I'm still pretty sure a FZS1000 would be a good option in the mid-term, but if finding bits for the FZS600 is any indication; I'm really going to be looking at bikes less than 10 years old maybe this time next year or the year after when i can have a bit of cash saved, and some time in the new job so i can qualify for finance.
In the mean time, i'm still trying to find the bits i need to get some wind protection at prices which are less of a joke.
The ONLY reason I downsized from the FZS 1000 to the 600 was my diminishing strength/stamina. The Thou was without any shadow of doubt the best all-rounder motorcycle I have ever owned/ridden.
Issues like wind noise/earplugs can be dealt with by custom made ear plugs,the right helmet,experimenting with screen type/height.
Apart from carrying a bit more weight than the 600 with consequent slightly different approach to cornering, that 24 valve motor(especially if Ivanised) is an absolute joy. Fuel economy is down to you but I never found it excessively thirsty. Servicing is simple for the owner with reasonable skills and even the valve check was ok using advice from this forum. Spares are with a few exceptions plentiful.
Riding position is comfortable and can be adjusted to suit and you wont be bent over the tank like on some bikes.
The 01-05 FZS 1000 is currently one of the best bargains out there as many riders have been seduced away to monster trail type bikes.
Have a look on here as lovingly cared for examples come up for sale, often with the suspension mods/Ivanising already done. It is the type of bike that can be whatever you want it to be...trickle though traffic at 30 in 4th/5th gear without snatching and then when opportunity for overtake presents its all done in the blink of an eye-no fuss, no drama just power! Set Fazers for Fun!
(03-02-15, 05:48 PM)positron link Wrote: 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.
(05-02-15, 05:51 PM)JoeRock link Wrote: [quote author=positron link=topic=15860.msg182296#msg182296 date=1422982103]
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.
ZX-9R, ZX-9R! :lol
[/quote]
I did 40k on one of those. Agony after 75 miles. The relationship between bars, pegs and seat is completely wrong on that bike (well, it is for me). I was really starting to despise riding it because it hurt so much so I took a test ride on my FZS just for the hell of it and bought it on the spot. The FZS is a country mile more comfortable, once Ivanised just as fast, and I don't have to adjust the carbs every 6k to get rid of the horrific low end flat spots of the ZX9.
Now, a ZZR1400… that's a different kettle of fish, as comfy as the FZS, as simple to ride, as economical, worse for service costs, worse in town but who cares when you open the throttle.
(06-02-15, 10:52 AM)PieEater link Wrote: [quote author=Dave48 link=topic=15860.msg182412#msg182412 date=1423127991]
that 24 valve motor(especially if Ivanised) is an absolute joy
:eek - I've been robbed !!
[/quote]
:lol
At least valve clearance checks will be a bit quicker!
(06-02-15, 01:09 PM)nick crisp link Wrote: [quote author=PieEater link=topic=15860.msg182508#msg182508 date=1423216353]
[quote author=Dave48 link=topic=15860.msg182412#msg182412 date=1423127991]
that 24 valve motor(especially if Ivanised) is an absolute joy
:eek - I've been robbed !!
[/quote]
:lol
At least valve clearance checks will be a bit quicker!
[/quote]
Did not know Ivans modification increased the number of valves :lol :lol
(06-02-15, 03:47 AM)stevierst link Wrote: Worse in town?
So not quite as good as a litre Fazer then
Er… no. If someone forced me to choose, it'd be the FZS…. I think it's one of the greatest bikes ever manufactured, right up there with the Vincent Black Shadow, Bonneville, C90, '89 VFR, CB250RS, 916,…. it's just so versatile and user friendly it knocks most focused bikes into a cocked hat even if they are stunning on the right road. Remember that old Performance Bikes quote a few years back - "95% of the time, you'd be happier riding a VFR"? That's the Fazer. It was under rated when it came out and that judgement seems to have stuck.
(06-02-15, 08:57 PM)AyJay link Wrote: That's the Fazer. It was under rated when it came out and that judgement seems to have stuck.
Yamaha messed up by trying to play it up as a hooligan street bike, completely missing it's potential as one of the best all-rounders ever built. So the advertising attracted the wrong people, and the bike journos judged it by that label, and so they were all then disappointed (although perhaps not totally) that it was actually very mild-mannered when you wanted it to be. That and the stupid price it first hit the showrooms at gave it a very slow start. I've never read a bad write-up on them when taken for what they actually are. Ever. "That judgement" has not stuck at all. People have since discovered what a great bike it is, and I also don't recall ever hearing anyone slag them off when I've been asked what bike I ride.
It's only failing now is that it is getting to look a bit out-dated. But we all know, it still beats much of the competition into a cocked hat.
