Author Topic: Any advice please... (Read 5513 times)

GBX · « **on:** 31 January 2013, 12:23:26 am »

Hello everybody

I'm returning to work soon after a long spell on the sick due to a spinal injury, i'm also returning to bikes after 20 years out of the saddle. I'm choosing a bike to commute and i've been lurking the Bike Trader pages regularly. So, I saw a 600cc Fazer for the first time and it was a love at first sight kind of moment, I have to have one, which led me here.

My last bike was a GS750 but I was younger and fitter back then, is the Fazer easy to handle for a returning old timer?, surely it won't be as heavy as that old lump I used to own. I don't have a great deal of cash until I get a few months wages behind me so i've seen a Fazer at about 800 quid, looks perfect to me.

Is there anything I should beware of or look out for? (besides lorries

) Any advice or tips are appreciated thanks. Oh, and do you still get a green light for neutral these days? Thanks again.

xlewisbdx · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 January 2013, 06:39:31 am »

Some problems I had with my Fazer when I bought it was they rear brake caliper had seized. It just needed some new rubbers seals which I got from eBay for £6-£10.

The front sprocket nut is also another common problem I am sure the other guys will fill you in but in short, Yamaha made a mess off it and the thread wear away on it over time, you just need to buy a replacement depending how bad it is.

Sorry I can't be of any more help, them are the problems I had anyway. The front sprocket is a common problem though.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 January 2013, 07:31:27 am »

The front sprocket isn't that common a problem but does happen to a few. Other than that, they are great bikes.

CharlieDee · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 January 2013, 08:06:28 am »

Whats the mileage like GBX?

If its over 28K miles check to see if the valve clearances have been done and also be aware that the suspension may need some work.. ie recondition the monoshock(£100 at Brookes in Bradford/£55 + parts at Revs in the Midlands) and fresh oil and clean up on the front forks. IMO a bloody cracking bike!! and the lads and ladettes on Foc-u will help and answer as much as they can for you!!

Charlie

ponkster · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 January 2013, 08:24:30 am »

Hi there - I too am a rider who returned to bikes after a spinal injury ( L3+4 vertical fracture) , I find the riding position very good as you body is upright with you heels tucked slightly up which takes the pressure of your sciatic nerves.

As for problems - yes some have the sprocket nut problem - ask if its been changed , down pipes rot , brakes seize if not used but on the whole they are a pretty hardy bike and a million miles from prima dona sports bike which need constant fettling to keep them on the road.

wannafazer · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 January 2013, 08:36:15 am »

Welcome GBX. Buy it, you'll love it. Your going to get a favourable opinion here cos' it's the Fazer site, but all in all it doesn't have any more problems than any other not new bike, and yes, you still get a green light for neutral.

Doesn't say where you are but if you post your location I'm sure there'll be some one who'd be happy to let you look/poke/sit on/maybe ride their bike and generally chew the cud and answer any questions whilst swigging coffee and eating choccy biccies on the drive.

UG · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 January 2013, 09:09:46 am »

189kg dry weight, about 81bhp a the back wheel when new, Michelin Pilot Road 2 or 3's are good for commuting in all weathers, generally a bulletproof bike as long as you look after it.

bigbluebear · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 January 2013, 10:12:25 am »

The 600 is a fantastic bike, I had one before my 1000. You should read the review by MCN below and scroll down to comments by owners

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-FZS600-Fazer-1998-2004-/

John Silva · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 January 2013, 10:28:04 am »

Until you tell us what colour the bike your looking at is...

We really cant help you

AS some say red is faster than the blue. Or the silver is classier than the morbid black.

Just as long as you dont get the tarty gold one tho

If you like the bike that's ALL that matters.

Ride one then BUY one. You will love it.

Robbie8666 · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 January 2013, 10:45:51 am »

Hi GBX,

i returned to biking after 10 years plus, was looking at getting a Dauxville @£3-4k but got offererd my fazer for £1500 not regretted a single moment!

loads of folks I met that are either bikers or ex bikers have all said what a great bike they are... the only negative comment I have ever heard about them is this loud CLUNK from 1st to 2nd and yes mine does too! apperantly its a "feature!" lol

Chillum · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 January 2013, 11:09:05 am »

The beauty of the FZS600 is that it is easy to handle and can be as sprightly or as sedate as you are - it will end up fitting you like a glove.

