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Comfortability fz6/fz1

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Buzmech

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Sep 20, 2009
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Curious is the fz6 more comfortable than the fz1, or vice versa.
Seat height, peg distance or reach - further down in comparison or not,
handlebar reach, long distance body fatigue. Knee aches, neck aches,
back aches, arse ache know an aftermarket seat is a must.
I'm 5' 9" 225 if I drink a glass o water, do I weigh to much for the
Fz6, or just right for the fz1 (hopefully). I saw in a thread that a guy
put fz6 foot pegs on a fz1 is there a vibe issue? I've also run across
fz6 mirrors on a fz1 I think that one is a cosmetic change thou.
I realize the fuel economy differences just can't get the who's more comfy question
out of my head.
 
Buzmech said:
Curious is the fz6 more comfortable than the fz1, or vice versa.
Seat height, peg distance or reach - further down in comparison or not,
handlebar reach, long distance body fatigue. Knee aches, neck aches,
back aches, arse ache know an aftermarket seat is a must.
I'm 5' 9" 225 if I drink a glass o water, do I weigh to much for the
Fz6, or just right for the fz1 (hopefully). I saw in a thread that a guy
put fz6 foot pegs on a fz1 is there a vibe issue? I've also run across
fz6 mirrors on a fz1 I think that one is a cosmetic change thou.
I realize the fuel economy differences just can't get the who's more comfy question
out of my head.
Click to expand...

Having owned both myself, the 6 is a little less aggressive in seating position than the 1. The 6 has your feet a bit more forward and a little less lean to reach the bars. The 1 is a slightly more forward bar reach and lean and your feet a bit further back. BOTH have crappy stock seats so expect to change that aspect first. Neither had vibration issues for me anyway. I am 5' 10" and weigh 220. The FZ6 handles that weight no problem but the FZ1 handles it a LOT better especially if you intend to load the bike down for touring. Most who put the FZ6 pegs on are because they are a solid rubber where the FZ1 pads are too soft and squishy. It gives you about .5" of leg room as they are shorter.

I prefer the 1 over the 6.
 
Oh thanks for the quick answer. Here in Michigan we have great paved bike routes that sometimes require a little travel to get to, would you be more comfortable on the 6 or 1 for oh, a 6 hour ride.
I have an 05 fz6 that is my 1st bike and I at age 53 just can't get enough time in the saddle.
Some of my friends have bigger bikes an when we ride it is so much of a chore to keep up at take off
that I can't help but feel I'm hurting my bike and that is sort of what drives this post.
I'm aware of the fjr and intrigued, but feel I like a more spirited ride than that even when I'm alone.
I'm aware of the gen1's and kinda interested just don't want the carb upkeep rituals.
Though I realize a carb'd bike when alone can be a walk saving factor. And I've read the gen1
is more comfy too.
 
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I've owned both too, many others here have too. The 1 has a much better suspension than the 6, and a longer wheelbase. The only comfort issue the FZ1 has is the saddle, it's a butt burner; but that is easily solutioned.
 
The FZ1 is an every bit better bike than the FZ6. People complain about gas mpg on the FZ1. My experience is FZ1: best 51 mpg worst 31 mpg. Commute 36-37 mpg
FZ6: best 53 mpg worst 38 mpg. Commute 43-45 mpg.

The difference in mpg is nothing compared to how much better the 1 is compared to the 6. I am talking Gen2 ofcourse. Gen1 is between these two with slightly better mpg but carbs, dated looks, noodle frame.
 
I want to get an FZ6 over the winter for my girlfriend. She has already outgrown the Ninja 500 I got her... That thing is gutless. Hopefully the 6 will be enough to keep her happy for a while. I just know the 1 is too much power right now.
 
I'm not anywhere near you, but I still have my FZ6 for sale!

