Tempted to get an FZS1000 for motorway/commuting duties, but have questions.

[helloindustries]

Get to the for sale section one there with all your needs :thumbup  & well within your price range

Well, if it's still available when the time comes for me to buy, i'll be putting that particular one right at the top of the list.
Sadly; Buying time might end up being very early June as i'm trying to avoid finance, need to start current job (still waiting on a start date), need to save up some, and June is insurance renewal time.

I fully expect it to be gone by then, but i'll be sure to look.

[Millietant]

My wife was dead set on a pre-VTEC VFR - until she had a test ride on one. Much too leaned-forward for any town, or slow traffic work. After a test ride on a Fazer 1000 that was in the shop, next to the VFR, she was a convert. Just as comfy as the VFR on the motorway, but much better at slower speed. The riding position on the Blackbird is very similar to the VFR.

With the Yamaha "high" screen (not very high at all, but effective) and a set of fairing lowers, the Fazer 1000 has been perfect for over 10 years now - being used as a tourer (around Europe a number of times), a track bike (including the Nordschleife/Nurburgring), a commuter and a work bike (when she was a bike instructor).

It's been totally reliable, runs over 200 miles per tank of fuel and has very long valve check intervals. With regular servicing I doubt anything would ever break - only wear out with old age.

Im sure the CB1000f is a great bike too, but for your budget, I'd say the Gen 1 Fazer will get you the best bike for the money (the Triumphs are also on the expensive side, for decent ones).


2 Pictures below show (Yamaha official "high" !!) screen and fairing lowers (which give surprisingly good weather protection).

[helloindustries]

THIS is why i decided to start a topic, even though it had been partially covered in various threads on various sites.

This is some good feedback/convincing.

The Fazer thousand is right at the top of my list now.

[stevierst]

I keep changing my mind about the litre Fazer, it's getting more likely my bike of choice against the 1050.

[helloindustries]

I think my other option may be to source and fit the front fairing, mount, lights etc.
Certainly a cheaper option, and perhaps a good stop-gap solution.

Would require some welding of mounts to the frame, however.
Possibly also best to go for the foxeye rather than the boxeye it came with.

Now to try and source parts and get a price...

[JoeRock]

Considered a ZX-9R?


Very similar to a 1050 really - just doesn't have a centre stand, and can't take hard panniers as standard!


Big tank, comfy position, decent fairing. Seat a little hard, but I can do 150 odd miles quite easily before a bit of numb bum sets in!


Much better engine, brakes and suspension.


Only thing it does really lose out on is pillion comfort, it's generally a bit old school now, and valve clearances are quite frequent - although after about 30k miles you can start alternating them if you're not riding hard as they stop wearing in

[helloindustries]

Considered a ZX-9R?


Very similar to a 1050 really - just doesn't have a centre stand, and can't take hard panniers as standard!


Big tank, comfy position, decent fairing. Seat a little hard, but I can do 150 odd miles quite easily before a bit of numb bum sets in!


Much better engine, brakes and suspension.


Only thing it does really lose out on is pillion comfort, it's generally a bit old school now, and valve clearances are quite frequent - although after about 30k miles you can start alternating them if you're not riding hard as they stop wearing in

That riding position REALLY puts me off. I can't manage sporty bars, bad wrists and back. I need something fairly upright.

[JoeRock]

[quote author=JoeRock link=topic=15860.msg182135#msg182135 date=1422878402]
Considered a ZX-9R?


Very similar to a 1050 really - just doesn't have a centre stand, and can't take hard panniers as standard!


Big tank, comfy position, decent fairing. Seat a little hard, but I can do 150 odd miles quite easily before a bit of numb bum sets in!


Much better engine, brakes and suspension.


Only thing it does really lose out on is pillion comfort, it's generally a bit old school now, and valve clearances are quite frequent - although after about 30k miles you can start alternating them if you're not riding hard as they stop wearing in

That riding position REALLY puts me off. I can't manage sporty bars, bad wrists and back. I need something fairly upright.
[/quote]


You'd probably best not look at the VFR, Blackbird or 1050 either then fella - unless you budget for bar risers?

