Bike Test! 2016 Yamaha FZ6R!

I wasn't too keen on the first FZ6R I rode, a 2011 model. Will the 2016 FZ6R redeem itself? Watch and find out!
This is a re-post because the first video got corrupted during KZbin's processing.
June 20th is the summer solstice, longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere!
Big thanks to Zach Yates for letting me borrow the Yamaha FZ6R for a whole day, and this is still a new bike! Check out his vlog here:
/ thatmotorcycleguy
--
Spacep0d's 2013 Ninja 300 is for sale! $4300, tons of mods, under 9,400 miles. Clean title in-hand. Bike is in Santa Clarita, CA. Check out the video here!
• Spacep0d's 2013 Kawasa...
--
Do you shop at Revzilla? I do! If you need gear, please use my affiliate link. It costs you nothing extra but I make a bit from sales. Support Spacep0d without the beggary! :D
Here's the linky: www.jdoqocy.com...
--
Social Media Links:
Instagram: / spacep0dmotovlog
Tw*tter: / spacep0d
Spacep0d Official: spacep0d.com/
Spacep0d Merch Store: store.spacep0d....
--
Decals by Spacep0d!
ZX-3R Decals (Pair): spacep0d.com/de...
Unicorn Decals: spacep0d.com/de...
--
Spacep0d Stats and Gear:
Height: 5'3", 29" inseam. (Calm yourselves, ladies). ;)
Helmet: HJC CL-16 with custom graphics
Suit: Z-Custom Leather Suit with an Apollo 11/16 theme designed by me, based on the NASA EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) suits.
Boots: Frey-Daytona M-Star. Custom white.
Gloves: Dainese Pro Carbon
Cameras: GoPro HD Hero 3 Black (MainCam), GoPro HD Hero 3 White (MeCam).
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
--
All sound FX are either my own work or used under the Creative Commons 0 (Non-Attribution License) from Freesound.org.
Music copyrights specified at-end of video, if applicable.

[@alainouellette8660]

Love the "no sound" of the stock exhaust. Thit is perfect for long ride and not anoying the neighbors 👍

[@barryervin8536]

15 seconds in and I like it already. A sporty bike with real mirrors instead of those little useless pointy styling ornaments I see on most bikes today.

[@Man0fMeans]

Loooove this review! Beautiful riding day, great commentary, excellent camera position, no shitty background music. Love the FZ6R too - this is the model I will definitely buy.

[@Tophkaneki]

I loved my 2013 fz6r doesn't seem like much has changed

[@austintraylor9740]

I'm 6'8 never thought I could find a sport style bike that I could fit on, to much of my surprise I fit on this bike really well and very comfortably. Also I am a new rider and I really have enjoyed how simple and predictable the power band is I have a 2011 fz6r :)

[@giff74]

I wouldn't have thought that anyone would have been able to pull you off that 675R yet!!?? Great review by the way.

[@spacep0d]

@Giff74: Haha, well I actually had this recorded before I got my Truimph. But, I didn't want to release it until the new videos for the Triumph had been released. ;)

[@awangajis6395]

Thank for the good review of Fz6 .This is my first 600cc bike for me.

[@timothysexton7621]

Great review. New Rider for 2018. Picked this up with only 7250km for 5300 CAD all in. It has a few mods frame sliders, fender elimintor, led indicator lights in the fake front air intakes with front indicators changed out with flush mounted led indicators.

[@TheThailand101]

Any yami is a good bike in my book👌

[@EPRMoto]

Great review. Picking one up this Sunday.

[@spacep0d]

Thanks! Congrats!

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Thanks for the great video. I’m also 5’3” and I’ve been looking for something other than a cruiser or a small displacement bike. This just might be the bike.

[@westboundNinja1]

man I love these reviews

[@spacep0d]

@westboundNinja1: Thanks!

[@myloz6013]

Great review. I bought mine two weeks ago and it is beautiful . 2013 in white.

