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Any news or rumors about a redesign for FZ1 in 2015?

decooney

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Hi, I'm new to this forum and searched around here before making this post. First, I'll clarify that I'm a big fan of the FZ1 too and like both bikes and recognize their differences too.

I'm a FZ8 owner, love the bike for urban city riding, but also considering adding a converted FZ1 for touring or maybe a FJR1300 to the stable for longer multi-day rides. I'd prefer not to own two bikes, but also looking at the near future models.

I'm looking for something closer to the new Kawasaki Z1000SX from Yamaha, wondering if Yamaha will update the FZ1 any time soon.

I did read an old blog post around Yamaha's business plans to use the new cross plane triple in a few more bikes other than the FZ-09, and can't help but notice that 1049cc triple in the Yamaha snow mobile wondering if it's somehow headed to a future FZ1.

It would be cool if they had a lighter weight sport touring version of the FZ1 with removable hard bags like some of the other manufacturers are doing now. ii.e. Kawasaki Z1000SX, Honda VFR1200F, etc. Thanks in advance for your replies or crystal ball readings.

Any news, rumors on any redesigns coming up for the FZ1 in 2015+ ???
 
The future lies in the new triple and not the old 20 valve inline four we now ride....it's plant is obsolete. I suspect the FZ1 will be gone at the end of the 2014 year or the next, replaced with something more modern.
 
Rumor

Yamaha has expressed a strong desire to put 3 new electric bikes out for the 2016 model year. That with the introduction of new small displacement bikes for the India market and the introduction of the Fz-09 triple and FZ-07 twin for Europe and Canada hints at a major change in direction. The feeling I get is that the older designs (like the FZ-1) that have seen no major change in many years may just vanish from the line up until a redesign, if at all. The FZ8 was a cross over from the Fz1 to FZ-09 almost as if to test the market before a new styling direction. The FJR has seen a bit of re-investment and upgrade recently and still fills a market segment so I suspect it will remain for the foreseeable future, as will the R1 and R6 models as north america still sells a lot of that style of bike.

I doubt that the formula of taking the last GP style R1 engine and designing a comfortable bike platform around it will be seen any time soon, based on what the current and upcoming offerings have to show. Yamaha seems to want to go in an edgier, and trendier (appearing socially responsible) direction.

But what do I know.
 
There's a few rumours milling about but nothing about a replacement for the FZ1.

However, there is most likely going to be a baby FJR using the FZ-09 platform (FJ-09, perhaps). That would be an excellent bike. I've read rumours of a facelifted R1 in the works, plus a 300cc version of the new R25 which recently debuted. There's also the new SR400 slated to come out in 2015. That is a very cool bike

If you think about it, most of Yamaha's 2014 street line up is pretty stale at the moment:
R1 - 2009
R6 - 2006
FZ6R - 2010
FZ1 - 2006
WR250 - 2008
 
Ducati, BMW, and others came out with new 1L nakeds, so it is a desirable platform. The FJ-09 sounds like an excellent idea, something to compete against the new VFR 800. I think they either use a cross plane or that snowmobile triple in the next gen FZ1. The 2009 I am riding is one of the best bikes I have ever ridden and the best owned. As far as I am concerned it only needs a gear indicator. It already has FI, center stand & fully adjustable suspension. I don't need any of the electronics to ride in the street. Maybe an on-the-fly electrical suspension would be nice, but I am not spending the $ for it.
 
... There's also the new SR400 slated to come out in 2015.


My local NorCal Yamaha/Kawasaki dealer got two of the new SR400s in stock a few days ago. I saw them today, sitting in back ready for pickup. Both were sold before they arrived. Fun to see this retro recreation. I saw the prototype last year at Laguna Seca at MotoGP. However, seeing one of these brand new all shiny and brand new like it was off the floor of a late 70s Yamaha dealer was something to see. Very cool.

___________________


While I was there they had sold their "last" FZ1. Two of my local dealers commented they won't be getting any more of the FZ1s. I found this comment interesting.

A customer there just bought the new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and offered to let me take a test ride today. He installed a super trick dual Two Brothers exhaust setup on it. Very nice. Great low end, midrange, top end power, very smooth. Handled great. Really enjoyed riding it and I've ridden various FZ6s, FZ8s, FZ1s before.

I sure hope Yamaha plans to come out with something to compete with the Ninja 1000 Sport Touring bike. My two local dealers can't keep them in stock and they are usually sold before they hit the floor.

Apparently Yamaha will announce more in June and September about 26 new model changes and/or model changes. This is all I could find out so far.
 
My local NorCal Yamaha/Kawasaki dealer got two of the new SR400s in stock a few days ago. I saw them today, sitting in back ready for pickup. Both were sold before they arrived. Fun to see this retro recreation. I saw the prototype last year at Laguna Seca at MotoGP. However, seeing one of these brand new all shiny and brand new like it was off the floor of a late 70s Yamaha dealer was something to see. Very cool.

___________________


While I was there they had sold their "last" FZ1. Two of my local dealers commented they won't be getting any more of the FZ1s. I found this comment interesting.

A customer there just bought the new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and offered to let me take a test ride today. He installed a super trick dual Two Brothers exhaust setup on it. Very nice. Great low end, midrange, top end power, very smooth. Handled great. Really enjoyed riding it and I've ridden various FZ6s, FZ8s, FZ1s before.

