MattThe Duck is actually the two I am less bothered by. The FZ6 consistently gets points (either for or against depending) in reviews because of the engine. It is running a only mildly detuned R6 engine. It is really peaky and powerful. As a city bike, the reviewers tend not to like it, since it needs to be spun like a sport bike. As a beginner bike it isn’t considered friendly for those exact same reasons. It only get points for the engine when you take it out into the canyons and start riding it like a sport bike.
Somewhat related, I sat on a 696 last night. Wow, is that ever a cool feeling bike. It is vey small and tight. You are leaned forward slightly (similar to my ZZR-250) but there is _nothing_ in front of you. The instruments are small, the headlight is out of the way, basically, it is the handlebars and then nothing – just the road. Even the mirrors are small and off to the sides. It really feels like being Wiley Coyote strapping yourself to an Acme rocket (similar leg position too!).
What a cool experience that bike must be.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”
