FZ6 vs. V-Strom

[Patpuma]

Hi All,

New to the forum, potential V-Strom owner who has a question...
Has anyone ridden both the Yamaha FZ6 and the V-Strom 650? If so, what did you think of the two bikes? I currently own an FZ6 and am only sort of happy with it. Good points: Handling is fine, wind protection adequate, comfort good, brakes are great, trememdous top-end rush.
Bad points: Clutch has no friction zone (abrupt engagement), engine is buzzy and has little low and midrange power, too much driveline slack, fuel injection sometimes glitchy.
In short, everything Motorcyclist complained about in this review...
http://motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/7k/

Apologies in advance if this has been covered here before!

Did some searching in the forum and didn't find anything out there. If there is already a thread on this, feel free to send me to it.

Thanks in advance! :D

P.S. There is a local Suzuki dealer that offered to let me test ride a DL 650, which is the bike I'm looking at.

Pat

[WIsixfitty]

Patpuma where are you located?

The fz6 was on my short list last summer when I was shopping.

A few points that made me buy the wee-strom:

stock seat height was low enough for my wife to operate. A biggie for allowing me to buy one. I have the tall seat for me
it's a twin
it can go just about anywhwre (a biggie for me, cuz I want adventure, hehe)
more passenger room.
more carry capacity with rack.
A bit more comfy and protection on the long haul
it's different.

[Patpuma]

Patpuma where are you located?

The fz6 was on my short list last summer when I was shopping.

A few points that made me buy the wee-strom:

stock seat height was low enough for my wife to operate. A biggie for allowing me to buy one. I have the tall seat for me
it's a twin
it can go just about anywhwre (a biggie for me, cuz I want adventure, hehe)
more passenger room.
more carry capacity with rack.
A bit more comfy and protection on the long haul
it's different.
I'm sitting at my desk. OK, I'll stop being a dork. I'm in southeast Wisconsin, the land of cheese.

Thanks for the comments. How do you like your ride? (The bike that is...) :lol: What I mean is, how do you like the engine, tranny, handling etc.

[JRE]

Patpuma where are you located?

The fz6 was on my short list last summer when I was shopping.

A few points that made me buy the wee-strom:

stock seat height was low enough for my wife to operate. A biggie for allowing me to buy one. I have the tall seat for me
it's a twin
it can go just about anywhwre (a biggie for me, cuz I want adventure, hehe)
more passenger room.
more carry capacity with rack.
A bit more comfy and protection on the long haul
it's different.

These were important factors for me too. The riding position is much more comfortable on the Strom. The FZ6 seating position is a little more agressive in comparison.

[WIsixfitty]

I'm sitting at my desk. OK, I'll stop being a dork. I'm in southeast Wisconsin, the land of cheese.

Thanks for the comments. How do you like your ride? (The bike that is...) :lol: What I mean is, how do you like the engine, tranny, handling etc.[/quote]

Yes I know fellow cheesehead, I'm from Fond du Lac. But since you're a dork you cant ride my bike. :wink: Pro-Motorsports in FdL has a blue one on the floor. What dealer?

On the twisties it's a blast. Brakes are one finger whoa! Handling is quick and easy with the wide bars. Accel is more than adequate below the C mark and more than enough on my fav surface gravel/dirt. The flat torque curve is very user friendly. fwiw my last ride was a superhawk.

WIsixfitty

[Patpuma]

Yes I know fellow cheesehead, I'm from Fond du Lac. But since you're a dork you cant ride my bike. :wink: Pro-Motorsports in FdL has a blue one on the floor. What dealer?

On the twisties it's a blast. Brakes are one finger whoa! Handling is quick and easy with the wide bars. Accel is more than adequate below the C mark and more than enough on my fav surface gravel/dirt. The flat torque curve is very user friendly. fwiw my last ride was a superhawk.

WIsixfitty

Oh duh! Now I'm a total dork for not noticing the WI in your name! Oh well...
The dealer that offered the test ride is Corsesuperbikes in Saukville, WI. They're about 8 miles from where I live, which is nice. I've bought stuff from them (helmet, gloves, jacket) and they've always been cool and have fair prices.

I take it the clutch, tranny, driveline etc. are all smooth and user friendly on your V-Strom?

[MIKE WI]

I AM A BIG REASEARCHER BEFORE I BY THINGS. MY REASEARCH PROVED TO BE ACCURATE. THE V STROM IS AN ALL AROUND GREAT BIKE.
THE COMMON COMPLAINTS ARE, WIND BUFFETING, INTERMITTENT HESITATION WITH INJECTORS AT CERATAIN RPMS. WIND BUFFETING - THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS TO IMPROVE THAT. MINE WAS A $80 OPTION THAT TOOK CARE OF THAT AND THE HESITATION WENT AWAY FOR THE MOST PART AFTER 900 MILES.
GREAT VALUE! RIDE ANYWHERE FAST .
I OWN THE 1000. BOUGHT IT FROM LAKECOUNTY POWERSPORTS. NO REGRETS EXCEPT FOR WISCONSINS WEATHER. 8)

[WIsixfitty]

Mike WI, just a hint. Lose the caps, it's a bit easier on the eyes. :)


Clutch does just what is supposed to do. Nice and gradual on take up. Easy enough one can even ride trials with it. :P

Tranny is also good. When cold 1st to 2nd is a little stubborn and the very rare occasion a few have experienced some notchyness in other gears along with a false neutral in the bigger gears. No different than any other bike I've owned.

The longish chain does give a smidge of lash but again nothing one does'nt forget about after an hour in the saddle.

