Yamaha FZ-6S Fazer

 Within the FZ600 beats the heart of an R6, and its Made for fun on winding roads: the new FZ600 has latest technology inherited from the R-series.

A product planner at Yamaha Motor Europe remembers the first big model change in 6 years one year ago: "We decided to let the new Fazer really jump up in terms of technical solutions and design. The only way to free the engineers from restrictions was to give them a free hand to start from scratch. And they did. The new Fazer is new and gives you a new riding feeling as well, without sacrificing its basic qualities of the past."

The for the 2004 model range created, new generation of Fazer 600 made that successful concept simply better and more exciting. When the Fazer FZ600 was launched back in 1998, it proved extremely popular as a well-balanced mix of sport elements and all-round function. At that time most street motorcycles in the middleclass were simply all-round machines and obviously were lacking excitement on the sporty side

Yamaha FZ6 Features

- New-concept middleweight sportbike: High-performance but with an anything, anytime, anywhere attitude.
- Upright, comfortable riding position with great weather protection. Light, effortless handling for urban use, comfortable long-distance cruising, and serious sport riding too.

Engine

- Super-light and compact YZF-R6-based engine is tuned for enhanced midrange performance as well as strong rev-ability.
- Cams and intake tracts are designed to produce maximum torque at 10,000 rpm, maximum power at 12,000 rpm.
- Group fuel injection combines simplicity with excellent response and performance.
- Powerful 32-bit processor and 4-jet bi-directional injectors negate the need for the R6's suction-piston vacuum assist system and is 75% lighter.
- Six-speed gearbox with triangulated input and output shafts, heavy-duty clutch and through-the-frame shifter for years of precise, positive shifting.
- Stainless steel underseat exhaust system with heat shield looks cool and doesn't interfere with passengers or luggage.
- Acoustic analysis of the downdraft intake tract and exhaust produce a bike that sounds as cool as it looks.
- Large radiator with ring-type fan for excellent cooling capacity.
- Yamaha Air Induction System, along with a metal honeycomb type catalytic converter, let the FZ6 pass strict EU2 and CARB emissions standards.

SUSPENSION

- Strong and very light Controlled Fill die cast aluminum frame is made from only two pieces, which bolt together at the steering head and in the swingarm pivot area.
- Five-point stressed-member engine mounting design consists of two crankcase mounts per side and one mount on the left side of the cylinder head for excellent strength and light weight.
- Placing the engine's crankshaft axis close to the FZ6's roll axis aids quick handling and light, positive steering.
- 25 degrees of rake, 3.8-inch trail and 56.7-inch wheelbase for quick handling and excellent tracking.
- Single shock linkageless rear suspension is simple and light with sport-biased damping tuned for a controlled, progressive feel; extruded aluminum swingarm is 23.2 inches long for reduced chain-pull effect, further bolstering the FZ6's outstanding handling.
- Placing the battery under the fuel tank and behind the steering head helps achieve 51-percent front wheel weight distribution and excellent handling.
- Single-piece upper triple clamp/ handlebar mount, with tubular handlebar for excellent front-end feel, feedback and light steering; 35-degree steering lock means excellent maneuverability in traffic.
- Extremely light YZF-R6-type 5-spoke wheels reduce unsprung weight by 18% for improved suspension action and handling, acceleration and deceleration.
- Thick dual seat offers exceptional solo or two-up comfort and passenger grab rails also serve as bungee attachment points.

Additional Features

- LCD two-color instrument display with integrated bar-type tachometer on the left, and numerical speedometer in the center- also two tripmeters, clock, fuel, intake air temperature and water temperature gauges and usual indicator lights.
- 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 radial tires complement the FZ6's modern look, and its increased torque and great handling fully exploit the superb grip they provide.
- Large windscreen provides good protection and minimal noise; anti-reversion panels on each side of the lower fairing reduce turbulence.
- Dual 12V 60/55-watt multireflector headlight gives a sleek, R1-type profile for superb aerodynamics and visibility.
- Completely unique, CAD-drawn fuel tank meets the needs of style, handlebar clearance and tactile feel in one beautiful package crafted from high-stretch titanium-rich alloy.
- Sporty taillight design reduces both weight and size while providing excellent visibility.
- Centerstand for easier maintenance.
- Standard toolkit and U-lock storage under the seat.