[@zacharyicenhower7388]

Grew up riding the TTR-230 and YZ-450. Had a ninja when I was young and then moved to a place that it wasn't very feasible to ride. Wanted to get a starter bike and I test drove the FZ6r last week and it is nice. Way comfortable, handles great and has enough speed for me right now. But I am a beginner when it comes to street riding so I may not know what I am talking about. Anyway, I'm picking mine up this Friday.

[@thecatboss123]

maybe the best review I've seen on yt , subscribed :D

[@spacep0d]

@alxfiend: Haha thanks!

[@robmuhfacka5986]

I've got this bike but 2014, I've modded mine out pretty heavily though, it's been lowered two inches and has clip on style bars now, the gearing is different too lost a tooth in front and also raised a few teeth in back. Not only that but I advanced the timing 4° and that really pushes the bike closer to its full potential. Heavy noticeable differences after these types of mods. Just gotta get a speedohealer if you care to know that sort of thing haha

[@dustytriumph]

Excellent and comprehensive review.

[@spacep0d]

@Adam Matthews: Thanks!

[@katsugi183]

Thank you for sharing your first ride views too.Awesome name too .Raven in black 😍

[@frogmanjack8790]

I like the review and the closing of the video it look like he's riding a space motorcycle

[@spacep0d]

That's the intent! Thanks for watching.

[@You.renotthatguy]

great review. I think I found my first motorcycle.

[@spacep0d]

@kentegra: Rock on!

[@lopezdad30]

What you mean they fixed the fueling?? I have a 2011 raven with almost 50,000 miles and I've never had a issue with the fueling.

[@nexusinyou]

good review. Of course you know I am partial to this bike, for obvious reasons

[@spacep0d]

Thanks!

[@WarWizardProductions]

I bought the raven 2016 in november of last year and i have over 1,000 miles on it now.I love it!! Its a great bike.I saw you at chapparal a little while ago +spacep0d.I cant remember what day it was but it was december 20 something haha

[@spacep0d]

@WarWizard Productions: Hi there. Last time I was at Chap was during the 2016 SCMM event. I don't live anywhere near there otherwise. :D Was it a Spacep0d lookalike? Similar outfit? Dainese makes a suit which looks similar, so on a shorter rider this could have been the case, but I was not there since SCMM.

[@martinquinn3382]

Thank you for the review ! To smooth power can be a little boring, no ? Would you recommend it for an experienced rider who likes the motorcycle fun factor ?

[@MrBoogs29]

Love my 2016 fz6r

[@Jay-bw3fl]

Excellent review. Thank you!

[@TD402dd]

Come Spacep0d, the FZ6R is a pig at 465 lbs. I'm just hoping in the future they use FZ07 to make a sport bike. Just over 400 lbs wet, this would be something I would consider dumping my R3 for.

[@spacep0d]

@D. Paul Riderman: Well if you want a light bike, the FZ6R is not for you. I agree, it's heavy with that top-heavyish steel frame, and yeah if you want light and flickable and a great value and you don't mind a naked bike, the FZ-07 is fantastic. I agree, an FZ-07 sportbike would be great along with a sporting version of the FZ-09. The 2013 Daytona 675R is only 23 lbs. heavier than a Ninja 300 (wet) so this bike is light, has top shelf parts and handles like a dream. It's also quite narrow and that triple engine is amazeballs.

[@TD402dd]

The 675R is detuned race bike in every way. My old Triumph stayed in my garage for 12 years because I was addicted to the 3 cylinder engine.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Quite a nice looking bike, looks sporty even though it's not a full on sports bike. The way you sit on it reminds me of the old sports tourers like Suzuki Bandit, Suzuki SV650 and Honda Hornet. Nice review.

[@spacep0d]

@Johny40Se7en: Yeah it surprised me. It's so unassuming but I enjoyed it...and I liked it way better than the 2011 specimen I tried.

