Yamaha FZ-6 S Fazer

Introduced in 1998, the previous Fazer was built upon a retuned YZF600R engine positioned on a steel-tube frame. The bike sold very well because it was eminently functional.

The Yamaha FZ6 is a motorcycle that was introduced in 2004. The bike was developed basing on the 600 cc Fazer, who needed a brand new design and a smoother engine. The bike is build around the 2003 YZF R6 engine which was retuned for more usable midrange power. 

This motorcycle belongs to the super sport-touring class and this segment tries to be dominated by all Japanese builders. So the bike has a very strong competition coming from the Honda 599, Kawasaki Ninja 650R and Suzuki SV650.

Both the SV650 and FZ6 are fuel-injected, but as the Honda’s 599 engine is derived from a pre-fuel-injection CBR600 carbureted as well, and has a handlebar-mounted choke. The 599 mill is mounted in a mono-back-bone steel frame, while the FZ6 and SV650 have aluminum-alloy main frames, though weight-wise the 599 actually falls between the heavier FZ6 and minimalist SV650.

The 2007 model is a very versatile, middleweight with fuel injected R6 power and light, strong aluminum frame that gets a new swing arm, four-pot brake caliper, fairing, seat, and revised injection mapping. The bike is strongly built to do almost anything and to take you anywhere. This is the bike you will ride to work during the week and through serpentines in the weekends, satisfaction included.

We have to admit: Yamaha’s FZ6 has always looked great. The headlights give the bike its cool looking face and the windscreen provides her with aerodynamics. Redesigned fairing, windscreen and new, high quality paint look great and reduce turbulence. The gas tank has a very modern design and it looks like an integrated part of the aluminum frame.

This motorcycle has a very comfortable seat but more important it’s what’s under the seat: a stainless steel exhaust system with head shield which looks cool and doesn’t interfere with passengers or luggage.

At the end there are also redesigned passenger foot pegs made from aluminum for better comfort and appearance.

The bike’s technical features make it as attractive as it’s looks. The 600cc liquid-cooled 16-valve DOHC four cylinder engine with special cams and intake tracks is tuned to produce maximum torque and horsepower at more accessible rpm levels.

The fuel injection system provides the bike with its good response and performance but the large radiator with ring-type fan keeps the engine on a reasonable temperature.

Yamaha’s FZ6 is equipped with a six-speed gearbox with triangulated input and output shafts, heavy-duty clutch and through-the-frame shifter for years of precise, positive shifting.

This bike’s single shock ageless rear suspension is simple and light, with sport-biased damping tuned for a controlled, progressive feel; extruded aluminum swingarm is 23.2 inches long for reduced chain-pull effect, further bolstering the FZ6’s outstanding handling.

43mm, wide-set fork tubes for excellent rigidity and confident braking performance.

Extremely light YZF-R6-type five-spoke wheels keep unsprung weight low for improved suspension action and handling, acceleration and deceleration.

The Yamaha FZ6 is a machine very well developed and with great road characteristics. The bike is extremely maneuverable and because of the position given by the seat and handlebars you feel very confident and relaxed with traffic ahead. Ridding the FZ6 is not a very demanding task but because of the engine’s power reserve at high revs I had to be a bit careful with the throttle. The reconfigured R6 engine is very smooth and it provides usable power for as low as 5500 RPM and things remain strong all the way to the double digits, with enough of the old, rev-happy R6 character.

The suspensions are made to keep the rider in complete comfort but they are also adjusted for a good road performance.

The FZ6 has powerful brake both front ( 4 break calipers) and rear (1 break caliper) and this is great news because the bike is the fastest in the middleweight standard class.

But let’s not forget a very important thing on a bike: the sound it produces. And the FZ6’s is music to my ears and because of the position of the exhaust you get to feel like you are an integrated part of the motorcycle and this is for many riders a very important detail when buying and riding a bike.

The FZ6 is a very complex, smart and rational package. The bike has style and power provided by it’s YZF-R6 engine (the best in it’s class) and this seems to be all it needs.

Source Top Speed