Yamaha Fazer FZ6 S2 motorcycle test

Menus

• The ultimate evolution of success
• Discovery
• Contact
• In the city
• Highway
• Departmental
• Braking
• Comfort
• Consumption
• Convenient
• Conclusion

The ultimate evolution of success

The Fazer, now called
FZ6 S2, celebrates its tenth anniversary. The engine originally from the
Thundercat has been replaced by a version from
the R6, but softened to deliver only 97.4 horsepower and a
torque of 5.8 mkg in 2004. For its 2007 version, the main changes
visible are for larger swingarm, larger radiator,
a new saddle and the speedometer, from the big sister FZ1.

Discovery

The FZ6 is very close to its big sister 1000, and in fact, imposes
even more than from the front by a rewarding fork crown.
The refined fork crown has retained its dual optics,
effective in full lighthouse. The saddle widened. The handle
passenger has transformed on both sides. We especially notice
the double pot under the saddle, the most beautiful effect … kept since
fashionable 2004, but now to the Euro3 standard.

The saddle immediately offers a good seat and comfort. She is
however relatively high, and only the tips of both feet touch
earth for the pilot of 1.70m. Hands fall naturally on the handlebars
rather wide, offering a natural position, just slightly
tilted forward.

The dashboard comes directly from the FZ1 and separates
between digital tachometer and analog tachometer. Everything is there
: clock, partial double trip, totalizer, fuel gauge (at
six sticks), number of kilometers remaining on reserve.
Note the flashing red light of the electronic anti-theft device.
The warning is also present on the stalk.

The mirrors, very wide, offer a good field of vision;
a point rare enough to be noticed.

Contact

The FZ6 600 snorts in a quiet growl. First,
second, the motorcycle immediately rolls up gently and almost calmly
under 4,000 rpm, then climbs regularly in the
revolutions, up to 14,000 rpm from the red zone if necessary.
The first thus makes it possible to happily reach the 100
km / h and the second 140 km / h.

The legs perfectly enclose the tank with a shape
ideal, whatever the size of the pilot. The footrests are
relatively high for the category but the position remains natural.

The box turns out to be very soft and easy, each
speed happening particularly easily.

The motorcycle is easily handled instantly, offering a
in almost instinctive hand. The smoothness of the 4 cylinders allows acceleration
frank without diverting or forcing a dosage
learned and precise. This is undoubtedly the reason why the FZ6
is now used by many motorcycle schools.
But its rise in linear mode makes it possible to facilitate
the care of.

In the city

Very smooth, the FZ6 rolls nicely in any gear,
including on the last from 1400 rpm and 40 km / h. She will prefer
however, stay between 2nd and 3rd to have enough recovery and
fit easily and dynamically into the rhythm
Traffic. Because under 4,000 rpm, the FZ6 really lacks
recovery, with a gap between the impression of rising
engine speed and demonstration on the road. Light,
handy, it sneaks around easily and effortlessly. Tachometer
very precise and stable digital allows to visualize well
his speed.

It has a good turning radius, which allied to its
lightness allows for half-turns
effortlessly.

Highway

The FZ6 soars vigorously on the highway like a racer
bottom … At 120 km / h it is only 6,000 rpm and purrs gently.
The right handle then turns willingly to raise
the speedometer on a regular basis in front of the tachometers,
at a rate of 15km / h every 1,000 rpm: 7,000 rpm, 135 km / h,
8,000 rpm 150km / h, 9000 rpm 170 km / h … allowing a "theoretical" maximum
of 250 km / h, impressive for a 600.

At 170 km / h (on German motorway), the protection of the bubble is revealed
still as effective and does not generate any particular turmoil
in the helmet. It is therefore possible to stabilize at this speed;
only inconvenience, consumption which then begins to
exceed 6.7 liters / 100 km. Even at this speed,
the FZ6 is stable and not very sensitive to the wind, including
when overtaking a truck.

Large curves are taken easily and stably.
We could still keep turning the handle, and the
FZ6 would continue to climb steadily and surely
while offering good protection.

Departmental

The FZ6 also gladly finds the departmental roads for
to link turns after turns. She then appreciates falling
one or two reports, to stay in the towers and at least above
of 8,000 rpm. She did not deny her origins as a sportswoman and developed
all its power to the red zone … because it is at
12,900 rpm that the FZ6 develops all its horsepower. Suddenly, even
if it is possible to roll up on the last report, the beautiful one is really
player only on the intermediate gears that should not be hesitated
to alternate, by playing the selector, easy and precise;
because the speeds are really very easy.

In this little game, the framework remains exemplary rigor, including when
the coating degrades. In addition, the ground clearance being
consistent, you really have to attack very hard to start
to touch … enough to leave a lot of room for maneuver
to the pilot.

Braking

The front brake is not immediately present offering a start
running like in a vacuum, before really going off,
strongly, even very strongly. The rear brake is
also proves to be very efficient, without
as much cause rear wheel lock, helped
in this by the ABS. If the whole thing lacks a little feeling, the braking offers
an excellent mix between power and ability to be
easily mastered, with very good efficiency.

Comfort

The first seat of the FZ6 is good … and remains just as
good over time, even long term. The FZ6 allows
willingly to chain 500 km, with the only stop a filling
reservoir fast halfway. The saddle is really
comfortable and the work of the suspensions is excellent particularly smoothing
well the defects of the coatings. And this turns out
true both solo and duo. Compared to the first vintage,
the FZ6 has thus gained a lot in comfort to be
now at the highest level of current roadsters.

Consumption

At a regular pace and authorized on the motorway, the FZ6 does not
consumes only 5.3 liters per hundred, passing on reserve only
after 280 km, with a remaining range of 65 km, something to consider
very long journeys. At a more sustained rate, the reserve
can be triggered from 200 km, maximum consumption
being then above 7.5 liters / 100.

Reservoir well filled – do it very slowly –
the first stick disappears after 80 km, then each stick
following approximately every 40 km.

Convenient

There is room under the saddle to accommodate a good lock and a
rain pants. The lodge lock then easily between stick
and front brake disc.

The side stand folds up easily. Conversely,
it takes a little getting used to putting on the footrest correctly
hindering its grip and the first attempts to put it in place
are difficult, the only method consisting of
start with the heel between the end of the crutch and the toe clip.
A kick to take.

The central stand, on the other hand, is very easy to place
and effortlessly.

The metal tank allows the installation of a bag of
tank, especially since the driving position leaves enough
the place in height, and without hindering the pilot.

We just regret the absence of an additional indicator light
for the reserve, the simple black bar can easily be
hidden by a tank bag.

Conclusion

Easy to grip, rigorous, comfortable, with good protection,
the FZ6 is one of the greatest successes in terms of versatility.
Rather soft at low and mid-range, it will even be suitable
beginners, including the 98 horsepower version (there is a
78 hp version and a 34 hp version). With his high horses
perched, it nevertheless allows a good margin of progress.
It will then be able to satisfy those who want a little more fishing
and will not hesitate to go look for it in the
turns. Its price well placed at 6,990 € including with
ABS, consolidates it in its position of excellent motorcycle, good to
do everything.

Strong points

• versatility
• price
• comfort

Weak points

• engine at low and mid-speed

Competitors: Honda Hornet, Kawasaki Z750, Suzuki Bandit 650, Suzuki GSR 600

Datasheet

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