[@Johny40Se7en]

***** Cool stuff. I feel the same about the old 600 bandit, I learnt and then did my full test on it, that's the biggest bike I've ridden so far, I'm a amateur at best for riding so I love it ; ) About two years before riding that, I did a test called a CBT to ride 125cc bikes, I did that on a YBR125, I like that too, but coming from a 125 to a 600 is like running along on foot and then lassoing onto a horse running flat out. There's no other feeling like it in the World, coming off a roundabout onto a fast road and rolling open the throttle, that vibrating in between your legs and the surge of power like it's endless, makes you giggle like a little girl hahaha =)

[@jestercohort7348]

+Johny40Se7en, **reminds me of the old sports tourers** ...lol, ..maybe because this is classified as a Sport Tourer

[@julianfurtuna8582]

What exactly they changed from the 2011 model that you hated about?

[@lopezdad30]

Dont really need a flasher button when the headlights button is right there.... you can just flip the switch real quick.

[@p1neapplejuice750]

Great vid like always

[@spacep0d]

@Bacon fries: Thanks!

[@DeAngeloShaw]

Getting one of these in a few days!!! Looks nice! Only thing I wish the exhaust was louder to make it sound mean lol... wonder if you could switch them out. I would think so...

[@Fizzglg]

Yes you can

[@stephanbielawski9462]

I am picking one up used this week. It indeed has a Two Brothers aftermarket exhaust, and sounds MEAN.

[@6speedlover]

You said, you where gonna review it, and you did :) tyvm SpacePod ! I love my 2012 fz (modded, and Max lowered) It is a great bike :) I am 5' 4" at 120 lbs. So this is a lot of bike for me from learning on a 2008 Ninja 250 r lol. Bw saf my man! And ty again for another Non-Bias Review :)

[@spacep0d]

@Jason Last: See! :) Thanks for watching!

[@obeytheBUG]

Hey I'm 5'10 and weigh 132 lbs, I ride a 2011 250, do you think the fz6 is too heavy for me? The 250 has a good weight to it, I've almost dropped it a couple times from leaning too much at a stop but was able to bring it back up with all my strength lol

[@6speedlover]

At 5'10" you should have no problem being flat footed on a fz6r, but as for the stopping and almost dropping it (like you do on the 250) Yes it is a lot heavier bike. May I ask how long you been riding? Because perfecting stopping is a massive concern.

[@obeytheBUG]

+jason Last about 3 months

[@6speedlover]

Awesome! So I know for a fact that you are having fun! I myself did 3 years on a Ninja 250, I could of upgraded to a 600 sooner, but I chose to give it 3 good solid summers for experience on the 250. And one other thing........ May I ask if you took the State funded (costs nothing) Motorcycle Saftey Course??? You will learn TONS of very important things there, if you have not already did it :-) It was the smartest thing I have ever done, when it came to riding a motorcycle.

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

It does look like and interesting bike. Now why would Yamaha give that bike a smooth throttle, and give my FJ-09 the twitchiest throttle ever. 160 does seem a little strange. Nice review bro and ride safe.

[@spacep0d]

@vac0002: Ah, the FJ-09! Good to know that. Yeah it's got very smooth fueling and and a great throttle.

[@lrowlands53]

Great review. Thanks.

[@RWWRENTAL]

which one has more power and is quicker 0 to 60 or 0 to 80mph for highway get up and go. cbr650f fz6r or ninja650?

[@Bogmired]

Ahh great review dude!

[@spacep0d]

@Mr. Phantasm: Thanks man!

[@Grainsauce]

What was wrong with the fueling of the 2011 model?

[@sharpy3453]

i could be wrong but im pretty sure that the fz6r never changed and if it did. it didnt change by much.

[@spacep0d]

@James W: I do like this one better than the 2011 version I rode. Don't know about the years in-between but I remember FZ6R owners talking about the fueling on the forums.

[@sharpy3453]

+spacep0d ah. Idk. I have a stock 2011 and I love it.

