1994 FZR600
First impression is of an extremely narrow, light machine, taking into consideration the model was first sold over 20 years ago. Sitting on and just pushing it around, It feels exactly like a CBR250. Nothing like comparable bikes of the time like the CBR600f2, which are fat and tank like.
Most 90's sportsbikes were cushy sports-tourers. There was a trend in the 1990's where manufacturers produced bikes like the CBR600f, YZF600 thundercat, ZZR600, fast yet practical all-rounders.
The FZR600 is not one of these bikes. The FZR is spiritually much more akin to something like the 1985 GSXR750. A stripped down, basic racebike, with no consideration given to road use. It's much lighter than any other bike of it's time, including it's successor the thundercat.
All the equipment and build looks cheap and nasty, it looks and feels relatively budget, but they were cheap when new, so eh.
The ride position is entirely track focused. Seat is firm as, cut wrong, bars are too far in front and too low. It's perfect when you want to get up it however.
Mine doesn't go round corners amazingly well (considering I'm comparing to other, newer sportsbikes), poor confidence in the front. This could be due to tires, age and wear, but it's backed up by internet reports which are universal in suggesting the rear suspension at least needs replacing from new.
Brakes are probably it's strongest point.
The tires are a narrow profile, 140 rear and 110 front, so it's got the quick change of direction you get from the old style bikes.
Power is adequate, you'll blow off supercharged V8's at the lights if you rev it and drop the clutch. It's very linear, there's enough down low. It lacks any real top end rush though, none of the punch even of other 600's of the same age, let alone later 600's or larger. It gets the job done, without being really in danger of scaring you at any point.
In the USA, where there are no restrictions on what learners can ride, these are often recommended as a first bike, and they're not far wrong. I might be blase about power because I'm used to it, but for someone looking the gain experience they're a very easy to handle bike.
It's probably the best cheap track bike you can buy right now. For <$2000 you can easily get a bike that needs nothing doing to it, faster than an RGV, they're very reliable and parts are cheap.
If you're serious about owning one of these, you have to purchase a workshop manual and learn to use it, the four carbs are supposed to be synchronised every 5000km for a start, you have to drain the system and remove the radiator if you want to inspect a spark plug, you have to drain the oil and remove the clutch cover to change the clutch cable etc... it's seriously fucked. I'm sure anything newer is much worse.
Mine has 7 months rego, Just had a new clutch, new fuel pump, new fuel cap, nothing needs doing now, for sale $2500.
