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+--- Thread: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. (/showthread.php?tid=66554)
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - mr self destruct - 08-12-13
(08-12-13, 04:32 PM)chris b link Wrote:Thanks for all the good advice. The thou' was so nice to ride (apart from the apparent reluctance to turn) and I'm pleased that this can be made better with a few tweaks. I will try a 600 too, since it might suit better as a first bike, ideally a foxeye if I can find one!
Pretty much what I'm going through now. When I've got a couple of years experience under my belt I'll upgrade to a thou. I've always intended to get a bigger bike and for the money I can't find a better one than the FZS1000.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - Noj - 09-12-13
Any change of bike sees differences, however I few weeks and a skills update and you'll be riding the weeps off it.
Personally I couldn't stand my FZ1S as I bought it just because the price was right, however Yamaha did a full referb of the suspension under warranty and 20000 miles later it's the best do everything bike I could have, even-though I keep think I want to change it, I get to that point and change my mind.
Personally it's not the best looking bike, it's not the fastest, nor the best handling. Bur buy goodness in the right hands there is very few that can touch it let alone see it, really!
Never under estimate a fazer in the right hands. You will grow to love it
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - pitternator - 12-12-13
You have to ride a FZS with sorted suspension and decent tyres for a start. Without bragging my thou is still competitive at trackdays it handles that well.So to say you cant handle corners at car speeds is a little concerning about the bike you rode. Bear in mind the FZS aint been made for 8 yrs now, so all bikes will be wearing a bit. AND you cant expect a bike of the fazers age to handle like a modern 600.
The thou is a very stable bike, so does need to be set up for a corner it is no waif which will turn on a sixpence. Its easy for me, I have ridden them for over 10 yrs and 80k miles, so I am used to them.Like all new riders you will need to develop your riding skills, but you dont need to be a riding god to get the best from a FZS.
Dont be put off at this stage.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - sadlonelygit - 14-12-13
Try another with decent tyres.
My bike will corner til the frame drags but at the moment is handling like a pig on stilts as the front tyre has 5k miles on it.
With minimal investment a fzs1000 can be made to handle very well indeed.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - chris b - 15-12-13
Thanks guys. Very relieved to hear that the thou can be made to handle well with a few simple tweaks. The Fazer hunt continues!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - fazersharp - 23-12-13
I say go for the 600. I'm thinking that perhaps, could it be the reason you think you need a 1000 is because of your experience on that old xj 600, the fazer 600 is a very different bike, and it will have plenty for you to "grow" in to. I've had mine for 12 years. I - like you am 5,8" and 91/2 -10 stone and its like the bike was made to measure and built for me. As for steering - remember that you don't just steer with your handlebars as you also steer with your body weight and that's where the (I think ) problem lies with the thou, its just too heavy in the corners unless you are a 15-18 stone lump. People moan about the 600s soft suspension --- but that too is perfect for my weight.
I wonder what the power to weight ratio is with me 9,1/2 stone on the fz 600 against an 18 stone chappy on the thou
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - Camshaft - 23-12-13
(07-12-13, 06:30 PM)chris b link Wrote:Hi,
Previously been on a very old (27yrs+!) XJ600 to do my DAS, and just test rode a FZS 1000 today. The riding position was so comfortable, the power delivery silky smooth and very managable. At very slow speed, it was much better than I expected for a big bike. The only downside was when it came to cornering... It felt like I needed to think hard about each corner, and really work to push the bike through - I wasn't going fast either, legal speeds throughout and sometimes slower than I'd take the corner in my wheezy old estate car. It felt like it wanted to run wide if left unchecked. I also rode an ER-6f, which was the easiest thing ever in turns, but lacked the grace and smoothness of the Fazer.
Does the FZS 1000 have a reputation for being a bit slow or reluctant to turn, or is it just me being a novice and not understanding how get it to turn well? I'm happy to accept criticism! The other question is would a Fazer 600 be noticably different in the corners?
Many thanks!
Loved the thou', but sapped my confidence a bit in the bends.
Yes, the extra weight needs to be compensated for. As You'd probably be aware R6 shock upgrade will be of a big advantage (fitted mine a week ago). More confidence in flicking into corners of any kind.
The grunt of the Thou with some experience on it will make you smile.
Guess it's what you're looking for - lighter fast ride or muscle with ability done right.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - apage16 - 23-12-13
Just as a bit of an aside, you are employing 'counter-steering' aren't you?
If not, it'll drastically change the speed of turn in on even the heaviest of machines!
I even managed to make my Dads Zephyr 750 feel almost nimble! And that's a heavy lump of bike. Mainly due to all his extra steel protection bars and chrome accessories!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - JoeRock - 23-12-13
(23-12-13, 12:01 PM)apage16 link Wrote:Just as a bit of an aside, you are employing 'counter-steering' aren't you?