Maybe its just my awkward fat frame, but I feel much less aggressive on the 1. I think in every way the FZ1 is better than the FZ6 except: cost to insure, fuel economy, and tank size. Though I do have to admit I kinda like the look of the headlights and the dual undertail exhaust on the FZ6 more.
 
gtbigup01 said:
^ How much more powerful would a FZ6 be over the Ninja500?
Click to expand...

Ninja 500 has about 50hp. FZ6 has 97.

I also despise carbs so the FI will be nice on the FZ6. That way we wont have to be messing with a choke or anything. She can just hit the starter and let it warm up as we put our gear on.
 
MHS said:
I'm not anywhere near you, but I still have my FZ6 for sale!

Maybe its just my awkward fat frame, but I feel much less aggressive on the 1. I think in every way the FZ1 is better than the FZ6 except: cost to insure, fuel economy, and tank size. Though I do have to admit I kinda like the look of the headlights and the dual undertail exhaust on the FZ6 more.
Click to expand...

I sorta like the 1 headlights more... but yes, miss the undertail exhaust. Did you know Satan666 is working on R1 exhaust for the FZ1? ;) How cool would THAT be? :yes:
 
FZ1inNH said:
I sorta like the 1 headlights more... but yes, miss the undertail exhaust. Did you know Satan666 is working on R1 exhaust for the FZ1? ;) How cool would THAT be? :yes:
Click to expand...

I'm with you on the 1 headlights and do think the R1 exhaust would be just the ticket, especially if its the cans from the R1 that are retained. I think they are a strong focal point that would become a common upgrade objective 2nd gen or 1st. worldwide.
 
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Buzmech said:
Curious is the fz6 more comfortable than the fz1, or vice versa.
Seat height, peg distance or reach - further down in comparison or not,
handlebar reach, long distance body fatigue. Knee aches, neck aches,
back aches, arse ache know an aftermarket seat is a must.
I'm 5' 9" 225 if I drink a glass o water, do I weigh to much for the
Fz6, or just right for the fz1 (hopefully). I saw in a thread that a guy
put fz6 foot pegs on a fz1 is there a vibe issue? I've also run across
fz6 mirrors on a fz1 I think that one is a cosmetic change thou.
I realize the fuel economy differences just can't get the who's more comfy question
out of my head.
Click to expand...

Some times at the light I find myself tiptoeing the street on my fz6, I have found a way to remedy this but not all corners are the same so it varies my stance at the stoplight. I fell over once when I first bought it at practically a standstill because I thought I'd put the kickstand down and had'nt, damned imbarassing I must say. I remember thinking not about the bike but I wonder who saw that. By the way the bike fell on my left leg did not hurt the bike or me physically so I chalk that one up as a teaching moment.
Now if i get the Fz1 is my stance going to be any worse or better.?
I sat on the Fjr at the stealership and - to me - it is a little bit shorter than the Fz6 so I'd be flat footed at the light, but if I keel over it's gonna cost a fortune. The Fjr is a lot fatter to me so I think that if I go to carve up me some off ramps or some spirited country road riding especially the curvy ones it might be a hindrance due to the extra Bs that could probably get in the way.
Don't get me wrong I think for a docile UP trip the Fjr is just what would be needed but for a fling trip with the guys I'm thinking the Fz1.
 
The FZ6 has almost no options for lowering but the FZ1 can be easily lowered. It is about the same stance, maybe just a tad shorter. There's a few lowering options out there... My wife's bike is lowered. Cost about $200 for the link and adjustable kickstand but it was well worth it. Soupy is in Zeeland, Michigan. http://www.soupysperformance.com/FZ1_products.html

So, where in Michigan are you? My wife and I rode our bikes from the seacoast here in NH out to Michigan and back a couple years ago. We have some great friends in Smiths Creek, just west of Port Huron.
 
I like the 1 headlights more, they seem brighter, and I don't have people telling me I have a headlight out ... but they look like giant bug eyes to me, where the FZ6 headlights just looked mean. (2009 FZ6 and FZ1 are what I have)
 
MHS said:
I like the 1 headlights more, they seem brighter, and I don't have people telling me I have a headlight out ... but they look like giant bug eyes to me, where the FZ6 headlights just looked mean. (2009 FZ6 and FZ1 are what I have)
Click to expand...