I knackered the gear forks on mine by practicing clutchless gears changes, and when I swapped the engine out (cheaper than stripping the gearbox) it was the detuned R6 engine rather than the older T_Cat engine, and I didn't really like it - I'd gotten so used to the bike that it was like putting on some else's shoes.

Be prepared to start being silly about your bike if you get a Fazer

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 January 2013, 11:59:34 am »

I had a CBR600, which was fun. But after surgery and 40 or so staple down my front, I could not lean over the tank. So, I looked around and found a Fazer down in Newcastle. Loved it and rode it back (still with the staples in

).
Its a great wee bike. I can move her around the garage. She pulls well enough for me. Insurance is cheap. 2UP is fine. Touring is fine. 500 mile days, also fine. 54 mpg, fine. Parts are cheap, so much so that I done a whole bunch of work to mine last winter for about £240'sh. Carb version sounds great on the over run (I'm sure I have spat fire before) and the induction noise is nice too, just as much so as the CBR (my Fazer came with a Leo Vince exhaust/no baffle).
I would reccomend the K & N air filter and re do the fork oil. These will cost you under £50 and a day, but it is the best 2 things I have done to mine.
You will enjoy ownership, and the people on here are a really nice and helpful bunch (for the most part).
And black is best

GBX · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 January 2013, 03:38:41 pm »

Thanks everyone, for the warm welcome and the advice & comments which I read with great interest.

I'm in Yorkshire, but the bike I saw is from a dealer in Kent lol. High mileage too but £800 is my absolute limit, i'll just have to make the best of what I can afford. Having read all your advice i'm positive it's the right bike for me.

I'm quoted £190 fully comp for the year from hastings direct which is great. I hoped i'd do well with it being winter and all, should be a buyers market at the moment.

Anyway thanks again for your expert help. What a nice bunch you are.

Dave48 · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 January 2013, 03:54:20 pm »

Welcome & could I add that engine condition (frequency of oil & filter changes) is much more important than actual mileage. Dont buy if your not entirely happy-theres plenty out there-ones got your name on it

bigbluebear · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 January 2013, 04:22:44 pm »

Quote from: GBX on 31 January 2013, 03:38:41 pm

Thanks everyone, for the warm welcome and the advice & comments which I read with great interest.

I'm in Yorkshire, but the bike I saw is from a dealer in Kent lol. High mileage too but £800 is my absolute limit, i'll just have to make the best of what I can afford. Having read all your advice i'm positive it's the right bike for me.

I'm quoted £190 fully comp for the year from hastings direct which is great. I hoped i'd do well with it being winter and all, should be a buyers market at the moment.

Anyway thanks again for your expert help. What a nice bunch you are.

£190 seems pretty steep...try Bennets or Carol Nash....When I had my 600 was about £70 fully comp

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 January 2013, 04:39:48 pm »

Big blue bear is right, that is steep. I'm £76 fully comp. My 125 is more

. Go compare ma man.

bigbluebear · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 January 2013, 04:45:16 pm »

Go Compare is a good way....Bennets must have a neat bit of software as they jump to the top after a few seconds with the cheapest quote

nippykarl · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 January 2013, 05:43:37 pm »

great bike to get back on the saddle with but mind you do not get a ex despatch one as they are popular with couriers, still remember mine with fond memories.

xlewisbdx · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 January 2013, 06:39:03 pm »

I pay £600 TPFT!!

richfzs · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 January 2013, 06:46:08 pm »

Aye, but then they've seen you're videos, hey?

spoonlamp · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 January 2013, 07:15:39 pm »

Hello mate. I did my DAS on a 600cc Bandit and the Fazer is like a ballet dancer in comparison. It's chalk and cheese, I couldn;t believe the difference when I rode away from the dealer on my baby

Lovely little bike for what it can do.

dock · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 January 2013, 10:51:49 pm »

hi gbx,
Welcome back to biking !

Yes an fzs 600 will be perfect for you, ive got a 2003 foxeye model and when i go into a bike shop i just dont see another bike that makes me want to part with mine, i am sure they will future classics.
As for a bit of extra advise.... If you havnt been riding for twenty years a good bit of training (maybe bikesafe etc etc) would be the best bit of money you may ever spend.

xlewisbdx · « **Reply #22 on:** 01 February 2013, 06:44:55 am »

Quote from: richfzs on 31 January 2013, 06:46:08 pm

Aye, but then they've seen you're videos, hey?

Point taken