Car Auto Design

Why I Love this Bike: Speed isn't everything for a rider like me. I know that the FZ6R can get up and go with the best of them, and while it may not be able to keep pace with the higher-strung 600cc super-sports, it is still able to put a new or experienced rider into a performance threshold far beyond anything they likely will have experienced before. Not only that, but it does so without being an incredibly uncomfortable.

It has the looks of a sport bike, with aggressive fairing and a side-mounted "shorty" exhaust. The custom color/decaling that is available really sets this bike apart from other entry-level sports bikes, and it's made very clear early on that this isn't the traditional entry-level sports bike- the days of the Suzuki Katana are long gone.

The FZ6R has the sound of an Indy car, though it's a little quieter and much more pleasing to the ear. It sounds like a bat out of hell when taking off, and when it comes time to slow down the big brakes will stop you faster than you can say "ooh, nice brakes". It's the most performance that a new rider, or even one that's had a few seasons under their belt, could ever want for in a package that's both attractive and controllable.

This is NOT your Grandmothers Sports Bike

When people hear "entry level" they immediately assume a tame, hum-drum motorcycle that might look sporty but conveniently falls short on performance. They expect skinny tires, feeble brakes, and a ratty sounding exhaust. That's what makes the FZ6R such a smashing motorcycle- at no point do you feel embarrassed when you pull up next to a super sport.

If you find yourself bored on Sunday afternoon, and if the weather permits, you may soon be wishing you had something that was fun and exciting to do. A motorcycle, they say, is the most fun you will ever have on the ground. As an avid cyclist, and as someone who just loves having a good time, I couldn't agree more. This brings me back to the before mentioned Sunday afternoon, where the sun is shining and the weather is sweet. What's missing from this picture?

Ah, yes, the Yamaha FZ6R.

This new-for-2009 sport bike isn't really a sport bike at all, but rather a comfortable and competent entry-level machine that is a step above the Kawasaki Ninja 500 (the de facto standard for learner bikes) in both looks and performance. Compared to other entry level motorcycles, the Yamaha FZ6R is jam packed with personality.