You know, I thought about making some eyelids for my bike to narrow the look... They can be bought for Tacoma trucks so why not make some. :D
 
FZ1inNH said:
The FZ6 has almost no options for lowering but the FZ1 can be easily lowered. It is about the same stance, maybe just a tad shorter. There's a few lowering options out there... My wife's bike is lowered. Cost about $200 for the link and adjustable kickstand but it was well worth it. Soupy is in Zeeland, Michigan. Soupy's FZ1 lowering, fz1 lowering kit, fz1 lowering kits, fz1 lowering link, fz1 lowering links, fz1 kickstand, fz1 adjustable kickstand

So, where in Michigan are you? My wife and I rode our bikes from the seacoast here in NH out to Michigan and back a couple years ago. We have some great friends in Smiths Creek, just west of Port Huron.
Click to expand...
This is beautiful Flint Michigan
 
I don't find any discomfort with the FZ1 position wise (and I am a cruiser gal). I also have not lowered the FZ1 even though at 5'7" the seat is a bit tall. I have sat on the FZ6 and ridden an FJR, and noted the different position. I can't say enough about the FZ1, and am planning some distance touring on it.
 
A bit of a thread resurrection, but worth it in case someone will be looking to compare the 2 and comes up on this post.

I've had my FZ6 for 3+ seasons and have had FZ1 for about 10 days (400 miles).
From my experience, there's a lot more vibration on FZ6 all around.. pegs, seat and bars.
Stock FZ1 handlebar is crippling and many swap it out for FZ1 bar. I find the less aggressive seating position on FZ6 even with FZ1 handlebar to be more comfortable.
When it comes to putting feet on the ground, I find the pegs on FZ1 get in the way, forcing a wider stance. FZ6 does feel taller, but much narrower which from my experience makes it easier to put feet down.. neither are an issue with my 34" inseam though :D
I'm one of those weird people (heck I might be the ONLY one) who finds stock seats on both FZ6 and FZ1 to be perfectly comfortable :O .. I do find FZ1 seat to be more comfortable than FZ6 one.
I also found wind buffeting to be worse on FZ6 in stock form (which is why I converted mine to a streetfighter). FZ1 actually does a pretty good job directing relatively turbulent-free wind to the shoulders and head, but my screen is cut down from stock height, so I'm not sure what stock FZ1 feels like.
FZ1 has a much more *normal* friction zone.. much easier to modulate. FZ6 clutch is more like an ON/OFF switch. Not really a comfort issue, but worth mentioning.

Situations where I would choose FZ1: long days in the saddle; relaxed rides (keeping rpms low); riding 2-up

Situations where I would choose FZ6: short (~ 1 hour) spirited rides.. unlike FZ1, FZ6 actually requires shifting to keep it in the zone and the RPMs can be kept way up without breaking all the laws!
And of course the other situation: gas-is-too-expensive commuting.
 
cost to insure

MHS said:
I'm not anywhere near you, but I still have my FZ6 for sale!

Maybe its just my awkward fat frame, but I feel much less aggressive on the 1. I think in every way the FZ1 is better than the FZ6 except: cost to insure, fuel economy, and tank size. Though I do have to admit I kinda like the look of the headlights and the dual undertail exhaust on the FZ6 more.
Click to expand...
So just curious how much more is the 1 over the 6?
Please understand I don't rightfully know how much I pay for my 6 because it just gets paid like the other bills but could it be said it's like $80.00 more or what. I really am wanting an fz1 but if it is as steep as that perhaps the 6 is where I belong.
 
Just get the FZ1 because you will quickly outgrow the FZ6 with your needs making it a moot point anyway.

There are some super deals on leftover 2009 models at some dealers now. I had one ship a bike from MN to FL and still saved $1100 OTD from local. PM me if you are shopping new and I can guide you a bit.
 
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