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06+ FZ1 as a commuter

C

CBRaceRR

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Jul 17, 2012
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hey guys,

just joined the forum and introduced myself in the new member section. Short story is I'm looking for a 06+ FZ1 as a second bike for commuting. I was just hoping for some insight into what makes this bike a great commuter as well as any drawbacks that would make this bike not the right bike for the job. I know this is an FZ1 forum, so the replies I get may be biased, but the more honest and candid you can be with me would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance


also, if this has been covered many times, someone please point me in the right direction. I already tried a quick search
 
Stock seat is a little uncomfortable and mpg are not the best but the fz1 is a very versatile machine and with small modifications can be suited to almost any application.
 
What do you require out of a commuter? Figuring that out should be your first order of business

It seems to me that unless you need something like hard luggage or are commuting hundreds of miles a day, your CBR could serve commuting duty just fine for an hour journey or something short like that
 
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If you want it for cutting through traffic quickly and good mpgs, FZ1 is not the best bike for you. A small 600cc i4 (FZ6, etc) or the 650 twin (Ninja) are better choices. However, if you want to have only one bike that does it all but nothing best aka Jack of All Trades, then FZ1 is the one. If your commute is long enough you can easily get 40-50 mpgs depending upon your speeds.
 
Are you looking for a bike strictly for buzzing from point A to point B repeatedly? If so, the FZ1 might not be your best bet. I am completely satisfied with my bike, but I use it for commuting to work, and then taking trips and generally ripping it up on the weekends. The price I pay during the week is that the FZ1 uses a lot of fuel, and it's hard on tires. Ok, I'm hard on tires, but I still end up having to replace them.
I used to ride an FZ6R. Nice bike to ride, cheap to maintain, easy on fuel, lots of cheap tires out there, but has enough go to feel like an actual motorcycle on the highway. I found mine liked to cruise along at 75mph or so. I could squeeze plenty more out of it, but I could tell it was working hard. A used one can be had pretty cheap, too. That's just my .02
 
CrazyBiker said:
FZ6 is a better value and overall a better bike than the FZ6R. FZ6R is mostly a beginner bike.
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I agree, but I would take a 6R over a CBR125 on the highway. If it's never going to be used for fun, the 6R wears a narrower (cheaper) rear tire, and uses less fuel than an FZ6. Really, a very small bike would have the lowest operation cost, but I don't think I'd like to be on a 4 lane highway every day on anything smaller than a 6R.
If this bike is going to be used for commuting on school days and recreation on the weekend, the FZ6 is a way better choice than the 6R.
 
Why not consider some cheap ass Ninja 250? That is a proper cheap, small, light commuter bike in these tough financial times. :) You can pick a tidy one up for $1500 or less and they are very reliable, very cheap to maintain and they get more than double the MPG of an 06+ FZ1.

Unless your commute is a lot of open, uncongested Interstate at 80MPH+, the 250 would be plenty. 0-60 is still faster than most cars on the road and most commutes are spent doing 0-60 I think

But again, it would depend on where you live and what kind of commute you're doing; which is why you need to figure out what you need out of a commuter bike.
 
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I use the Fz1 for commuting on the Freeway. It is not very fuel efficient (40 mpg) but other than that it is a great bike. I only bought the Fz1 because I wanted one bike for all and I do a lot of weekend riding and traveling with it.

As a pure commuter bike I would recommend the Fz6. Much better on fuel and cheaper but more than enough power. Same nice upright riding position as the Fz1 which gives you the needed overview in city and Freeway riding. I had an Fz6 for 2 years and it is a lot of fun as well.
 
Thanks for replies so far guys.

Truth be told, while I will be using this bike as a commuter, I also want to be able to have some fun with it on the weekends. I picked the fz1 over the fz6 mostly for that low end torque around town. I will not be commuting on my CBR, I've had that negative experience already. When I was in college and only had the CBR I used to travel back and forth about an hour on the highway. By the end of the ride I was dead. The CBR is great but you put up with that discomfort more when your out on the back roads having fun rather than a straight line commute. I need something upright and easy to work on and that's what caught my attention about the fz1
 
CBRaceRR said:
Thanks for replies so far guys.