[@spacep0d]

James W I'm glad ya love it! I just didn't have the greatest experience with it, but it could have just been the individual bike too. Who knows! Either way, the 2016 was quite nice.

[@Geremy2Taps]

I watched your review on the Kawasaki 650r. Your opinion , which do you prefer ? I know you hit on it some here . Thanks for the video and response in advance !

[@spacep0d]

I prefer the CBR650F for these budget sportos. Second choice is the brand new FZ6R, but I haven't ridden the new Ninja 650 yet since they've redesigned it. That deserves careful consideration too.

[@jeffbuyer5768]

Cool, your riding near my house.

[@jttrucking]

Great review! my buddy got one last year and Im thinking to get this bike too but Im 6'1 .. do you think the bike could be too small? thank you man

[@spacep0d]

@Jonatas Torres de Souza: Not at all. 6'1" would be great with this bike I think. You're welcome!

[@jttrucking]

***** Cool! Thanks man!

[@feeblemind]

dam your only 5'3? thought i was short. What are some other bikes you recommend for newer riders who are also short? I was really digging the Nina 650 but I like yamahas and want to eventually go into a R6 so i thought this would be like a good start since its the same engine detuned if im not mistaken but the bike seems kinda lacking vs the ninja.

[@spacep0d]

@feeblemind: Yep. See? You're not that short. I have videos just for short riders if you want to check them out with bike recommendations. But, for sportbikes the GSX-R 600 or 750 is a great choice. For sport-standards, I like the CBR600F and the new FZ6R by Yam (2016+). For small-bore bikes, I like the Ninja 300 best. :)

[@feeblemind]

no ninja 650 in that group? I like Yamaha but I dont see the FZ6R competing with it but i didnt look at the new 2016 ones. My complaint of the old ones was they were waayyyy tooo quieettt

[@spacep0d]

feeblemind Unlike a real moto-journalist..I only get one bike at a time....borrowed from the owner. ;) I would love to do some group comparisons though.

[@feeblemind]

ahh ok well im not buying for awhile so if you ever get to get on the 2016 ninja 650 do a review! thanks. man.

[@spacep0d]

feeblemind Yeah if I get one I'd be happy to review it. I'm not doing bike trades these days so I'm far fewer reviews...but that may change later.

[@Rydrives]

Great bike tbh!!!

[@nicholasflannery6078]

would this bike be suited for a 6'6 rider by any chance

[@4stringsRplenty]

I currently have a 2015 Yamaha R3. Want to stay with the sport bike style, but am planning a trip this summer from Florida keys to Toronto and back, about 7000 miles. I can go with an aftermarket windshield on the R3, or trade it for a FZ6R. What do you recommend?

[@spacep0d]

Aftermarket double-bubble windscreen will help a lot, especially if you are happy with the R3 otherwise. I suggest the Puig double bubble screen, which I think is called their 'racing' screen. Good luck!

[@busboy3232]

do you have an instagram account bro?

[@4stringsRplenty]

I've decided on the 2016 FZ6R. Picking it up from my local dealer on May 19. Keeping the R3, though, for a city bike.

[@miketdarnell]

Did you take the trip? You should post it on KZbin or something.

[@4stringsRplenty]

I did! But not Key West, but Birmingham, Alabama. The hurricane was headed to Florida, so I stayed away from there. 4 months of riding my new FZ6R, and I have 18,800 Km on the odometer. Never had a hitch, even with full saddlebags, and 6 hour highway days at over 125 kph average..

[@mushroomcloud1]

Good review.

[@spacep0d]

Thanks!

[@kwentonb2wild452]

Would a 6.3 persian be able to ride it

[@vernerlyau]

Were you able to flat foot?

[@treyhazel9010]

Im 5 7 and I can flat in normal 👟

[@solosportbikerider5734]

I notice three round objects in the sky at 9.29 what are those things.

[@spacep0d]

@Oka Sportbikerider: They appear to be small orbs on a wire, though you can't see the wire well but there is a clear line there.

