Newb with lots of questions - hope that's OK?

[borderline13]

Hi All,

Just acquired a 2003 FZS1000 in lovely condition after being a Triumph Triple owner for the last 10 years and am experiencing a bit of a culture shock so would appreciate some advice to help me bond with it.

The motor seems really buzzy after the triple which is to be expected I guess but the slightest whiff of throttle has the revs shooting up making tight maneuvers tricky and has the bike jerking over bumps as I can't keep the throttle steady. Is this the norm with these? It has a Blue Flame race exhaust so don't know if the fueling is off?

The seating position is great for me as I had both wrists smashed in a bike accident a couple of years ago so comfort is spot on but there seems to be no weight over the front wheel making steering seem vague at times. I guess dropping the forks through and maybe lower bars would help - has anyone had experience or recommendations of doing either? 

It came with the original owners manual which says to cold start the bike with full choke and no throttle but it never seems to catch without a fair bit of throttle - is this normal or once again maybe a fueling issue caused by the pipe?

Forks feel extremely soft - already had been set for max compression/rebound so once again any advice of beefing them up a bit? Thicker oil/stronger springs etc?

The gearing! Does anyone actually use first gear on these or maybe someone has messed with the sprockets on mine. I'm constantly trying to change up from 6th gear and it feels like it needs another 2! I know it's revvier than the Triumph and will take some getting used to but it seems horrendously under-geared. Must check the number of sprocket teeth.

 Sorry if that all seems a bit negative but I really like the bike and want it to get the best out of it. Looking forward to interacting with fellow Fazer owners on here.

Thanks in advance for any info/advice you can offer 

[Trebus]

Welcome to the forums.

Lots to consider and depends on the mileage / condition / servicing that the bike has had. Fuelling is not normally jerky, there are carb modifications that will release extra horses and other benefits but in standard trim still should be fine. 

The EXUP valves are prone to seizing but you should see the rev counter flick to 7k before firing up if that’s an issue. You may also want to balance the carbs. For normal starting on standard carbs try half choke and no revs until it fires. Idling when warm should be 1050-1150 RPM as I recall.


Suspension. The forks weren’t brilliant from the factory and can be improved with some replacement springs for your weight. Most go for linear but you can get better matched progressive springs too. Rear shock if it’s original will be well past its best, again they were fairly cheap from day 1. There are swap out options from R6 or BMW which improve things or of course the more expensive aftermarket options.

Gearing is normally fine and little benefit changing. Maybe worth checking the fitted items are standard size.

[borderline13]

Thank you for replying Trebus,

The condition of the bike is excellent and seems to have been very well cared for. It has 27k on it and apart from the Blue Flame pipe, which I now know is not a race pipe and has the BS stamp, is totally stock.

The fueling is not so much jerky as too responsive - if that's a thing! Might just need to get used to it after the tractor type response of the triple. Not after any more hp just a bit more of a torguey bottom end.

Will check the EXUP valve soon and as I'm finding lots of useful info on here they'll be a lot more checking and tweaking too. Carbs seem a bit unbalanced and tickover at the mo is about 900rpm which seems a bit low and it feels lumpy.

Back end feels well damped and stable so no worries there, so will look into new springs and oil up front. 

The gearing must have been changed at some point as I can't see a stock bike having gearing this extreme! Will check soon.

[BBROWN1664]

Someone has changed the end can so will almost certainly (not 100%) replaced the down pipes too and you will have lost the exup valve. This makes a difference to the way the bike behaves. You will have lost some of the bottom end control ability in favour of top end power. Someone that knows the 1000 better than me will be along shortly though. Welcome to the group though

[borderline13]

Hi BBROWN1664,

Thanks for your reply. I haven't had time to get down and check the EXUP setup yet but judging by the rest of the bike it wouldn't surprise me if it's still in place (fingers crossed). I'm too biased to judge the engine characteristics yet though as I'm still in Triumph Triple mode! The rest of the bike is great and loving riding it but still feels like something is missing. It'll be fun finding what it is though :-)

Cheers for the welcome too.

[robbo]

Hi borderline13, welcome to the forum. If you feel you need to get more weight over the front one option would be to drop the forks through the yokes and maybe alter the dog bones to give a 25mm lift, which would still allow the rear wheel to be off the ground when on the centrestand. Changing from stock to Renthal 758 handlebars would also help as they have a lower lift than stock. One other option would be to change the handlebar clamp for a GYTR one, which mounts the bars closer to the top yoke than stock. You wouldn’t be able to drop the forks through much if fitting the GYTR mount as it is that close to the top yoke. If you feel it’s under geared, then checking both sprockets to see if they are stock or not would answer that question. Never had a problem with the stock set up, although when I first got my Fazer, coming from a Fireblade, I did find myself searching for 7th until I got used to the engine note. An option there would be to fit a Healtech Gipro gear indicator, if it continued to be a problem for you. Hope you get your queries answered, ride safe??