Truth be told, while I will be using this bike as a commuter, I also want to be able to have some fun with it on the weekends. I picked the fz1 over the fz6 mostly for that low end torque around town. I will not be commuting on my CBR, I've had that negative experience already. When I was in college and only had the CBR I used to travel back and forth about an hour on the highway. By the end of the ride I was dead. The CBR is great but you put up with that discomfort more when your out on the back roads having fun rather than a straight line commute. I need something upright and easy to work on and that's what caught my attention about the fz1
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Seating position on the FZ1 is very similar to the FZ6 and FZ6R. If you're going to use the bike on the weekends, the 6R might not be enough for you. I found my 6R handled pretty well, but it felt like I was making it work pretty hard if I was trying to keep my speed up whatsoever. Easy bike to ride, but a little underpowered for sure.
 
Why not just try something more cost-effective like Helibars for your CBR? Buying a whole new bike just to be slightly more comfortable for a couple hours a day seems insane to me

CBR600RR (2007-2012) | HeliBars

That said, the FZ1 is great. If you really want an excellent, comfortable commuter, the first generation (01-05) is even more comfortable and gets considerably better gas mileage
 
I'll catch a load of crap for saying this......but if your looking for comfort and low end torque around town take a look at the suzuki gsx1250. Makes all its power in the low-mid range and is light years ahead of the FZ1 in the comfort department.
Personally I hate putting around on the FZ1 its gutless below 5000 rpm and really does not make good power until after 7000rpm.
The suzuki is the total opposite all the power down low and falls off fast in the upper rpm range.
I chose the FZ1 because I wanted a sporty bike with some top end zing, but for your needs a gsx1250 is probably a better option.


Here's a good comparison of the FZ1, GSX and Ninja 1000 http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/146...zuki_gsx1250fa_yamaha_fz1_battle/viewall.html
Take a look at the dyno charts torgue curves.
 
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well, as I stated in my welcome thread, I went to go look at an 08 today. Came back with this...

26k miles
couple of scratches but I'm not worried since I will be putting a good chunk of miles on myself, and with mileage comes wear and tear.

DOn't think I didn't listen to you guys who advised against this as a commuter bike, but I wanted to grunt of the FZ1 over the FZ6, and I don't care about a few more miles per gallon

2012-07-18163930.jpg
 
Looking good! How much did you score it for?

I don't know if 'grunt' is what I would use to describe the FZ1 motor but it sure packs a hell of a punch above 7000.

You'll love it, great bike :shine:
 
Put a good rear shock on her and a R1 front end the ditch the CBR. Congrats on the purchase. Make sure you get the valves checked if they haven't been. it will run forever
 
Congrats on your new bike.

I bought my 02' FZ1 back in September primarily to use it as a commuter bike, sure I could of gone with a fz6, but I craved the big power for when I wanted to get on it.

And as far as mileage goes these guys are crazy, getting 40-44mpg on average is killer, at least compared to my STI which gets 20-22 and requires 92 octane, or my Colorado which gets 19mpg on average......

40+ is amazing IMO, I have never had a vehicle that gets such good mileage.

As to the comment about zipping around in tight traffic, I could not disagree more. My bike feels very nimble and works great in the tight spaces between the cars on the freeway, I just feel bad for the guys on the big cruisers that have to go so slow to avoid clipping every other mirror out there.
 
Dustin said:
Looking good! How much did you score it for?

I don't know if 'grunt' is what I would use to describe the FZ1 motor but it sure packs a hell of a punch above 7000.

You'll love it, great bike :shine:
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4700 which seemed like a great deal compared to other listings on CL (over six grand) and blue book
 
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