ChUcK
New Member
After my first week on this blue 2009 I bought, I am having trouble not thinking about it. I thought I would jot down some observations. Nothing critical in here, no particular order, just thoughts from a recently sportbiked metric cruiser guy.
-Even though the Mean Streak was a pretty beefy and fast machine, the power/weight of my fz6r would smoke it in any drag race. The fz6r (mine's stock mechanically) isn't even that powerful of a cRocket, from what I understand. I would get myself into some real trouble with the law if I were to pick up a liter bike with some performance mods...
-It is unnerving to cruise at a rev which I normally associate with being at or beyond the redline...
-The wind noise is worse than my old Meanie with no windshield, but the fz6r exhaust is a silent submarine in comparison to a 1500 with straight pipes...
-I need bar risers. Thinking of going to the salvage yard and finding some taller risers that fit...
-I wish the original owner had not installed frame sliders through the cowling- not that it matters, because she still managed to cosmetically ruin the right side panel...
-I sure as hell hope a wider selection of aftermarket seats (do I still call them saddles, or is that cruiser-only lingo?) becomes available. Either that or I need to hit up a professional seat reshaper. My bony butt can't handle this seat situation for a tour-length ride...
-There is a slight odor of burning oil that I notice at stoplights or when I get home. Paranoia says the owner did some whack-job of a break in and the piston rings are letting oil into the cylinders, otherwise I have no idea...
-I can hear my shoulder demon much louder and clearer. This bike is super nimble and quick, and the urge to drive like a complete anarchist swells to proportions that are difficult, but not impossible, to ignore...
-I wonder if I should remove the lowering link, raise the bike back up to stock...
-Can't wait to synchronize the throttle bodies. I made my own gauge, read the threads here, and watched a couple of vids...
-All the plastic? When I want to do a little maintenance? Bugger all that for a game of toy soldiers. Oh well. It's only fair that the sole piece of chrome I now have to polish is that cute little OEM exhaust sleeve. Not much of a polisher, this guy...
-Now all the cRocket riders wave at me and the cruisers just roll on by. Doesn't matter, I never really wave back anyways. I always seem to be busy controlling the motorcycle or picking my nose...
-Going to make a custom luggage rack to stick off the back. There's a ton of room under the passenger grips , with easy access to the four rack bolts. My buddy just built a heat rig to bend 1/4" slats of wood. A few of those stained black, sandwiched around some steel with some weathered rivets, in the shape of a blunt V, following the lines of the tail out to its point, will be sweet beans. Steam punk awesome if done well, hidden by luggage if not...
-I wish there was enough room on a bike's license plate for SET2STUN...
Wow, sorry for the rant. I can't sleep and pretty much just want to talk about my bike. I feel bad for my wife, I must sound like she did when she bought her Buddy 125 scooter. It's just that I really love this fz6r. I find myself sneaking out to the carport to look at it for no reason at all. It reminds me of the lyrics of the old King Crimson song "Indiscipline".
I can't wait for the first moto camping trip of the season. I'm going to need new tires after one year of ownership, I bet!
-Even though the Mean Streak was a pretty beefy and fast machine, the power/weight of my fz6r would smoke it in any drag race. The fz6r (mine's stock mechanically) isn't even that powerful of a cRocket, from what I understand. I would get myself into some real trouble with the law if I were to pick up a liter bike with some performance mods...
-It is unnerving to cruise at a rev which I normally associate with being at or beyond the redline...
-The wind noise is worse than my old Meanie with no windshield, but the fz6r exhaust is a silent submarine in comparison to a 1500 with straight pipes...
-I need bar risers. Thinking of going to the salvage yard and finding some taller risers that fit...
-I wish the original owner had not installed frame sliders through the cowling- not that it matters, because she still managed to cosmetically ruin the right side panel...
-I sure as hell hope a wider selection of aftermarket seats (do I still call them saddles, or is that cruiser-only lingo?) becomes available. Either that or I need to hit up a professional seat reshaper. My bony butt can't handle this seat situation for a tour-length ride...
-There is a slight odor of burning oil that I notice at stoplights or when I get home. Paranoia says the owner did some whack-job of a break in and the piston rings are letting oil into the cylinders, otherwise I have no idea...
-I can hear my shoulder demon much louder and clearer. This bike is super nimble and quick, and the urge to drive like a complete anarchist swells to proportions that are difficult, but not impossible, to ignore...
-I wonder if I should remove the lowering link, raise the bike back up to stock...
-Can't wait to synchronize the throttle bodies. I made my own gauge, read the threads here, and watched a couple of vids...
-All the plastic? When I want to do a little maintenance? Bugger all that for a game of toy soldiers. Oh well. It's only fair that the sole piece of chrome I now have to polish is that cute little OEM exhaust sleeve. Not much of a polisher, this guy...
-Now all the cRocket riders wave at me and the cruisers just roll on by. Doesn't matter, I never really wave back anyways. I always seem to be busy controlling the motorcycle or picking my nose...
-Going to make a custom luggage rack to stick off the back. There's a ton of room under the passenger grips , with easy access to the four rack bolts. My buddy just built a heat rig to bend 1/4" slats of wood. A few of those stained black, sandwiched around some steel with some weathered rivets, in the shape of a blunt V, following the lines of the tail out to its point, will be sweet beans. Steam punk awesome if done well, hidden by luggage if not...
-I wish there was enough room on a bike's license plate for SET2STUN...
Wow, sorry for the rant. I can't sleep and pretty much just want to talk about my bike. I feel bad for my wife, I must sound like she did when she bought her Buddy 125 scooter. It's just that I really love this fz6r. I find myself sneaking out to the carport to look at it for no reason at all. It reminds me of the lyrics of the old King Crimson song "Indiscipline".
I can't wait for the first moto camping trip of the season. I'm going to need new tires after one year of ownership, I bet!
