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FZ1 vs. Vmax

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Decter

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Hello all,

New to the site and hoping that you guys might help me make a more informed decision. I currently ride a 1998 Triumph Thunderbird Sport, and have previous ridden a Buell 1125r. I love the performance of a sport bike, but am getting a bit too old and stiff to ride like that anymore.

I love ramming the throttle and feeling like you get a kick in the gut, but dont ever go over 100 mph. I love carving corners too.

I am hoping to find a bike that can do all of the above, but that my wife can jump on the back of occasionally or I can do some moderately comfortable touring on.

The two bikes I am considering are an 2003 FZ1 with 6,000 miles, an aftermarket exhaust, in good shape and which just had it carbs cleaned and tuned asking $3,300. Opposite it is a 2004 Vmax with 30k, a corbin aftermarket seat, and new tighter front fork springs asking around 4k.

Which one is a better deal aside, wow would you guys compare these two bikes as far as performance and how well they will meet what I am looking for?
 
You lost me when you mentioned "carving corners" and V-Max" in the same sentence. I'm sure there are riders who can carve corners on a V-Max, but I don't think many would choose one for that purpose. Drop two teethe on the front sprocket of the FZ1 and I don't think you will be unhappy with the "punch in the gut". But, as always, you should ride both and pick what suits you.
 
It sounds like you might want something torquey. The FZ1 has power don't get me wrong, but it become very alive at about 8k RPM. I suppose it depends on how you plan to ride/ where you ride. If you are ridding up and down an interstate you might like cruising on this bike at 4.5k rpm then being able to punch it...

The Vmax will have a entirely different feel to it. The FZ1 is an inline 4 engine built off of the R1 - a sport bike. The gearing and delayed timings are the only major difference when looking at the engine it self...

You will probably have no issues taming the Fz1. It is not like jumping on an R1 or CBR1k bike. When I first rode my Fz1 I took it casual, not testing the power. I felt comfortable on the bike riding not so aggressively, staying under 6k RPM most of the time as soon as I hit 8k RPMs on my bike, I felt like I was on another machine. Maybe this is exactly what you want.... But 2nd or 3rd gear in this rpm range is still hitting the speedo pretty high up there...

A sprocket drop could do you some good like mentioned above
 
It sounds like you want an FJR or Connie 14. Those will both be worlds more sporty than a V-max and have a some low end torque (nothing like the V-Max, but what does?) The cornering isn't too far off from the FZ1 and the back seats will be usable, unlike either the FZ1 or V-Max.

2014-Yamaha-FJR1300ES-Action-01.jpg


146-1312%2B2014-kawasaki-concours-14-wallpaper-04%2B.jpg


I don't have much experience with a V-Max, but I know the FZ1 can be modified to be many things, but I don't think it would ever be comfortable for a passenger for more than 50-100 miles.

There are also many BMWs that might scratch your itch. Even GoldWings are way more sporty than they are given credit.

Good luck with whatever bike you choose.
 
I sold my 2006 Vmax ( I bought new)after I bought my 2007 FZ1(a year ago) both are fun bikes. My wife actually likes the ride on my FZ1 better than the Vmax for her. The Vmax has allot more low end torque. The handling and braking on a FZ1 are way ahead of the Vmax and I could carve it up pretty good on my Max. If I was strictly in town stop light to stop light the Vmax would be cooler to own. I do a bunch of weekend mountain ridding and the FZ1 is way better. It is also faster at probably anything over 80. Probably didn't help you much...lol
 
So, for those of you that have ridden two up on the FZ1, how comfortable was your partner?

Also, I am a around 5'7 and would want to lower the bike a bit. To my knowledge, I can put a lowering link in for fairly cheap. Is that all that I would have to do, and if so, how difficult a task is it?

Also, what are the differences between the Gen I and the Gen II FZ1s'?
 
Thank you for the suggestions. Like the look and performance of the Ducati, but the wife wouldn't be overly fond of attempting to ride on it.

And the Goldwing and Concours are too cruiser-isque for my taste.
 
T84A said:
You may also want to check insurance rates for the VMax. When I was considering one years ago, insurance was like 5x that for a FZ1
Click to expand...
when I went from my 2006 Vmax to a 2007 FZ1 my insurance doubled and I have never gotten a motorcycle ticket...pause while I knock on wood..lol. You needed a different agent.
 
Like I said before my wife likes the FZ1 over the Vmax for comfort for 2 up. we don't go on long trips like 130 miles or so. there is actually more room on the FZ1. on the Max she was always right up against me(which is ok..lol) but on the FZ1 there is some room between us. This is a GenII, the GenI is supposed to be more comfortable..and slower.. ;)
 
Same here. Who knows. Maybe because it was a new one at the time. I was with Progressive but now Allstate. Progressive wanted like $600/year to add my Raider. I pay $500/year for both full coverage plus accessories. Insurance companies generally suck.
 
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