What's the best year for the FZ6 so far?

[tasop7]

First I want to apologize if a similar question has been posted. I've tried searching and could not find anything.

Ok, so I'm dying to get an FZ6, but I'm having problems deciding what year to get. I would love to get a 2007 or 2008 but of course I'm going to be spending more money. There are a lot of 2005 and 2006 FZ6's being sold out there that could save me some money but are they as good as the 07 or 08's?

I've read that the 06 and 07 have had the "fuel injection system mapping optimized to increase torque at lower rpm and solve problems with stalling that appeared on previous models." I got a little worried about buying a 05 when I read this. Do the 04's and 05's really have stalling problems? I got this info from Wikipedia so I'm not sure how accurate it is, that's why I'm asking you guys (Yamaha FZ6 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). I'm looking to get the best year for the money... and if the 04-06's do have some issues, are they easily correctable?

Any help would be SO appreciated because this is a pretty big purchase for me. Thanks so much!

 

[penguinbiker8]

you can steal a new one for cheap as it is:thumbup:

 

[cashcrzzy]

I love my 07 under 6k

 

[damnpoor]

I have an 06 and the only stalling problems come from rider error. It's the short clutch that creates most of the stalls, not some sort of fuel mapping problem. But the short clutch is typical of all FZ6s, not just the pre-2007 bikes. I think the main differences are some aesthetic changes starting in 07, so I'd simply advise that you buy whatever bike happens to be the right price at the right time.

 

[FZ1inNH]

You can't go wrong with any year buying an FZ6, however, buying used, you'll need to be cautious about the condition of the bike, was it properly maintained, was it ever down, broke in properly, etc... If you don't have much experience with bikes, bring along a motorcycle veteran with you to go over the bike. If you don't have a guy, ask to take the bike to the mechanic of your choice.

The big differences in the two models are the fairings, the fuel injection systems, rear swingarm, top triple, helmet lock on the '07 and '08 but not on pre-'07, pillion peg locations... to name the bigger differences. Having owned both models, I admit to liking the newer model better for many reasons, most of what I've mentioned above.

First bike? Have you taken the BRC yet?

Hope this helps!

 

[tasop7]

Thanks for the info. I took the BRC about a month ago and have been riding a Honda cm400t as a starter bike which is going to my wife when she takes and passes the course. I'm looking for a sport type of bike but also want to be somewhat comfortable/upright for longer rides. After I sat on an 07 FZ6 I fell in love with it. I also appreciate the fact that it's toned down a little on the lower RPMs seeing as I'm a beginner. I've never actually ridden one, but everyone that has one loves it. They also say it has plenty of power once you get in the higher RPMs. I'm just trying to decide on a year.

I've only sat on and seen a 2007 in person. Aside from what you mentioned, would you say the performance or reliability has gotten better from the 05-06 to the 07-08? I know they also changed the instrument cluster with an analog tachometer... is this better, or really just user preference?

Thanks again!

 

[damnpoor]

they also changed the instrument cluster with an analog tachometer... is this better, or really just user preference?

I have the digital tach. I was used to analog tachs from my cars and thought it might be a problem, but it's nothing at all. It still goes up and down just like a needle. The FZ will also display a numerical RPM below the speed, right where the odometer display is (you cycle through odo, trip 1, trip 2, and RPM). Between the two readings you're never left wondering what your engine is doing.

 

[Cloned]

I love the digital readouts on my 08. The tach is analog while everything else is digital. It has speed, trip1/trip2/odo, coolant temp/air intake temp, and a clock. Plus error codes that display if something ever goes wrong.

 

[wrightme43]

Its the 07-08 as of now. The brakes are better, fueling is better, dash is better, windshield and fairing are better, seat is improved as well. If you can find a left over 07 that saves enough to make it worth it great. If not the 08 in black is the smoking hottest of the FZ6s I have seen.

Buy frame sliders. Buy frame sliders! Did I mention you should buy frame sliders?

Yeah its a good idea to get some frame sliders. LOL LOL

 

[urbanj]

Clearly the blue 07. :thumbup:

Have you seen those archaic pre 2007 red ones?

 

[Avalon786]

I liked the fairings better on the 2006, i also liked the all electronic instrument cluster, and the panels around the speedo have a nice metallic paint finish instead of the plain flat black plastic on the 07+

 

[steveindenmark]

I have a 06 silver and black FZ6 and it is great for everything you want to do with it, including touring 2 up or burning around the racetrack.

I have 1100km trouble free riding.

It is not a big heavy beast so if you drop it...and we have....you can pick it up by yourself.

Steve

 

[chokeslam512]

Its the 07-08 as of now. The brakes are better, fueling is better, dash is better, windshield and fairing are better, seat is improved as well. If you can find a left over 07 that saves enough to make it worth it great. If not the 08 in black is the smoking hottest of the FZ6s I have seen.

Buy frame sliders. Buy frame sliders! Did I mention you should buy frame sliders?

Yeah its a good idea to get some frame sliders. LOL LOL

How could you forget to tell him about frame sliders?

I have an 08 and it is everything and more than I wanted in a bike.

 

[mdr]

I have an 06 and the only stalling problems come from rider error. It's the short clutch that creates most of the stalls, not some sort of fuel mapping problem. But the short clutch is typical of all FZ6s, not just the pre-2007 bikes. I think the main differences are some aesthetic changes starting in 07, so I'd simply advise that you buy whatever bike happens to be the right price at the right time.

I keep hearing about a "short clutch" issue but I have an '08 FZ6 and to me it's about as normal as clutches get. Maybe mine's different, but I've never had the least problem with clutch and (knock on wood) have yet to miss a shift in the 3000 miles I have on it so far.