15-01-12, 08:46 AM
Being devils advocate here ( no pun intended) ...I do have a fondness for the FZ-1...its purpose was to improve on the gen1, but the designers misread what actually people wanted. Fitting the 04 R1 engine was the mistake, its just not the power characteristics to suit the bike. If they had fitted the original R 1 engine it would have been a very diffrent story I think. Trouble is, if as an owner you dont like the engine...its easy to start slagging off the rest of the bike. This is why the gen1 has its appeal...the engine is the feckin best bit ! Hence all we concentrate on is chassis, bling etc...all easy to do stuff, lots about ...even the full monty is just a jet kit ...but with the FZ-1 engine...well you are pretty much stuck with it.Lowering the gearing , fitting an FCE, fitting power commander helps a lot , but dont change basic characteristics.And that little lot is a more expensive job than fitting a jet kit.
Shame, cos I do love the lava red bikes with black engine...awesome looking bikes.I loved the handling and steering , if a little harsh, even lived with the seat after a full refurb by Tony Archer....but hated the engine.The only time I got on with it was at full chat ...not exactly suiting a touring role ! :\
I did consider having agen1 and a gen2, try to get best of both worlds, but TBH I prefer my speed triple in the hooligan bike role, even though ultimately an FZ-1 is probably faster...its just the way the bike makes you feel.
Shame, cos I do love the lava red bikes with black engine...awesome looking bikes.I loved the handling and steering , if a little harsh, even lived with the seat after a full refurb by Tony Archer....but hated the engine.The only time I got on with it was at full chat ...not exactly suiting a touring role ! :\
I did consider having agen1 and a gen2, try to get best of both worlds, but TBH I prefer my speed triple in the hooligan bike role, even though ultimately an FZ-1 is probably faster...its just the way the bike makes you feel.