Aaaaaggggggghhhh

[Hedgetrimmer]

A decent colour scheme really lifts the bike from blandness IMO. Does with most bikes in fact 

[ChristoT]

A decent colour scheme really lifts the bike from IMO. Does with most bikes in fact 

You're calling a stock colour Fazer Thou bland? Thin ice, mate!

[fazersharp]

Nope im all good
http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/news/photocard-driving-licence-renewal.html

Paper licences
If you still have a paper driving licence you don't have to worry about ten yearly updates though you must still notify DVLA of name or address changes.

Parliament has given powers to recall all paper licences so the more secure photocard licences will be held by everyone, but no date has been set for this and the government is well aware that it would be controversial to make everyone buy a new licence.

The AA has said that if the government insists on everyone changing, it should phase in such a move and subsidise the cost.

Keeping the details on your paper licence up to date will ensure that DVLA is able to tell you when this is happening and if you need to do something.

[mickvp]

A decent colour scheme really lifts the bike from IMO. Does with most bikes in fact 

You're calling a stock colour Fazer Thou bland? Thin ice, mate!

I would rather have one of the "bland" colours, than one that needs to be painted to make it look as if its going fast because its so horrifically slow

[Hedgetrimmer]

Maybe one day you'll achieve that goal Mick     

[fazersharp]

I didnt like any of the launch colours but i am liking the white and red one with the white wheel stripe, I would like to see in in black with a silver decal 

[mickvp]

Maybe one day you'll achieve that goal Mick     

touche!

[noggythenog]

Fazersharp...since you aint no criminal anymore then i agree with you...so e black & grey...subtle but smart.






Actually is there a name for a tarted up fazer with trick paint....like fa................Fajazzle!!!!............or am i thinking of something else .


"Look there's Nick riding a big mighty Fajazzle".     

[ChristoT]

I think Nick's bike has just gained its name! 

[Hedgetrimmer]

I thought I'd got rid of the stupid idea of getting an MT-09

Until I saw this
 http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201401070857741/sort/pricedesc/usedbikes/model/mt/make/yamaha/postcode/da118re/quicksearch/true/radius/1500/page/1?logcode=p

 
Chris: "That looks very nice!"
 
Midden: "They certainly look the biz. I also like yellow".
 
stevierst:  "I love it! Saw this and was very tempted."
 
ChristoT: Phwoar! That looks really nice!"
 
Frosties: "Love it!!"
 
noggythenog: "This is the sort of bling I'm after."
                   "I've just added that place to my front page on my ipad."
                   "isn't enough cool as focness going around....stuff like this is exactly what the bike market needs."
 
 
    
 
I rest my case 

[locksmith]

Well if you've all finished

I've still got the original paper licence - no problems - it's legal.
There was a £1000 excess for the test bike, if you were to do something silly like drop it then you only pay for the damage, not an automatic £1000 fine! however this didn't distract from trying to get my knee down

Now remember I'm comparing to a gen2 FZ1 Fazer.

First impressions sitting on it was a very similar stance to the FZ1, only a bit narrower and no fairing bulk in front of you of course.
Controls all felt normal and familiar.

On the road it was really easy to ride. On the first bumpy twisty road it felt very light and bouncy but after a short while I forgot about that.
It certainly wants to lift the front wheel in first and second but isn't out of control, you can take off rapidly and keep the front wheel on the floor.
After reading pro rider reviews mentioning super moto feel, I was concerned that at the first bend I would want to put my leg out moto-stylee, however that was not the case, my knee was itching to stick out so a few roundabouts were circled more than once and I felt in total control at all times.

The power felt good and constant and more than I would ever need.
While writing, I ve just remembered it's a fly by wire throttle, I never noticed this at all, it felt completely normal to me.
On the switchable fi modes, I preferred the "soft" B mode, it felt more like I'm used to than either the std or A modes.
Brakes, the initial feel isn't as sharp as I'm used to but keep pulling the lever and it sure stops quickly.

It is very easy to ride fast on the twisties and around town. Not so ballistic as an FZ1 on the open roads. At 120 (ahemmm) the wind blast was pushing me back but the was no buffeting as you get around the Fazer fairing. I wouldn't fancy doing a lot of motorway work at those speeds but in reality I don't!

The display was clear and I love the gear indicator. Mirrors weren't bad, you could see what you needed behind.

I took it back, undecided, until I rode the FZ1 home. It felt a bit alien, totally lardy and un-flickable, gear change seemed harder and the bars seemed really narrow (I know they're not but the MT didn't feel wider).

I guess I want one

[Hedgetrimmer]

This is why I'm reluctant to test ride anything locksmith - I wouldn't want to part with the Fazer, it just does so many things so well as a package, but I know there are plenty of bikes out there, that do some of those things much better, that I'd love to have too - but I CAN'T AFFORD THEM!! 
 
Not sure the MT-09 is what I'd have if I could afford something else too though. Well, I'm sure you can guess what I'd REALLY like to be able to afford!

[locksmith]

I know what you are saying Nick, fortunately I can afford pretty much what ever I want, but I don't. I have to justify it to myself, the amount I spend, what I will get out of it compared to the old one etc etc. I don't change just for the sake it and appreciate what I have got.
Bearing that in mind I have the same dilemma, the possibility of deeply regretting selling the Fazer!!!

[noggythenog]

Thanks for the review locksmith.


