11-10-12, 08:43 PM
Compared to the CB500, yes, but then that has a mass of 175kg, the Fazer is about 210 and sits on wider rubber. Then again it is well known that the CB500 was a very good handling bike, it had its own race series.
I recently had the chance to test back to back a Moto Guzzi Norge and a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and I found both of these turned in easier than my Gen 1, though both felt much bigger. They both had wider bars and newer tyres which needs bearing in mind.
If you find the Fazer a little heavy in the twisties there are many options on wider bars and tyres with a easier to turn profile. Whenever I get new rubber the bike is always easier to turn, so make sure you look at the tyre on your test ride, if the tyres are squared off the bike will feel hard to turn. I remember reading a BIKE feature on the Gen 2 comparing it with a Gen 1 ridden by none other than our own Mike G (posting now as Falcon 269) who gave his usual excellent analysis including the problem of the Gen 1 having old square tyres so a true comparison was not really possible - point being tyres make a difference.
The Gen 1 is a VERY easy bike to ride both fast and slow but will always be heavier than a 125 or 500cc bike but they will never give you the thrill of a Gen 1 once you get used to it. I have had mine since new for the past 8 years and it still makes me smile.
I recently had the chance to test back to back a Moto Guzzi Norge and a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and I found both of these turned in easier than my Gen 1, though both felt much bigger. They both had wider bars and newer tyres which needs bearing in mind.
If you find the Fazer a little heavy in the twisties there are many options on wider bars and tyres with a easier to turn profile. Whenever I get new rubber the bike is always easier to turn, so make sure you look at the tyre on your test ride, if the tyres are squared off the bike will feel hard to turn. I remember reading a BIKE feature on the Gen 2 comparing it with a Gen 1 ridden by none other than our own Mike G (posting now as Falcon 269) who gave his usual excellent analysis including the problem of the Gen 1 having old square tyres so a true comparison was not really possible - point being tyres make a difference.
The Gen 1 is a VERY easy bike to ride both fast and slow but will always be heavier than a 125 or 500cc bike but they will never give you the thrill of a Gen 1 once you get used to it. I have had mine since new for the past 8 years and it still makes me smile.