Yamaha Fz6
Yamaha FZ6
Middleweight performance for the masses
DON CANET
NAKED & naughty
NOT EVERYONE NEEDS OR EVEN DESIRES A SUPERsport bike. But who in their right-wristed mind wouldn’t find merit in a user-friendly, practical package that delivers supersport-type performance?
Judging from the stateside success of Yamaha’s FZl-a landslide sales leader in the liter-class standard-bike category-there are plenty of folks who subscribe to just such an idea.
Then again, not everyone needs or prefers a liter-class bike, either. Budget constraints, insurance rates or rider experience level.. .whatever the case may be, the new FZ6 may fit your profile tighter than lycra riding shorts.
Cast in the same mold as the FZl-a marriage of YZFR1-derived engine with a chassis and ergonomic layout that’s more suited to everyday use than its repli-racer counterpart-the FZ6 is a civilized sister to the YZF-R6. Not to say that the R6 is unruly; after all, it’s decent street manners factored into its top placing in our 2003 middleweight shootout. Chasing roadrace championships, however, requires a certain hands-down, feet-high attitude while putting such niceties as passenger accommodations and wind protection low on the list of priorities.
I had a chance to sample the FZ6 first-hand at a recent world press launch held near Innsbruck, Austria. Yamaha mapped out a 150-mile loop that provided a variety of road conditions and some spectacular Alpine scenery. As we headed out on the route, my attention was immediately drawn from the road up to the steep grassy slopes and jagged peaks above. I soon realized that due to Mother Nature’s distraction, I had given very little thought to the operation of the machine, which speaks well for the FZ’s very refined nature.
In fact, the FZ made easy work of everything I encountered, from stop-n-go slogging in cobblestone villages to serious zinging on serpentine mountain roads. Light, smooth control operation combined with glitch-free throttle response make riding the new Yamaha a very pleasant experience. Likewise, clutch engagement and slick gearbox action made pulling away from stops and changing gears a breeze.
As the road began to ascend toward a mountain pass, the pavement became polished and fairly slick. It was here that I came to fully appreciate the engine’s smooth, manageable power delivery. Yamaha has utilized what it calls “group fuelinjection” on the FZ6’s 600cc inline-Four. The system is not only simpler and less costly than the R6’s setup, but provides more precise fuel delivery and smooths low-rpm operation in particular. Despite not employing any type of secondary throttle valve-such as the R6’s CV-operated slides-there’s no abruptness to initial throttle opening. Use of an air-induction system and a honeycomb catalyzer in the tailpipe allows more optimal fuel and ignition mapping while still meeting emissions.
Wide R6 wheels-a full 5.5 inches at the rear-fitted with premium sport rubber are validated by the FZ’s rigid aluminum frame and sporting suspension. The frame uses Yamaha’s advanced CF diecast process, and is unique in that the left and right halves of the frame bolt together at the steering head and lower rear crossbrace. Chassis dimensions are much more relaxed than those of the R6, with a 56.2-inch wheelbase, 25.0 degrees of rake and 3.8 inches of trail.
A sturdy 43mm conventional fork carries the load up front, and although it’s non-adjustable, calibration seems well-suited to the bike’s broad role. The single shock allowing for spring-preload adjustment also strikes a good balance between sporting control and sport-touring comfort.
The FZ’s wide, tubular handlebar offers plenty of leverage, making light work of comer entry and side-to-side transitions, but also lends much to overall comfort. A roomy, well-padded saddle, narrow gas tank and natural bar and footrest placement all add up to a posture-perfect riding position that allows adequate sporting control and all-day comfort. The fairing is wide and tall compared with that of its supersport sibling, and provides genuine wind protection. Passenger grab handles cast into the tail assembly also add greatly to everyday convenience.
While modem, distinctive styling makes the FZ6 a standout in its class, its R6 heritage is certain to earn it status as the performance leader among middleweight standards. At $6499, the FZ6 is price-competitive with Suzuki’s SV650S V-Twin and hundreds of dollars less than Honda’s new 599 four-cylinder. A recipe for success? You bet. □
