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Advice/Suggestions Buying 08 FZ1 used

finstinct

finstinct

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Joined
Jun 27, 2013
Messages
51
Location
MDR, CA
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Edited: Bought a used 08 FZ1 - thanks

Hi all new here I haven't ridden in about ten years but I'm out in CA working (from FL) and the weather is just too perfect not to get something to do weekend trips with and have fun up in the twisties in the mountains. If I like it a lot and can get it to the point where its comfortable enough, I may use it to cruise around the country a little bit when my contract is up out here.

I've settled on an 08 FZ1 that is 99% stock. Its got low miles and seems to be in great shape.

Are there any items in particular that your would go over carefully for this particular bike? I'm going to look at it next week and my wild side has my mind made up already but my 42yr old sensibilities have me wondering what to keep an eye out for.

I'm an captain/engineer on yachts with large diesels and a myriad of other systems so I'm mechanically inclined to say the least. But I'll have no place to work on her so keep in mind I'll be having someone else do most if not all work that needs to be done.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Kev

Edit: Bought the bike and have begun making her mine.. thanks again for all the help and suggestions!
 
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Nothing really major to look out for on the '08. By then Yamaha had improved enough on the fueling that the throttle smoothness was better. Also by '08 the small incidents of frame cracking that had affected some '06 and '07 models had been corrected.

All that said make sure to look over the bike well for signs of abuse or accidents. Also see if the owner has done the maintenance (proper records always help here). While the FZ1 is a very reliable bike proper maintenance is always important (just like it is for all other bikes).
 
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NJFZ1 said:
Nothing really major to look out for on the '08. By then Yamaha had improved enough on the fueling that the throttle smoothness was better. Also by '08 the small incidents of frame cracking that had affected some '06 and '07 models had been corrected.

All that said make sure to look over the bike well for signs of abuse or accidents. Also see if the owner has done the maintenance (proper records always help here). While the FZ1 is a very reliable bike proper maintenance is always important (just like it is for all other bikes).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply!

Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
At the 4-5 year mark the maintenance records will be very helpful

Look for
1. Brakes - should have been flushed and filled at least once and in theory the lines are supposed to be replaced after 3 years (might be 4 years, I can't remember off the top of my head.)

2. Coolant flush and fill - should be done every 2 years, so in theory this bike should have done this twice. I've had more than a few friends talk about how nasty the coolant is when they finally get around to it, and how much better the bike runs after doing it.

3. Tires - if it's low miles occasionally the tires on the bike are original and are way past their freshness date. Check the born on date and also any signs of defect

4. Oil - Put the bike on the center stand and check the oil window to see how clean or not clean it is. Hopefully the guy changed the oil before trying to sell it

5. Throttle Body Sync - if it's low miles probably not been done. If you are mechanically inclined it's super easy to do and very helpful for a smoother running engine

6. Valve check - odds are this hasn't been done if it's low miles but is due at 24,000 miles.

7. Fueling - check the inside of the fuel tank for any signs of rust, have the owner start the bike for you and make sure it runs well (I almost bought a different Fz1 until the shop couldn't get it to fire up and when it finally did, plume of white smoke from sitting too long had me walking away)

8. Drive train - check how smooth the shift is between gears, check the chain tension, and while on the center stand check a few different position for any sticky links.

Both of the bikes I bought I immediately did the following
1. Oil & filter change
2. Coolant flush and fill
3. Swapped brake lines for Stainless Steel lines
4. Throttle Body Sync - then replaced plugs with iridium plugs (at 8000 miles)
5. Ran 2 tanks of Sea Foam
 
NJFZ1 said:
Nothing really major to look out for on the '08. By then Yamaha had improved enough on the fueling that the throttle smoothness was better. Also by '08 the small incidents of frame cracking that had affected some '06 and '07 models had been corrected.

All that said make sure to look over the bike well for signs of abuse or accidents. Also see if the owner has done the maintenance (proper records always help here). While the FZ1 is a very reliable bike proper maintenance is always important (just like it is for all other bikes).
Click to expand...

I agree !

Just don't pay too much ! FZ1's are available at some dirt cheap prices.
Just saw a NEW warranted 2012 at a dealer ( on ebay ) for $6999 last week with only a few hundred in prep/paper work fees.


look at some of these crazy low prices 2 more new @ $6999 http://www.cycletrader.com/Yamaha-F...356953&&year=*:2012&modelkeyword=1&&newsort=1
 
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super googan said:
I agree !

Just don't pay too much ! FZ1's are available at some dirt cheap prices.
Just saw a NEW warranted 2012 at a dealer ( on ebay ) for $6999 last week with only a few hundred in prep/paper work fees.


look at some of these crazy low prices 2 more new @ $6999 Yamaha Fz1 Motorcycles - CycleTrader.com
Click to expand...