[@solosportbikerider5734]

O.K. cool for a moment it looked like U.F.O.,anyway i really love the review on the Yamaha i am 5'6"and i got a ninja 300 and the fz6r feels perfect for me.

[@JayWind111]

Anyone know why the 2016 vs 2017 FZ6R are only like 9 dollars difference?? Really considering this bike but just curious why there isn't a change in price for two different years. Thoughts?

[@spacep0d]

@Jonathan Nguyen; Don't know about this, but the 2017 Ninja 650 deserves a very hard look. They've reduced its weight by around 42 lbs. and it looks great! Same class of bike.

[@wyattyeg6766]

is 650f better?

[@spacep0d]

I like the 650f a bit better, yeah.

[@peterlymbertos4159]

@spacep0d If you could only pick one bike for an all around use, which would it be. FZ6R, 650 Ninja, CBR650f, or FZ-07?

[@spacep0d]

@Peter Lymbertos: Interesting, and I've ridden all of those bikes (which is probably why you're asking). I'd say the FZ-07 would be my first choice, with the CBR650F a close second. The FZ-07 is very affordable, has a great (powerful) engine, is lightweight and probably easy to work on. The CBR is gonna be a little heavier with that steel frame but has a proper fairing/windscreen for freeway jaunts. I tend to prefer sportbikes, otherwise the FZ-07 would win hands-down, but it only loses points with me because it's a naked bike.

[@peterlymbertos4159]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Moving up from a Ninja 300 and my biggest grip was smaller engine and the bike on the freeway. I wonder how bad the FZ-07 feels on the freeway compared to a CBR650F or FZ6R (rode this on freeway and it was so comfortable).

[@spacep0d]

Peter Lymbertos I think the lack of a proper windscreen on the FZ-07 would be the biggest problem, but I am sure the bike itself is fine and has more than enough power.

[@icecmu]

Im looking at this bike and the ninja 650...what you think???

[@spacep0d]

@Nick Dear: It's pretty okay, but I prefer the CBR650F for a steel-framed middleweight. :)

[@icecmu]

+spacep0d Yeah that's a sweet bike but it's alot more expensive.

[@spacep0d]

Nick Dear An inexpensive but hella sweet bike is the FZ-07 by Yamaha! :) Very affordable. Great engine!

[@balsara675]

awsome but not available in India

[@memoktc]

Hi...what happens if i put a 170- or 180 rear tyre on this bike?

[@spacep0d]

@memoktc: You'd probably slow down steering and you'd certainly add rotating mass...which is not a good idea unless you have a real need for bigger tires. If the tire is too big it may not fit the rim correctly and then there'd be less grip.

[@tadydrift]

Hi i came from a Ninja 250 , i rode some CBR 1000 end GSXr 750 but i prefer a (sport-tpuring type bike ) and i would really like to know if you would recommend me the FZ6R 2016 for my next bike i am 5"2

[@spacep0d]

@Tanguy decock: This is a tricky one. I think the 2016 FZ6R is a fine bike, but you should get exactly what you want and find a way to make it work.

[@tadydrift]

Ok, thank you very much for the tips

[@StoicTrader-]

nice review

[@spacep0d]

Thanks

[@ndperson1]

what's the power feel like compared to your 300. i know it has more power, but wondered cuz it is alot heavier that your 300 was

[@spacep0d]

@Jonathan Bauer The Daytona only weighs 20 lbs. more than the 300, and that's wet weight for both. The Daytona feels like the most powerful 300 on the planet. It's light and flickable, but doesn't change directions as easily as the Ninja 300 due to its greater rotating mass. It does turn in one direction very easily and is very sensitive and precise. It's got power for days!

[@ndperson1]

+spacep0d sorry, I meant of the fz6r vs your old 300, figured your new bike would be awesome tho

[@spacep0d]

@Jonathan Bauer: Ah yes, well the FZ6R is a lot heavier. 385 lbs. wet for the 300, 467 lbs. wet for the FZ6R. The FZ6R is 82 lbs. heavier.

