2004 Yamaha FZ6 reviews

I'd like to say WOW right off, comming from a KLR650 I was looking for something with more power but it still had to have good MPG and comfort. This bike has tons of standard equipment! Centerstand, back wheel hugger, under tail exhaust, sweet tach and display with a clock and gas gauge, 2 trip meters, comfortable seat, hazzards, fuel injection, light aluminum frame, the breaks are amazing, locking seat with easy storage, great power band, 40 mpg, 5.1 gallon gas tank, 1/4 mile in 11.8 seconds and a top speed of 143! I wish this would have been my first bike, it has plenty to offer for new and veteran riders. Get some luggage and hit the road for a trip. I've had all kinds of bikes. This is my 7th. I'm fairly large and I ride it with ease and comfort. In my opinion this bike would be perfect for any rider 5'6 - 6'3. My feet are in the perfect place when shifting. And the insurance is cheap because it's not listed as a sport bike. Buy one, really. Show less

I bought a Corbin seat after trying the Airhawk option. Too squirmy in the curves for my taste. The Corbin was a better choice for me. Harder feeling seat, slightly lower than stock. No sharp edges like the original. In spite of feeling firmer I can ride about 50% farther before butt-burn becomes an issue. Have swapped the taller windshield on and off a number of times. For me the tall shield has a drawback...It takes some of the wind force off the upper body which causes me to have more weight on the wrists. So decide if the calmer air pocket is worth sore wrists. This bike loves to cruise at an indicated 85 mph. Really about 78 mph. due to speedo error. Recieved the recall notice on the TPS from Yamaha. haven't had it done yet as weather is nasty still. Show less

Good bike. A lot better than my old 82 Kawi (not hard to do). It has been in my garage on the center stand (one plus) for the past year and a half due to a deployment to Afghanistan. No real complaints except for the lack of ease to pull the battery (disasemble the fairing) and a lack of storage under the seat. The seat itself seems to be an afterthought from Yamaha. The gas tank is about the right size. It's about the same size as your bladder is tough. Gas and bathroom breaks are about the same time. I have noticed that the front fork gets squishy when it is pushed hard through mountain twisties. An adjustable fork would be nice, along with an upgraded seat. I like that it isn't plastered with Yamaha all over like the sport bikes. Good bike, plenty of power, and it's scary quick. Show less

I got my FZ6 less than two weeks after they were released and got the first one my dealership got in. After 35,500 miles, I've had no mechanical issues at all. I'm on my forth set of tires now and have found that I like the Tomahawk Sports best. I've replaced brake pads with EBC HH pads and find they have better power and feel than the stock pads. I'm still running the original chain and sprockets and have not needed new clutch plates. I run full synthetic oil and have had no adverse effects. It runs beautifully. My wife and I ride two-up 3-4 times a week to work. It'll hum along at 85 all day with both of us. It accelerates quick with both of us and cracks 100 mph without any effort. It's fast, handles well, is reasonably comfortable, has great gas mileage (mid to upper 50's) and has been stone reliable. I've not had the TPS problem some have complained about. Spark plugs are a pain in the ass to change, but other maintenance is rather simple. This is a terrific bike. I'd buy a new one in a heartbeat. My only complaint is the lousy seat. Show less

The bike has potential if the dealership could only fix the stalling and bad idoling issue. There are several 04 FZ6 riders complaining on the internet about TPS problems but the dealership fails to acknowledge this. The service department has been unable to isolate the problem on their own even the Diagnostic mode on the bike clearly indocates a TPS fault code. There are NHTSA complaints filed. I'd like to promote the bike but the dealership has made this very difficult. Show less

