It seems they have all the fun over in Europe. According to the Official Yamaha Motor Europe website, they have two really nice Yamaha FZ6 models over there across the pond: the Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2, and the Yamaha FZ6 S2.
The Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2 seems to be the closest to what we have here in the states with the standard Yamaha FZ6 (looking more boring all the time). The FZ6 Fazer has the fairing up top just like the U.S. FZ6, and looks very similar. The FZ6 S2, on the other hand, is fully naked with no fairing up front with the headlight. According to the Yamaha website, the only technical difference between the two is the body design, as all the performance and specifications match exactly.
So, how do the European models stack up to the U.S. offering? Well, I'm glad you asked, because I'd like to know myself. Let's take a look:
Surprise! There are no mechanical or performance differences between the U.S. and European versions. Whew! I thought that since they had cooler looking bikes that they'd be going faster, too. Not the case, I guess. They do get a couple of nicer features, though. One is the electronic immobilizer that comes standard on each FZ6 Fazer S2 or FZ6 S2. It also appears that, if you want it, you can have ABS installed as an option (with a slight weight penalty of course). That's not even an option in the U.S.
Anyhow, it's not as bad as I'd feared. Yea, the European FZ6 S2 looks awesome, and yea they can have ABS if they want, but at least I'll be able to go just as fast with my 2008 Yamaha FZ6 U.S. version!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Yamaha FZ6 Motorcycle - 2008 vs 2009
I noticed on the Yamaha website that the new 2009 Yamaha FZ6 is now available for sale. So, I decided to do a comparison to see if there is anything about the new model that makes it better than my 2008. I hope not, because I don't want to have to go out and buy another one.
It's difficult to see at first glance from the website what is different about the two motorcycles. We're off to a good start :-). Looking at the specs, it seems that the engine performance, size, and weight are the same as the 2008 model. According to the specifications, the only difference between the two model years is the color options and price! This isn't really that surprising, as there can't be a revamp every single year.
Moving over to the 2008/2009 Yamaha FZ6 features list I notice a couple of differences. The first is that instead of having a "Controlled-Fill aluminum frame" like the 2008, the 2009 has a "Controlled-Fill die-cast aluminum frame". So now it's die-cast aluminum, for whatever that's worth..?
The second difference that I notice is the addition of: "Dual 12V 60/55-watt multireflector headlight gives a sleek, R1-type profile for superb aerodynamics and visibility." One of the interesting things about the 2008 is that only one headlight is on when the low beams are active and both when the high beams are used. It seems that the 2009 model might just use both lights all of the time. That would be a welcome change. I get comments all the time that I have a headlight out. Well, I don't! That's just how it's made! Most of the time no one believes me. In addition, when looking at the two side by side, it's easy to see there is an aesthetic difference on the front end. Good or bad, I couldn't really say.
Left: 2008, Right: 2009
So, what's the price difference? $6,999 versus $7,290 for 2008 and 2009 respectively. And the colors? Seems they did away with Cobalt Blue and replaced it with Deep Blue. The Raven (black) option remains.
The final difference that is seen from the 2008 to the 2009 is that the comfort seat, which was only an option in 2008 is now standard. I don't know how much of a difference that will make, but it probably is one reason the price is now almost $300 higher.
I'll keep an eye out for 2009 Yamaha FZ6 reviews and opinions as more people start buying them and post some thoughts here.
Thanks for checking out my Yamaha FZ6 blog, and I think I'll stick with my 2008... for now.
Some information and pictures in this post are from the Yamaha Motor Official website.
It's difficult to see at first glance from the website what is different about the two motorcycles. We're off to a good start :-). Looking at the specs, it seems that the engine performance, size, and weight are the same as the 2008 model. According to the specifications, the only difference between the two model years is the color options and price! This isn't really that surprising, as there can't be a revamp every single year.
Moving over to the 2008/2009 Yamaha FZ6 features list I notice a couple of differences. The first is that instead of having a "Controlled-Fill aluminum frame" like the 2008, the 2009 has a "Controlled-Fill die-cast aluminum frame". So now it's die-cast aluminum, for whatever that's worth..?
The second difference that I notice is the addition of: "Dual 12V 60/55-watt multireflector headlight gives a sleek, R1-type profile for superb aerodynamics and visibility." One of the interesting things about the 2008 is that only one headlight is on when the low beams are active and both when the high beams are used. It seems that the 2009 model might just use both lights all of the time. That would be a welcome change. I get comments all the time that I have a headlight out. Well, I don't! That's just how it's made! Most of the time no one believes me. In addition, when looking at the two side by side, it's easy to see there is an aesthetic difference on the front end. Good or bad, I couldn't really say.
