Most of you already know that I've been pounding miles on my 6R for the past few years, all 46K of them. I bough myself a FZ09 about 1 year ago and put a solid 10K miles on it already. That include 2 little trip in the Smokies and 2 track days. Also this past week I had the chance to build an exhaust kit for the 2015 FZ07 that required some riding around to tune the EJK fuel controller.
Here's my non-official review between those 3 bikes. To be honest, I like them all! They all have a different feel & character that I learn to enjoy over the miles.
FZ6R
PRO:
Nice & smooth engine
Can be whatever you want with few mods
Bullet proof engine and extremely low maintenance overall
2up riding comfort with proper seat
Con:
High rev at freeway speed with some vibration in the handlebars
Stock screen want to unscrew your head off your shoulder
Heavy
FZ09
Pro:
HP & Torque to dream for, amazing engine for either cruising or ripping the track
Great ergonomics, simple little fly screen relief a lot of wind pressure from my chest at freeway speed. 900 miles days once and wasn't too bad.
Nice upgrades available
Pretty much R6 brakes (Easily update to R1's)
Light weight
Con:
Wind blast can be an issue for some
Jerky throttle (Free warranty update for all 2014 from Yamaha, will be part of 2015 fleet upgrade)
Suspension (rear worst) Can be easily/cheaply fix... engine package make up for it. Much easier to fix suspension than engine
Horrible 2up riding experience for more than 1 hr, even with a better seat.
FZ07
Pro:
Extremely light weight (and narrow between the legs)
Nice engine package with good mid range, better once tuned
Can change bike color in 20 minutes, steel gas tank (lawn mower grade) is cover with plastic. Sort of cheaply made but if you scratch it... easy fix.
Break and suspension more than adequate for the job
Con:
2up is not even a question!
All in all I could ride any of those 3 bikes and be happy. The 6R is a good Jack of all trade. Doesn't do anything great but is good at doing everything. Bullet proof power plant and good ergo make it the bike of choice if you do some 2up riding. The FZ07 is a really nice bike if you ride 1up most of the time. Perfect commuter bike. I can see some luggage, good screen and few other long riding goodies to make it a perfect getaway bike. If you want to do long ride 2up, buy a second one. Brake and suspension is better than the 6R, same for cruising range (5K RPM @ 70 MPH) with about the same MPG. The 07 has a lovely mid range with about the same top end of a FZ6R... maybe a little shy but by a hair but you can quizzed more out of the 6R with FZ6cams and the whole shabang! The FZ09 is in a different class once the throttle & suspension fix. It's pretty much a naked, upright R6 with huge torque. Even at the track the 09 is a R6 beater! LOL
Like I said previously, I'm no pro but this how i feel about those bikes. If I had to pick one I'll stick to the FZ09... just too bada$$! But I'm very happy I took the decision to keep the 6R. I could see trading her in for a FZ07 for the main reason of the FZ07 is a better beginner bike. The weight (for my 5'3" wife) is an issue with the 6R, even lowered and the nice & flexible mid range make the FZ07 much easier to ride for a beginner. Then again, 3 great bikes for 3 different purpose and style.
Here's my non-official review between those 3 bikes. To be honest, I like them all! They all have a different feel & character that I learn to enjoy over the miles.
FZ6R
PRO:
Nice & smooth engine
Can be whatever you want with few mods
Bullet proof engine and extremely low maintenance overall
2up riding comfort with proper seat
Con:
High rev at freeway speed with some vibration in the handlebars
Stock screen want to unscrew your head off your shoulder
Heavy
FZ09
Pro:
HP & Torque to dream for, amazing engine for either cruising or ripping the track
Great ergonomics, simple little fly screen relief a lot of wind pressure from my chest at freeway speed. 900 miles days once and wasn't too bad.
Nice upgrades available
Pretty much R6 brakes (Easily update to R1's)
Light weight
Con:
Wind blast can be an issue for some
Jerky throttle (Free warranty update for all 2014 from Yamaha, will be part of 2015 fleet upgrade)
Suspension (rear worst) Can be easily/cheaply fix... engine package make up for it. Much easier to fix suspension than engine
Horrible 2up riding experience for more than 1 hr, even with a better seat.
FZ07
Pro:
Extremely light weight (and narrow between the legs)
Nice engine package with good mid range, better once tuned
Can change bike color in 20 minutes, steel gas tank (lawn mower grade) is cover with plastic. Sort of cheaply made but if you scratch it... easy fix.
Break and suspension more than adequate for the job
Con:
2up is not even a question!
All in all I could ride any of those 3 bikes and be happy. The 6R is a good Jack of all trade. Doesn't do anything great but is good at doing everything. Bullet proof power plant and good ergo make it the bike of choice if you do some 2up riding. The FZ07 is a really nice bike if you ride 1up most of the time. Perfect commuter bike. I can see some luggage, good screen and few other long riding goodies to make it a perfect getaway bike. If you want to do long ride 2up, buy a second one. Brake and suspension is better than the 6R, same for cruising range (5K RPM @ 70 MPH) with about the same MPG. The 07 has a lovely mid range with about the same top end of a FZ6R... maybe a little shy but by a hair but you can quizzed more out of the 6R with FZ6cams and the whole shabang! The FZ09 is in a different class once the throttle & suspension fix. It's pretty much a naked, upright R6 with huge torque. Even at the track the 09 is a R6 beater! LOL
Like I said previously, I'm no pro but this how i feel about those bikes. If I had to pick one I'll stick to the FZ09... just too bada$$! But I'm very happy I took the decision to keep the 6R. I could see trading her in for a FZ07 for the main reason of the FZ07 is a better beginner bike. The weight (for my 5'3" wife) is an issue with the 6R, even lowered and the nice & flexible mid range make the FZ07 much easier to ride for a beginner. Then again, 3 great bikes for 3 different purpose and style.