Considering buying a Fazer 1000 (ex Bandit 1200 owner)

[Mewcenary]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of getting a new bike.  My last one was a Bandit 1200.  I really loved the general grunt and torque of the thing.  Lots of smiles 'n' miles.

I've test-ridden some other bikes recently.  CBR650F not quite my thing.  VFR800 a step in the right direction (refined, stable).  Then a GSX1250 (the new guise of the Bandit).  That reminded me just how much I love the grunt and torque again.  However, in comparison to the VFR, it was evident how much heavier and 'cheaper' it felt.

Obviously, another contender for my money is the Fazer 1000 !

I appreciate you guys might be a little biased, but has anyone here made a similar journey?

Are there any other bikes in this sort of low-end torque market that I might enjoy ?

Would the Fazer _600_ be enough following the B12?  (I'm not sure it would be after my CBR650F experience).

I've found this example locally and would welcome any input:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201404033031986/

[sadlonelygit]

hi and welcome.
i'll tell you what's bad about a fazer 1000.
the suspension isn't very good as standard. the rear is suitable for an anorexic supermodel and the front has bi rate springs which are too soft in the first part of the travel and too firm in the second.
carburation is designed to pass emissions/noise at just where the bike is cruising on a run.
handlebars are made of cheese and if the bike falls over you have a dented tank.
the screen is a bit low/wrong shape.
the exup valve can be a royal PITA unless cared for properly (it's not a service item!!)
forgot to mention the centre stand has a habit of spreading now they're getting on a bit


now the good bits:
either a new spring £40 or an R6 shock and dogbones (£40 upwards, a kit is sold on here but i don't know the price) sorts out the back.
front end......springs £90 to complete R1 front ends
carburation.......ivan does a kit which transforms the fuelling £120 + fitting (i DIY'd mine, others use the forum guru)
renthals 758
aeroblade/mra
once the exup is properly maintained (i remove and grease mine in the winter, takes @1/2hr) there are no problems.
however usually getting the bloody thing out in the first place involves the drilling out of at least one of the old bolts as they WILL snap.
a fazer doesn't have the 'from idle' grunt of a bandit, but once a sorted one hits 3k ......... and the rush at 7k gets addictive.


oh and the one in the advert............well OTT with the price

[Mewcenary]

Interesting stuff!  Thanks!

I guess by OTT you mean that one is priced at too high ?

Here are others in my neck of the woods.  Would value your opinion on them as well...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/bikes/yamaha/postcode/gu104ta/radius/15/cc-from/1000cc/sort/recpriceascdefault

[Hedgetrimmer]

Personally, I think Sadlonelygit, although pretty accurate in the detail, doesn't paint a fair picture. As I told you elsewhere  they are a great all-rounder with loads of stonk, more if Ivanised - which basically makes the bike what it should have been; not that it's a slouch as standard. Fuelling is a little glitchy low down on standard ones, Ivanising basically gets rid of that and gives it more power everywhere. But you don't have to do it, it's still a good bike.

Even a Hagon's rear shock will improve things considerably, but the R6 item is far better, and there's the folks here who can help you with that.
Never had EXUP problems on my current one. Last one got a bit sticky, but was fine after servicing. Two before that, no problems.
Also, I don't have any problems with the standard height screen (I'm 6' 2''). Any wind buffeting I did have was eliminated by a good choice of helmet.
I also haven't had problems with the front forks handling wise - until I had the R6 shock fitted. Now I think I can detect a little flex in the forks (so nothing to do with set-up), but only because I can push it harder now. But I never noticed anything amiss before on any of mine.

So, are you now thinking, so I'd need to spend loads if I buy one? Not absolutely necessary. But then, most people who really like a bike upgrade on things like the rear shock eventually as the Japs tend to put budget items on standard bikes to keep prices down.

Yeah, I guess I am a little biased. But I think it'll outclass a B12 any day of the week 

Loads of folks on here have moved on to other bikes, and then eventually come back to the Fazer. I'm on my 4th one in a row, as there just isn't another bike out there that does everything as a complete package as well as the FZS1000 does. The 600, too, is a great bike, but if you like to be lazy with the gearbox now and again, you really need the thou.

