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Fz1 a good first ride?

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heatmiser

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Sep 4, 2012
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Mukilteo Wa
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Hey guys,

Newbie here from Washington state. I've just got into riding recently and was wondering if an fz1 is a good choice for a first bike. I'm a bigger guys at over 250 lbs and 6'5". I've also looked at 600cc bikes but i'm just afraid i'll end up wanted to upgrade to more power before long. I've ridden a little on my brother's smaller bike.
The local Yamaha dealer has a 2011 leftover for $7990 which looks like a screaming deal.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Also not sure if this is the right place to bring this up. Mods feel free to move this.
 
Well it can be a good first bike as long as you remember the throttle works both ways. I think you would be better off finding a cheap used 600 to hone your skills and not worry so much if you drop it a few times in the learning process. Plenty of used bikes out there so upgrading in a year or two is no big deal.
I would use the money you saved buying a used bike to get good gear- helmet,gloves,jacket,pants and boots. Now you have saved enough money you can afford to take a riding class at a local race track and learn how to ride the correct way!
Let us know what you buy.
 
OneSizeFitsAll said:
Well it can be a good first bike as long as you remember the throttle works both ways. I think you would be better off finding a cheap used 600 to hone your skills and not worry so much if you drop it a few times in the learning process. Plenty of used bikes out there so upgrading in a year or two is no big deal.
I would use the money you saved buying a used bike to get good gear- helmet,gloves,jacket,pants and boots. Now you have saved enough money you can afford to take a riding class at a local race track and learn how to ride the correct way!
Let us know what you buy.
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Perfect advice! +1!
 
don't do it. Buy a smaller used bike at a good price. Or if you must, buy a used bigger bike. You don't have to have the biggest baddest bike for your first bike, do you? (Not that the FZ1 is the biggest and baddest..)

You are going to drop or lay down your first bike. You may as well start with a used one.

And also buying a "new" 2011 bike for $8000 is not a screaming deal. As soon as you ride it home, you will now own a $6500 - 7000 used bike. And then you will drop it.

Really, in my opinion, regarding the FZ1 as a first bike.....1) its not super nimble 2) it has a rediculous amount of power for a newbie 3) there's just better choices.
 
stretched06 said:
It was my first street bike. six years later still alive and still love it. I feel a lot depends on the person.
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Absolutely depends on the person. Some have more natural ability than others. Some are wise while others are not.

Great that it worked for you, but truth of the matter is it's not a good first bike.. no matter how tall you are and how much you weigh.

In addition to FZ1 not being a good first bike (quite heavy and WAY too much power for beginner), brand new bike for first ride is a bad idea.

Will you necessarily drop your first bike? No, but likelihood is certainly high.

I say if you like the look and comfort of FZ1, Try the FZ6 or FZ6R... a bit lighter and a bit more forgiving (though it can still easily get you in trouble).
 
Save your money & buy an old beat up 600cc supersport for $1500-$2000. Something like a CBR F3 or F4 or an old R6

Even old 600s are fast. Faster than probably any car you've ever driven. You won't get bored of a 450lb, 100hp sports bike and if you do, you're not riding it on any of the wonderful, twisty roads there are out in Washington :)

I can understand new riders being bored and wanting more power when they're on a 250, but I could never grasp how someone could ride 3000 miles in a year and suddenly have 'mastered' a 100hp supersport
 
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cujo said:
You are going to drop or lay down your first bike. You may as well start with a used one.

And also buying a "new" 2011 bike for $8000 is not a screaming deal. As soon as you ride it home, you will now own a $6500 - 7000 used bike. And then you will drop it.
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Not everyone drops or lays down their first bike. That's setting yourself up for failure. Many do but going in with the idea that you are going to drop and damage your first bike is just setting yourself up to, dropping and damaging your bike. :) It all depends how comfortable and confident you are in your handling of the bike that determines if you will drop it or not. I've been down twice, once when I hit black ice on a BMW and once when I went to put my foot down and my pants leg got hung up on the peg, doh. (20 years after I started riding). I find too many newbies automatically assuming they will crash soon after starting to ride, that's a bad attitude. You need to be prepared for it, but not planning on it.
 
I would not suggest the fz1 for a beginner bike for any new rider. My gen1 is a screamin machine just like the gen2. They promote hooliganism and excess speed most every time you ride it. Also, it isn't if, but when you lay down the bike. I went down turning into a parking space due to fine clear sand. Grrrrrr. Find a cheap bike to learn on, then pick up the best overall sport bike out there :D
 
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heatmiser said:
Thanks for all the info guys. I've now set my sights on a 2007 fz6 with 12k miles for $3000. Going to look at it tomorrow.
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Good luck! If you find the handlebar weird / uncomfortable, don't let that turn you off. It's easily replaceable with FZ1 bar (for ~ $40) and will give you perfect riding position.
 