Left: 2008, Right: 2009
So, what's the price difference? $6,999 versus $7,290 for 2008 and 2009 respectively. And the colors? Seems they did away with Cobalt Blue and replaced it with Deep Blue. The Raven (black) option remains.
The final difference that is seen from the 2008 to the 2009 is that the comfort seat, which was only an option in 2008 is now standard. I don't know how much of a difference that will make, but it probably is one reason the price is now almost $300 higher.
I'll keep an eye out for 2009 Yamaha FZ6 reviews and opinions as more people start buying them and post some thoughts here.
Thanks for checking out my Yamaha FZ6 blog, and I think I'll stick with my 2008... for now.
Some information and pictures in this post are from the Yamaha Motor Official website.
Yamaha FZ6 Motorcycle - Gas Mileage
Well I suppose you've noticed how nicely gas prices have dropped recently. I think we all have, and I think we're all grateful. Strangely, I've been meaning to write a post about the fuel economy I get with my Yamaha FZ6 since gas prices rose so crazily. It seems almost moot now, but I think it's still worthwhile to know what sort of gas mileage you can expect out of any vehicle. After all, how long do we really think gas prices are going to stay this low? I doubt it will last too long.
So, I'll get right to it. I get pretty decent gas mileage with my Yamaha FZ6. But, there is a
difference between what I CAN get, what I DO get, and what the service manual says I can get. When I was breaking in my bike and couldn't rev over 8,000 RPM or so, I was getting great gas mileage. I could see mileage up into the mid-50s. That's better than most cars, hybrid or otherwise, and it's also more than the service manual and Yamaha website indicate it should get (which is 40 MPG estimated). This encompassed driving in town mostly, with a bit on the highway. Honestly I didn't noticed a huge difference with different types of riding (highway, town, etc.)
Now that she's all broken in, though, things are a little bit different. Don't get me wrong, I still get great mileage, but not really in the range of what is possible to get. When we get comfortable driving something and aren't always consciously thinking about gas mileage (especially with prices as low as they are now), the mileage can drop noticeably. When I ride the FZ6 to and from work and to and from the gym, I can expect fuel economy in the mid-40s (right in line with the manual/website estimate). That's not fantastic, for a smaller motorcycle, but it also doesn't suck when gas prices are through the roof. And of course there are other performance modifications like exhaust and intake parts that can improve the mileage, but I have yet to delve into these options.
I don't really drive that much as it is, so when gas prices rise drastically, it's really the difference between paying $60 a month to paying maybe $100 a month.... really not that horrible. One reason might be that I don't own a vehicle that gets worse than 40 MPG. But that's a story for another day.
Thanks for checking out my Yamaha FZ6 blog post about gas mileage. If you have any specific questions about my bike or the mileage I get, please leave a comment.
So, I'll get right to it. I get pretty decent gas mileage with my Yamaha FZ6. But, there is a
difference between what I CAN get, what I DO get, and what the service manual says I can get. When I was breaking in my bike and couldn't rev over 8,000 RPM or so, I was getting great gas mileage. I could see mileage up into the mid-50s. That's better than most cars, hybrid or otherwise, and it's also more than the service manual and Yamaha website indicate it should get (which is 40 MPG estimated). This encompassed driving in town mostly, with a bit on the highway. Honestly I didn't noticed a huge difference with different types of riding (highway, town, etc.)Now that she's all broken in, though, things are a little bit different. Don't get me wrong, I still get great mileage, but not really in the range of what is possible to get. When we get comfortable driving something and aren't always consciously thinking about gas mileage (especially with prices as low as they are now), the mileage can drop noticeably. When I ride the FZ6 to and from work and to and from the gym, I can expect fuel economy in the mid-40s (right in line with the manual/website estimate). That's not fantastic, for a smaller motorcycle, but it also doesn't suck when gas prices are through the roof. And of course there are other performance modifications like exhaust and intake parts that can improve the mileage, but I have yet to delve into these options.
I don't really drive that much as it is, so when gas prices rise drastically, it's really the difference between paying $60 a month to paying maybe $100 a month.... really not that horrible. One reason might be that I don't own a vehicle that gets worse than 40 MPG. But that's a story for another day.
Thanks for checking out my Yamaha FZ6 blog post about gas mileage. If you have any specific questions about my bike or the mileage I get, please leave a comment.
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