[unfazed]

Hi All,
Just acquired a 2003 FZS1000 in lovely condition after being a Triumph Triple owner for the last 10 years and am experiencing a bit of a culture shock so would appreciate some advice to help me bond with it.
The motor seems really buzzy after the triple which is to be expected I guess but the slightest whiff of throttle has the revs shooting up making tight maneuvers tricky and has the bike jerking over bumps as I can't keep the throttle steady. Is this the norm with these? It has a Blue Flame race exhaust so don't know if the fueling is off?
The seating position is great for me as I had both wrists smashed in a bike accident a couple of years ago so comfort is spot on but there seems to be no weight over the front wheel making steering seem vague at times. I guess dropping the forks through and maybe lower bars would help - has anyone had experience or recommendations of doing either? 
It came with the original owners manual which says to cold start the bike with full choke and no throttle but it never seems to catch without a fair bit of throttle - is this normal or once again maybe a fueling issue caused by the pipe?
Forks feel extremely soft - already had been set for max compression/rebound so once again any advice of beefing them up a bit? Thicker oil/stronger springs etc?
The gearing! Does anyone actually use first gear on these or maybe someone has messed with the sprockets on mine. I'm constantly trying to change up from 6th gear and it feels like it needs another 2! I know it's revvier than the Triumph and will take some getting used to but it seems horrendously under-geared. Must check the number of sprocket teeth.
 Sorry if that all seems a bit negative but I really like the bike and want it to get the best out of it. Looking forward to interacting with fellow Fazer owners on here.
Thanks in advance for any info/advice you can offer  J

Just saw this and a few quick things, Your on /off throttle issue is the Throttle Position Sensor faulty and a new TPS will fix it, but balance the carbs first, many have not been touched and were out of balance from the factory especially the 2004/2005 ones.. Do not buy a Yamaha TPS one as they are twice the price of the Suzuki or Tourmax ones which ar as good. Tourmax TPS-107 or Suzuki  13580-42F01-000. Service manual is in the Downloads. Check the front sprocket it may have been changed.
Front forks need upgraded springs, Linear or Progressive, but for general use or touring Progressive is better, for track days and regular motorway use linear will be good. Use 7.5W synthetic oil as anymore will cause it to be too hard on the compression stroke. From new the Fzs1000 was notorious for understeering powering out of bends and can be made worse by changing the springs if damping is not setup correctly. As long as the compression and rebound dampers are moving freely this can be dialled out, but take a bit of fiddling. the rear shock if it is still original will need to be changed and they are many variations. I have a 2013 S1000rr on mine but had to add a 10mm ring under the spring to allow better preload adjustment otherwise you will run out of preload threads when adjusting the preload

[borderline13]

Hi borderline13, welcome to the forum. If you feel you need to get more weight over the front one option would be to drop the forks through the yokes and maybe alter the dog bones to give a 25mm lift, which would still allow the rear wheel to be off the ground when on the centrestand. Changing from stock to Renthal 758 handlebars would also help as they have a lower lift than stock. One other option would be to change the handlebar clamp for a GYTR one, which mounts the bars closer to the top yoke than stock. You wouldn’t be able to drop the forks through much if fitting the GYTR mount as it is that close to the top yoke. If you feel it’s under geared, then checking both sprockets to see if they are stock or not would answer that question. Never had a problem with the stock set up, although when I first got my Fazer, coming from a Fireblade, I did find myself searching for 7th until I got used to the engine note. An option there would be to fit a Healtech Gipro gear indicator, if it continued to be a problem for you. Hope you get your queries answered, ride safe??

Hi robbo,

Thanks for your input.

Will try dropping the forks through this weekend and maybe upping the preload at the rear a bit. Trouble is I'm trying not to put too much weight on my wrists so it'll be a bit of a juggling act to find the right balance. The Renthal 758 bars would be a good option I think as they're a bit wider and I want to change the stock black bars for a silver/titanium colour too.

I'll have to check the gearing too as I'm just not using 1st at all now and still trying to change up from 6th! As you say the engine note probably has a lot to do with it as it sounds so much 'buzzier' than the Triumph which is to be expected. A gear indicator would be a good idea too as the engine is so much quieter than the Triumph making it harder to sense which gear it's in.

Thanks again :-)

---

Hi unfazed,

Thanks for replying and your advice.

I don't think it the TPS (well I hope not - just seen how much they are!) as it's not as bad as I initially thought and more down to me not being used to the bike. I'm sure the carbs need balancing though and will try that first. Hopefully it might help with the starting too as it's still wanting a fair bit of throttle to start - hot or cold. I'll definitely fit some progressive springs as the front end seems excessively soft and try some 7.5W oil too. Any particular brand recommended for the springs? 

Maybe the rear shock has been replaced at some point as I can't fault it at all although I've heard/read lots of good things about the R6 shock so that might happen at some point in the future!

Cheers.

