Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (2004-current)

I Traded in my 04 R1 for a new FZ6 S2 this weekend. You would think that they would be like chalk and cheese in every respect. In terms of pure grunt there is of course no comparison, 98 BHP versus the 160 of the R1 is a no brainer. However, once you get the S2 up and running the handling is spot on, and I would venture that on real roads the S2 would be snapping at the R1's heels on a pretty regular basis. The Fazer is deceptively light and so so easy to flick around, the wide bars helping to quickly change direction. I have dropped the forks 10mm through the headstock so as to liven up the steering and this makes a huge difference. The suspension certainly appears to be from the budget items bin. Heavy braking makes the front forks dive alarmingly, ideally I would want to dial in a bit more damping but of course there is no adjustment on the front and only preload adjustment on the rear. The riding position for me (5'6") is perfect and the seat is ultra comfortable. The fitted screen is way too low, 85mph is about the most I could stand because of the buffeting. Although Yamaha do offer a taller screen. During the first 600 miles the motor is limited to 7,000 RPM, and I have to agree with everyone who says that the mid range on this bike is pretty poor. Up to 7,000 RPM the bike is pretty much handicapped, I would like to see a Dyno print out of the Torque curve, I am guessing that it doesn't come alive until way after 7,000 RPM. You may get the impression that I am not keen on the Bike. Well you couldn't be further from the truth. This bike is so much fun, it's light, flickable, comfortable, well kitted out and looks beautiful and well made. I am really pleased with it,

when i saw the fz6 all in black it stood out in the crowd.ilove the up and over exhausts,but you can get loads more power from aftermarket system,icould not see them removed.after riding a street tripple i see what journos are talking about the mid range.the fz power is a bit too peaky but i still rate the bike.

I've spent with my FZ6S almost 20 months now. I like it - no matter where, in the city or on the road for the weekend it feels great. Well at that price the quality is reasonable enough.

My FZ6N (un-faired, classier and more fun) is about to turn 20 months old with over 17k miles on the clock. It has done weekend's away with me and the wife 2-up, long weekends on the contintent with friends, commuting, weekend blasts and general all round fun. So far I've yet to see where the negative points all the journo's keep spouting are. it is a classy ride, well built, well powered, very comfy, damn good fun, and well capable of keeping up with everything else on 2 wheels (until they start getting stupid, then I back off) and more than capable of out-pulling anything with 4 wheels from the lights (and they always try it, stupid cagers in their euro-box hot-hatch, even the Porsche guys can't keep up).

I keep reading journos who believe the FZ6 disappoints because it lacks midrange . What planet do they ride on? I returned to biking on a new FZ6 Fazer after shopping around. I ride everyday to commute, blow the cobwebs out at weekends and do the odd long trip. Anyone who says it lacks enough power must ride like a hooligan. Overtaking at a speed that doesn't require a G suit is possible at anything over 3000 rpm in top gear. If you want to explore the time-space continuum the engine will pull to 11000 rpm and beyond, with a surge at 8500. Only a lunatic is going to be pulling G's on the average UK road with a laptop or your tea on your back. Get real guys, we don’t all need to stuff the environment and tee off other road users by raincoating other road users with all of the power every ride. The FZ6 and its detuned engine are a fantastic mid distance sports/commuter. The R6 power is there if you want it at 8000+ revs but I am using 3-6000 rpm 90% of the time, having a blast and getting 50+ mpg. Strengths: stops well, good looking, cleans up easily, easy to tinker with, turns in and holds corners like a pro, irons out rider deficiencies. Weaknesses: inability to tinker with ride other than preload, some cheap parts (inc. the 'blue peter' designed swingarm), hard seat, some fuelling probs at very low revs (now tuned out).

I bought a FZ6 Fazer S2 in August 2007 and so far have been very impressed. The handling and ride are superb and the quality is good for the price. The engine performance is great and I cannot find any problem with the mid range as it pulls well from 3000 revs in top and really sings when you get over 6000. I have had fairing lowers fitted and this has made it into a first class mid sized tourer with cheap running costs. The only fault I can find is the clunky change from 1st to 2nd , it is possible to get over this by changing up from first at about 4000 revs. I have ridden my son`s R6 and this is the same so I`ll quite happily live with it as the rest of the bike more than makes up for the small geabox niggle

I bought the naked model model new in 2005. Overall I was disappointed as this was my first step into big bike territory. The fuel injection wasn't correct and every time I came to a corner the bike would be lurching as I tried to open the throttle through the corner. The front brakes would cause the front of the bike to shudder every time they were applied, and when I took it back to the dealers thinking it was a loose head bearing, I was told they all do that sir. The final straw was the first to second gearchange which was accompanied by a loud clunk noise. No matter how I tried varying my style of gearchange it was still unnervingly loud to change from first to second. On several occasions I the bike was stuck in a particular gear after keeping the bike in third or fourth for a long time on B-roads. Needless to say after all these problems I traded it in after only 6 months, this particular model has put me off buying Yamaha motorbikes. It may be a looker, and have an attractive price tag, but don't be fooled - there are a lot of better bikes out there for the same money.

FZ6 Fazer. Brill do it all tool. Its tractable from 2000rpm in 6th. It tours nicely, is comfortable, great tank range. The so called lack of midrange MCN recon is rubbish. Power is fine. No problem getting front end skipping over bumps when you give it some and explore 9k+. Easy to fit soft luggage. Cheap to run and bloody good fun to ride. No stiffness after 200miles. Great allrounder. Not far off an r6 for the sensible that dont want the arse in the air and hurting wrists and neck thigh pain. Would buy another.

I was really put right off this .... was those testers at MCN and other bike mags ... gutless ??? my arse !!! It's a great bike ... I know where the power is so it's a piece of piss to ride ... who nees to go at 170 everywhere. Bought the unfaired with less than 5k on the clock for 3 grand ... new scorps made a difference ... so ignore what the testers say .. save cash and have fun

Whilst the faired version is, I'm sure, very nice, it still looks to 'normal' for it's own good. Save yorself over £700 and get the naked version, the bike is the same but it gets more comments and stares on the road. The lack of fairing means the wind hits you dead on and is not directed to the base of your helmet, and I actually found the naked quieter ona test ... ! I bought the naked FZ6 in July 2005, and in the last 21 months have done over 12,000 miles, no problems, but make sure to get the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) checked against the official recall (you'll have to ask Yamaha abuot it, they won't volunteer this info!) list. My next big buy is a set of Laser Extreme Quad exhausts - makes the back end look like the Binelli with the four pipes instead of the standard two ... lovely.