Old FZR 600 vs GPZ 500

[koolio]

Normally don't do newer bikes but was thinking about a GPZ 500 as a knock around / commuter. Then I spotted an old 1991 FZR 600.

Anyone tell me about the FZR 600 (specifically that model)? Would it be suitable for town/city riding/ all around use?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/1991_Yamaha_FZR600.jpg

[_mjs_]

I'd take the FZR over the GPZ any day.
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Previous Bikes: 2006 Honda XR125L > 2003 Yamaha DT125R > 1996 Honda CB500
Current bikes: 1997 Kawasaki ZZR 600 E5 > 2006 Honda Varadero XL125V

[stonesie]

A friend has a 93 one... It's a bugger to find rear tyres as when I last checked only Bridgestone made that size (18" wheel) but it's supposed to be relatively easy to fit a thundercat swing arm and wheel (17") other than that it seems okay, watch out for rust and general signs of abuse.

[MarJay]

Downpipes rust terribly. It's probably a better bike than a GPZ500, but if it's not in as good a condition walk away.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jjdugen]

Anything has to be better than a GPZ.
This is the engine that went on to be fitted to Thundercats and the 600 fazers, so no problem with spares. Be wary of the well known second gear fault that can afflict this engine type and that it is not the easiest to repair. Performance is respectable enough, but a ZZR600 will make it look silly.
The weird rear wheel can be easily replaced with a TDM 17'', with a little backyard re-engineering.
Downpipes will either have fallen apart or are definitely going to. Delkivik make a god set of stainless replacements for less than £200 (about £150 as I recall).
Steel frame so will fade / show rusty bits, easily re-painted. Don't pay serious money for one, but make a good budget run-around that handles and stops very well.
They do look dated but can be spruced up and modernised very easily. I still prefer the ZZR though in every respect at this level of budget biking, still one of the fastest 6's out there.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[Kickstart]

Hi

We have had both.

FZR gearbox can be weak, as can the cranks. First can be a problem in road use, but the cranks only tended to be an issue when raced. Clutch isn't keen on abuse. Can get very nasty and grabby. Handling is good. Brakes are pretty good but prone to seizing up (nothing like as bad as ZZR600 brakes though). Fairly easy to free off though. Build quality isn't great. Finding replacement bodywork these days isn't easy (although plenty of grp copies) - and for that model even worse as they were only sold for a couple of years (the USA got the FZR600 for far longer than we did, but they used the older style twin round lights).

GPZ is quite a bit slower and less powerful, although a lot better on fuel. Lower seat height. Worse brakes, although the sliding calipers are easier to strip down. Build quality is no better than the FZR. Bodywork easier to find 2nd hand. No major gearbox issues, although I prefer to use the FZR600 gearbox (GPZ one is nicer at very slow bimble speeds around town). The GPZ engine does tend to wear out cam chains. There will likely be a lot of free play in the rear suspension linkage (even with new bushes - there was close to 0.5mm of clearance between the steel and plastic bushes in the linkage when new).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[koolio]

This is definitely an economy bike buy. I had a CB500 already but it was so boring thought I might try the GPZ next.

So the FZR 600 is an economy sports bike?

Seems like it will be the one requiring a little more work than a GPZ?

My other option is something like an FZR 400 but can imagine it being horrific around town. I think I'll be doing 70-80% riding in London and yea fuel economy is important to me so if the FZR 600 is thirsty may just go GPZ 500.

I found this one, quite like it:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201402111718044/sort/recpriceascdefault/usedbikes/model/fzr/make/yamaha/page/1?logcode=p

[G]

[koolio]

[Quornholio]

[G]

Won't notice much difference for the GPZ - you should with the FZR.

I'd keep an eye out for a ZX6R G/J/A model with that money.

Or, much as I dislike them - should be able to easily get an SV650 for that. While the SV650 is pretty boring, it's still a step up from a 500 twin.

[Kickstart]

[evoboy]

IMO, the CB500 is a better bike than the GPZ.

Engine is nicer, gearbox is also smoother, they handle far better.

For £1K you can do alot better than an old FZR though!

F/G/J model zx6r, steel frame cbr600, thundercat etc.
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[andys675]

my vote would be a 95 FZR600 foxeye

basically a thundercat without the ramair

fully adjustable front and rear suspension, when adjusted properly that bike can really embarrass later / more powerful bikes, calipers can be replaced with blue spots, I had a couple and they were seriously one of my all time favourite bikes
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[Major Doss]

Pirelli Sport demon comes in 18". I am running one at the moment, grip is great but massive trade off with longevity. There is a (4" and even later 4 1/2") FZR600 with 17" rear, the prior being a popular upgrade with some Divvy6 owners. As previously mentioned, early TDM will go in ( not sure about mkII or 900) with modification.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

While there is a 140/70 18 Sport Demon tyre in a V rating there isn't a matching 110/70 17 front in a decent speed rating (only H rated).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Major Doss]

Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental? Doesn't have to be from the same manufacturer.
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[koolio]

[G]

You'll be paying for the older looks with older handling and so on - your choice .

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not sure the FZR400 would be appreciably different to the 600 in fuel consumption.

While you could ride any of the 400s around town, whether it is pleasant might well depend on how flexible you are and how much discomfort you are prepared to put up with. The FZR clutch might suffer a bit from heavy town use (on the plus side, the plates are incredibly easy to change).

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[koolio]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Depends on where you want power (you do need to rev a GPZ500 for best progress, as they have a fair kick in the power delivery). If you just want to go at normal speed round town I doubt you would need to push any of them hard.

The 400 will be higher revving and think it is a fair bit lower geared.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[G]

[koolio]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Err, depends what you want. Lower gearing probably compensates for the lower torque (ie, thrust, not flexibility), but does mean quite a lot more revs for the same speed.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing