2011 Ninja 1000 or yamaha FZ1??

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mibe

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I'm trying to decide between these two bikes and these are my plans any advice would be appreciated.

1. I drive 45miles round trip from work, and I have lower back plus neck issues and i'm 5.10 wanting to keep as much wind off me as possible.
2.want to be able to hit the twisties and feel somewhat confident in the bike also plan on doing probably two track days a year maybe more.
3. want it to be reliable and cheap on maintenance. (I currently have a KTM 990 and it always has issues every 6 months since ive hit 15k now has 20k and has numerous problems so wanting to get a new bike!)
4. hoping for somewhat descent mpg

If anyone can give me some tips would be awesome thank you so much!
Also I live in California if anyone knows how much I should be paying out the door for one.
 
I don't think anyone here has much experience with the Ninja 1000 other than sitting on it in a bike shop which most of us have done. The writers loved it but they did mention having to manhandle it a bit in sharp turns (understeer problem I believe). Assuming you're not going to push it to its limits you may never notice this. You are going to get some heated discussion about this because many feel the Z1000 and its brother, Ninja 1000, at least on paper and according to the magazines, have hit the sweet usable spots better than the FZ1. The FZ1 has more power up top. The Z1000/Ninja 1000 will wheelie easier, that sort of thing. The FZ1 does get crappy mileage in my opinion, usually 35-37. I don't know if the Ninja will get much better. You probably can't go wrong with either bike and given your back condition you've definitely selected 2 good choices. Good luck. If you get the Ninja can I try it?
 
Norm said:
I don't think anyone here has much experience with the Ninja 1000 other than sitting on it in a bike shop which most of us have done. The writers loved it but they did mention having to manhandle it a bit in sharp turns (understeer problem I believe). Assuming you're not going to push it to its limits you may never notice this. You are going to get some heated discussion about this because many feel the Z1000 and its brother, Ninja 1000, at least on paper and according to the magazines, have hit the sweet usable spots better than the FZ1. The FZ1 has more power up top. The Z1000/Ninja 1000 will wheelie easier, that sort of thing. The FZ1 does get crappy mileage in my opinion, usually 35-37. I don't know if the Ninja will get much better. You probably can't go wrong with either bike and given your back condition you've definitely selected 2 good choices. Good luck. If you get the Ninja can I try it?
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Do you live in San diego? if so you should let me try your fz1 :)
Thanks for the info having a hard time deciding. any other info you can throw out would be awesome!
 
January 2011 issue of Motorcyclist had a head to head comparo between the FZ1 and Z1000, which is essentially the naked version of the Ninja 1000. Concensus was that the engine on the Kawasaki was better in getting the power to the ground and in controllability. The likened the FZ1's throttle response akin to using a rotary phone vs speed dial for the Z. If your forte is short sprints, in town riding and tight back roads the Kawasaki comes out on top. If your pleasure is longer stretches of undulating countryside the FZ1 wins. "With better ergonomics, decent wind protection and excellent high speed stability, the Yamaha becomes more appealing the farther and faster you ride". Sounds like you are somewhere in the middle.

You can get new 2009 FZ1's in CA (same as the 2011 models) for about $7500 + TTL, you won't be able to touch that on the Ninja 1000. Do a search on CycleTrader.com and see what new ones cost for each model. That may sway your decision.
 
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Evitzee said:
January 2011 issue of Motorcyclist had a head to head comparo between the FZ1 and Z1000, which is essentially the naked version of the Ninja 1000. Concensus was that the engine on the Kawasaki was better in getting the power to the ground and in controllability. The likened the FZ1's throttle response akin to using a rotary phone vs speed dial for the Z. If your forte is short sprints, in town riding and tight back roads the Kawasaki comes out on top. If your pleasure is longer stretches of undulating countryside the FZ1 wins. "With better ergonomics, decent wind protection and excellent high speed stability, the Yamaha becomes more appealing the farther and faster you ride". Sounds like you are somewhere in the middle.

You can get new 2009 FZ1's in CA (same as the 2011 models) for about $7500 + TTL, you won't be able to touch that on the Ninja 1000. Do a search on CycleTrader.com and see what new ones cost for each model. That may sway your decision.
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thanks for the info that would be a lot cheaper. what do you think I should try to get out the door for? my sales tax would be 8.750 %
 
mibe said:
Do you live in San diego? if so you should let me try your fz1 :)
Thanks for the info having a hard time deciding. any other info you can throw out would be awesome!
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I wished I lived there. It's one of the nicest cities I've ever seen and I've been there three times, including less than a year ago. Did you happen to see me on a red Kawasaki Concours 14?
 
Here is something you may want to consider. Kawasaki recommends checking the valve clearance every 15K while Yamaha is 25K.
 
mibe said:
thanks for the info that would be a lot cheaper. what do you think I should try to get out the door for? my sales tax would be 8.750 %
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Shoot for 10% over their best base price (before tax, title, license). They have to pay transportation, assembly, doc fees, licensing, etc. so you can't do much negotiating there. If you can get it for say, $8,000 OTD you would be doing well.
 
A used FZ1 is the way to go, hands down. You can purchase a used one for fractions of what a new one will cost. If you were so inclined, the money saved could be used towards upgrades on the bike or just put into a year's worth of maintenance and gas.

Stock for stock, new for new; I think the Ninja 1000 is a wicked bike but because it IS so new, there's no used market and therefore no comparison to a used FZ1 that you can find by the dozen on Craigslist or the like.
 
OP I think you gotten the most un-biased opinions you can get from a forum of folks riding FZ1s. However unless you can find a dealer that allows you to test ride a bike, or have friends that own each of the bikes you're interested in, you will never know which is better for YOU. Magazines reviews are a good reference for starters but it boils down to how you will feel on the bike. Good luck.
 
ballmead said:
I don't understand how your dealers won't let you test ride bikes before you buy them.
No such problem here in Australia.
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It varies from state to state and individual dealers. My local dealer here won't even let you test ride a used bike, however the Harley dealership 2 blocks up will. I think it's a liability issue and the fact that they cant come with you. IDK but it sucks.
 
up_on1 said:
Here is something you may want to consider. Kawasaki recommends checking the valve clearance every 15K while Yamaha is 25K.
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I think that may have sealed the deal for me!!! I got two dealers down to $8000 out the door for a brand new 2009 so think I will do that! unless I can get the Kawasaki OTD for $10000 just because ill have to put around that same price in upgrades to keep up with the kawasaki. but maintenance wise I think you made me really choose the fz1
 
Evitzee said:
Shoot for 10% over their best base price (before tax, title, license). They have to pay transportation, assembly, doc fees, licensing, etc. so you can't do much negotiating there. If you can get it for say, $8,000 OTD you would be doing well.
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Got them down to $8000 like you said. think I'll call one more shop and try for $7500 just for kicks... Thanks for all the info and help! I believe I will pick one up in the next few days
 
gtbigup01 said:
OP I think you gotten the most un-biased opinions you can get from a forum of folks riding FZ1s. However unless you can find a dealer that allows you to test ride a bike, or have friends that own each of the bikes you're interested in, you will never know which is better for YOU. Magazines reviews are a good reference for starters but it boils down to how you will feel on the bike. Good luck.
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yah your right. Thanks so much for all the help, all of you have helped a lot!
 
mibe said:
Wish I could do that but only bikes they will let you test ride are BMW, KTM and aprilia. not sure the exact reason but it might have something to do with people wont want to buy a bike that was broken in wrong.
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All the dealers have demo models which they easily sell later on.
They normally run better than the babied ones lol.

Good luck with your decision, you will love either bike.
 
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