After deciding to finally invest in a sportbike of my own, I did some serious research. First of all, I needed a bike that would teach me to ride responsibly. I would need a bike that would stand up to my gruelling schedule and conditions, and I would need a bike I would not be ashamed of. I Got It! The 2004 FZ6 is a competant bike, willing to take the pressures that you put on it under most any circumstances, and will always come back ready for more. It is built on the R6 motor, though it is de-tuned for a more mature riding style, and you can tell! With a red-line at well above 13000rpm, the real power kicks in just above the 7000rpm mark. It comes with handlebars as opposed to clip-ons, putting the rider a full 3 inches above the R6 stance, and aids in the control you have in cornering. The fuel injection seems to be a problem Yamaha is facing for the entire '04-'05 lineup however. Snatchy on the throttle, you'd almost think it was a V-twin when you roll on. Combine the throttle response with the manufacturers suggested 2 1/4 chain play, and you're headed for some stalls when you immediately roll off the floor. Slip the clutch on your way home, and dial out the throttle play and tighten up that chain a bit, and she'll inspire confidence in even the most amatuer rider. And she's tough. I have personally been hit by a Dodge Caravan after a lowside, and have actually flipped the bike, landing on the topside completely. She's still running. While I would certainly suggest investing in frame sliders, the bar ends do much to save most of the fairing and almost the entire tank under any but the most extreme accidents. In fact, you can lay the bike down on either side, completely balanced on the bar-ends and the pegs without touching another peice of the body to pavement. Reliability was another concern of mine... as it is my main vehicle for almost every purpose, I needed the peace of mind that I would not be delayed by mechanical issues. Once again, the "Fizzer" pulls through. Starting with minimal coaxing even in the coldest of mornings, I've never been late on her account. After one 3 month period without a single start, it took only the turn of a key, and the push of a button. Not a cough, not a hiccup... just a welcoming purr that said she was awake again, and ready to play. The bike is not without fault, however... no bike is. The seat, peg, and bar postions are comfortable for even the longest of rides, however the fairing directs the airflow directly into the riders helmet. This is not a bike for someone wearing a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet. The front suspension comes soft initially, perfect for those looking for the Cadillac-like ride, but anyone looking for more feedback from the ground will need to change the fork oil. The stock tires are definitely aimed towards the touring/commuting crowd, and anyone looking for a sportier feel should invest in metzlers or pirelli's for a sharper turn. And finally... the weight. The bike is anything but light. Once rolling, the weight seems to simply evaporate, leaving you with a light, flickable, playful and revvy joyride, but at a standstill, it is intimidating to anyone not familiar with a bike this tall. It is easily 50-70 pounds heavier than most other sportbikes on the road... even the more intimidating liter-class sportbikes, and most of the weight feels like it is in the tank. Combine this with the snatchy throttle, and takeoffs or stops on a corner should be respected and approached with caution. Should you be unfortunate enough to dump her, however, rest assured, it's not as bad as you think it is. Most of the replacement parts are very affordable, ranging from $15 for the rear fairing peices to about $120 for the full front cowling. Most any OEM replacement part will be about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of any other sportbike on the road. Even the rims. It would take a mechanic to appreciate some of the intricacies of the styling. The frame is beautifully molded around functionality and poise, and it gives you full range to work on any part you wish to reach with little fuss. The added bonus of a center stand shaves time off routine chain cleaning and rear-tire adjustments, assuring you'll be done and riding while everyone else is still balancing theirs up without the added cost of a rear-stand. Final verdict? She'll teach you to ride responsibly. By merit of height, weight, power delivery and general attitude, she's MORE than capable of bucking you off at a moments notice. But all those same traits make it a stable, smooth ride that gives the rider confidence beyond their expectations. It is not recommended for short riders, it has a very tall seat height, and anyone under 5'8 will have a hard time at stop lights and in traffic. However, for a "beginners bike", it is a first-gear wheelie monger, glides up to 60mph before your first shift, and so well balanced that you can come to a complete stop... and THEN put your feet down. While it has a tendancy to run wide in the corners, a little muscle to find a line, and it'll track as well as any high-priced machine. It is more than happy to hang on in the chicane, and with a powerband that just pulls forever in the middle of the rev-range it'll inspire giggles as you pass them on the straightaways. It is a trainer that commands respect. For the more experienced rider, it is the devil on your shoulder, tempting you to do something foolish. One thing is for sure... every other bike you look at, be it a cruiser, a liter-class sportbike, or a high-priced 600cc competitor, will be hard pressed to compare to the FZ6. Even after looking for another bike to graduate to, everything seems to have glaring faults. Show less

I bought this bike in February of last year. The only problems I have had, stem from crappy weather last year {not enough good days to ride}. This bike is quick, fun, and agile. The jerkiness I have read about in some places is greatly exaggerated. The clutch can be a little inconsistent at times but not overly so. My only real complaint stems from the seat which can be really a pain after a hundred miles or so. I am thinking about getting an Airhawk seat pad and trying it. Handling wind protection and overall performance is amazing for the price. Show less

I have had this bike for a little while now and I can't say enough good things about it. I bought this after selling my 2001 GSXR-750 and began having bike withdrawals immediately. I was able to get a good deal on this bike and after riding it once I was sold. First of all it is 100X more comfortable than any sport bike but it still maintains the good looks of one. I actually get more compliments from this bike than my gixxer. I realized that this bike is much forgiving and is a great confidence builder for beginners or veteran riders as well. I love the euro look of the fairings (or lack thereof) and the under tail exhaust is also a great touch. For the price, you can't find anything better. As far as performance, personally I think it is outstanding. I can flick this bike around and really see what it can give while at the same time feeling in control, unlike my gixxer, which gave me tremendous power, but I always felt as if losing control was only one degree of throttle twist away. Once I'm done ravaging this I will be moving up to the FZ1. Since most of my riding is done in the city, I don't think I would go back to the regular sport bike class, leave those bikes for the track. Show less

This is the first bike that I have ever owned. I work at a dealership, I have ridden MANY different bikes, and this one was by far my favorite. I use it to commute an hour each way to college and I couldn't imagine riding anything else! People constantly stop me to ask what it is and say how cool it looks. Show less

I live in the Toronto area and I've just picked up my bike 1 week ago from the store. It's the first bike I have ever purchased and I am very happy with it. It's very powerful and it's going to take me a bit to get used to. My wife is competing to spend time with me now that all I want to do is ride the bike before the snow falls. If any new rider is thinking about a bike to purchase, this is definitely a machine I would recommend. Show less