gullywasher
New Member
So I was looking for a decent machine that I could permanently strip of lights, mirrors and other unnecessary parts so as to have a ready-to-rock track day bike. I don't have the time to always be fixing stuff, so I wanted something that wasn't highly sought after by your typical squid or likely to be ragged out.
I had the chance to pick up what seemed to fit the bill: a clean 1-owner, 2008 FZ6 with complete dealer service history. It was cheap (I traded a Buell for it which is like paying with Greek bonds), had an R6-based engine and was universally hammered by motojournalists as a terrible street bike compared to its competitors: the perfect bike to strip down and let gather dust in between track day sessions that I never seem to find the time to take.
To my surprise, I find the FZ6 to be a fantastic street bike - much better than the bikes it has been routinely compared against. It has lots of power, great brakes for a budget bike, is very comfortable and can go a looong way on a tank of fuel (something I really appreciate in a motorcycle.) It can be a pussy cat or a beast and protests to neither command. Even the budget suspension is tuned pretty well for everyday riding. I personally think the design still looks great too all these years later.
Anyway, I am glad to be a part of the fold and am happy to see a moderately active forum around this bike. My FZ6 will still get prepped for track days with some attention to the brakes and suspenders, but it gets to keep the lights and mirrors as I refuse to resign such a versatile motorcycle to the track alone.
I had the chance to pick up what seemed to fit the bill: a clean 1-owner, 2008 FZ6 with complete dealer service history. It was cheap (I traded a Buell for it which is like paying with Greek bonds), had an R6-based engine and was universally hammered by motojournalists as a terrible street bike compared to its competitors: the perfect bike to strip down and let gather dust in between track day sessions that I never seem to find the time to take.
To my surprise, I find the FZ6 to be a fantastic street bike - much better than the bikes it has been routinely compared against. It has lots of power, great brakes for a budget bike, is very comfortable and can go a looong way on a tank of fuel (something I really appreciate in a motorcycle.) It can be a pussy cat or a beast and protests to neither command. Even the budget suspension is tuned pretty well for everyday riding. I personally think the design still looks great too all these years later.
Anyway, I am glad to be a part of the fold and am happy to see a moderately active forum around this bike. My FZ6 will still get prepped for track days with some attention to the brakes and suspenders, but it gets to keep the lights and mirrors as I refuse to resign such a versatile motorcycle to the track alone.