Looking at the 6R for long distance touring

[Gman10mm]

Looking to do a 1300 mile one way trip to Texas to visit the wife, who is there opening up a new business. I could fly, but I have been doing that and it's not as much fun

I have had the Versys, and had considered the Ninja650, but I prefer the I4 engine.

Now, don't laugh, but one of the funniest and most comfortable sport touring bikes I have had was a.....600 Katana!

And that's why I'm looking at the FZ6r. I like the I4, full fairing, and looks.

I'm planning on doing at least 650-750 miles on the first day, and camping overnight, with a sustained speed of 75-85 mph.

What are your thoughts?

 

[BigRobb]

Looking to do a 1300 mile one way trip to Texas to visit the wife, who is there opening up a new business. I could fly, but I have been doing that and it's not as much fun

I have had the Versys, and had considered the Ninja650, but I prefer the I4 engine.

Now, don't laugh, but one of the funniest and most comfortable sport touring bikes I have had was a.....600 Katana!

And that's why I'm looking at the FZ6r. I like the I4, full fairing, and looks.

I'm planning on doing at least 650-750 miles on the first day, and camping overnight, with a sustained speed of 75-85 mph.

What are your thoughts?

The FZ6R will handle the trip just fine! My ONLY complaint about the bike is that the seat is a little lacking in padding. But the seating position is great. You'll love it. Good mileage too.

Sent from my C5170 using Tapatalk 4

 

[urbanduckman]

I wouldn't think of the FZ6r as a sport-touring bike. I ride mine almost everyday, even though it sits up higher I would not consider this bike for long rides. Also, it being only a 600cc I would think going the speeds you want for long periods of time would be hard on the bike. I recommend looking at the Suzuki Bandit, they only come in 1200/1250cc flavors now that would make cruisin @ 85 a breeze. I honestly think they would suit your needs better. I think they are even in the same price range as the fz6r (more bang for your buck). As for the Kawasaki, they aren't entirely built for comfort. That's what made me go for the FZ6r. Hope this helps, I go visit my family in the Valley (Harlingen, TX) every year from San Diego CA. That's 1500 one way, I plan on riding a bike there one of these years. But, then I won't be able to bring lots of cool stuff back.

 

[Marthy]

+1 on the front sprocket (17T) = $20.00 or so
Puig touring screen = $100 or so
Throttle lock

at a minimum it's all you need. Tank bag should be enough... ship your clothes where you are going. There' few option in seat to be a bit more comfy...

I did a few 2up long weekend ride before my wife started school. I did a 4K miles week trip last year and the bike work great for a long trip.

 

[nismos14]

I think you'd be very comfortable on the FZ6R doing that trip!

 

[latony007]

I agree about the seat. I don't think the engine will have any problems doing 85 for that long but I have only had mine three months. You can get your seat modified by a forum member who is very nice and helpful and everyone says the seats are great, or get a Corbin or something.

 

[2wheelie]

I do long distance rides on this bike. Multiday or multiweek trips including several times to Canada, Carolinas, Virginia, etc. Over 50k miles on it. I have raised steering bar 2" (1"up/1" back), and airhawked 2 seat cushion. These 2 things you need for long trips. Also the engine guards will help to straighten your legs on long boring stretches.
That's all you need. Plus what Marthy said will help as well
Bon Voyage!

 

[JSP]

Bike will handle just fine...

My issue would be not breaking it in first before that trip. For break in, you want to vary your rpm up and down. No constant speeds for prolonged periods of time.

Plus you will need to do an oil change in the middle of your trip.

 

[BKP]

+1 on the bike handling the trip just fine...

However, I personally couldn't do it on the stock seat... I'd go with a Corbin, or if you're planning on lots of long trips, you might even want to consider a Russell "Day-Long" seat...

 

[Gman10mm]

Bike will handle just fine...

My issue would be not breaking it in first before that trip. For break in, you want to vary your rpm up and down. No constant speeds for prolonged periods of time.

Plus you will need to do an oil change in the middle of your trip.

Thanks. The bike will be properly broken in before the trip.

But you say I need an oil change after 1300 miles of highway?

 

[latony007]

Thanks. The bike will be properly broken in before the trip.

But you say I need an oil change after 1300 miles of highway?

1st service due at 600 miles to check everything adjust/lube chain and change oil. I am by no means an expert but I would imagine its the same for a kawi or whatever.

 

[dart1963]

Thanks. The bike will be properly broken in before the trip.

But you say I need an oil change after 1300 miles of highway?

he's saying if you were still in the break in... oil change at 600miles

you should have no problems, it's not the best for those trips year round, but one or two a year and you're fine, plus you get a great commuter/weekend getaway ride that you wouldn't get in a bigger touring bike.

 

[JonKerr]

I just got home Monday from my second long distance trip in a year with the 6R. Last September was 1600 miles, 5 days, San Diego, Solvang, Sequoia, Yosemite, Bishop, Vegas, home. This year was 1400 miles, San Diego to Vegas for bikefest, Zion in Utah, back to Vegas, Laughlin, home. I toss some soft Fieldsheer saddle bags on, Strap a duffle bag on if needed, and wire a 12v adapter for a charging port for GPS, music, etc... and go. Up a tooth on the front sprocket would be nice for those 100 mile flat straight shots where you're running anywhere from 80mph on up for long periods of time. But I was just fine. Butt was a little sore on the last day, but so was my Dad's on his Harley FatBoy, a bike built to do those rides.

