Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

A query for you long-term motorcycle fiends...and Neka

If you sit on any new non-boy racer bike of the 600cc-size range, and you weigh around 80kg , would you expect the bike to 'squat' slightly as you lower your bottom onto the seat, and the suspension compresses?

The reason for asking is that on paper the Yamaha FZ-6 is suited to my height, and it does things for me of an unsavoury immature 'unmarried male with no kids' nature.

However, while gratifying a carnal impulse and sitting on a new one at the Yamaha Dealer on Elizabeth Street, it was like sitting on a log (or a hardtail Harley), there was no movement at all.

I would have expected the bike to 'give' slightly, even when new, so I'm thinking:
1. The guys setting up the bike have really wound out the preload.
2. The bike is really stiffly sprung, although reviews I have read indicate this shouldn't be the case.
3. The bike hasn't been fully setup properly and some packing is sitting in the rear shock/spring.
4. My diet is paying off in spades, and I need chocolate to gain some seat cred.

...And you'd actually probably get better performance out of the Log than the Hog.

Any thoughts?

I would have expected the bike to 'give' slightly, even when new, so I'm thinking:
1. The guys setting up the bike have really wound out the preload.
2. The bike is really stiffly sprung, although reviews I have read indicate this shouldn't be the case.
3. The bike hasn't been fully setup properly and some packing is sitting in the rear shock/spring.
4. My diet is paying off in spades, and I need chocolate to gain some seat cred. Cool

all of the above
well ..maybe not 4.
or
did you consider.the suspension has sagged to the bottom???
and it won't go down any further....no matter how much weight goes on it
after all its a Yammy...

Mate, I'd prefer a Z750, but haven't been game to try one out, they just LOOK big. I'd really like someone who's really short to buy one so I can check it out

...either that or I've got to persuade a dealer to drop one a bit for me, do you reckon Brighton Kawasaki would come to the party if I promised to buy the resultant low-line version come March next year??? Maybe you could ask your contacts there next time you're in that neck of the woods.

I could try my local Peter Stevens, but don't fancy my chances ...and I still haven't forgiven that bastard dealer for telling me the ZZR was dead.

If you're a short-arse you've got to keep your options open. Brand loyalty takes second-seat to a new bike when you're my height.

...having said that if I can get a Big K to fit, it'll be a Big K. Pity they don't make a Z600. Something like a ZZR600 without the fairing, the ZX-636 donk, and a cleaner alloy perimeter frame would do the goods. Only trouble would be that I'd need clean jeans every time I rode it.

Hey Mick being a fellow "Gravity Enhanced Person" myself, first check if there's a spacer between the top of the mono shock and the frame, if there is then its hey presto remove/replaceo, they come out or can be reduced. The fronts easy to match up through the "old slide the forks up through the tripple clamps" method. Sat on a new cbr600rr last week it was higher then the new cbr1000r "blade" and didnt even know i was on it with my 55kgs. They are both Park benches compared to the zx9r though. I think as a rule most of the new sports bikes are set up toooo Firm for sale. Think Bobbi was telling me that the late 90's zx6r are probably lowest seat ht of the sports crop. I Havent been able to find dimensions on the z750.
Cheers Brett

I Havent been able to find dimensions on the z750.

aren't they on the Bikepoint review...I posted

if not ..try these..

wheelbase 1425mm
seat height...815mm
rake 24.5°
trail 104mm
weight (dry) 195kg
output 80kw @11000rpm

hth

Mick
re the Z750
i am in Brighton Kwaka tomorrow
new tyre for the GPx...got an hour to spare
will sit...and maybe, just maybe, try and cadge a demo ride
( I have an hour to waste)
if not
I will discuss this issue with them...
I know they do seat mods (they can get about 25mmm out of a seat)
but other stuff?? will ask

btw
what is the seat height of the ZZR???

