know nowt about bikes but...

[gixersix]

Until October last year, I was more than happy with my SRAD600 and GPz550 and had never been over 140mph under my own steam - thats more than fast enough, thanks. And I've been riding for 35 years now.
I love the SRAD - it's brilliant on A and B roads, it's taken me fully loaded to 3 TT's and several trackdays (the most fun you can have with your clothes on) and I never thought I'd need any more power than the 600 has.
However, after a degenerative spinal problem, the Gixer's riding position was killing me at town speeds and our thrice-yearly charity runs around the city at 25mph left me feeling crippled for days. I'd have to be doing 70-80mph before the windblast took the strain off my shoulder and hand.
So, when some accident compo got paid out to me last September, there was only one option for what will probably be the last bike I ever buy - the one I'd wanted since seeing it launched at the NEC bike show, some 14 years ago. Yes, I've seen more desirable bikes since, but are any of them as much of an all round real world performer?
Managed to score myself an '04 plate with only 8,500 on the clock - lovely - although I had to go over to Norwich twice (round trip of 320 miles) to see it, then pick it up.
I've ridden the SRAD once since getting the Fazer!

I love the Fazer, but I also realise it's far from perfect and here are a few of my observations.
1.) completely upright riding position - my only discomfort comes from the seat although that's after 6 hours in the saddle.
When I first rode it home, my arse was numb after only 2 hours so I must be getting used to it (Seat is next on the mod-list anyway.)
Riding position gives you sooo much more visibility than a sportbike anyway.....
2.) Oh, the power  :b To be honest, the Fazer only has about 30% more than my Gixer, but it's more the effortless way it delivers it. That said, cold and low-rev running weren't good. The engine seems to hunt and surge even on small throttle openings, not good for low speed riding.
3.) It wasn't long before I was looking into Ivanising, and (here's an admission) I'd never had it over 8000rpm when it was Ivanised. (However, it WAS dynoed - the results of which will be on here soon) Whilst I have had the full Monty, I've only had the bike up to 140mph twice - thats NOT why I did it. Even if you never go over 8000 rpm, have the Ivan's Slip-on kit fitted. I just cannot tell you how much better the throttle response and drive are; the throttle delivery is definitely more linear - what you twist is what you get - no fluffiness, stuttering or hesitating - it just goes and it's controllable. I went for the full monty because, as I said, this is probably my last bike, it was a long term purchase, and I DO expect to get used to the power. Eventually.
Ask anyone who's had the Ivan's kit. It's worth every penny.
4.) The Full Monty requires a race can to make the most of the high-rev flow, however I'm lucky in that SRAD's and Fazer Thou's both share 60mm outlet diameter pipes and I already had a few cans for my SRAD..
I found a BOS stainless link pipe for the Fazer (£25 new FleaBay) drew up a SRAD 3-bolt flange on CAD; had this laser-cut from SS plate, then TIG welded to the link pipe (another £25) . Now I can use my SRAD cans on the Fazer starting with a nice Leo Vince SBK race can (with aftermarket baffle - although I run without the baffle and the Ivans kit allows me to burble through town at low revs, so as not to draw attention from the filth.)
5.) Rear shock is shite - unless you're 9 stone dripping wet, the rear shock is useless. It's too softly sprung. God forbid, you try to go two up with it - when I have, the exhaust clipped two notches out of the swingarm - thats how far it was travelling. NOT good.
I have a DevilsYam R6 shock ready to go on. Again, highly recommended by everyone who has one. If you decide to source your own shock, just make sure you get the right year.
6.) Forks too soft at start of travel - or maybe the brakes just bite too sharp for me!! I'm normally pretty good at low speed manoeuvring, but I do notice that whilst leaning into slow u-turns, the front fork dives too suddenly on the front brake, enough to unsettle your balance. I'm aware it does it now, but it nearly caught me out a few times.
7.) The OE Metzeler MEZ4's are shite.
They were slagged off in the bike press when the bike was launched, I can't believe that Yamaha were still fitting them 4 years later,
Mine still had the dreaded MEZ4's on at 8,500 miles, however the rear was so badly squared off, the bike steered like a barge and wet grip was non-existent.
The previous owner must have never leaned the bike over!
I had a pair of T30's fitted, and I had the yokes dropped down the forks by 10mm. NOW it steers properly. I'm told I can drop them another 4mm, but I think I'm happy with it after 1,000 miles like this
8.) Standard screen is too short; MRA touring screen wasn't as tall as expected and didn't give me the "still air" I was hoping for, but it IS better.
I do wish now that I'd put the money towards one of the MRA adjustable screens now though, so I could have a play and find the right height. Apparently, different people = different screens.
9.) My first pillion passenger complained that the grab rails are no good and strain the arms. I'm not ready for full Givi hard luggage, which doesn't have a grabrail anyway, but I needed luggage capacity for the TT, so some Amazon gift vouchers went towards a new Renntec rack. The Renntec has a good ol' fashioned integral hands-behind your ass grabrail which the pillions prefer as you can push and pull without developing new muscles.

However, with Ivan's, screen, rack, DevilsYam shock, exhaust work, R&G crash protectors, and the T30's I've now spent over a grand on top of the purchase price.

And that's another grand I didn't have to spend! I know not everyone will need all that kit but I see it all as vital if the bike is used, and not just posed.

But guess what? I don't begrudge a penny - especially for Mike's Ivan's installation

[frostman]

Thanks gixersix

As I said I am more a less a novice on bikes but reading your observations I have presumed some of my amateur riding is the cause of the issue and it looks as if now this is not the case. Your point with regards to cold and low rev running I thought it was me, it is clunky and snatchy at walking pace especially when cold.

I keep hearing about the rear shock I am 19 stone is this why it feels a bit slippy sometimes even though the tyre pressures are right, or is this because I am imagining it due to lack of experience.

I defiantly agree about the front forks the brakes are far more powerful than the bike can handle and too much front to the experience of my aching leg can cause all sorts of problems I learned the hard way on that one.

Being a big lad screen Is only could for protecting my meat and two veg as everywhere else gets the hairdryer looking at a double bubble screen to resolve this.

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