FZ6 - bargain???

[HarryHornby]

Well, I'm still a Foccer!! :-) Deposit put down on the black 07 FZ6.

Mega thanks to B1k3rdude for his help at the weekend, taking a look at the bike for me. And thanks to everyone on here who gave advice. This group really is full of some great people.

I guess I wasn't quite ready to leave the Fazer forum :-)

Old bike sold on Sunday, hoping to collect the new one a week on Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

[b1k3rdude]

Noice!

[Grahamm]

Excellent!

[Gnasher]

OK, so this is looking promising.  Waltham Cross Motorcycles are a Suzuki main dealer.  Reviews on line seem very good.

Now there's a blast from the past WC Motorcycles.  I bought many a bike from them back in the day, knew then what is probably the now owners father, can't remember his name, think it was Dave, he'd be well into his 90s now if he's still alive that is.  There was brothers and a business partner at the time, Richard, they were great to deal with.  They had 2 shops one in Edmonton the other WC, Richard had a big failing out over American imports I think it was, something they did a lot of in the late 80's as UK bikes prices went through the roof.  They parted company around 88, Richard went on to open what was Hoddesdon Kawasaki, piggy backed into the Peugeot garage.  Didn't last more than a couple years casualty of the market crash, lost touch with Richard after that. Think the shop in Edmonton went some years ago too.   

Any back to the bike.  These engines are pretty good, very much like the FZS600, most don't need the shims looking at 26K more like 50k, but they should be checked normally it's just 1 or 2 on the low end of the spec if any.  Checking them is easy it's replacing the shims that's not and why owners get shot of bikes before they need doing or dealers don't do them.  It's unlikely they'll do them as it's 3 hours to check them replace everything and another 3 hours (if the mech knows what they're doing) to remove re-shim and replace the cams etc.  So to them and workshop time that's approx £800ish.

The problems with these bikes, they aren't as good as what they replaced (FZS600) fuel injection can be a bit on off and they suffer sensor problems, brakes aren't as good and the rear shock and linkage (as mentioned) can be a weak spots, not to mention the exhausts and the standard fit (08 onwards) immobilizer which can be a right pain!  Just not the rounded package the FZS was. 

It does look clean and could be worth risking the valve check issue.

Personally, I'd jump to the Tracer if funds will allow.

[b1k3rdude]

@HarryHornby

- https://foc-u.co.uk/mybb/showthread.php?...#pid980876~

How to install R6 forks on an FZ6.

[HarryHornby]

Cheers Gnasher, can't wait to collect it, now! LOL

PS, the shop have assured me, they will carry out a 24000 mile service (major, including checking valves...... (I guess I will never know if they do it or not)

Sadly, kids still at home, so funds don't stretch to a Tracer.

B1kerdude, let's pay for the bike first before we start making changes...... remember, I'm far from a mechanic, so these serious mods cost me serious £££££ in garage fees

[b1k3rdude]

B1kerdude, let's pay for the bike first before we start making changes...... remember, I'm far from a mechanic, so these serious mods cost me serious  £££££ in garage fees

Heh fair enough, well when you do come to collect the bike, let me know as I might be in the area...

[HarryHornby]

B1kerdude, let's pay for the bike first before we start making changes...... remember, I'm far from a mechanic, so these serious mods cost me serious  £££££ in garage fees

Heh fair enough, well when you do come to collect the bike, let me know as I might be in the area...

I was thinking that. myself    Hoping to collect a week today.

[unfazed]

Give the lad a break, Do you read the posts, he said the Tracer was outside his reach at present. 

A little positivety here please. 

Let him ride it first and let him decide, he might be happy with as it is. 

It is very possible the previous rider may have upgraded the Forks.  

Many owners on all FZS model were happy with the standard set up. 

Remember your have a FZ6 and the FZ6 S2 had many of the FZ6 issues resolved in the FZ6 S2 which is why it was recommended to him.

[Gnasher]

Mate do you read things? 

"Many owners on all FZS model were happy with the standard set up."  As mentioned an FZ6 isn't a FZS, bikes are very different, many tried the swap in the day and wished they hadn't.

Where did I mention anything about forks? 

I also said "It does look clean and could be worth risking the valve check issue"

Ref the Tracer I said "if funds allow" just in case.

All I've done is make him aware of very common issues including the S2, any of which can make this sort of purchase a bit of a nightmare.  So he got the knowledge to help make his decision.      

All your coming out with is if's, maybe's, plus he's responded to my post, thanked me and gone on a bought the bike, with which I wish him the very best. So your post is utterly pointless!