And welcome to the forum 

[sadlonelygit]

if you check the for sale section on here, then you'll find them turning up with the right bits on at realistic rather than dealer prices.
they can be this nice (not mine btw)

[dazza]

Or......

Sorry lads, couldn't resist. 

[Mewcenary]

Actually, one thing puts me off the Fazer I linked.  The fact it has had handlebar raisers fitted.  Don't mind the other mods, but that one irks me slightly.  Has anyone had that one done?

Here's another one at a dealer that treated me well when I went there yesterday (didn't actually realise this bike was there -- took their GSX1250FA demonstrator out instead!)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201231480291659

[b1k3rdude]

1. Then a GSX1250 (the new guise of the Bandit).  That reminded me just how much I love the grunt and torque again. 
2. However, in comparison to the VFR, it was evident how much heavier and 'cheaper' it felt.

I ride a 2006 GSF1200 and a 2005 FZS10000 and the above two sentences apply perfectly -

1. going from a 1200 to the 1000 you will missed the low down torque of the bandit.
2. the handling ans suspension on the fazer is better than the bandit.

[PieEater]

If torque is your priority then an inline 4 cylinder engine is not the place to be looking as these *generally* produce their power higher up the rev range than engines with fewer cylinders. For out-and-out low down grunt you should be looking at a big twin for example an Aprilia Tuono or KTM SuperMoto would offer loads of low down pull with excellent handling to produce a package bound to leave you with a grin on your face, other options are available from Ducati / BMW etc. If however you find a large twin a bit too 'agricultural' then an inline triple offers probably the best compromise, smoother delivery than a big twin with more low down torque and less top end bias than an inline 4, so I'd also definitely consider something like the Triumph Speed Triple.

However as has been said before, the early Gen1 (2001-2005) is probably the best all rounder you can get and many people have come back to Fazer ownership after brief interludes with other bikes. They offer proven reliability, ease of maintenance, all round practicality for solo hooning or two-up touring and more than enough performance for the road. I'd definitely add-one to your test ride list along with a Tuono and Speed Triple.

/Edit: Bar risers come in different lengths, some like the Genuine Yamaha (GYTR) bar risers actually lower the position of the bars offering a slightly more aggressive position placing slightly more weight over the front of the bike, so if a bike has aftermarket bar risers fitted this doesn't mean to say that the bars are higher than standard. I have the GYTR Risers and Renthal 758 bars which are wider and lower than the originals, Over the OEM setup I find this gives a better compromise between relaxed riding and when the red mist rises being able to drop my weight down over the front and accurately countersteer through corners.

[Simon.Pieman]

once the exup is properly maintained (i remove and grease mine in the winter, takes @1/2hr) there are no problems.
however usually getting the bloody thing out in the first place involves the drilling out of at least one of the old bolts as they WILL snap.

A bit inaccurate. Many of us have successfully removed 'seized' exup bolts without drama, all you need to do is feed them with Plusgas or similar over a few days and more often than not they will come out without drama.

[Mick-H]

Also probably worth a look saying you liked the vfr800 is the bigger version the 1200, not my cup of tea and mixed ratings from owners but it may give you the grunt you desire.

[Captain Haddock]

100 bhp vs 143 bhp as standard, says it all...
My gen 1 fzs 1000 with ivans 'slip on' jet kit and simmi end can will happily drop down to 20mph in top gear and still be rideable and smooth, it will pickup nicely from there all the way through albeit nowhere near as quickly as a good play with gears and revs but it is still very smooth all the way through.
Give the tacho some excercise and the grin factor is damn good, I also have R6 rear shock fitted but am a fairly crap rider in twisties so don't gain full advantage but each time I hit the wuss button it's me giving up not the bike.
I have never ridden a B12 so can't do a comparison but I doubt you'd be dissappointed.

[onejay]

over the years i have owned and ridden various bikes


from a supermoto to a turbo`d busa


and honestly there is nothing like arriving at your destination with the Fazer smile

[lee2475]

I had a gsx650f before the fazer, found the suzuki a right lump to move about, although I am a short arse!!
 