[unfazed]

You could always buy a Smart car with a Fazer 1000 engine conversion :lol

[helloindustries]

Nooo..don't... I fear i'll have to switch to a car in a few short years if my hearing keeps getting this bad so fast... I hate driving cars. I'd 'become' traffic.

Risers: yep. Those are generally a thing i use.

[Mick-H]

Do you actually need more power than a 600 if your going to be using the bike mostly for commuting?
Maybe a Transalp, TDM or similar would do the job and offer a little more weather protection, just a thought.

[Ianboydsnr]

Do you actually need more power than a 600 if your going to be using the bike mostly for commuting?
Maybe a Transalp, TDM or similar would do the job and offer a little more weather protection, just a thought.

what you probably mean is more torque!


I would suggest a TDM, or a Breva 1100 with a screen and hand guards from the stelvio,


actually a Breva is a great choice, with huge amount of torque, comfort and interesting to ride at any speed!

[nickodemon]

Versys 650?

[stevierst]

TDM is sooooo boring you can almost fall asleep on it. Got shut of mine after only 3 months, it bored the tits off me.

[positron]

I am in the same boat as OP - and I susspect every Fazer owner will have to go thru this painful process of finding a bike that is at least as good as Fazer in all aspects. Goes to show how good these bike are really!


My commute is kinda same - approximately 50 miles each way, all year and I too would like something bigger, more powerful, more fun etc - but I can't find any other bike that will do it all as well as the Fazer while being so cheap to run & easy to fix.

Schuberth helmet, best ever.


Ive got an MRA adjustable screen on my gen2 and it is pants........raising the second screen thingy only makes it worse and actually ducking behind the scren also makes it worse strangely......forget sceens and buy the most sound oroof helmet you can get thats my advice.

+1. The MRA screen on Fazer + cheap Nitro helmet gave me a lot of hassle. I started hearing stuff (tinnitus) when I try to sleep and it was starting to really annoy me. I switched to Schuberth, and later on had to change the screen (it broke) to a cheap double bubble off eBay (which looks microscopic compared to MRA), and Howard Leight earplus every single time - and now I am completely converted and I would never compromise on helmet (good fit & aerodynamic = less drag, less turbulance and less noise) and good ear plugs. Screen is useful if it's a giant thing, if not, it should at least not be at that awkward height that it makes turbulent air around your helmet.

[helloindustries]

Current plan:

1. Get the nose fairing etc back on the bike with a low screen so it hits my chest and avoids my head (still looking for that stuff... some places want over £300... not a chance)
   
2. Get a better helmet (HJC RPHA Max evo reviewed VERY well for noise reduction, and is in my price range)
   

I already have earplugs, and some new ones just arrived today which are a bit better.

Once i've settled into the new job, i can start saving for a better bike. FZS1000 is winning currently. But with more savings i can buy maybe a better bike. The rebuild of the front should sort me out for the foreseeable future.

[slimwilly]

I do have a homemade touring screen, tall screen with adjustable flip at the top,,this is solely for the purpose of real wet rain,,yes over in europe they have WET rain, and lots of it,two years ago it rained from Calais to Mugello,two bloody days, i kept screen at its highest and it sent rain over me when i ducked,it was pissing it in someplaces,even all the cars STOPPED on the motorways as it was a couple of inches deep :lol


But if not raining it is kept in the low position,much quieter then.


So my advice is smart low screen and good waterproofs,neck tube and helmet.


Here is my gen2 and Nicks gen1 ,both quite low screens.

[smg id=2419 type=preview align=center caption="nick drive"]


I have a bute of a low screen now,looks good too.

[slimwilly]

Look up !!! have you seen the gen1 in for sale section,,new on today

[PaulSmith]

Sorry for the blasphemy, but you should be looking at a Pan.

[AyJay]

A Pan? Depends on what kind of commute. If it's just M-Way, sure, but get them into central London and they're a pain. On the FZS, I go through gaps 125s and scooters can squeeze through and the Fazer has great steering lock for when it gets really sticky.


And again, what about the running costs? I'd hazard a guess that FZS1000s are the cheapest high performance bike you can run but how many miles would you expect to be on a £3000 Pan? Lots…. and a Fazer will do the same intergalactic mileage, probably better on fuel, tyres and servicing.