[unfazed]

Hi borderline13, welcome to the forum. If you feel you need to get more weight over the front one option would be to drop the forks through the yokes and maybe alter the dog bones to give a 25mm lift, which would still allow the rear wheel to be off the ground when on the centrestand. Changing from stock to Renthal 758 handlebars would also help as they have a lower lift than stock. One other option would be to change the handlebar clamp for a GYTR one, which mounts the bars closer to the top yoke than stock. You wouldn’t be able to drop the forks through much if fitting the GYTR mount as it is that close to the top yoke. If you feel it’s under geared, then checking both sprockets to see if they are stock or not would answer that question. Never had a problem with the stock set up, although when I first got my Fazer, coming from a Fireblade, I did find myself searching for 7th until I got used to the engine note. An option there would be to fit a Healtech Gipro gear indicator, if it continued to be a problem for you. Hope you get your queries answered, ride safe??

Hi robbo,

Thanks for your input.

Will try dropping the forks through this weekend and maybe upping the preload at the rear a bit. Trouble is I'm trying not to put too much weight on my wrists so it'll be a bit of a juggling act to find the right balance. The Renthal 758 bars would be a good option I think as they're a bit wider and I want to change the stock black bars for a silver/titanium colour too.

I'll have to check the gearing too as I'm just not using 1st at all now and still trying to change up from 6th! As you say the engine note probably has a lot to do with it as it sounds so much 'buzzier' than the Triumph which is to be expected. A gear indicator would be a good idea too as the engine is so much quieter than the Triumph making it harder to sense which gear it's in.

Thanks again :-)

---

Hi unfazed,

Thanks for replying and your advice.

I don't think it the TPS (well I hope not - just seen how much they are!) as it's not as bad as I initially thought and more down to me not being used to the bike. I'm sure the carbs need balancing though and will try that first. Hopefully it might help with the starting too as it's still wanting a fair bit of throttle to start - hot or cold. I'll definitely fit some progressive springs as the front end seems excessively soft and try some 7.5W oil too. Any particular brand recommended for the springs? 

Maybe the rear shock has been replaced at some point as I can't fault it at all although I've heard/read lots of good things about the R6 shock so that might happen at some point in the future!

Cheers.

---

Hi borderline13, welcome to the forum. If you feel you need to get more weight over the front one option would be to drop the forks through the yokes and maybe alter the dog bones to give a 25mm lift, which would still allow the rear wheel to be off the ground when on the centrestand. Changing from stock to Renthal 758 handlebars would also help as they have a lower lift than stock. One other option would be to change the handlebar clamp for a GYTR one, which mounts the bars closer to the top yoke than stock. You wouldn’t be able to drop the forks through much if fitting the GYTR mount as it is that close to the top yoke. If you feel it’s under geared, then checking both sprockets to see if they are stock or not would answer that question. Never had a problem with the stock set up, although when I first got my Fazer, coming from a Fireblade, I did find myself searching for 7th until I got used to the engine note. An option there would be to fit a Healtech Gipro gear indicator, if it continued to be a problem for you. Hope you get your queries answered, ride safe??

Hi robbo,

Thanks for your input.

Will try dropping the forks through this weekend and maybe upping the preload at the rear a bit. Trouble is I'm trying not to put too much weight on my wrists so it'll be a bit of a juggling act to find the right balance. The Renthal 758 bars would be a good option I think as they're a bit wider and I want to change the stock black bars for a silver/titanium colour too.

I'll have to check the gearing too as I'm just not using 1st at all now and still trying to change up from 6th! As you say the engine note probably has a lot to do with it as it sounds so much 'buzzier' than the Triumph which is to be expected. A gear indicator would be a good idea too as the engine is so much quieter than the Triumph making it harder to sense which gear it's in.

Thanks again :-)

---

Hi unfazed,

Thanks for replying and your advice.

I don't think it the TPS (well I hope not - just seen how much they are!) as it's not as bad as I initially thought and more down to me not being used to the bike. I'm sure the carbs need balancing though and will try that first. Hopefully it might help with the starting too as it's still wanting a fair bit of throttle to start - hot or cold. I'll definitely fit some progressive springs as the front end seems excessively soft and try some 7.5W oil too. Any particular brand recommended for the springs? 

Maybe the rear shock has been replaced at some point as I can't fault it at all although I've heard/read lots of good things about the R6 shock so that might happen at some point in the future!

Cheers.

If the front is bad it is unlikely the rear was changed.There are a few progressive Spring suppliers. There is even a company called Progressive Springs, Wilbers, Hagon, Hyperpro. (I have Wilbers.) Any brand Synthetic oil should do, (I use Motul) TPS can be got for €75-90 if you search around, Last ones I bought were genuine Suzuki from Webbike in Japan and they worked out at €80 each. One thing I would suggest when changing the fork oil is to wash out the inner of the fork leg well  with something like WD40 as it will not harm the internal rubbers in the Compression unit. WD40 can be bought in 5 litre can with a spray bottle.