My 07 FZ1 is my first bike, other than a bicycle when I was a little kid it was the first thing I've ever ridden with two wheels. A few of my friends that I've let ride it say it's a great bike and a good starter even as a liter bike because it has a great power curve. I have no regrets as buying it for my first bike.
Got it three months ago for $5,500 with 4.5k miles and have put close to 3k on it.
 
heatmiser said:
Thanks for all the info guys. I've now set my sights on a 2007 fz6 with 12k miles for $3000. Going to look at it tomorrow.
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VERY mature and healthy decision! :cheers:
Keep that attitude and you will do fine when you move forward to the FZ1. You will be a better, safer rider. Plus, you will actually have more fun with the skills you have gained learning on a "proper" first bike.

I tell this story to many inexperienced riders looking to own a 1000cc bike....

I know a guy who is in his 60's. He has raced dirt and sport bikes semi-professionally. He has owned just about every kind of bike. When I go on canyon rides with him and the "fast" group, he is riding a slightly modded Ninja 250. Let me tell you, he RAILS that thing and stays at the front of the pack with the 1000cc sportbikes. He might lose alittle distance in the staights, (not much... I can not keep up with him, and I ain't slow by any means), but he RULES in the twisties. He simply blows my mind when I ride with him. (I heard of a contest with him and the other 1000cc bikes coasting down a mountain, all bikes were OFF and in neutral...guess who won?!)
Technique, technique, technique!
Granted, he is not close to you size, but the point is made.
Learn and have fun on the FZ6 or Ninja 650...then when it comes time, you will be stoked with a smaller learning curve.
 
bonesfz1 said:
VERY mature and healthy decision! :cheers:
Keep that attitude and you will do fine when you move forward to the FZ1. You will be a better, safer rider. Plus, you will actually have more fun with the skills you have gained learning on a "proper" first bike.
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I completely agree . Very well put :)
 
bonesfz1 said:
VERY mature and healthy decision! :cheers:
Keep that attitude and you will do fine when you move forward to the FZ1. You will be a better, safer rider. Plus, you will actually have more fun with the skills you have gained learning on a "proper" first bike.

I tell this story to many inexperienced riders looking to own a 1000cc bike....

I know a guy who is in his 60's. He has raced dirt and sport bikes semi-professionally. He has owned just about every kind of bike. When I go on canyon rides with him and the "fast" group, he is riding a slightly modded Ninja 250. Let me tell you, he RAILS that thing and stays at the front of the pack with the 1000cc sportbikes. He might lose alittle distance in the staights, (not much... I can not keep up with him, and I ain't slow by any means), but he RULES in the twisties. He simply blows my mind when I ride with him. (I heard of a contest with him and the other 1000cc bikes coasting down a mountain, all bikes were OFF and in neutral...guess who won?!)
Technique, technique, technique!
Granted, he is not close to you size, but the point is made.
Learn and have fun on the FZ6 or Ninja 650...then when it comes time, you will be stoked with a smaller learning curve.
Click to expand...

Plus, the new 2013 Ninja 250 is a 300cc (296cc) with FI, ABS and slipper clutch! with an expected price around $4500. Just sayin'. I'm not sure if my wife will want to upgrade to a Ninja 650/FZ6R or a Ninja 300? I'm a big, fat guy, and I can say the '09 Ninja 250r my wife has is more fun in town (even with my fat a$$ on it) than the FZ1 in most ways. :noworries:
 
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Cheap is good for a new guy in case of trouble. But ya gotta ride something that you like - or you won't want to ride it - or have an attitude against it.
There is something to be said for riding what you really want to ride. Not what someone tells you you should ride.
Riding is about desire, too. Not practically ....

Taken to extreme... safety, cheapness, depreciation... it would be a 2001 Lincoln Town Car.
 
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first bike

sounds like you have already got great advice.I just got an fz1 recently after riding for over twenty years of street riding and much more dirt.This is a great bike but it has a couple things that are not good imoa one is slow steering situations and th other is the fuel inj. issues that can catch you off gaurd in the begginning.Good luck the 600 sounds like a good deal good luck!
 
one other thing its easy buying a new bike but much harder trying to sell a used bike(without taking a beatin)
 
Look around for a used FZ6R. You can get one of those for around 4K. Extremely cheap to maintain and it's a Yamaha... bullet proof! I got mine 2 years ago and I pound 32K miles so far. Plenty enough of juice to get stupid... thrust me!
 
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