I agree that the fazer is an outstanding bike, but also agree they are starting to look a bit dated. That will be why so many of us are repainting them, tuning them and doing suspension work. If the basics of the bike were wrong none of us would keep them as long as we have and modify them to keep the bike up to date with the latest bikes. It's the longest i have owned a bike and i have modified it to my great pleasure and i will be keeping it for another 10 years
hi mate, ive heard of people getting 160 plus miles out of a tank on a fz1 but from my personal experience i have the reserve light usually come on at about 120 miles of easy riding (80mph ish) (although i have heard that the reserve light comes on with a gallon left) so that would add up to the 160 miles however i always fill up asap after the fuel light coming on. also i feel the standard screen on the fz1s is not good enough for long distance or commuting. i have been on the continent twice and the second time was with the fz1s and i wish i had brought a new screen. Givi do one that is 14cm higher than the standard one so that is a good after market purchase at £80 roughly.
I love my fz1 fazer (08 reg) as its light and great on twisty roads whilst also having a good seating position for longer distance riding. it also has great power and always puts a smile on my face. There are better commuting bikes out there but this bike is an all in one if you want my opinion.
Have you considered a MT07 for good mpg? ive heard nothing but amazing reviews about the mt range and cracking prices brand new.
Yes Nick, I agree with everything you say - the price was ridiculous to start with and every write up in the last few years has said it's excellent but I still think the perception is that it's a bit ho hum, which is what Nickodemon touches on about the looks. No one considers it to be a legend like an early Blade or a 916 and I honestly think it deserves to be thought of in the same way. It's just not got that aura.
The extraordinary thing is, even having ridden a Tuono V4, Multistrada, the most recent Blade, VFR1200, ZZR1400, I still get back on my now 14 year old bike and think "This damn thing is still current, and christ, is it good fun!"
I can't wait to have a test of the new GSX1000F thing. Again, not a great looker, but it could be as versatile as the FZS. I really ought to get shot on the BMW S1000 too, but I wonder if either that or the Suzuki could be as easy to work on, cheap to repair/modify and as reliable as my bike. Heck, we all know the answer there - Nope. Not a chance. I'm stunned by Yamaha's build quality, even if second gear let go on me due to a manufacturing fault. The second unit now has 80k on it and still hasn't needed a valve service.
I cannot get over the fact I've had it for 14 years. That means it's been ridden through 13 winters let alone thrashed on several track days, 20k miles of foreign holidays, 40k of general hooning about and 70k miles of commuting. Mind you, it looked it this evening. It was black this time last week and tonight it looked whitish grey with all the salt. I must get that jet wash out of the box again….
I was always annoyed when i parked my new fazer in a bike park and people would walk passed it without a glance. One of my mates summed it up perfectly... He said it doesn't do anything for me.. It's not a hyper sports bike and it's not a tourer... The problem the fazer has always had is that it's extremely good at everything but not exceptional 'class leading' at anything. The only people that truly rate the fazer are people that have owned one
(07-02-15, 12:28 AM)nickodemon link Wrote: I was always annoyed when i parked my new fazer in a bike park and people would walk passed it without a glance. One of my mates summed it up perfectly... He said it doesn't do anything for me.. It's not a hyper sports bike and it's not a tourer... The problem the fazer has always had is that it's extremely good at everything but not exceptional 'class leading' at anything. The only people that truly rate the fazer are people that have owned one
I think ill try a gen1 thou some day......in hindsight it was always the bike i shoulda got.........being commited to the Gen2 now im gonna see what i can do and i must admit that in comparison the Gen2 does look the cooler bike plus i lack technical expertise so the fuel injected FZ1 to me is best in that respect but i think for my need ie riding faster in my dreams than i do in reality then the gen1 is perfect.
Im man enough to admit it....dont shoot me.......ive been a dick......but seriously if you look back on all the old bike mags or google images you'll see mention of the gen 1 being a hoooligan bike and crazy and hard to handle.......pics of testers on the back wheel etc........a comfy rider has got to be happy rider......if you're comfy and fancy going fast and happen to be on a 140bhp motorbike then i think that's a good potion for being real world quick rather than someone heing on the fastest hardest rocket that exists but they're so in pain after 20 miles they cant relax enough to be producing the goods.
Easiest way to go fast........don't buy a blue bike
Come summer I intend to be out and about on mine quite a bit, let me know whereabouts you are, we'll meet up for a brew and you can go for a spin on mine no probs.
07-02-15, 11:35 PM (This post was last modified: 07-02-15, 11:36 PM by nick crisp.)
Noggy, you've got me stumped :rolleyes
The gen 1 is the antithesis of all you've been saying you want in a bike.
You say you want light weight. The gen 1 is no lightweight.
You say you want no more than 100mph. The gen 1 approaches 160mph as standard.
You say you want quick handling. The gen1 needs a firm hand and pre-planning in the twisties.
Noggy, you ain't man enough for a gen 1 :lol
Your biggest mistake was selling the 600.
Your best move now would be a Street Triple; I'm convinced of this.
and thus was another thread hijacked in Noggy's never-ending quest for the wrong bike...
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