Not sure if I should have posted this topic here or in the Welcome section. Since this is a kind of good bye and not a new member welcome topic, I decided to post it here. I just wanted to say good bye, to the VFR, but not this great forum. I have had the opportunity to meet and ride with many wonderful people from this site and look forward to meeting many more in the upcoming years and group rides that me and my husband (huntinggunns) will be attending. You guys are the greatest group of people that we have had the privilege of meeting.
Anyway, my husband has worked his magic to the fullest extent that he can by trying different lowering techniques and bar risers. Due to the weight and the size of the VFR, he just can't get it to fit me where I am really comfortable on it. I had back surgery a few years ago and that took away some of my strength I need to really handle a heavy bike well. So we researched a ton of bikes and finally decided on a few different ones to try that he knew he could tweak to work well for me. After going around and trying those few bikes out there was one that really stood out as being light, nimble, powerful, and very comfortable. It fit me very well and met all the other criteria we were looking for. The Yamaha FZ6, and no, not the under powered FZ6R. There are many different lowering kits for them as well as different bars and risers. A few different seat options are available as well. It is also a very light bike and has a ton of power. It is really smooth and not buzzy like some of the other in-line 4's we looked at.
We went to Broken Arrow and picked this bike up from a great guy. His name was John. Some of you local riders might know him as he is well acquainted with Jack Kennedy and Peter. Anyway, made us a really good deal on the bike and he had taken very good care of it. My husband rode it for the first 40 miles of the trip home just to listen to it and get a good feel of what kind of bike it was going to be. He stopped in Bristow so we could get a bite to eat and he was grinning from ear to ear. A good indication of how well he liked the bike if you ask me. He had nothing but good things to say about it while we relaxed a little. After we finished eating, I geared up and got ready to try the bike out for real instead of just a couple of miles of test riding like before.
The FZ6 is a little tall for me to be real comfortable like it comes from the factory, but that will be fixed with a simple kit. So, a little tip toed, but not bad as I mounted my new steed. As I am used to a carbureted bike, I was amazed that she instantly fired to life with just the slightest touch of the starter button. One thing that I noticed is that you can barely hear this bike run. I will enslave my husband to fix that soon with a new exhaust system. The clutch and shifting on this bike is buttery smooth. Very easy to take off from a stop. Getting out on the interstate I rolled hard on the throttle and it started pulling really well. Once the tachometer hit about 8K it started to scream. Man this thing really runs well. The speed limit on I-44 is 75 and as I set my Omni Cruise to match that I noticed that this thing is smooth as silk. Easy ride to the house except we hit rush hour traffic for a bit on I-35. I have never really been able to balance any bike that well at really low speeds until now. I was able to maintain a smooth, steady line at speeds less than 5 mph without any trouble. Did I say I am really starting to like this bike?
About 2 hours later we pulled in the drive way. I un-mounted my new steed and was amazed that I did not hurt at all. I had no pain in my lower back. Due to the handle bar set up, my riding position is almost straight up and down. This makes a huge difference for me as I can really relax on this bike. I do not have to fight it due to the weight and size. It is the most comfortable bike I have rode to date. Fuel mileage is great also. I will figure the exact mileage over the next few tanks but we rode 174 miles on this tank and it was just at the 1/4 mark in the fuel gauge. I am used to the Magna where I was begging for a gas station at around 100 miles. Did I say that I am really, really starting to like this bike. It also takes the on and off ramps with ease. Lots of fun to ride.
So, with out further ado, here she is. I have not named her yet but I will. I will see a bunch of you guys at this years Hog Tie and hope to meet more of you in the future. Ride safe, Lisa.
PS: If anyone is interested in an excellent condition Magna let my husband know. :cheerleader:
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