The '09 Yamaha FZ6R

We Take A Quick Spin On The '09 Yamaha FZ6R

Yamaha recently invited us to sample its all-new FZ6R, a bike designed for entry-level sportbike fans who are looking for something that is affordable, comfortable, stylish and, perhaps most importantly, offers "R"- (as in R6-) like performance. After spending a few hours zipping around the back roads of Northern California's wine country on the FZ6R, we came away quite impressed with the bike that we feel will not only appeal to new riders, but will also keep intermediate and experienced sportbike enthusiasts quite happy on their daily commute and weekend blowing-off-steam rides.


In a nutshell, the FZ6R is meant to be a more user-friendly version than the half-naked and sportier FZ6, which in itself is a more user-friendly, i.e. more comfortable, version of the earlier R6. In designing the FZ6R, Yamaha focused on five areas: They wanted the 6R to have a smooth torquey motor, provide a highway-pleasing ride, have a low seat height, offer some adjustability, and have body-friendly ergonomics. And, of course, a small-as-possible price tag was a must. (Yamaha managed to keep the 6R about $300 less than the FZ6 and about $3000 less than the R6.)
After our first ride on the bike, we believe Yamaha hit all of these marks - squarely.

A lot of effort went into giving the FZ6R's 600cc inline four-cylinder motor as much torque and low-end as possible to better accommodate newcomers. Compared to the revvier FZ6, the 6R's EFI has been retuned, the air-box enlarged, and the head rather significantly redesigned. The result? A motor that doesn't have to be revved to the moon to enjoy.
Power is easy to find. You don't have to rev it so high just to get to the fun part of the powerband, so the bike doesn't feel nearly as hyper or as intimidating (or as fast, for that matter) as some of the more racetrack-minded 600s around town. But don't think for a moment the bike is slow - it's not, just a bit tamer, easier to work with and more forgiving, which will make it rather appealing if you plan on commuting on the bike every day, something the R6 really isn't meant to do.

The FZ6R is the smoothest 600 I've ridden in a long time. It didn't seem to matter if it was turning 1000 rpm or 10,000, I could feel almost zero vibration through the handlebars, but I was wearing ultra-thick winter gloves on this chilly day north of San Francisco. Still, the bike is impressively smooth, thick gloves or summer gloves.

Gear ratios are the same as the FZ6's but the clutch has been reworked to provide a lighter pull and more positive feel, and it has both, for sure.

The exhaust system is a 4 into 2 into 1 design, with the tip peaking out from underneath the right swingarm. It's a rather quiet system that still delivers a racy note that gets the adrenaline pumping every time you twist the throttle.

The all-new steel frame (the FZ6's frame is aluminum), which uses the motor as a stress member, is compact, yielding a seating position that is extremely comfortable - not to mention low and adjustable. The stock seat height is just 30.9 inches, making it easy to plant your feet onto the ground, but if that's a little too low for you, the seat can be raised 20mm. And the handlebars are also adjustable. If you rotate the bar mounts, you can get another 20mm of reach. At a little over six feet, I found the ergos to be very comfortable and was never in a hurry to take a break. Seat padding is cushy.

Brakes provide adequate stopping power and offer excellent feel. There are two 298mm rotors up front and a single 245mm rotor in the back. Front calipers are Akebono and the rear Nissin, and they are plenty strong for spirited canyon touring.

Prior to our ride, Yamaha warned me of some pretty rough and bumpy sections along our route, but I never felt them. I kept asking: "When do we get to the rough stuff?" The 41mm conventional Soqi fork and shock are remarkably good and work in harmony with each other right out of the crate. I was quite impressed with the R's suspension as a whole. Handling, too.

The FZ6R is very light and nimble. In fact, the bike feels so light that I was surprised when Yamaha told me that the bike actually weighs about eight pounds more than the FZ6! Then again, the 6R is fully faired and has a steel frame, so I guess that should not have surprised me, but the bike does feel remarkably light and agile, which probably has a lot to do with the 6R's slightly narrower rear tire. The 6R comes with a 160/60x17 tire and the FZ6 a 180/55x17. Fronts are the same 120/70x17 rubber.

At speed, the 6R is very stable and confident-inspiring. Even in the corners, the bike is as solid as a rock.

The FZ6R is offered in four different color schemes: all black, Cadmium yellow, Pearl white and traditional Yamaha-racing blue, and each version has its own unique graphic design, except for the all-black model, which sells for $100 less than the others at an MSRP of $6990.

At the end of the seemingly short day, I parked the bike definitely wanting more. I found the 6R to be super-easy to ride and very user-friendly, an ideal bike for beginners, just like the Yamaha folks said it would be. But don't let the "entry-level" label scare you off, this bike performs. Even if you're an experienced rider, the FZ6R is worth considering if you don't mind sacrificing some high-revving power and having a few grand left over in your pocket.

Source: cyclenews.com