 
The fazers comfy even for me and I suffer with a knackered neck, Its smooth good on fuel, loads of fun can be ridden gently or like a holigan.
 
My exup valves been fine but I do service it often easy job, plus Ive used all new stainless bolts so makes removal nice and easy.
 
 
 

[Ravenscar]

It might be worth looking at the Honda X11. Google that and you'll find a YouTube review by MenAndMotors.

It's essentially a naked Blackbird; a very smooth and refined 1100cc that's been proven to be bulletproof.

I know a highly experienced biker that has been riding gen 1 Fazers for years. In fact owning one at a time has never been enough and he often had a couple of runners and one for spares. Until recently.

A good friend of his is a Blackbird enthusiast and kept going on about them so much that he bought one from him. He enjoyed riding it but unfortunately the riding position lead to discomfort on longer journeys. He learnt about the X11 and bought an example from eBay for approx £1,500, if I'm not mistaken.

Now this is a man who was a devout Fazer owner and kept banging on about how the Fazer was the best all-round bike he'd ever ridden; that he couldn't imagine ever finding a bike more suitable, that he would go to his grave a happy and fulfilled man thanks to the inspired vision of Naoki Segawa and Yutaka Kubo.

http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/designcafe/en/about-bikes/sport-touring/index.aspx?segment=Sport%20Touring&view=article&id=441370

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike-reviews/yamaha/yamaha-fzs1000-fazer-2000-2005-/

And now? The Blackbird has gone, but that was expected. However, his dearly beloved, much pampered and cossetted Gen 1 FZS 1000 is likely to go to pastures new. I personally feel that will be a step too far when it comes to the crunch, but he does seem pretty determined!

This is the man who's words of wisdom and passion for the FZS 1000 lead me to buy one despite having previously loved an Aprillia Shiver 750; a grunty twin that's light, powerful and surprisibgly smooth.

I haven't ridden the X11, but I did ride the Blackbird and the levels of refinement were sublime. The X11 is tuned for more low to mid-range torque and my friend clearly loves it.

My sights are set on a BMW S1000R. IMHO it seems to be the modern successor to the wonderful Gen 1 Fazer that so many people on this forum love, including myself of course! The BMW doesn't come cheap though and a Fazer or X11 will give you a shed load of bike on a budget. For outright value, fun and availability of great second hand models, I think the Fazer still has it. The X11 is well worth a look and I look forward to an opportunity to ride my friend's new pride and joy when the opportunity arises.

[PaulSmith]

Of course there is no argueing with taste, but I would suggest that both the X11 and the S1000R are more street fighter then all rounder. If that is the aspect of the Fazer (or bandit) that you enjoy the most then either bike would be even better, but you should also consider the Z1000 and the Aprilia Tuono, both of which would be better still.

If you want a total all-rounder, such as the Fazer Gen1, but want one less then 10 years old, then as far as I can tell, the only bike on the market that does it all is probably the Z1000sx.

[AyJay]

I'd say that the ZZR1400 is the only bike that beats the Fazer for all round ability. I've ridden the Z1000SX, but it's a bit ho hum. With bar risers the big ZZR is easily as comfortable, does 180 on a tank minimum and is a doddle to ride slow or fast. Really, it's so easy to ride and only the latest test in BIKE magazine has pointed this out. Most tests witter on about how fast it is, and that makes people think it's a one trick pony, but people buy these to tour because they're so undemanding (once you get used to the astounding speed of course!).


I'd love a Tuono V4 for the thrills but I do too many miles and having to fill up so often would do my head in.


The only problem with the ZZR is the valve services which are very expensive and the discs tend to warp if you're unlucky. But there are compensations, such as saying goodbye to every other bike on the road on the way out of a corner. You want torque, go ZZR. It's fucking awesome.



Still love my Fazer though. I love getting back on it after the ZZR and having a right giggle at what a hooligan it can be. The ZZR's a bit too serious sometimes.