Do a search on my user name: sti491. My threads explain most mods you can do, plus some.
In my experience, every mod you make to this bike is a small, incremental performance change. The biggest single gains by far is going 1/+1 front and rear sprockets (that requires a speedo healer to get your speedometer to read accurately, and note, the speedo is off from the factory). None of these mods are a really big change alone, but combine them together and it’s a totally different bike
What follows is a write up I did when I was considering selling my bike. I put an “@“ on the mods with biggest performance changes. In my opinion they all need to be done to transform the bike. I also put a @ on several other mods including seat modification, heated grips, horn, tank grips because they are really good to do. This bike has the crappiest OEM seat on the planet in my view!
As far as I know my bike has every performance mod you can do to a FZ6R short of an R6 cam swap. I like the low end power-streetability of the stock cams. Many other changes were made to improve comfort, appearance, and sport touring capability. Bike runs perfectly, and very strong. Motor is sewing machine smooth. It has never broken down nor even a sputter! It keeps up with my son’s SV650 all day long. Bike looks like a crotch rocket but has an upright seating position like a touring bike. Bike has never been tracked.
If I were to do anything more to my bike, it would be fork and rear shock modifications to make the ride more compliant. The bike handles fine, but the ride is somewhat harsh in my opinion.
There is a lot to list describing this bike, but here goes…
Performance mods:
- @ “Marthy-style” custom exhaust using stock headers and Delkavic DS70 carbon fiber muffler with their quieter baffle. It’s still loud enough but with a deeper tone that sounds great.
- @ Custom fabricated airbox for more flow without a loud intake roar, with all long internal velocity stacks and K&N filter. See my post on this. I actually “modified my first mod”, where I cut the entire bottom off the airbox. There was a minor top end gain, but it was so hellaciously loud right under your helmet it was obnoxious to ride. All you need to do is increase the size of the hole in the bottom, instead of cutting it off completely.
- @ Power Commander 5 with gear specific fuel map for performance in gears 1-4, and better mileage in 5-6. This is an excellent map. I’d put it up against any dyno-tuned map. You can’t buy a Power Commander now with the fuel adjustment range this has… thank you California. You might find one on E-bay.
- @ R6 shorter turn throttle tube
- @ New -1/+1 front and rear Driven Racing sprockets. These give the bike more acceleration in every gear, with minimal increase in RPM at highway speeds, literally about the width of the tach needle. Bike does mini power wheelies (not clutch-up) in first gear easily.
- Brand new D.I.D “ride it like Rossi” edition gold/SS color chain.
- @ 3-4 degrees timing advance
- @ I run ethanol free premium high octane fuel nearly exclusively. Any premium gas will work. It may run fine on regular, but I never have.
- @ Michelin Road 5 front and rear tires with 90 degree metal valve stems. These are best tires I have ever had on it.
- Graves AIS (air injection) block off plates. These reduce exhaust popping and backfires on deceleration
- Recent new spark plugs
- SS brake lines front and rear. @ Rear brakes had huge improvement with SS lines.
- Rare T-Rex unobtainable swing arm spools to use paddock maintenance stands
- Custom fairing mounted usb ports, frenched-in gear indicator, voltage gauge, garage door opener button (I’ll need to remove my opener that it’s wired to which is velcroed underneath).
- @ Custom shape and larger size Tech Spec Snake Skin tank grips. These make riding so much easier gripping the tank with your knees. An added plus is they insulate the metal tank on colder days. They also cover the grey swirly Japanese tank graphics I didn’t like. They are still there underneath it you want to remove them. Ride it first with them. You won’t want to remove them!
Appearance:
- I did not like the grey Japanese swirly graphics on the side fairings. These are covered with gloss black automotive wrap. It looks like it came that way from the factory. If you don’t like it you can remove it. The original graphics are under it in original condition. I think it looks way better!
- There is also carbon fiber wrap on the side panels under the seat and on a linkage rod.
- SS fairing screws are painted black to match the fairing
- Rear passenger pegs have been removed with mounts tastefully blocked for better appearance. These can be restored if you ride passengers
- Flush LED turn signals and integrated LED tail light
- Additional LED button lights in front fairing air ducts and on rear tail for added safety
- DMP faux carbon fiber fender eliminator with integrated chain guard..
- Front facing jewel under headlight which has no light from the factory, now has custom fabricated yellow LED that goes on and off with upgraded LED headlight. Headlight has light smoked film over it. Headlight is MUCH brighter than stock.
- Brake and clutch levers are custom drilled and slightly shortened.
Comfort Sport Touring:
- Rox handle bar risers 1” up/1”back
- FZ6R’s have 2 position seat height. Since I’m 6’3” tall, I customized the height position so it’s at least an inch higher combined with the extra seat cushion. There are custom spacers I fabricated to cover the gap with the seat raised. This can be reverted back to stock.
- @ Custom upholstered seat with added padding and different light textured covering with red stitching. Looks and feels great!
- Taller Puig touring screen
- Throttle lock custom fitted that is easy to use and very safe
- Custom front highway pegs that fold, for riding position change on longer trip. These do not scrape when turning. Nothing scrapes except the feelers under the pegs.
- Alaska Leather black sheep skin seat cover. This is great in colder months and also provides just enough seat feeling taking it on or off on a longer ride for great comfort. Easy on and off
- Premium KTM tail pack. I customized it with a light weight aluminum internal bottom to keep its shape while supporting all the weight you need. It has a zipper to expand it to twice the size I normally have it. I always ride with this tail pack. It also serves as a sort of back rest. It’s held on with backpack type straps and small carabiner type clips, attached to straps under the seat attached to the frame. It has a cable with a mini padlock attached that seals the zipper as well as secures the entire pack.
- Larger travel bag that is very nice for longer trips. Attaches the same way. It sits over the passenger seat and is sort of like sable bags for a sport bike. It’s very nice.
Other:
- Bike has a remote key fob alarm. The key fob vibrates if the bike is disturbed while parked out of your eyesight. Includes ignition cut and lights flashing in alarm mode. I removed the siren because it was so loud and obnoxious. I still have it if you want to reinstall. The lights to warn intruders and the key fob buzzer is all I need and recommend.
- Carbon fiber finished frame sliders. These are frame mount without cutting the fairings
- @ Crazy loud Nautilus Stebel Air horn that’s mounted near the triple tree under the fairing so you don’t see it. I custom wired to so the headlight blinks rapidly when you push the air horn.
- @ Heated grips. These are awesome sauce! They extend my riding into somewhat colder months, although I’m definitely a fair weather rider.
Hope this helps you.
