Very nice!
How do you like your new bike for the longer trips now that you are a bit more used to it?
Well my trip totaled a little over 10,000 kms, so that was a pretty good indication. My only remaining concern is with the camping set up. Initially I was tent camping while in SD during Bike Week, but by the time I had all my camping gear loaded up, I was basically pushed so far forward I was riding on my tank
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I ended up giving my pup tent and camp chair to a neighbour at one of the KOA's where I was staying and switched my reservations to either camping cabins or motels for the balance of the trip.
The western States have higher speed limits on the interstates - so a lot of the time I was going 75 - 85 mph and it wasn't an issue, but I do still notice the lack of power compared to the FZ1 - passing has to be done a lot more cautiously, because I don't have the launch factor to get me out of trouble in a tight situation. I've just gotten used to the higher revs while highway riding - at 80 mph I'm revving around 8,000 and I don't redline until 12,000 - so really there is still more high end power than I will ever use.
But the fun factor of this bike more than makes up for the occasional bout of power envy. Physically the FZ6R is just a better fit for me than the FZ1. The combination of a smaller, lighter bike and the fact that I didn't have to have the FZ6R lowered made a huge difference in mountain riding and canyon carving. Even downhill switchbacks feel just so smooth and relaxed on this bike, now that I've learned to lighten up on the grips - no need to power this bike into corner. So I'm happy overall.
Still I miss the FZ1 - I think riders who tour get a little more attached to their bikes. They aren't just toys. There had been a few occasions on the FZ1 - like get caught in sleet on a mountain pass or finding the next 2 miles of hairpins are on gravel - when I prayed to that bike to just safely get me through this and it always came through.