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 Aahhh...now
we're getting into my home turf. No, the FZR600 does not handle
like an FZR400, and has little in common with a YZF-R6 (the aluminum
frame alone sets the other two bikes apart). However, this bike
still works as well or better on the road than any of its modern
counterparts, at least until speeds are pushed beyond reasonable
limits. And I have a rather generous definition of reasonable, especially
when the roads involved are far from populated areas, clean, and
offer a clear view through the apices and vertices of the fun stuff.
The 600's long-stroke mill is much better suited to street use than
those of its recent competition. Even the highly-touted CBR600F4
feels a bit flat compared with the FZR until the tach needle sweeps
past ten grand. And though the Fizzer is about the same weight as
its contemporaries, it's narrower and runs on slender wheels, giving
it a light yet precise feel at the bars. The suspension is compliant
and quite comfortable on the freeway, yet still works fairly well
when the horizon starts to tilt. A tank bag and tail pack transform
this bike into a respectable week-long sport-tourer; an aftermarket
shock and a pair of Bridgestone's BT-01's turn it into an extremely
competent canyon carver.
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