Hello all!
I just purchased a 2013 Blue Fz6r after 25 years of riding nothing but cruisers. I just traded my '12 Vstar 950LT for a 13' Fz6r. I've been reading ADVRider and Sport touring.net for awhile, and have a cousin whose 55 and riding a ST2 Ducati and loves it. I finally wanted to see if it is actually as fun as all the guys my age (45) and older who still ride semi sport type bikes say it is. I have no interest in ultra high speeds, as the 125-130 is fast enough. I can't afford to lose my license with a 100 mile commute everyday, let alone 4 kids who need driven everywhere! After only a week of ownership and 200 miles, I have discovered the following:
1. The bike IS fast and has plenty of power for real world fun. I actually test drove the FZ-09 and like the power delivery on the Fz6r better (seriously, I do). It still pulled hard and is predictable. The Fz-09 was jumpy. Yes it was faster, but overall I wasn't impressed. I also felt like my body was a sail catching the wind on the fz-09. From my fun range of 15-90mph, this fz6r will pull pretty hard. Way faster than any of the cruiser's I've had.
2. I think the fit and quality of the FZ6r is excellent.
3. I see where people talk about it being heavy, but it feels like a dirtbike to me. After riding 650-725 lb cruisers, this thing is LIGHT and flickable!
4. It doesn't hurt my spine when I go over a bump
5. The ride is more comfortable than I thought it would be
6. I hate not having any storage, got to remedy that soon. Saddlebags spoiled me.
7. I probably need a touring windscreen. Don't like my head bobbling around at 65 and above.
8. I love going around corners. Its so easy to drive.
9. I wear my helmet more faithfully! In Indiana where I live, I see about 1 out of 10 guys wearing a helmet. Of course 9 out of 10 bikes I pass on the road are Harley's.
10. Cruiser guys wave to me a lot LESS now that I am on a "sport"bike. Interesting. Seems I'm out of the club??? I hardly see sport type bikes around central Indiana. This IS Harley country and everybody wants in the club.
11. When downshifting it seems the shifter doesn't always pop back up for the next downshift.. not sure here if its me or the linkage needs adjusted. Also getting use to not hearing the loud click when upshifting or always feeling the click even though it did shift.
12. Is there a helmet lock? Thought I read about a strap under the seat but I'm not seeing it.
13. Much easier to lockup the rear wheel than on my cruiser, gotta be more faithful about using both brakes in combo.
And lastly, It is just plain a hoot to ride. I am having a blast on it. It feels like I am actually riding instead of being driven around as I am on a cruiser. This bike really does do it all. Commute, Sport Touring, cruising around, hitting the twisties. I have no desire for anything bigger or faster at this point. I think people are surprised around here to see my riding it as they expect a young hooligan to be riding that "crotch rocket". Not expecting the graying beard when I pull my helmet off! By the way, when I was at the dealership buying, there was 70 year old man buying a Ninja 250 to tool around on. Good for him!
That's some of my random thoughts. Enjoyed perusing this forum before making the purchase last week. Will be seeing everyone around!
Todd
I just purchased a 2013 Blue Fz6r after 25 years of riding nothing but cruisers. I just traded my '12 Vstar 950LT for a 13' Fz6r. I've been reading ADVRider and Sport touring.net for awhile, and have a cousin whose 55 and riding a ST2 Ducati and loves it. I finally wanted to see if it is actually as fun as all the guys my age (45) and older who still ride semi sport type bikes say it is. I have no interest in ultra high speeds, as the 125-130 is fast enough. I can't afford to lose my license with a 100 mile commute everyday, let alone 4 kids who need driven everywhere! After only a week of ownership and 200 miles, I have discovered the following:
1. The bike IS fast and has plenty of power for real world fun. I actually test drove the FZ-09 and like the power delivery on the Fz6r better (seriously, I do). It still pulled hard and is predictable. The Fz-09 was jumpy. Yes it was faster, but overall I wasn't impressed. I also felt like my body was a sail catching the wind on the fz-09. From my fun range of 15-90mph, this fz6r will pull pretty hard. Way faster than any of the cruiser's I've had.
2. I think the fit and quality of the FZ6r is excellent.
3. I see where people talk about it being heavy, but it feels like a dirtbike to me. After riding 650-725 lb cruisers, this thing is LIGHT and flickable!
4. It doesn't hurt my spine when I go over a bump
5. The ride is more comfortable than I thought it would be
6. I hate not having any storage, got to remedy that soon. Saddlebags spoiled me.
7. I probably need a touring windscreen. Don't like my head bobbling around at 65 and above.
8. I love going around corners. Its so easy to drive.
9. I wear my helmet more faithfully! In Indiana where I live, I see about 1 out of 10 guys wearing a helmet. Of course 9 out of 10 bikes I pass on the road are Harley's.
10. Cruiser guys wave to me a lot LESS now that I am on a "sport"bike. Interesting. Seems I'm out of the club??? I hardly see sport type bikes around central Indiana. This IS Harley country and everybody wants in the club.
11. When downshifting it seems the shifter doesn't always pop back up for the next downshift.. not sure here if its me or the linkage needs adjusted. Also getting use to not hearing the loud click when upshifting or always feeling the click even though it did shift.
12. Is there a helmet lock? Thought I read about a strap under the seat but I'm not seeing it.
13. Much easier to lockup the rear wheel than on my cruiser, gotta be more faithful about using both brakes in combo.
And lastly, It is just plain a hoot to ride. I am having a blast on it. It feels like I am actually riding instead of being driven around as I am on a cruiser. This bike really does do it all. Commute, Sport Touring, cruising around, hitting the twisties. I have no desire for anything bigger or faster at this point. I think people are surprised around here to see my riding it as they expect a young hooligan to be riding that "crotch rocket". Not expecting the graying beard when I pull my helmet off! By the way, when I was at the dealership buying, there was 70 year old man buying a Ninja 250 to tool around on. Good for him!
That's some of my random thoughts. Enjoyed perusing this forum before making the purchase last week. Will be seeing everyone around!
Todd
