Why should I buy an FZ1?

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smithtr

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OK. I know that no one knows me from Adam, and I don't know any of you guys yet. But, I know that you all must own FZ1s or you wouldn't be on this forum. I just need some friendly advice from you guys. Here is my dilemma. I rode cruisers for years and then a few years ago I purchased a 2003 SV1000 Suzuki and I loved it, and wish now I'd never sold it. But, I do some touring so I sold it and bought a 2009 Kawasaki Concours. The Concours is the nicest bike I ever owned, but after a couple years, I've decided that I would just like to have a lighter bike. The Concours is just too heavy. So, I have my Concours for sale. I like the naked sport bikes that let you sit more upright. I've been looking for another SV, but some friends told me I needed to look at the FZ1. I really like the looks of it, but I've never rode one. And, when I read reviews there are a couple things that concern me, and thats what I wanted to ask you guys about. Most of the reviews say that the FZ1 is blazing fast, but that all of the power is in the upper rpm band. They say that it is sluggish on the bottom end. Now these are professional riders writing this stuff. I'm no professional, but I'm not a wuss either. So, if I rode it would I think that it's sluggish?? Also, they say that the pegs are higher making it uncomfortable on long rides. Is there any truth to either of these things??
 
I wouldn't call it slugish, but by liter standards, I suppose one can say it's somewhat lacking on low end. it definitely likes to be wound up if you want it to really haul. Having said that, it will pull very nicely from about 3.5k rpm. It won't pull like SV1000 from down low (great low end torque on that bike!), but it's not slow either.

The pegs are relatively high and somewhat far back, but not nearly as far back as on SV and the bar is higher than on SV.. so it's definitely more comfortable over all.

In the end no, no advice and opinion on this forum will ever give you as much information as taking one for a test ride :tup:
 
Hey thanks for the reply. I guess you are right about the test ride. But, that's hard to do with a motorcycle. People won't let you test ride them unless they have the money in their hand, and I can't say as I blame them. Its not like taking a car for a spin. What do you like best about your FZ1?
 
Firstly, welcome!

You have two generations of FZ1 to choose from and both bring different things to the table. They can also be modified to no end to suit your needs.

I always think of the two generations this way

2001-2005 FZ1: sport TOURING
2006+ FZ1: SPORT touring

If you want range, comfort, fuel economy and a fatter bottom end, go with the first gen.

If you want sharper handing, acceleration and a sportier character, go with the second gen.

Regardless of what you choose, you'll love the FZ1. It's a fantastic bike!
 
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Whoooo thats sexy. Buy it! Can't go wrong with this bike. I almost bought one just like this litely used.. miss the deal by a day or two.

End up getting the FZ09. Not a touring ride but has a lot of bottom end torque. In your case that FZ1 would be a netter choice.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
 
Welcome aboard! I've had my FZ for 1 1/2 years and I love it. It doesn't have the surgical percision that my Triumph Speed Four had in the curves ( for me), but its so much more comfortable and more powerful. It doesn't have the torque that my Triumph Rocket lll had but it seems to have some of the quality's of both of those bikes. I sold the Speed Four because I have to travel a bit to get to the twisty roads that I like to ride. Now I do so in comfort AND have a blast when I get there.
 
Hey thanks for the input He asking $5800 for this bike. I can probably get it for a little less than that. Don't sound bad for an 08. It has several add-ons. Rear fender kit, speed ferring, etc. I'm leaning towards making him an offer. Only thing holding me back is the fact that I've never ridden an FZ1.
 
I think if you could ride it you'd be impressed. Bought mine from a dealership ( demo), it had 300 mikes on it. Couldn't wipe the grin off my face after the test ride. I'm 6' 1" and 200 lbs, fits me very well.
 
smithtr said:
What do you like best about your FZ1?
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Hmm.

- I love the near sport-bike performance (in stock form) with comfortable sport touring ergonomics.
- I like the relatively low vibration (especially with heavier aftermarket bar ends). - I like the clutch (long friction zone and very easy pull.. good for traffic).
etc.

There are many little things that add up to one very nice machine.

There are loads of add-ons and mods readily available for this bike. I have hard side cases and top case, so I can use the bike as full sport tourer.

All the luggage (and mounting hardware) comes off easily and it goes back to being light and sporty.
 
Wring it's neck and it will go fast.

Ergos are subjective. Compared to the Concourse its a race bike. Compared to an SS bike it's a cruiser.

Go ride one and see what you think.

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I'll bet there is a member of this forum somewhere within shouting distance of you who has never ridden a Concours, and who might like to do so. When I first started getting serious about buying my '02 FZ1 (faster blue edition) I located an FZ1OA board member about an hour's ride from me who had never ridden a Triumph Sprint ST. I bought dinner and we switched bikes. A good time was had by all. After riding his '03 FZ1 I realized that these bikes had a gear I had never experienced. I bought one and have never looked back.
 
I'm lucky enough to have a 2003 SV1000S and a 2002 Fazer 1000 (FZ1).

I love both of them for different reasons. The SV is mainly for canyon and track day riding. The Fazer 1 for comfort and distance. After almost 3 yrs of Fazer ownership I still enjoy riding it. Gives me a smile, just for different reasons to the SV.
 
ElTigre1 said:
I'll bet there is a member of this forum somewhere within shouting distance of you who has never ridden a Concours, and who might like to do so. When I first started getting serious about buying my '02 FZ1 (faster blue edition) I located an FZ1OA board member about an hour's ride from me who had never ridden a Triumph Sprint ST. I bought dinner and we switched bikes. A good time was had by all. After riding his '03 FZ1 I realized that these bikes had a gear I had never experienced. I bought one and have never looked back.
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Just imagine how that test ride would have been if u rode an 02 (fastest silver) fz1?! It might have had two gears you never experienced! Sorry, I couldn't resist!

:cheers:
 
smithtr said:
I'm looking at this 2008 FZ1. It's got about 10K miles on it.
View attachment 16186

And, Thanks for the Welcome!
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You may want to double check the VIN on that. I thought the 2008 was black with the red accent and the 2009 came with the Granite Gray and gold rims. I could be wrong but I have a 2009 Gray.

I would say you won't be disappointed with an Fz1 coming off a Connie. It is a lot lighter, yet still stable. Get on the gas and like ERCI said from 3500 in the right gear it will pull like a bat out of hell. I personally like ripping around in 1st, sometimes second. First is amazing from 25-65 mph. A ninja1000 will pull a little better from the low RPM till about 6000 RPM, but after that good by Fz1 will drop em. The Fz1 has a faster 0-60 but the Ninja 1000 has a better roll on. It's all in the gearing though because if you are doing a roll on in 6th with the Fz1, that is a way tall gear, I bet if they did roll on in first or second gear, it would smoke the Ninja 1000.

Also you can get an Fz1 for a little less money, and that will give you the funds to throw in a custom suspension (the fork springs are weighted for a 160 lb rider, and the rear shock is meh at best. The suspension may get the most complaints) Also have the money to get an Ivanised ECU or a Power Commander and Dynotune
 
The good-

1-looks
2-power and lots of potential for more
3-with basic mods you can go from a mile eater to a SS slayer. Depending on your style
4-ergos (for me they're nearly perfect)

The bad-
1-some say poor fuel economy.
 
If you are coming from a cruiser, it will feel fast. If your coming from a pure sportsbike, it will feel gutless under 7000rpm.

I like mine now but only after chucking over 2k of mods at it : oops:
 
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