide: "FZS600 Fazer - Soak it up chearful chassis with a trustworthy engine, usability and a chipper character. Everything the later FZ6 wasn't."
I'd agree with all of that. The choice of box-eye or fox-eye fairing is personal choice, fox-eye models have a clock on the dash and useful bigger fuel tank.
Just my two-pennith...
Re: Help please - noggythenog - 20-05-13
Welcome to foc-u
Without giving away too much personal info, your illness as you describe it, does it affect your mobility ie getting on/off bikes or holding certain types of handlebars etc,does it flare up in the cold conditions etc because if you have any of these issues or you only want to ride on nice hot summer days then that might sway the advice of folks on here as the best bike for you.
The original fazer 600's have the best reputation & the most cult status but this site also hosts the later FZ6 which regardless of the press im sure the owners here will tell you is also a great bike.
The carbed Fzs600 will of course require a bit of fiddling the carbs type treatment at some stage & some folk have hassle with the carbs if left for long periods without a decent ride (although ive experienced none of this after winter lay up).
The FZ6 is of course fuel injected so should fare better with its fuel system.
Members have recently been picking up some half decent FZS600 Box eye's for about 1k. to have more of a guarantee of a good'n expect to pay £1500. & for a real minted fox eye (more modern & popular front fairing with better lights) its not unusual to see them for 2k to £2500.
Id do believe that Bracechenko will also soon be selling his trusty old FZS600, with lots of miles but a traceable history through all his previous posts on here,could be worth looking at even if just to dip your toe in the pond a bit.heres his recent post.
[font=.HelveticaNeueUI]http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,7900.0.html[/font]
Re: Help please - sure2ride - 20-05-13
I'd go for a foxeye as well. I had an 03 model and it was a fantastic bikie. Apart from a slightly bigger tank, the foxeye had better headlights as I recall. Tons of info on here, you just gotta scratch that itch. I have a load of problems with back pain, but just knowing that the bike is in the garage ready for when i feel up to it is a great psychological boost.
Good luck and let us know how you get on,
Re: Help please - nobleFZS - 20-05-13
Hi,
Great to hear you are getting back on the bike, I can certainly sympathise with the "itch".
In my humble opinion the FZS 600 03 is a great bike. My one has been an absolute joy. The engine is as sweet as it gets in "600 land". There is a little gap in the power mid revs, but it still puts a smile on my face. It is also pretty comfy. I am 6ft 4 and don't have any real issues. Handles well. I put new rubber on last March (Metzeler Z8 Interacts) and they transformed the bike for me; especially in the wet. Either way though, the bike is a doddle to ride. My Dad has an 09 FZ6 and although still a great bike it just doesn't quite have the same fun factor for me (sound and performance).
I have made several mods to counter some of its weaker points: stainless steel downpipes; braided hoses front and rear; exhaust (just for fun); replaced rear calliper with an FZS1000 blue spot (the rear calliper on the 600 is basically worthless); rear shock (changed out for a Nitron - fully adjustable); heated grips; belly pan. If you do decide to go for the FZS 600, I would try to find one with the downpipes already replaced.
Good luck with everything.
Re: Help please - Chillum - 20-05-13
I thought the original had a de-tuned T-Cat engine, whilst the newer models have a de-tuned R6 engine, hence a bit revvier?
Re: Help please - caretaker - 20-05-13
where do you hail from? i'm selling my 2000 model soon.
Re: Help please - Dead Eye - 20-05-13
(20-05-13, 04:48 PM)Chillum link Wrote: I thought the original had a de-tuned T-Cat engine, whilst the newer models have a de-tuned R6 engine, hence a bit revvier?
That's the difference between the FZS600 and the FZ6
Re: Help please - Andy FZS - 20-05-13
I think I'll just go and look for my star rider silver badge I'm sure it's around somewhere......
I've got the 600 foxeye and am more than pleased with it, let us know how you get on.
Andy
Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk 2
Re: Help please - adeejaysdelight - 21-05-13
Hi Stlomax,
I bought an FZS600 around two years ago now for £1275. I decided to do it up a bit two winters ago. I spent no more than a few hundred quid and time and now the bike looks and feels great. I sold a CBR 600 and bought this and I have to say I have really taken to the machine. Its not the best looking, fastest or most nimble bike. However, plenty people on here (myself included) love it. Its well made, nice middle ground engine, its comfy for hundreds of miles a day, parts are cheap and its easy to work on...
Here is the link to the work I did - http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,1017.0.html, and a wee pic of what it looked like finished.
I have never had another Fazer to compare it with, but I can recommend the FZS600. You won't find a better bike for tthis kind of money.
Re: Help please - nobleFZS - 21-05-13
Nice bike, adeejaysdelight! Great work.