Trading bikes thinking FZ6 or SV650 naked help please
Trading bikes thinking FZ6 or SV650 naked help please
I've been looking for a new bike. I've been riding dirtbikes and 70s style streetbikes for 10+ years but bought my first nice bike last year a 03 Marauder 800. Its a great bike but just not what I really wanted. I had been between that and a sv650 and wife prefered the backseat of the marauder so I got that. Now she has decided she would rather get her license and get her own bike which I think is great. So I went to the local motorcycle show the other day and still like the SV650 but sat on a FZ1 and thought it felt more comfortable and roomy, i've also considered a Speed4 but have had zero luck finding one so its out. I ride mostly 40-60 miles with the wife for evening outings, 80 miles to work, and have gone on a few 250-350 mile day trips and would love to do more. I'm looking for a bike that is sporty but comfortable for me and not to bad for the occasional time when the wife does ride instead of drive. I'm 24 6ft and 240#s so room is important to me. I love the spread out feel of the FZ just afraid of a couple things I haven't been able to sit on a FZ6 is there much difference in the layout and room between the FZ1 and FZ6. Also all the reviews I've read are about 04 preproductions and they say there was a problem with the lowend studdering from stop signs and such have they improved this or is really a problem. Thanks for all the help.
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- Legendary 1000
- Posts: 1492
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 8:43 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 8
- My Motorcycle: 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R
- Location: Yellow Springs, OH
I owned a 2004 FZ6 for about 6 months and it was a great bike. The seat was a bit hard, and I had a hard time riding for more than an hour or two without a break. Since the gas tank isn't large, you need to stop within that time anyway period anyway. After a 6 hour trip one time though, I was noticably sore in the rear. By contrast, on my current bike I have never been sore EVER no matter how long I ride. Ergos are very different from person to person though, and the FZ6 might have been a bit off for my arm and leg lenghth. Power was amazing above 6000 RPMs. You had to goose it (like most inline 600s) to get it going.
One other problem I had with the FZ6 was dropping it at slow speed. I think I was still early in my learning curve, but I dropped this bike in front of my house moving it around like 10 times and at least 5 or 6 times in the world. I have only set-down my current bike two times, and both were were kick-stand mistakes (I forgot to put the kick-stand down before setting it down). With the FZ6 it felt more top-heavy when moving slow.
I'm sure you'll get an SV650 opinion if you stick around.
Good luck and hope this helps.
One other problem I had with the FZ6 was dropping it at slow speed. I think I was still early in my learning curve, but I dropped this bike in front of my house moving it around like 10 times and at least 5 or 6 times in the world. I have only set-down my current bike two times, and both were were kick-stand mistakes (I forgot to put the kick-stand down before setting it down). With the FZ6 it felt more top-heavy when moving slow.
I'm sure you'll get an SV650 opinion if you stick around.
Good luck and hope this helps.
* 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R *
"What good fortune for those of us in power that people do not think. " Hitler - think about that one for a minute.
"What good fortune for those of us in power that people do not think. " Hitler - think about that one for a minute.
Thanks for the information. I really think i'm going to get the FZ6. I sit on the sv or the 599 and my reaction was more of a this fits ok but when I sit on the FZ it feels perfect at most I would just want the bars a shade higher and the seat fealt great to me especially compared to my last bike and the other two but if I find it bad it can always be replaced. I've been reading everything I can find and it sure seems like its the people over about 5'10" plus that really like the size of it. I would still appreciate any opinions on the SV650 and does anyone know what all was changed from 03-04 cause it sure seems like in 03 when I sat on one it was more comfortable.
Great Bike! Not for everyone but its really great!
I am a new rider. However when I was a kid I was into stunt bike riding (bicycles), snowboarding, waterskiing and I owned a 150 cc motorscooter for about 4 months. That being said I have pretty much no fear, part of the curse of youth I guess. Anyway 2 head injuries, 4 broken ribs, a broken leg and a broken tailbone later, I finally decided to ride a bike. On the scooter however, much attention I got on it, the bug bit me. I needed to go faster! Hence I came to bikes. Intially I was torn, I love the comfort of a crusier but I like the handling and speed of a sport bike. So I thought why not a naked bike for my first purchase. I looked around for a good 2 solid months, comparing different models after my MSF class that I took at the Harley dealership (at this time I realized how crappy buell's are) and for me it came down to 2 bikes:
The Ducati Monster sr2 (2005)(800cc)
or
the yamaha FZ6 (2005).