Now if I were buying a bike mainly for that kind of riding, no, I wouldn't get the 6R. I'd go for something in the ADV (adventure bike) category. Those were built mainly for long distance riding and being able to ride on most any road you come across. But if you have a 6R, or are buying a bike for regular weekend riding and want to be able to do these multi day trips, there's no reason to think it can't do trips like that. That's what I love about it. I can ride the canyons with the best of them, I can hold my own on a track day, and I can cover 3 states in a few days as well.

Here she is in Utah just a few days ago.

Carving canyons on the weekend.

And playing at Chuckwalla last October. All with one bike.

 

[Gman10mm]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Some useful input is always appreciated.

I think I'll pull the trigger on the fizzer and start my break in period during the days of fall and the rideable days of winter, and start getting it ready for the spring.

My plan is to break the trip down there into 2 days, and the trip back in 2 days.
I think with 14 days at my disposal, 2600 miles shouldn't be too hard.

The only mods I think I want are a seat cushion, GPS, and touring screen. But of course, until I ride it, I won't really know about the screen.
I might look in to some newer soft luggage, and tank bag also.

I think with a 14 hour day, it shouldn't be too bad to get 650 miles in for two days

 

[latony007]

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Some useful input is always appreciated.

I think I'll pull the trigger on the fizzer and start my break in period during the days of fall and the rideable days of winter, and start getting it ready for the spring.

My plan is to break the trip down there into 2 days, and the trip back in 2 days.
I think with 14 days at my disposal, 2600 miles shouldn't be too hard.

The only mods I think I want are a seat cushion, GPS, and touring screen. But of course, until I ride it, I won't really know about the screen.
I might look in to some newer soft luggage, and tank bag also.

I think with a 14 hour day, it shouldn't be too bad to get 650 miles in for two days

FZ6R is a great all arounder that is for sure, and I thought pretty affordable. For touring you want the Puig Touring screen. The stock screen is pretty much for looks imo. forget the GPS and get a Bluetooth Helmet if your going on that long of a trip, the GPS girl will talk directions from your phone right into the helmet, I love it.


Jon great trips, sweet picts. I think im going to put your pictures leaning over on my wall in the garage and just tell people its me.

 

[JT]

+1 on the front sprocket (17T) = $20.00 or so
Puig touring screen = $100 or so
Throttle lock

at a minimum it's all you need. Tank bag should be enough... ship your clothes where you are going. There' few option in seat to be a bit more comfy...

I did a few 2up long weekend ride before my wife started school. I did a 4K miles week trip last year and the bike work great for a long trip.

the bike will handle that trip just fine and some! great bike

although I would not hesitate on the throttle lock and as sprockets as marthy suggested.

the seat is not the best upgrade would finish it off.

storage is another deal how much do you need it may cost you a decent penny if you want a ton of it

 

[Gman10mm]

the bike will handle that trip just fine and some! great bike

although I would not hesitate on the throttle lock and as sprockets as marthy suggested.

the seat is not the best upgrade would finish it off.

storage is another deal how much do you need it may cost you a decent penny if you want a ton of it

Throttle tab is a good idea.
As to storage, I have been pretty good at being able to load up enough stuff in the past with some form of throw over good quality bags, tail bag and a good expandable tank bag.
Heck, I was even able to carry my cowboy boots and hat on one trip up into WVA to the Road Kill cook off, lol!
I also carry a pistol everywhere I go, so, I'm probably going to use the same tankbag, or one like it, with a carrying handle, so I can take it in when I go to eat, or am out of sight of the bike.

In the past, I have carried my skivvies, socks, wallet , pistol, and cell phone in the tank bag.

 

[JonKerr]

Jon great trips, sweet picts. I think im going to put your pictures leaning over on my wall in the garage and just tell people its me.

Now now, don't think anyone would believe that. Isn't your bike white?

storage is another deal how much do you need it may cost you a decent penny if you want a ton of it

My soft bags were only about $100 I think (got them as a birthday present so I don't know for sure) and I can fit an extra pair of jeans, 8 shirts, socks, underwear, cold weather gloves, a sweatshirt, one pair of shorts, a pair of skate shoes, various tools, toiletries, couple of magazines, sunglasses, and a few other things in there. Add my duffel bag on top and strapped down and it's more than double that. Then my $70 tank bag could add another single saddlebags worth of space if needed. I could have enough clothing and supplies for 2 weeks easily and have room for anything I may buy while on the road, without dropping major coin on fancy luggage. One tip though, if you get soft bags, you need to have some sort of support for them. Last trip I didn't have anything and they never stayed nice and tight and covered up my plate and turn signals. I built 4 small brackets out of aluminum and bolted them in place of the grab bar. $8 in aluminum and about 30 minutes time. You can see them in this pic. I took the bags off when we got to the lodge before we rode the main canyon in Zion.

 

[Gman10mm]

Oops! Double post

 

[latony007]

Now now, don't think anyone would believe that. Isn't your bike white?



Damn it! I forgot about that

I would be really nervous about carrying a gun across several states as they all have such different laws. Id at least make sure of them before I went. Im pretty sure here you have to have the Amo seperate from the pistol or some stupid crap. Unless your going into Texas in which case anything goes lol.