Yamaha FZ6 Modifications to Consider, Part 4

This is the fourth and final installment of my "Modifications to Consider" series for the Yamaha FZ6 motorcycle. It's been a while since I last posted, but it's a nice day today and I was able to ride my bike and renew my FZ6 zeal.

If you remember, in Part 3, I discussed fender eliminators, mirrors, and turn signals. For this post, I'll go through some options that exist for frame sliders, brake lines & brake pads, and air filters. Some of these mods are more practical than anything else and thought they warranted some discussion.

• Frame Sliders - For obvious reasons, frame sliders are an invaluable addition to the Yamaha FZ6, especially for newer riders. The main purpose of frame sliders are to protect the expensive bike body parts if the bike were to fall over, either at a stop or while moving. I know from experience that a fallen bike without frame sliders can be an expensive ordeal indeed. I also believe that, no matter how experienced the rider, frame sliders should always be a consideration. They're essentially like insurance, and cheap insurance at that. You can expect that they'll help protect the fairings, engine, and frame. Investing in good quality sliders is a must as they are designed to break away under high pressure so as not to damage the frame. Obviously they can't protect under all circumstances, but are definitely worth a look.

• Brake Lines & Pads - Replacement of the stock Yamaha FZ6 brake pads and brake lines can be for aesthetic purposes as well as for performance enhancement. High quality braided lines decrease the amount of expansion in the lines when applying the brakes. This ensures consistent braking performance under all braking conditions. Additionally, high quality brake pads will ensure minimal brake fade under hard and constant braking as well as higher sensitivity and longevity. Many aftermarket brake lines will be steel braided and can come in a variety of colors. This can add a personalized look to the bike if desired.
  

• Air Filters - Replacing the Yamaha FZ6 air filter should be for one main purpose: help the bike breathe better. The most common aftermarket air filter for many applications is the well-known K&N filter systems. The Yamaha FZ6 is no exception. This filter will help air flow easier to the engine and should allow it to run more efficiently. Additionally, this filter will last much longer than the stock filter between replacements and will only need to be washed re-oiled occasionally. The benefits of such an addition are increased horsepower and acceleration.

This wraps up my series of Yamaha FZ6 Modifications to Consider. As I'm able to round up more parts to consider I'll post more, but I'm going to try and cover some other topics in the next few posts. In the next post I'd like to share with you my fuel economy experience with the Yamaha FZ6 and give you an idea of how many miles per gallon you might expect to get.