I know where Corse is. They have some damn sweet rides there. You should get a KTM950adventure instead. :wink:

Gotta go change the erl in the sixfitty now.

[Patpuma]

Thanks for the honest answers guys! That settles it: I'm heading over to Corsesuperbikes on Friday to hopefully test ride one. I'll let you know how it goes and what my decision is.

I know where Corse is. They have some damn sweet rides there. You should get a KTM950adventure instead.
I WISH!! those are supposed to be awesome! Unfortunately, too many dollars for a not so rich Puma! Actually, if I could have any bike there, I'd snag an Aprilia Tuono. :shock: :lol:

[Kaptain_Kaos]

I'm sitting at my desk. OK, I'll stop being a dork. I'm in southeast Wisconsin, the land of cheese.

Thanks for the comments. How do you like your ride? (The bike that is...) :lol: What I mean is, how do you like the engine, tranny, handling etc.

Yes I know fellow cheesehead, I'm from Fond du Lac. But since you're a dork you cant ride my bike. :wink: Pro-Motorsports in FdL has a blue one on the floor. What dealer?

On the twisties it's a blast. Brakes are one finger whoa! Handling is quick and easy with the wide bars. Accel is more than adequate below the C mark and more than enough on my fav surface gravel/dirt. The flat torque curve is very user friendly. fwiw my last ride was a superhawk.

WIsixfitty[/quote]

hey WIsixfitty, where the heck do you live in FDL? i am from FDL but have been living out here on the west coast for the last 20 years. i get back there a couple times a year. mom still lives in FDL on johnson st. daughter is in Green Bay and a sister in Oconomowoc. small world....

Kaos



:roll:

[Patpuma]

hey WIsixfitty, where the heck do you live in FDL? i am from FDL but have been living out here on the west coast for the last 20 years. i get back there a couple times a year. mom still lives in FDL on johnson st. daughter is in Green Bay and a sister in Oconomowoc. small world....
Kaos
:roll:

Hey, Kaos. Where in Washington state do you live?? I have an aunt and couple of cousins who live in Spokane!! It really is a small world!!

[WIsixfitty]

Kaos, I live on the south side of town. Guindon Blvd to be exact, about 3 blocks or so from Gilles drive-in. I'm sure you know where that is.


I have a buddy that lives in Puyallup(sp).

[Kaptain_Kaos]

Kaos, I live on the south side of town. Guindon Blvd to be exact, about 3 blocks or so from Gilles drive-in. I'm sure you know where that is.


I have a buddy that lives in Puyallup(sp).

yeah WIsixfitty i sure do know where Gilles is. we used to hang there back in the 60s. they had the best french fries and gravy anywhere. :lol:
there is a woman working there that used to work there when we were kids. can't remember her name but she has been there for 40 years. geeeez, talk about job loyalty. or maybe it's the fries and gravy :roll:

Kaos :wink:

[WIsixfitty]

Yes she still works there. I believe she is now a part owner. The FdL Reporter did a big article on her last year. Cool.

A big ice cream sundae sounds good right now. Or maybe a bottle of whiskey. I just finished my taxes. :x The back sides a bit sore right now. Death and taxes...



:)

[Kaptain_Kaos]

Yes she still works there. I believe she is now a part owner. The FdL Reporter did a big article on her last year. Cool.

A big ice cream sundae sounds good right now. Or maybe a bottle of whiskey. I just finished my taxes. :x The back sides a bit sore right now. Death and taxes...



:)

yeah, i know what ya mean. i just sent my taxes in today. got away pretty good this year. only had to pay in 29.00 bucks. :D i have a part time business on the side so i deduct everything i can. not always that lucky though. i live in wa. about 25 miles north of portland or. so wa. does not have any state income tax and oregon does not have any sales tax, so we work in wa. and shop in or. works out pretty good that way. :roll:

Kaos

[Patpuma]

Test rode a DL 650 today and knew immediately that it was the right bike for me, so I traded the FZ6 for a red one today! So, does that make me an official Stromtrooper now? 8)

[thefifthcircle]

You are almopst official. You just have to complain about the wind buffeting and then it will be official..... :lol:

So now that you have it, what is your impression over the FZ6???

[Patpuma]

You are almopst official. You just have to complain about the wind buffeting and then it will be official..... :lol:

So now that you have it, what is your impression over the FZ6???
Stupid buffeting! (OK, how was that? Am I official now? :D )

Well, the FZ6 has an inline 4 with a lot of power. I mean A LOT of power! Especially above 8K RPM. In a race with equal riders, an FZ6 will walk away from a DL650. No contest. A DL1000 might be a different story. I don't know...
So, why did I trade? Well, here are the major points:
1. Ergos. The DL fits me better.
2. Clutch, driveline, fuel injection and tranny. Much smoother and more user friendly on the DL. (See the Motorcyclist article below. What they found on their FZ6 is exactly what I found on mine.)
3. Intangibles. The FZ6 is smoothest and most fun when run hard near its redline. Unleash it on the highway and it'll reward you with a tremendous rush of speed and power. Unfortunately, I do most of my riding around town in the 25-45MPH range the FZ6 never seemed to like that sort of riding.

That being said, the FZ6 does have its good points. It is a comfortable (though not as cushy as the Strom), fine handling bike with great top-end power and a decent fairing (Does that count as a backhanded complaint about the V-Strom buffeting? :D )

Here is a Motorcyclist comparison test that sums up my feelings quite well:
http://motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/7k/
Especially this...
"I'm rapidly becoming a V-twin fan in my old age; inlines are just too frantic and tense for me, while Vees are loping, slow and relaxed. And I'm way too frantic and tense in my everyday life to put up with that type of performance in a daily-rider streetbike."