If not, it'll drastically change the speed of turn in on even the heaviest of machines!
I even managed to make my Dads Zephyr 750 feel almost nimble! And that's a heavy lump of bike. Mainly due to all his extra steel protection bars and chrome accessories!
Well if he isn't then he won't be getting around any corners if he's going faster than about 15mph!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - fazersharp - 23-12-13
The thing (i found)with counter stearing is that after riding for years I read about it and went out for a spin and found its what ive been doing for years and I never knew it was a "thing" and had a name.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - nick crisp - 23-12-13
"Natural" counter steering that you do without even realising it, is one thing. But I think what apage is talking about is when you exaggerate that input very deliberately to keep the cornering line you want at "higher" speeds.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - apage16 - 23-12-13
(23-12-13, 11:30 PM)nick crisp link Wrote:"Natural" counter steering that you do without even realising it, is one thing. But I think what apage is talking about is when you exaggerate that input very deliberately to keep the cornering line you want at "higher" speeds.
Exactly Nick. The deliberate 'push left, to go left' that literally flicks the bike over into the turn. And lest we forget, that when leant over the circumference of your tyres actually becomes smaller. This can cause the bike to actually brake (using the engine) and this in turn causes more reluctance to turn in as weight is thrown forwards. So remember to give it a little throttle through the turn to further increase the bikes eagerness to get around that bend!!
Dammit, I'm desperate to get back out on the bike!!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - nick crisp - 23-12-13
I have had a couple of occasions to use it to rescue things when running wide on corner entry too, but I wouldn't say I'm totally confident with it yet! Need to experiment more, and so, yes, where's that bloody sunshine?!
PS very useful with the slower, heavier steering on the gen 1 thou!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - apage16 - 24-12-13
I try and do it as much as possible. So that its there as a reflex if i ever happen to get into any trouble, or need to quickly dodge a lane jumping Mini convertible on the commute into london!
Tbh, I'm pretty keen to get a go on a thou. But I'm a bit afraid that it'll just make me want one! And I only just got the 600.
The 600 is fantastic. But I'm 6'4" and nearly 15st so the extra room would be nice!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - bludclot - 24-12-13
to be honest it doesn't really matter what bike a rider buys - after the acclimatisation period (which includes 'that ride' where it finally feels like MY machine) there's a time when there's the 'ok it's mine now, i've bought and invested in it but i think it could be improved by...' and then the necessary expenditure and time and then it handles sooooooo sweetly that it'll just drop into a turn, it'll accelerate out like it's just been pinched, it'll do whatever the rider wishes without even a second thought.....
they're all the same.
and then there's the fazer thou. it just does all the above (and some more) a bit batter than anything else that's ever been made to be honest. i'm off to ride a s1000r this week but i don't think it will be any better than the bludclot black'n'. buy it and worry about getting it into turns later!!!!!!!
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - pitternator - 24-12-13
It will have big power , but bet its all top end. Thats why I stick with the FZS, you dont have to cane it to get real useful surging torque in top.
The other thing is..why buy a 180 bhp bike to ride it at the speed limit ??...even the FZS feels way overpowered for many roads...so why bother ?? :\
Yes it looks great , yes it gives you a happy ending every time you ride it , yes it makes girls drop their pants and rub their moist lady front back bottoms when they see you riding it ...but just what has the S1000R really got going for it ???
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - locksmith - 24-12-13
Quote: yes it makes girls drop their pants and rub their moist lady front back bottoms when they see you riding it ...
That's all you need :b
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - fazersharp - 24-12-13
(24-12-13, 01:20 AM)apage16 link Wrote:The 600 is fantastic. But I'm 6'4" and nearly 15st so the extra room would be nice!I think power to weight ratio is a big factor,I think you on a 600 is the equivalent of me at 5,8" and 91/2 stone on a 250 and not my 600. I think the 1000 would be a perfect bike for you.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - fazersharp - 24-12-13
(23-12-13, 11:30 PM)nick crisp link Wrote:"Natural" counter steering that you do without even realising it, is one thing. But I think what apage is talking about is when you exaggerate that input very deliberately to keep the cornering line you want at "higher" speeds.Its the same low speed- higher speed I do it without realising,or used to not realise until I found out it was an actual technique.
Re: just test-rode a FZS 1000 - lovely, but.. - chris b - 24-12-13
Guys, thanks again for all the good advice. (I'd been counter-steering and needed to put on quite some pressure to get it to hold a line). Hope everyone has a good Christmas, and I'm hoping santa brings a Fazer (not much chance of that though)!