Keep in mind mate, with the suspension on modern bikes you can lower the bike a fair wack and keep all the origional gemetry right. Just have to put a bit of thought into it.
We managed to lower Bluefly's 7r a couple of inches. Still handles the same as mine except the pegs hit the road a bit earlier. Nothing a set of highmount rear sets wounldn't fix.
Bobbi no longer has any of the low speed/stopping issues asociated with a tall bike.
I can help you here fairly economically if you find a bike you really want but the hieght is an issue. Being a short ass doesn't HAVE to stop you from riding what you really want.

Bikepoints review of the zzr600 says seat ht is 750mm. They also say zx9r is 815mm but they changed rear end in 02 so not sure if this is early or late moldels which were taller.
SEAT HEIGHT From Motorcyclesusa.com
'04 gpx250 29.3 inches @745mm
'01 zzr600 30.7 inches @780mm
'01 zx6r 32.3 inches @820mm
'02 zx6r 32.3 inches @820mm inc 5mm spacer
'03 zx6r 32.5 inches @825mm
'04 zx6r 32.5 inches @825mm
'04 zx6rr 32.5 inches @825mm
'01 zx7r 33.1 inches @840mm
'02 zx7r 33.1 inches @840mm
'01 zx9r 31.9 inches @810mm
'02 zx9r 33.3 inches @850mm
'03 zx9r 33.3 inches @850mm
'04 zx10r 32.5 inches @825mm
'01 zzr11 30.7 inches @782mm
'02 zzr12 31.5 inches @800mm
'01-'04 zx12r 31.9 inches @810mm
z1000 32.3 in. @820mm
z750 32.1 in. @815mm
05 zzr6 32.3 in. @820mm
of course as you know a narrower seat makes a big difference too,
Cheers Brett

i only weigh about 65kg's and when we were setting up the static sag on my 7R's, i got on, in the tucked position and the front forks moved a whole 1mm LOL
think the back squated about 2mm. i didnt even notice it.
the bike doesnt even know im on board when on a spin. Power V weight = MORE

Re: Brighton Kwaka,
when I was arranging to buy my ZX9R & had time to kill while paper work was being done I did notice a small female type come in, was taken to a new ZX6R(I think) & the guy pitching the sale had said the mechanic had lowered the suspension as much as possible & she was trying the newer height to see if her feet could now touch the ground. Soooo if they do it for a chick surely they'd do it for any potential buyer?

Zteven wrote:Soooo if they do it for a chick.......

Yourrrr gunna get in tarubble.
I know a couple if lovely girls who are gunna kick your arse. They're both short arses too. And combined end to end they'd only measure 10foot.

Yer, You leave Karen and Bobbi alone. Oops did I say that, or think
it. ;-P Doh, now I'm in trouble.

-----Original Message-----
From: mattyv74 [mailto:mattyv74@yahoo.com.au]

[quote:dac8383d9e="Zteven"]Soooo if they do it for a chick.......
[/quote:dac8383d9e] Yourrrr gunna get in tarubble.
I know a couple if lovely girls who are gunna kick your arse. There both
short arses too. nd to end they'd only measure 10foot.

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robertp at escor.com.au wrote::-) Yer, You leave Karen and Bobbi alone. Oops did I say that, or think
it. ;-P Doh, now I'm in trouble.

Huh.. Who are Bobbi and Karen?????
I was talking about Neka and Mina

mattyv74 wrote:And combined end to end they'd only measure 10foot.

That would make Karen 3"3' seeing as I'm 6"7'. Karen, get ya gloves out - they're being mean to you!!

Ratmick wrote: The reason for asking is that on paper the Yamaha FZ-6 is suited to my height, and it does things for me of an unsavoury immature 'unmarried male with no kids' nature.

However, while gratifying a carnal impulse and sitting on a new one at the Yamaha Dealer on Elizabeth Street, it was like sitting on a log (or a hardtail Harley), there was no movement at all.

Any thoughts?

My thought is you've probably been engaging in a little too much activity usually only required by unmarried males with no girlfriend and have lost perceivable sensation in that area. Try sitting on your hands for a couple of weeks, go back and jump on the FZ-6 again and see if there's a difference.....