New member - Old biker

[Watchdog]

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen!

I have just joined here toaday so I should "tip my hat" as the saying goes

I have been riding bikes since I was 14 and I'm now 55 (yea gods that's 41 years!!!  ) but I became legal when I passed my test with the Army in 1983 (Northern Germany in February - how we laughed!)

I have always been inclined to tinker and ready to get my hands dirty but it was always wise with newer machines to use a garage for the stuff that might have a bearing on warranties etc.

I'm older now and so is my bike. I have an FZS 1000 of 2005 vintage which I don't want to change as it is such a cracking bike and much better than the 2006 + models. This being so I thought I would seek out other Fazer fans and see how much more I can get out of the "Fazer experience".

I tend not to ride all winter any more, it's not big and it's not clever (wrote one off on black ice in 2000 ouch!! ) but am not put off by the weather if the need arises, anyone can do it in the sunshine can't they?

I am not inclined to "customize" with all the whistles and bells, a work colleague had an Fzs 1000 with every colour co-ordinated piece of garbage you can imagine and it looked like a carnival float but I am keen to use the odd enhancement such as better than standard air filters etc. So there you get the idea, if is isn't functional then the builders spec is likely optimum!

I don't know why I haven't joined here before as I do belong to other internet fora concerned with my hobbies etc so I am comfortable with the concept. Still better late than never and I am really looking forward to learning from other members an hopefull contributing a little myself perhaps.

Regards

Mark

[brian2649]

Welcome to the forum pal.

[Watchdog]

Welcome to the forum pal.

Thanks Brian, nice that the first reply is from my home county, I'm originally from Littleborough near Rochdale (it was in Lancashire w'en I wurr a lad  ) but I followed a man with a flag a long time ago

Mark

[brian2649]

Haha. I know Littleborough, not too far away from me.

[mickvp]

welcome to foc-u Mark

[Andy FZS]

Welcome ..but more importantly ..pictures. .we all like to see the the bike. .

[kitcrazy]

Hi and welcome

[Watchdog]

Welcome ..but more importantly ..pictures. .we all like to see the the bike. .

Good point, just wasn't inclined to presume with the first post .
2005 FZS1000 Lava red (mostly black - work that out  ) totally standard except for a Scottoiler.

First pic is my avatar, seccond is at the first Mothers Day rideout with Afghan Heroes at Wooton Basset (start at the former RAF Hullavington)

[savvy]

Eye up lad, cum in an sit thee doon. Fra anuvver Lanky

[mickvp]

very nice bike - love that colour!

[taylor]

welcome from sunny wales, nice bike, I got the old model

[Hedgetrimmer]

Welcome Mark. Lava red - best standard colour they did it in 
 
So, is it all standard? If so, you need to start with a good, free-flowing can. Then Ivanise, might as well go full monty, just as manageable as the slip-on level but more when you want it.
We like proper mods here - R1 USD forks, R6 rear shocks are popular, as are Nitron; none of that cheap bolt-on tat, so you're sure to like it here 

[Dave48]

Welcome to the forum. A very nice looking thou- as Nick suggests there are "real world" performance mods you can do to increase your riding pleasure and you can give the "power rangers" a run for their money at the same time!

[Watchdog]

Many thanks for the warm welcome, I can see there is much to gain here. I hope at some point that I am able to contribute myself.

I must admit I had not really considered the difference between the "real world" mods that I suppose are not obvious or in your face as it were and all the "whistles and bells" that are frankly a little garish for my taste.

To be truthful I have never perceived any difficulty in keeping up with most of the "poseur" types on the road (the old "fast bike with crap rider versus not so fast bike with decent rider" equation  ) but now my curiosity has been aroused and I see a whole new strip of smooth tarmac before me!

Haha, "Power Rangers" I like that. Never heard that particular sobriquet before but I know intuitively what it means

Off to search the pages for some inspiration

Regards

Mark

[Millietant]

Hi Mark - I'm new here too, but being the same age as you, I'm definitely not OLD 


Hope you enjoy the bike.


Cheers.

[fazed]

Glad to see another shall we say 'senior' member!  As to the practical mods I'd suggest replacing the rear shock and uprating the front fork springs - I found that it transforms the ride especially if like me you tend towards being 'well covered' !
Welcome and enjoy!