Middleweight Yamaha strikes a fine balance
By, Trevor Hedge

Fire breathing superbike, lightweight commuter, scooter, dirtbike, it doesn’t matter. Two wheel fun gets delivered in all sorts of ways. The smile when you take your helmet off rarely changes no matter what your ride. Sometimes though a bike proves a whole lot more fun than you imagine and recently the FZ-6S certainly proved a very pleasant surprise.

Versatile and sporty commuter style motorcycles need three things on their side to make for great mounts. Great balance, manageable weight and sensible gearing. The FZ-6S delivers on all three criteria and would make a much more suitable first step in to middle and large capacity motorcycling than a full monty sportsbike.

I managed a consistent 225km/h at the end of Phillip Island’s main straight every lap so the machine is far from slow. I was curious to see if a better run onto the straight combined with a less testicularly challenged entry to turn one would bring much improvement so I sent Superbike legend Kevin Magee out to see what he could do. The Foxtel presenter only improved on that mark by 6km/h. This clearly demonstrates that the gearing is spot on. The speed range across the six ratios gives the machine plenty of pep around town while also allowing the YZF-R6 sourced engine to spin freely up to 14,000rpm in top. 110km/h registers 6000rpm on the absurd bar style LCD tachometer.

The brakes are impressive. The front takes a decent squeeze for maximum braking effect but this poses no problems and is actually an advantage for inexperienced riders. The rear brake is outstanding in both power and feel.

The suspension is up to all but the most aggressive riding. The rear damping can go away a little when really having a red hot go but ride smooth and a decent pace can be generated at track days. All but perhaps the quickest 10 or 20 per cent of riders would find the machine more capable than them when the going gets hot. Commuting with a pillion would pose no problems but getting serious in the hills with a passenger would be a bit too much to ask.

The machine impressed me so much that on my return to Perth I got straight on the blower to Five Star Yamaha’s Aurelio Taccone. Aurelio was nice enough to throw me the keys to their demonstrator so I could see if my initial impressions would be backed up in real world riding. My 1250km on the middleweight included an 850km one day jaunt through our South-West and the smile rarely left my dial throughout.

The riding position is a great balance between comfort and sport. Sit high and relaxed in the seat, or get your head over the inside bar and put some body language into the equation. The FZ-6S is happy either way. The mirrors are brilliant and the generous 19.4 litre fuel tank consistently returns a touring range in excess of 300km.

I was quite impressed with the overall quality of finish of the machine apart from a couple of blights. The swingarm looked as though it had been salvaged from an old parts remnant bin and the tachometer would be more suitable on a Fisher-Price toy. Yamaha has seen the error of their ways and the 2007 model scores nicer instruments and a more attractive swingarm. So with both of my major complaints taken care of in the upcoming model, I am left with nothing to whine about. Wonders will never cease…

The 2007 model also scores trick looking four-piston monobloc calipers, refined fuel injection mapping and tuning for more mid-range grunt, lower pillion pegs and a redesigned seat. Yamaha have priced the 2007 FZ-6S at $11,999, with the fully naked variant on the theme, the FZ-6N, aggressively priced at $11,299. A new one model race series dedicated to the FZ-6 swings into action late this month at Winton Raceway as a supporting act to the 2007 YMF Loan Australian Superbike Championship. And If I wanted to try my hand at road racing then I know that's certainly the avenue I would be chasing. I'm happy to leave 200 horsepower Superbikes to better men than me.

Source  MCNews