01-02-15, 09:15 PM
(01-02-15, 08:57 PM)AyJay link Wrote: I commute 120 miles a day on my FZS. I have the Yamaha touring screen which is a good compromise for me (I'm 6'1"), but you will probably have to try a few before finding one that suits. Being naked, your legs get colder than the with a full fairing, but apart from that, it's superb for commuting - loads of roll on power at motorway speeds but narrow handlebars and flick up mirrors means it's really quick through traffic, something which can't be said of massive trailies like GS1200s and Triumph Tigers.
If you're doing 20 or 30k miles per year, the most important consideration after mpg is servicing and the FZS is easy enough for most home mechanics bar the valve clearances, but they seem to need adjusting very infrequently which is good. Take a good look at how much servicing something like a VFR would cost - they're a bugger to work on and consequently expensive to service.
Apart from that, the longevity of FZS1000s is extraordinary. I've just hit 132,754 miles and I've only just had to replace the discs and suspension bushes. All my Hondas and Kawaksakis needed these doing at less than 50k miles. This also keeps the cost down. Many parts are interchangeable with other Yamaha models too - discs, calipers etc so there's plenty out there. The only things you might find hard to get second hand are fairing inserts, rear calipers and the downpipes.
Wind and cold? Used to that. I have a FZS600 (1998) with no fairing. None. It was crashed before i bought it. This is my front end.
Fully used to getting wind on the legs etc, and it's been.. Tolerable... through this winter with thermal liners in.
I'd be getting the lower side fairings and a belly pan on the bike pretty soonish, as i think it looks a lot better with compared to without. Crash bungs, HID kit, Pilot Road 4's etc... Maybe some luggage eventually.
I'd also eventually look at refitting the front end with uprated forks, the rear with an uprated shock - If i felt it needed it for my preferences.
If it's much like the FZS600; It'll do me just fine for performance. And it'll have the poke to handle long stretches of motorway.
I'm not one to speed (deliberately) so i doubt i'll be hitting 80+ or revving the balls off it. I also know i'll appreciate the extra low-down pull and improved tank rage. Especially considering mine was lowered due to some vandalism and a big dent in my tank. I'm lucky to get 100 to the tank.
So far; the FZS1000 is looking much more suitable now that i've looked into screens and got some feedback about wind noise on here. It's certainly the most bike for the money.