I knew I wanted to sit upright and I wanted a reliable cheaper bike considering I'm new to riding and hearing about how everyon drops the bike even without a major spill. I did research on both, and I went with the 600cc yamaha for 2 major reasons, one every part on that bike is cheaper than ducati's and maitence via the dealerships was much, much less. Knowing that me being a newer rider I new I did not want to keep dishing out cash at 600 miles, 1000 miles, 1200 miles which is a required matience for any and all ducati's. So Yamaha I chose, I figured I liked their little accoustic guitar's why not a bike? (Im kidding)
Last week I got my bike and drove it home from the dealership via side streets I spent an hr in the dealer parking lot, getting used to the throttle and doing figure eights, and then I went home via non freeway stop and go traffic I did run into a sticking 1st gear on downshifting. Not a huge problem. I live in Houston so the traffic is always terrible and I was extremly nervous after only being on the bike for an hr, but I did what I had to do to get it home. No problems, thank God I was fine, but I was really nervous. And truthfully prolly a stupid thing to do.
After being on the bike for a week I can tell you The Fz6 is a great ride. I know the 2004 has some problems partially with low gear travel and downshiffting but everything has been fixed as far as I can tell. After that one stick, I have never had another problem. Im now on freeways and working on cornering. I truly love this bike! I know all owners say that about their rides but I really do like this bike. True I dont have any comparision but the ergonomics on a 6'3' 220 pound guy like me is great. The seat is firm, but I have a feeling firmer is better considering you are on a sport bike. Also my girlfriend has enjoyed the back of it as well. And trust me, for some reason the bike makes her really freakin hot. Which I think is a good thing.
Anyway too much info I know, but if you are fairly confident in you ability even being a first time rider, this bike is nice. Actually in my opinion, I might grow out of it sooner than I thought, however it does have lots of power.
I think you will love the bike. I got a blue one and have receive a ton of attention, people like the way it looks, riders and nonriders.
Def. a strong 9. (9out of 10)
A hell of a lot better than a damn motorscooter.
The Ducati Monster sr2 (2005)(800cc)
or
the yamaha FZ6 (2005).
I knew I wanted to sit upright and I wanted a reliable cheaper bike considering I'm new to riding and hearing about how everyon drops the bike even without a major spill. I did research on both, and I went with the 600cc yamaha for 2 major reasons, one every part on that bike is cheaper than ducati's and maitence via the dealerships was much, much less. Knowing that me being a newer rider I new I did not want to keep dishing out cash at 600 miles, 1000 miles, 1200 miles which is a required matience for any and all ducati's. So Yamaha I chose, I figured I liked their little accoustic guitar's why not a bike? (Im kidding)
Last week I got my bike and drove it home from the dealership via side streets I spent an hr in the dealer parking lot, getting used to the throttle and doing figure eights, and then I went home via non freeway stop and go traffic I did run into a sticking 1st gear on downshifting. Not a huge problem. I live in Houston so the traffic is always terrible and I was extremly nervous after only being on the bike for an hr, but I did what I had to do to get it home. No problems, thank God I was fine, but I was really nervous. And truthfully prolly a stupid thing to do.
After being on the bike for a week I can tell you The Fz6 is a great ride. I know the 2004 has some problems partially with low gear travel and downshiffting but everything has been fixed as far as I can tell. After that one stick, I have never had another problem. Im now on freeways and working on cornering. I truly love this bike! I know all owners say that about their rides but I really do like this bike. True I dont have any comparision but the ergonomics on a 6'3' 220 pound guy like me is great. The seat is firm, but I have a feeling firmer is better considering you are on a sport bike. Also my girlfriend has enjoyed the back of it as well. And trust me, for some reason the bike makes her really freakin hot. Which I think is a good thing.
Anyway too much info I know, but if you are fairly confident in you ability even being a first time rider, this bike is nice. Actually in my opinion, I might grow out of it sooner than I thought, however it does have lots of power.
I think you will love the bike. I got a blue one and have receive a ton of attention, people like the way it looks, riders and nonriders.
Def. a strong 9. (9out of 10)
A hell of a lot better than a damn motorscooter.
Thanks for the information thats exactly the kind of information i've been looking for an actual ride on the 05. Glad to hear you like it. I'm not to agressive so I think I'll be fine with the 6 and like the idea of less insurance. I went back and looked at it again last weekend and brought my wife with we sat on a FZ, and SV naked for awhile each and she agreed the FZ was the best and she even felt a lil more spread out then our Maruaders back seat. So basically right now I'm just waiting for one of the dealerships to have one available and then it will be in my garage can't wait. Thanks again for the info and enjoy your new ride.
