The Man from Monmouth

Nothing has broken or fallen off. The engine is a de-tuned version of the R6 lump so should be pretty bullet proof. Have a look at the MCN web site - as well as the 'professional review' there are a number of owner comments there as well. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikerevi...?&R=EPI-256

I bought an FZ6 S2 Fazer for my first bike - 18 months and a bit over 5000 miles later and I still love it. Soft enough to practice on if you keep it below 6000 rpm, interestingly quick between 6000 and 9000 and a complete head case from 9000 all the way round to 14,000 rpm. I commute and pleasure ride on mine. MPG is good - she gives me around 55 mpg average. The first back tyre disappeared in 3800 miles, which was disappointing - I have fitted a dual compound one as a replacement, which is doing much better. The front is still going strong with probably another 2000 miles left in it. It’s really comfy, easy to ride and has forgiven me one or two real numpty moments and it makes me smile like every time I get on it. Overall, I’d buy another.

You did better than I did - I only managed to get 3900 miles out of the back tyre on my FZ6 (a 180/55/17 Bridgestone BT020). Admittedly, it was because of the centre of the tread going thin due to a bit of commuting but I was really surprised esp. as some claim to get double that. I have stuck with Bridgestone but fitted a dual compound BT021 - they claim it is harder in the middle to resist the squaring off but also a bit tacky out toward the edges for an extra bit of confidence in the corners. Also my tyre was graining after a short run on the motorway - I've been in touch with Bridgestone to ask if that is normal who say that it isn't but point the finger back at me for either under inflation or thrashing the living daylights out of it - both of which I know not to be the case. I paid £93 fitted for the BT021; that said if the BT021 is no better then I'll be looking at another manufacturer.

Ever thought that it maxes out at 65 MPH for a reason? I hope you are going to lavish the same attention on the ability to go round corners and stop (tyres, suspension, brakes, your ability as a rider) as you are on trying to go faster?

As I said before I get about 185 to the reserve warning but that comes on a little early on mine. I have done 225 plus before filling and still had a litre and a half left giving about 57 to the gallon. How much did you put in when you filled? How long is your commute? I am assuming that your tyre pressures are correct etc? At 140 miles I would expect to put in no more than 11 to 12 litres. Oh - a note about tyre pressures - I contacted Bridgestone about the rate at which my rear tyre (BT020) was wearing and the graining of the rubber after less than 15 miles on the M4 at 65 to 70 MPH (almost worn out at 3500 miles) - they said ignore the pressure in the handbook and on the swing arm - set to 36 psi front and 42 psi rear as they feel the pressures recommended by Yamaha are too low. Their other advice was to always check the tyre manufacturer's web site for correct pressures instead of relying on the bike manufacturere to get it right.

My 57 plate FZ6 S2 Fazer now has 3400 miles on the clock. Generally it gets used for the 27 mile run to work across a mix of B roads and motorway at sensible speeds. I'm averaging just over 57 miles to the gallon which gives a maximum theoretical range of 245 miles. I've normally bottled it with 225 on the trip and filled up then. If you do more traffic bound riding then you will get less to the gallon. To work out what your normal riding returns to the gallon: (miles/litres) x 4.546 = mpg mpg x 4 gives you you range with a drop to spare (50 mpg = 200 mile range, 55 = 220 etc). and then assess what level of reserve you feel comfortable with. My fuel countdown comes on a bit early about 185 miles (about 14.75 litres used) giving me plenty of warning of the need to stop. By the way 19.4 litres is 4.27 UK gallons; the 5.13 galllons suggested by Ttaskmaster is US gallons - about the only thing over there that is smaller than in the UK!

I tend to do mine every time I wash the bike - every two weeks/500 miles or so. I use a chain cleaner and a toothbrush to get the cr*p off and a hose to rinse it all away. I dry the chain with paper towel and finally apply a good squirt of synthetic chain lube. I also apply a squirt of lube toward the end of the first week (250 miles) just to keep the chain and sprockets lubed. Result 3000 miles without the need for any adjustment whatsoever.

I've just done a little experiment. I've been using Super Unleaded to see if: a. I could tell the difference under normal conditions. b. There was an improvement in fuel economy. My normal ride is a daily commute of 16 miles cross country on B roads followed by 10 miles on the motorway and the last mile or so in city traffic. Speeds are progressive but sensible. Overall, as I know the route well it is as repeatable as you will get in the real world. Having purged the tank of normal unleaded by refilling 3 times with super I then brimmed the tank and concentrated on how the bike felt running 99 RON unleaded instead of the normal 95 RON stuff I had been using. Conclusion - absolutely no difference. At the pumps - absolutely no difference, just over 58 to the gallon on normal and just over 58 to the gallon on super. Ultimate conclusion - for my bike, on my normal route with my riding style super provides no noticeable gain in smoothness or performance and no improvement in economy and is not worth the extra money. By the way - on the last tank of normal unleaded I bottled out and filled up after 223.5 miles with still half a gallon left in the tank!

Arai Viper - fits well, is exceptionally comfortable and well ventilated. A bit noisy though so wear ear plugs.

I do - have had mine since this time last year - I love it. Am using it more and more and with winter coming up thought the full cowling would give a bit of extra protection from the wind and rain.

Try this one for size in your browser: http://www.yamahaclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7775 Looks good in blue - hope its stunning in black as I'm just about to order one! Regards TMFM

Has anyone got any experience running dual compound tyres (BT021s or Pilot Road 2s) on a FZ6? I'm running the standard BT020s at the moment and the rear looks like it is goting to be down to the centre wear bars at 3000 miles.

Just an update - now that I've got 2300 miles on the clock the FZ6 is averaging 58 mpg giving a safe range of over 220 miles. You'll get me on the straights but I'll pass you at every petrol station on the route!

SRJ - I'm with you on 99.9% of what you said except for the above - a very good friend of mine got a very nasty letter from the local fuzz because the number plate on her Range Rover had the spacing of the letters altered to spell out her name. The charaters themselves were standard size and font. Basically, the letter went along the lines of 'we know where you live - get the plate changed or you're nicked!' For the rest of you the vehicle construction and use regulations pertaining to number plates are on the web and stipulate everything from the format of the plate, acceptable fonts, letter size, spacing between letters and lines to the width of the margins around the outside of the plate - deviation is an offence. No I not a copper either!

I, like you, have been on 4 wheels for a good few years (23 to be exact) - I joined the biking world last year. Looked at lots of stuff from all the major makers. Liked the Honda CBF1000 but was put off by complaints from owners about engine vibes and bar misalignment. Liked the BMW F800ST - but not the price! Settled on a new FZ6 S2 Fazer. Has a detuned R6 engine but with simpler suspension and more upright riding position. With little to reference it against I have to say it’s brilliant. Its quicker than me, has let me get away with some daft/buttock clenching mid-corner c**k-ups, makes me smile when I get corners and gear changes right (they do happen occasionally) and has yet to miss a beat or give less than 55 miles to the gallon. Ultimately it’s down to what you want the bike for and your own personal preference. I tried a Bandit - good value with ABS as standard and although it was gruntier than the FZ6 it didn't fit me as well. My advice is try before you buy - the guys at BMW Bristol were great and let me have the F800ST for a whole day; others are less willing to let you play for such a long time. Get to know your dealers and ask their, and the bikers who drink tea there, advice - they were a great source of common sense for me which meant that I didn't end up buying the 2006 Fireblade that the little devil on my left shoulder wanted me to! But most of all don't be rushed and don't be swayed by the gloss of a new bike and/or the deal that is just about to run out - take your time and chose carefully.