[b1k3rdude]

I was the one who mentioned the forks, as there was a post in the FZ6 forum that I linked to.

I know we are a bunch of grumpy old foccers on this forum, but do me a favour and knock it the foc off.

[unfazed]

I was the one who mentioned the forks, as there was a post in the FZ6 forum that I mentioned.

I know we are a bunch of grumpy old foccers on this forum, but do me a favour and knock it the foc off.

And spoil all the fun

[HarryHornby]

I was the one who mentioned the forks, as there was a post in the FZ6 forum that I mentioned.

I know we are a bunch of grumpy old foccers on this forum, but do me a favour and knock it the foc off.

And spoil all the fun

Now now ladies, calm the FOC down 

I'm excited to ride a bike that isn't an FZS, I've only every ridden a CBF 125 for 18 months when learning, about 19 years ago, then a red FZS, which I broke while using a BMW to stop, then my second, red FZS, which I've just sold.

The bike has always been better than me, so I'm not to worried about no longer getting my knee down because it's not an FZS, ha ha

I'm looking forward to trying different suspension, both stock suspensions on the FZS and FZ get bad reviews, but I'm hoping it has improved a little from the FZS, hoping it's slightly less bouncy bouncy at the back.

I do worry about the electric side of things, I'm hoping it won't be a nightmare.  Time will tell.

Bottom line, I need better lights on the bike.  I will need to use the bike to occasionally to commute and it's through country lanes, and need to be able to see where I'm going (yes mine were THAT bad).  And yes I could spend £250 changing to that kit that B1kerdude showed me, but then, bike was almost 25 years old and was getting to the point of probably needing some carb love, more money.  And having never ridden anything else, I thought rather than put a grand on the FZS, I would try a newer model.  You have to remember, I'm far from a mechanic, so anything more than basic maintenance is a garage job for me.  I'm good for an oil change, air filter change,  brake pad replacement, chain adjustment, and that's about it.

I would love to get something newer, but I can't.  I could have got a £4k bike, but we have other plans for the future and I would prefer to not be paying the bike back for the next 3 years if I can get away with it.   One day, I will, but not right now.  Let's get the girls through school etc first.

So, I'm getting an FZ6, the deal is done, will it be the right move?  Maybe no, but I blooming hope it is.  I know I'm getting a 17 year old bike.  I know I'm getting a bike that could have electrical issues.  I know the suspension isn't great, but then, nor am I, so I don't think that will worry me too much.

I was really excited a week ago, I am less so now.  But hey, nice to know the potential pitfalls up front, even if it doesn't make good reading.

Still love this forum, and all those still left here, even if you are getting even older and more cantankerous than ever!  I have to remember, I'm still a young'en at 51  

[Gnasher]

I'm looking forward to trying different suspension, both stock suspensions on the FZS and FZ get bad reviews, but I'm hoping it has improved a little from the FZS, hoping it's slightly less bouncy bouncy at the back.

There's little difference in the standard of the suspension components, the FZS has a sorter wheel base and suspension travel, plus the rake and trail are steeper which makes the turn faster and feel more sporty.  Neither bike has what you could call quality suspension both are built to a budget, the FZS has the better engineered back end using a raising rate linkage.  Where as the FZ6 is a basic link less monoshock, which is prone to the bolts seizing if not kept greased, these bolts can be a right pig to get out.

I do worry about the electric side of things, I'm hoping it won't be a nightmare.  Time will tell.

They are pretty good in this area no worse than the FZS.

Bottom line, I need better lights on the bike.  I will need to use the bike to occasionally to commute and it's through country lanes, and need to be able to see where I'm going (yes mine were THAT bad). 

Yes the FZS pre 02 (boxeye) model does have totally shite lights, as you probably know 02 models have the same set up as the 1000s.  Oddly the FZS400 had dual H4s quite why they never put the same on the 600 is a mystery, probably cost.
 

Bike was almost 25 years old and was getting to the point of probably needing some carb love, more money.

Not the case I've got customers who got 98 - 03 models none of the bikes I see about 30 odd have had any carb issues beyond a blocked pilot jet.  I'll go further and say I've never thus far had to replace any OE carb jet/needle due to wear, the ones I have were due to owners tinkering and damaging them.   

So, I'm getting an FZ6, the deal is done, will it be the right move?  Maybe no, but I blooming hope it is.  I know I'm getting a 17 year old bike.  I know I'm getting a bike that could have electrical issues.  I know the suspension isn't great, but then, nor am I, so I don't think that will worry me too much.