I sure hope Yamaha plans to come out with something to compete with the Ninja 1000 Sport Touring bike. My two local dealers can't keep them in stock and they are usually sold before they hit the floor.

Apparently Yamaha will announce more in June and September about 26 new model changes and/or model changes. This is all I could find out so far.

I thought the SR was boring the 1st time round. I wish they would do an RZ350 with direct FI. I'd be 1st in line to order one.
 
Have not heard a peep concerning a 2015 FZ1. Personally I'd love to see a 1050-1200cc triple along the lines of the FZ09 but with a half fairing like the current FZ1. A lighter bike with a sweet triple, gobs of torque and at least 140hp at the wheel and I'll be a happy guy. I'd also like to see anti lock brakes, they just make sense on the street for those true panic moments.
 
Have not heard a peep concerning a 2015 FZ1. Personally I'd love to see a 1050-1200cc triple along the lines of the FZ09 but with a half fairing like the current FZ1. A lighter bike with a sweet triple, gobs of torque and at least 140hp at the wheel and I'll be a happy guy. I'd also like to see anti lock brakes, they just make sense on the street for those true panic moments.

I'm with you the whole way. I keep thinking of upgrading from my gen1 but want to wait for the gen3 before I make a decision. If there is to be no gen3 then the tuono might be next on the list. Decisions,,,,,,
 
Have not heard a peep concerning a 2015 FZ1. Personally I'd love to see a 1050-1200cc triple along the lines of the FZ09 but with a half fairing like the current FZ1. A lighter bike with a sweet triple, gobs of torque and at least 140hp at the wheel and I'll be a happy guy. I'd also like to see anti lock brakes, they just make sense on the street for those true panic moments.


I can't help but wonder IF Yamaha will use the current 1049cc triple snow mobile engine in something in the next year or so whether it be an FZ1 replacement, a scaled up FZ-09 type bike, or even a scaled down FJ1300 type bike fitting in the 1000cc to 1250cc range. Keeping my fingers crossed. :cheerleader:
 
Honestly, it will take a BIG WOW FACTOR to pull me away from the current FZ1. After all the mods I've put in and getting the ECU Ivanized, it's a lot more bike than I'd bargained for. Take this and the number of unchanged production years (read as "cheap parts") and I just cannot imagine getting rid of this bike in the near future. I'm starting to keep my eyes open for a donor bike to have just for parts in case I need them and make this bike live out the rest of my riding days. There are better bikes out there, but not for me. ;)

Regarding what's coming... I'm guessing the FZ1, as we know it, is about over. The release of the FZ-09 has all but sealed that deal. The remaining parts will fill the FZ8 builds until that one is over and we'll be left with the FZ-09 and FZ-07 as the options. Just my guess....
 
LOL!! A shiny red one, you will be so jealous!

In 2011 I was one SWA flight away from buying at 08 Multistarda in San Diego, CA and riding it home to Sacramento. The seller was asking $8900 and we were calling each other once a eek. I found my 08 FZ1 on 2/11/12 with 2890 on it for $6200 on Craigslist, so I bailed on buying the plane ticket to San Diego.
 
Honestly, it will take a BIG WOW FACTOR to pull me away from the current FZ1. After all the mods I've put in and getting the ECU Ivanized, it's a lot more bike than I'd bargained for. Take this and the number of unchanged production years (read as "cheap parts") and I just cannot imagine getting rid of this bike in the near future. I'm starting to keep my eyes open for a donor bike to have just for parts in case I need them and make this bike live out the rest of my riding days. There are better bikes out there, but not for me. ;)

Regarding what's coming... I'm guessing the FZ1, as we know it, is about over. The release of the FZ-09 has all but sealed that deal. The remaining parts will fill the FZ8 builds until that one is over and we'll be left with the FZ-09 and FZ-07 as the options. Just my guess....


I agree that with all the time and money invested in my FZ1 even if Yamaha came out with my dream bike I'd still wait 2-3 years to buy. That and I'd like to avoid any possible issues with a new model. Look at the 2006-2007 FZ1's as examples. Cracked frames, bad valve stems , horrible fueling and so on. Generally I try to avoid the first 2 years of a new model ANYTHING, car, truck, bike..... whatever. I'll let someone else suffer the new model problems :) Sure the frames and valve stems were a small percentage but I KNOW my luck, no doubt I'd be stuck with a lemon .
 
.... I'm starting to keep my eyes open for a donor bike to have just for parts in case I need them and make this bike live out the rest of my riding days.


A colleague at work mentioned doing the same this week. He loves his older FZ1, rides it to work every day, and would like to have a backup FZ1 on standby since they are under-rated and priced a tad too low on the used market.

Many reviews I've read recently comment favorably about the FZ1 still today, even compared to more modern 2013 / 2014 bikes stating "if you don't need ABS and all the bells and whistles on the new model liter bikes, the FZ1 is a best value and still hard to beat".
 
I am curious as to what the sales are for the FZ-1. If it hasn't been a very big seller, then I think that there is no rush to come out with the Gen III. But it seems that Ducati, KTM, BMW, Triumph and Kawasaki have invested heavily in a 1 litre or larger street fighter, and I would assume that the street fighter market has grown enough for Yamaha to want to stay competitive in it. Like others that have posted, I would imagine Yamaha would want to shed about 25-50 pounds, increase the torque by at least 10 ft lbs. and utilize a 3 cylinder to remain competitive. I would imagine that traction control and ABS would at least be an option if not standard.
 
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