09-08-12, 08:43 AM
the ups:
there's nothing quite like a 1000cc engine in a bike, especially when it's derived from a sports bike. there's grunt from everywhere and that 'there's nothing that can out run me' feeling on the road that's priceless. the feeling when asked 'what do you ride?' from the reply 'fazer thousand' is similar too. 200 miles is easily reachable from a tank of fuel when ridden on real roads with the constant thought of a camera van round every corner. the liquid cooled engine looks great in a well proportioned bike and is easier to keep clean than any air cooled finned engine ever. the ride is comfortable and the handling is quite alright (as standard). it's a great bike and the early gen 1s are starting to creep into the cheap as chips category to buy.
the downs:
it will drink a bit more fuel than a similarly ridden 600. there's a pesky exup to keep on top of and tax, insurance and general running costs are a bit more too. there's those that will feel a certain pressure to ride faster because it's a 'faster' bigger engined bike. (the look the part feel the part syndrome) the standard suspension is marginal, the rear especially goes off quickly and is not great to start with. (pogoing rear end anyone?) there's less thousands about than 600s so used parts are less plentiful and a tad more expensive. mirrors could have been better from new (although this is relative, they're not sports bike bad) and headlights are just about ok at best. it's not the most thrilling bike and doesn't stand out at bike meets.
the reality:
a thousand cc is not necessary for the road. (there's those that will take issue with this comment but even a 20 stone bloke with a lardy missus can be carried along all day by a 600 fazer without having to battle cars at lights.) once a biker always a biker - so the grin factor is there whether riding a 1000 or a c90, so it's not necessary to have a 1000 for fun. gen 1 fazers are old bikes now (with only a very few exceptions even the youngest are 6 years old) so the usual buyer beware caveats are well in force already.
it all comes down to the individual and what fits and feels 'right.' the fazer 1000 is a special bike and special people buy and ride them. the same can be said for any other bike however. really it's up to you.
is it clean enough?