There's nothing wrong with the FZ6, it's just not recognised as good at what it replaced the FZS.  FZ6's like many other bikes of that time don't fuel smoothly, so can be a bit snatchy off idle and have the odd flat spot.  The fueling is better on the model you're getting, plus yours has a more advanced cat and 02 sensor with improved fuel mapping more importantly yours has the same calipers as the FZS.  The injection system is pretty reliable, just a bit snatchy    

I STRESS they don't fall apart, they are different to an FZS and they do cost a bit more to look after but that's it.  If you do get issues just get on here and ask.  Don't go replacing things without checking on here first, many out there just want to sell you non OE part which in a lot of cases you don't need.    

I'm sure you'll have a ball on the new bike. 

Still love this forum, and all those still left here, even if you are getting even older and more cantankerous than ever!  I have to remember, I'm still a young'en at 51  

Yer some much older than others and a lot more cantankerous, you know who you are 

[b1k3rdude]

• FZ6's like many other bikes of that time don't fuel smoothly, so can be a bit snatchy off idle 
  
• If you do get issues just get on here and ask.  Don't go replacing things without checking on here first, many out there just want to sell you non OE part which in a lot of cases you don't need.    
  

• Ah so that's what I was feeling when I took the bike for a test ride, I thought it was a poorly lubed cable like my FZ1? Once i lubed said cable, my FZ1 has been much more controllable and easier to launch off the lights.
  
• Exactly this. But also this is an internet forum, take all the advise but ultimately its your bike, so your decision what you do or don't do with it.
  

[HarryHornby]

I'm smiling and giggling :-)

I'm sure it will be fine.

Anyone got a feeling there will be a new post from me in 6 months...... anyone selling a nice FZS600???? LOL

[Grahamm]

Regarding the snatchy/ jerky throttle, it's a a "fuel economy" thing that Yamaha put in.

When you roll off, eg entering a bend, the ECU says "Oh, ok, you don't need fuel" and cuts the injectors, so, when you start to roll back on, there's a momentary lag before the cylinders fire again, causing a jerk.

Either you can try to keep the throttle slightly open or there's a bit of circuitry you can get that tricks the ECU into thinking there's still demand on the system to keep the fuel flowing: https://www.600riders.com/threads/trying...ost-653938

Similarly, there's also a "hole" in the power curve around 5-6000 rpm where Yamaha tweaked things to improve emissions. Once you get over 6k, the power comes in nicely. I put in a Power Commander III on my bike to smooth things out, although there are cheaper alternatives to remap the stock fuel settings.

Regarding the suspension, a YSS rear shock (see my earlier post) is much nicer and not too expensive as a replacement.

For the lights, you can install LEDs instead, but I find Osram Night Breakers work well enough.

[Gnasher]

• FZ6's like many other bikes of that time don't fuel smoothly, so can be a bit snatchy off idle 
  
• If you do get issues just get on here and ask.  Don't go replacing things without checking on here first, many out there just want to sell you non OE part which in a lot of cases you don't need.    
  

• Ah so that's what I was feeling when I took the bike for a test ride, I thought it was a poorly lubed cable like my FZ1? Once i lubed said cable, my FZ1 has been much more controllable and easier to launch off the lights.

It could be the cable needs a little oil as these use cable down to the potentiometer.  But they're are still a bit snatchy compared to carbs or later injected bikes.

---

Regarding the snatchy/ jerky throttle, it's a a "fuel economy" thing that Yamaha put in.

When you roll off, eg entering a bend, the ECU says "Oh, ok, you don't need fuel" and cuts the injectors, so, when you start to roll back on, there's a momentary lag before the cylinders fire again, causing a jerk.

Either you can try to keep the throttle slightly open or there's a bit of circuitry you can get that tricks the ECU into thinking there's still demand on the system to keep the fuel flowing: https://www.600riders.com/threads/trying...ost-653938

Similarly, there's also a "hole" in the power curve around 5-6000 rpm where Yamaha tweaked things to improve emissions. Once you get over 6k, the power comes in nicely. I put in a Power Commander III on my bike to smooth things out, although there are cheaper alternatives to remap the stock fuel settings.

Later models have a lot more accurate sensors and more of them, coupled with better faster ECUs, with better fuel/ignition maps and many bikes now have dual injectors.  One in the induction system post throttle body the other in the air box pre throttle body.  It's called progress or so I'm told

[HarryHornby]

Let's hope I find it's got a full on power commander already installed! ha ha

Cheers for all the advice, there will be plenty of questions to come once I get the bike, I'm sure :-)

[Grahamm]

Cheers for all the advice, there will be plenty of questions to come once I get the bike, I'm sure :-)

If you want, I have a list of suggested mods to improve the bike (none of which are "get a louder exhaust!"  )