Castration of the FZ6R ...

[HelzBelz]

Ok - just need to get this off my chest.

My bike ownership progressed like this:

2000 Bandit 600

2005 FZ6

2006 FZ1

2009 FJR/A

So I am reading Motorcyle Consumer News, they do a comparo of the new FZ6R, Kawi naked 6, and the Gladius..

FZ6R BLOWS EM ALL AWAY. Great. I LOVED my FZ6, if you could deal with 85 hp. I could barely, considering the mountains round here, my 210 lb's, and my desire to carry luggage.

In the article they mention that Yamaha shaved 20hp off the FZ6R, to make it more "ride-able" and smooth. huh? The fully faired, sporty version of the FZ6, with two seats instead of one bench seat, is castrated to make is easier to ride. While the FZ6, half naked, bench seat with lots of room for luggage (the prettiest stuff GIVI ever made is for the FZ6, guaranteed) keeps it's powerful, yet herky jerky, engine tuning.

Anyone else see the wierdness? I wonder if it is just an ecu trick, and fz6r guys can change that if they want to. All bikes have their own characteristics, smoothness comes from learning to ride your own machine.. no?

 

[Bugnatr]

I believe Yamaha toned down the 6 to attract the newbe riders.

I have a 07 FZ6, threw on a set of 2bros cannons and have been having fun on our local mountain roads. Some of the liter bike guys are surprised when the look back and that little 6 is still behind them

 

[user 6393]

I believe Yamaha toned down the 6 to attract the newbe riders.

+1

Kawi has been cornering the market on entry level bikes with the re-done Ninja 250.

The Honda 125 (that is a market flop), the Gladius etc are all aimed at getting newbs on 2 wheels. Same with the further de-tuned FZ6r.

I like the full fairing, but I prefer my '06 in the twisties

 

[HelzBelz]

I believe Yamaha toned down the 6 to attract the newbe riders.

From the article I couldn't tell for sure, but I thought they were saying they tuned down the R only- is the FZ6 still pumping out full 85-ish hp, while the FZ6R is tuned down to 65-ish?

My surprise is based on the fact that the FZ6 and FZ6R are making different hp, with the sportier one making less? Maybe I misunderstood?

 

[user 6393]

the 1/2 naked FZ6 is the spunkier bike, the fully faired R is less powerful...

Pandering to the "sport bike" attracted beginner crowd. They get the sportbike look without the performance that can get a newb in trouble.

 

[doctorJ]

Ok - just need to get this off my chest.
My bike ownership progressed like this:

2000 Bandit 600

2005 FZ6

2006 FZ1

2009 FJR/A

So I am reading Motorcyle Consumer News, they do a comparo of the new FZ6R, Kawi naked 6, and the Gladius..

FZ6R BLOWS EM ALL AWAY. Great. I LOVED my FZ6, if you could deal with 85 hp. I could barely, considering the mountains round here, my 210 lb's, and my desire to carry luggage.

In the article they mention that Yamaha shaved 20hp off the FZ6R, to make it more "ride-able" and smooth. huh? The fully faired, sporty version of the FZ6, with two seats instead of one bench seat, is castrated to make is easier to ride. While the FZ6, half naked, bench seat with lots of room for luggage (the prettiest stuff GIVI ever made is for the FZ6, guaranteed) keeps it's powerful, yet herky jerky, engine tuning.

Anyone else see the wierdness? I wonder if it is just an ecu trick, and fz6r guys can change that if they want to. All bikes have their own characteristics, smoothness comes from learning to ride your own machine.. no?

You can still get the more powerful FZ6. The R is just another version with a bit more fairing aimed at more beginning riders. But they sure did like it compared to the others in the comparo.

doctorj

 

[Bugnatr]

[quote name='HelzBelz' date='Jul 25 2009, 11:36 AM' post='618121'

My surprise is based on the fact that the FZ6 and FZ6R are making different hp, with the sportier one making less? Maybe I misunderstood?

The FZ6 IS the sportier one.

 

[dwpools]

I just bought a FZ6R for my wife, her first bike. Even though the motor is detuned, it's perfect for a newbie. I had it up on the freeway doing 70 mph, and it was stable and had more to go. When she gets more comfortable on the bike we will try to get a little more hp out of it. First will be the muffler, I don't think they could have made it any quieter, the cool thing about the exhaust is that they kept it on the bottom of the bike. Unfrotuantely that meant no center stand.