Those prices are insane. I bought my bike in December and a used 2009 went for $5999. I would keep looking then. Keep in mind to ship a bike across country it's about $500-800.
 
All great points thank you gentlemen! As far as the prices online go well its like anything else online... They try to get your attention. Outrageous dealer fees seem to make up for the difference in many cases. I'm silly in that I want the red/gold model and have searched high and low for one. There are a few out there but by time you travel to check them out and have them shipped the numbers get a little ridiculous.

I'm gonna need to store this bike outside anybody got any tips on a more than decent outside cover. I'm near the beach and in the southern California sun so it has to be good!

Kev
 
Hey where are you at in MDR? I worked in Culver City for a summer and stayed in the apartments right across Lincoln from Ralph's. I love that area. You have to go to Baby Blue's BBQ off Lincoln just as you get into Venice.

I have a Dowco Guardian Weather All Plus. I'm in AZ though and don't have to worry about condensation forming on the inside of the cover, that and I ride every day, so it rarely goes on.

You probably want a cover that has the loops that you can cable lock up. Ask some of the NYC guys about covering and securing their bike.
 
for the cover i highly recommend a formosa cover off amazon. i believe i got the large. cant beat the price at about $20. has reinforced holes that i put a steel cable lock through. the bottom half is heat resistant so you can put it on while the bike is hot with no worries of melting. only thing is it isnt completely water proof. one night of heavy rains i noticed a little water had soaked through
 
I have the Dowco Guardian and it has been subjected to a spring and summer of torrential downpours, thunderstorms and near tornado winds. It has survived all and kept the bike dry underneath. It has a lashing strap, grommets for a locking cable and heat resistant lowers.
 
You'll love the bike.

I bought my 08 on 2/11/12 with 2890 on the bike. I am the 3rd owner. The 1st owner put $1k in stuff on it, rode it for 151 miles, then traded it in for an 09 GSXR1000. Owner two rode it once a month for four years.

I changed the oil at 3k and 6k, then switched to Mobil 1 last month at 8k.

If I lost it tomorrow I would buy another Gen 2 FZ1.

They can do it all.

:cheerleader::cheerleader::cheerleader:
 
Ssky0078 said:
Hey where are you at in MDR? I worked in Culver City for a summer and stayed in the apartments right across Lincoln from Ralph's. I love that area. You have to go to Baby Blue's BBQ off Lincoln just as you get into Venice.

I have a Dowco Guardian Weather All Plus. I'm in AZ though and don't have to worry about condensation forming on the inside of the cover, that and I ride every day, so it rarely goes on.

You probably want a cover that has the loops that you can cable lock up. Ask some of the NYC guys about covering and securing their bike.
Click to expand...

Yeah I go to Baby Blues, good BBQ for LA!! I work/live on a private yacht that's in the marina 10/12 months a year. Can't wait to get out an explore cali a little bit by bike!
 
finstinct said:
Yeah I go to Baby Blues, good BBQ for LA!! I work/live on a private yacht that's in the marina 10/12 months a year. Can't wait to get out an explore cali a little bit by bike!
Click to expand...

Awesome. I love that area, so much good stuff there.

I'm sure you have hear many suggestions to explore but I'l throw in some

North of you: Malibu and Calibassas
1. Mulholland Highway - "The Snake"
2. Decker Canyon Road
3. Encinal Canyon Road

South of you:
1. Ortega Highway

A little bit of a ways a way
1. CA74 Hemit to Idylwild to CA143 to Banning.
 
Ssky0078 said:
Awesome. I love that area, so much good stuff there.

I'm sure you have hear many suggestions to explore but I'l throw in some

North of you: Malibu and Calibassas
1. Mulholland Highway - "The Snake"
2. Decker Canyon Road
3. Encinal Canyon Road

South of you:
1. Ortega Highway

A little bit of a ways a way
1. CA74 Hemit to Idylwild to CA143 to Banning.
Click to expand...

All great suggestions - thanks again! Driving Mullholland and Topanga Canyon by car made me want a bike so bad!

I picked up the bike. Well while I wait for the new mirror to be delivered and get the DMV stuff out of the way she'll sit for a little while.

Thanks for all the advice, I did get the guardian cover and good thing, its foggy dreary and damp today.

Thanks guys I look forward to updating you with any mods trips etc. Great site here, I hope I can contribute!
 
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So here are some pics of the bike I bought.... As you can see I've already started making some "changes"

New to me
perry1.jpeg

perry2.jpeg


Starting to make her mine...
windscreen_mod_final.jpg

oilplugmodfinal.jpg


Gonna replace most if not all of the silver on the bike. I have no idea why they used silver as a third color here... Funny I wanted the gold rims but already want to PC them to a gold that matches the forks a little better. There are way too many colors going on.

Gonna black out the radiator covers and the stock exhaust next. Then the rear peg hardware and other silver stuff. I guess I'll just add pics to this thread.
 
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