[@ndperson1]

+spacep0d you think you will try to ride that CBR 250rr when it comes out in 2017

[@spacep0d]

Jonathan Bauer If I get a chance to ride it I will. :D

[@jayquinones7947]

What would u recommend for a beginner bike?

[@spacep0d]

I like the Ninja 300 followed by the R3. :D

[@jayquinones7947]

Thanks :)

[@itzbebop]

what are these situations you speak of????

[@M3likydrum5]

Does anyone know what the name of this bike is in Europe?

[@nightrider6976]

fazer something

[@aliboz9946]

XJ6 Diversion

[@pex1111]

what do you mean by "friction point on the clutch"?

[@spacep0d]

The bite point where the bike starts to move as you release the clutch.

[@J_CART3R]

@@spacep0d my Friction point is all the way down, almost beside my Left Handle Grip. Is it good or adjust it way up?

[@Modelero]

The fz07 tracer didin't come to the US?

[@spacep0d]

@Modelero: We do have the Yamaha FZ-07 and the FZ-09 here. FZ-07 is the same bike I think?

[@Modelero]

Well, here in Europe we have the MT07 which is the FZ07 and the MT09 which is the FZ09. But we also have a touring version of each one which are called MT07 tracer and MT09 tracer. To furtherly increase the mind blowing this year they canghed the name of the touring versions to tracer 700 and tracer 900. We don't have the new FZ6R.

[@spacep0d]

@Modelero: Sport Rider did a feature on it but not sure we have it yet. I don't see it on the U.S. Yamaha site. www.sportrider.com/2016-yamaha-tracer-700-first-look

[@Modelero]

Maybe it will come the future? It's strange that you got a new FZ6R, it would be in competition with the tracer 700 market. Yamaha never stops suprising me hahah

[@spacep0d]

@Modelero: Don't know. Really, I don't think much about touring bikes. ;)

[@bluegreen8562]

Do you happen to live in Santa Clarita?

[@spacep0d]

Yep!

[@chriskev3033]

re-upload?

[@spacep0d]

@Chris Kev: Yeah, the last vid was borked in processing and I lost some crucial footage, and the freeze would doubtlessly have dissuaded viewers from watching to the end. These days my videos are short and to the point so I needed the vid to be playing properly. :D

[@Bambledamble]

Ok buying a FZ6R over a 300 or 650

[@spacep0d]

Yeah good choice. :)

[@Victic005]

I prefer the FZ-07 over this bike.

[@spacep0d]

@Quang Lam: I like the FZ-07 better too!

[@adamstratford6740]

really not my kind of bike but hey each to there own bro

[@spacep0d]

@Adam Stratford (chibs): Yeah. These bikes are fun but I like a bit more focus with a sportbike.

[@adamstratford6740]

***** defo dude don't come much more focused in a super sport than the 675R!!!!!!

[@spacep0d]

Adam Stratford Yeah man!

[@_baller]

5ft 3?? Are you 14

[@Joey-xe2yy]

You're 5'3"

[@muhammadmalimud1585]

Kharismarider bike :)

[@kiribetio123]

u r awesome

[@spacep0d]

@kiribetio123: Thanks :)

[@mariomarasco9964]

nice :)

[@SvcleanUaKiev]

GOOGLE + SVCLEAN = ???

[@1stPlaceLilAce]

Michelin makes battalax!? Haha

[@spacep0d]

@Abraham Ron: Woops, Bridgestone! I need to fix that. ;)

[@spacep0d]

@Abraham Ron: Good spot. Fix is coming.

[@katsugi183]

Thank you for sharing your first ride views too.Awesome name too .Raven in black 😍

[@spacep0d]

@Keith Wong Thanks for watching!

[@katsugi183]

Thank you for sharing your first ride views too.Awesome name too .Raven in black 😍