Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Blonde
What kind of bike is that PN? Can't really tell from the graininess. CCs? Used or new? Specs man, give us some specs!
|
1996 Yamaha FZR600R
From what I can tell, it's a 599c (600 class) bike, and it is definitely used. From a mechanical standpoint, it's doing pretty damn well for a 14 year sport bike. Aesthetically, it's pretty obvious that the first owner dropped the bike on the right side at least once (ie, the windscreen is missing a small chunk on the side, and there is a crack on the lower right fairing). The great part about such damage is that when I drop it myself, I won't feel like a complete asshole.
The FZR was one of the earliest sport bike designs along with the various Kawasaki Ninjas and the Honda CBR F1/F2 models. Around the late 90's Yamaha's other offerings began to make the FZR a bit obsolete, and the spiritual successors would be the YZF-600R and the YZF-R6. When I first started looking for a bike, I had my heart set on the R6. Unfortunately, decent used models were a bit beyond my ideal price-point-- as well as my riding ability. The R6 is a pretty damn fast bike for a beginner. SO, when one of my college friends decided to get rid of his FZR I figured it might be a good place to start. Several weeks later it was in my driveway.
I really haven't ridden it much considering I still need to purchase a helmet, jacket, and gloves (probably riding pants/jeans, too). I've always hated douchebags (apparently called "squids" in the motorcycle world) who weave in an out of traffic wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops. Personally, I like my skin/face/hands/feet, and I'd prefer for them to stay as intact as possible. That being said, my initial impressions are that it's quick -- and obnoxiously loud (aftermarket D&D exhaust). I believe it's around 91 hp in a package somewhere around 400-420lbs. For a beginner, that's enough to take you by surprise if you grab too much throttle.