As a rider who's only had the 600 fazer & with the FZ1 as competition it is good to hear an FZ1 owners views on the MT.....plus a non journalist real world view.


Im looking forward to a test now.

[Lez72]

I know what you are saying Nick, fortunately I can afford pretty much what ever I want, but I don't. I have to justify it to myself, the amount I spend, what I will get out of it compared to the old one etc etc. I don't change just for the sake it and appreciate what I have got.
Bearing that in mind I have the same dilemma, the possibility of deeply regretting selling the Fazer!!!

So, if you can afford pretty much whatever you want, why not keep the Gen 2 aswell. You could have the MT09 for the sunny sunday plaything. Go on, you only live once and you can't take it with you 

[midden]

I know what you are saying Nick, fortunately I can afford pretty much what ever I want, but I don't. I have to justify it to myself, the amount I spend, what I will get out of it compared to the old one etc etc. I don't change just for the sake it and appreciate what I have got.
Bearing that in mind I have the same dilemma, the possibility of deeply regretting selling the Fazer!!!

So, if you can afford pretty much whatever you want, why not keep the Gen 2 aswell. You could have the MT09 for the sunny sunday plaything. Go on, you only live once and you can't take it with you 

Fair point. then there's no regret and if you find yourself over time never using the gen2  you will know to sell.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Yeah, go on locksmith, live the dream all us paupers would like to! Do it for us 
 
2 bikes isn't excessive. Look at that greedy-guts red98; he's up to about 5 now 
 
I would defo have 2 bikes in your position. The Fazer, cos I just love it, never tire of it; and the 2nd bike I'd chop and change as the fancy took me, try some new stuff, keep up with the modern stuff, see what they're all about.
 
You know it makes sense 

[peterjca]

It is a legal requirement that you update the photo on the card license every ten years. Therefore I would guess that to still hold a paper only license is illegal, and the fines can be quite draconian.

WRONG!

I still have my paper license and there is absolutely no obligation for me to turn it into a photocard one. It's entirely legal - insurance companies still accept photocopies of it for example.

[locksmith]

I know what you are saying Nick, fortunately I can afford pretty much what ever I want, but I don't. I have to justify it to myself, the amount I spend, what I will get out of it compared to the old one etc etc. I don't change just for the sake it and appreciate what I have got.
Bearing that in mind I have the same dilemma, the possibility of deeply regretting selling the Fazer!!!

So, if you can afford pretty much whatever you want, why not keep the Gen 2 aswell. You could have the MT09 for the sunny sunday plaything. Go on, you only live once and you can't take it with you 

Fair point. then there's no regret and if you find yourself over time never using the gen2  you will know to sell.

But I can't justify to myself having two (fairly similar) road bikes . I do have the WR as well but that's not getting used.
I may keep the gen2 to sell privately so will have some breathing space if I get it terribly wrong but the missus wouldn't be too impressed

[peterjca]

I know what you are saying Nick, fortunately I can afford pretty much what ever I want, but I don't. I have to justify it to myself, the amount I spend, what I will get out of it compared to the old one etc etc. I don't change just for the sake it and appreciate what I have got.
Bearing that in mind I have the same dilemma, the possibility of deeply regretting selling the Fazer!!!

I was going to be in the market for a new bike next year. However, having recently spent much dosh on my FZ1 (new generator, new can, new tyres, chain & sprockets, braided hoses etc.), I'm postponing that decision for three years when I hit an important birthday 

I don't have the room to keep two bikes (no garage) so the FZ1 would go.

There's a lot happening in the bike world just now (the MTs, the new 1200S Monster, KTMs, BMW S1000R (which I think looks pants), Triumph up to something in response etc.) that in three years time there should be even more tempting bikes on the go.

I'm looking forward to 2017!

[mtread]

I still have my paper license and there is absolutely no obligation for me to turn it into a photocard one. It's entirely legal - insurance companies still accept photocopies of it for example.

RIGHT!
I've still got mine too.

[Hedgetrimmer]

But I can't justify to myself having two (fairly similar) road bikes . I do have the WR as well but that's not getting used.
I may keep the gen2 to sell privately so will have some breathing space if I get it terribly wrong but the missus wouldn't be too impressed

But what you said about how the Fazer felt after trying the MT says to me they're not similar?
 
What would you get for the missus?     

[Slaninar]

Gay...   




 

[noggythenog]

Sounds like the MT09 has the agility of a 600 with much more power......i like that!




So you didn't feel any issue with the rear shock then locksmith like in some reviews?...that's good...prob just journalist talk.


I think i might just give the MT07 a chance too.....engine wise sounds like all i need....maybe not suspension wise though....but for 5k......i could stick an Ohlins shock on one & it'd still be a cheap bike......it looks tiny...but so does the MT09 until you sit on it & find it has lots of leg room.

[peterjca]

I have only seen the MTs from afar in real life. I've not examined one up close. The Yamaha dealer who did the recent work on my FZ1 was telling me that he test rode the new MTs but wouldn't buy one. He said they really are cheap as chips, the plastics are cheap and the build quality isn't great either. He said that you could easily snap the speedo off the bikes. This is a Yamaha dealer dissing the new bikes to a new customer (me).

Square that with e.g. Bike magazine masturbating over the MT-07 in the April edition.

Personally, the snatchy throttle reports of the MT-09 and the squidgy suspension of both MT-07 and MT-09 coupled with teeny tanks means I'd not buy one, but wouldn't say no to a free test ride!