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| Archives - Production Motorcycles |
New Bike Tests: 2009 Yamaha FZ6R - From RoadBike June 2009
 Frugal & Fun By Tricia Szulewski, Photos by Nelson & Riles I don’t know about you, but I’m getting mighty tired of hearing the doom and gloom in regards to the state of our economy. The news is littered with dour predictions and phrases such as “economic uncertainty.” Personally, I’d rather focus on the good things coming out of this new era of fiscal responsibility. Instead of panicking about the bottom line of my 401K, I look at how many shares I’ve got, and am committed to hunkering down for the long haul.
But there is some good news for motorcycle fanatics. First, our passion is held fast by people with a strong sense of community. Second, there continue to be new and exciting products finding their way into dealerships. And, best of all, responsible buyers can find some great deals out there. Case in point: Yamaha has chosen a perfect time to introduce its new, budget-minded, sporty 600cc in-line four, the FZ6R. In the midst of all this economic panic, sportbike sales have actually experienced a slight gain. About 32 percent of first-time buyers are riding away from dealerships on brand-new sportbikes. Yamaha acknowledged this by making some key changes to its own half-naked FZ6 (which derived from the R6 supersport). At an affordable MSRP that hovers around $7K, the new 6R appeals to entry, commuter, and female riders who yearn for aggressive sportbike styling, but require real-world comfort and reliability at a lower price. More experienced enthusiasts who aren’t obsessed with top speed and horsepower specs won’t be disappointed either. Styling improvements are obvious, with the new, fully-faired version being offered in four racy colors, each with its own graphic design, which gets a big thumbs up from this designer. There’s one to fit any persona. The 4-into-2-into-1 underbelly exhaust replaces the undertail exhaust found on the FZ6, integrating the latest high-end sportbike style, and centralizing mass for increased stability. In order to achieve its goal of real-world ridability, Yamaha has introduced features on the FZ6R that dial in ergonomic comfort for different riders, something that hasn’t yet been seen on other sportbikes. While the low 30.9" seat height will work just fine for most of us, the two-piece seat can be raised to add 20mm (about 3/4") to the rider’s seat height. The innovative handlebar risers can be rotated 180 degrees to provide a slightly longer (20mm) reach. The adjustable-reach brake lever isn’t exactly new technology, but a welcome addition. I’d like to see an adjustable clutch lever for smaller-fingered (women) riders as well.
Other changes from the FZ6 include measures that make the bike more user friendly to entry-level riders. While the spec sheet shows identical bore, stroke, and compression numbers for the two bikes, the 6R’s top end has been reworked with a new cylinder head and revised valve timing. Combined with a larger air box, new crankcase, and exhaust system, low to midrange power is optimized for a smoother powerband. The six gear ratios are also identical to the FZ6’s, and are positioned closely together for easy acceleration. And the clutch and shifter have been revised for positive engagement and ease of use. All this equals predictable, confidence-inspiring power delivery with plenty of get up and go, and better fuel mileage to boot. Yamaha estimates a respectable 43 mpg, as compared to the FZ6’s 40 mpg figure. While all these changes are exciting, some cost-cutting measures needed to be taken in order to keep the 6R under seven grand. The FZ6’s die-cast aluminum frame and swingarm are replaced with a high-tensile steel frame that utilizes the in-line four as a stressed member. A nondescript steel swingarm secures a cast-aluminum five-spoke rear wheel that mounts a 160/60 ZR-17" tire in place of the typical 180. While the smaller rubber out back could be considered a downgrade, it actually works well on this bike, providing light, quick cornering and contributing to better mpg — and long-term savings when it comes to replacement. The front wheel, also five-spoke cast aluminum, shares the same 120/70R-17" spec as the FZ6. Rubber is either from Bridgestone or Dunlop, both specifically designed for this bike, catering to the sport rider. Yamaha tells us that aftermarket offerings will be more of a sport-touring orientation. Suspension components include new, budget-minded, nonadjustable SOQI conventional 41mm fork tubes that accommodate 130mm of travel. A SOQI rear mono-shock comes with a seven-step, ramp-style preload adjuster. Leaving the suspension at the stock settings, the spring and damping rates felt right on for quick, nimble handling. For newbies, braking is especially important, and is tackled with slightly smaller 298mm x 4.5mm dual discs up front. The pin-slide Akebono dual-piston calipers do the job efficiently. Out back, a single-piston Nissan caliper squeezes the 245mm x 5mm single disc. A Brembo master cylinders transfer stopping power cleanly for quick, smooth stops.
As for the rider interface, a modern FZ1-styled dash sits front and center on the fairing. A large, digital speedometer is up top, easily readable with just a quick glance. The analog tachometer reads up to 13000 rpm and is located to the right of the speedo; the usual warning lights are displayed within its face. Reset and select buttons to toggle through the odometer and trips are up on the dash itself, which is a reach, but isn’t accessed often. The fairing itself is stylish, and has plenty of room to add aftermarket accessories. Wind protection was good, aided by the medium-sized windshield, but for those wanting more (or less), Yamaha’s accessory line is ready with add-ons such as windscreens, tankbags, and other bits that will customize the ride. On the road, I was truly impressed with what this “little” bike can do. A full day’s route winding through 140 miles of Northern California wine country took our press ride through beautiful, varied terrain. The in-line pulled strongly all the way through the powerband — smooth and always accessible. Even at high rpm, the bike felt stable and capable, and I noted almost no buzz in the handgrips or seat, which often plagues in-line configurations. The riding position for my 5'7" frame felt upright, relaxed, and comfortable, with no effort required to slide over for aggressive cornering. The “bumpy” section of road we were forewarned about must have been the paved-over cattle trails nestled between thick, musty woodland. Even on the roughest sections, the chassis and suspension performed well; I didn’t once feel like components were sacrificed for the sake of the price tag. By the end of the day, I was craving more pavement. Not once did I feel that a bigger bike would’ve made the ride any more fun than the FZ6R was. In fact, I’d consider “downgrading” from a liter bike for all the benefits you get with the smaller machine. It’s time to let go of the old mindset of “bigger is better.” RB
Tech Sheet 2009 Yamaha FZ6R |
A small storage area with a tool kit lives under the rear seat.
The LCD readout displays an odometer, two tripmeters, fuel gauge, clock, and water temperature.