Former Fz6 rider, looking at getting Fz1, advice/help????

[Dreamdemon]

CA rules . No joking the weather + roads it's a blast. No other US state for me so I am a foreigner .

 

[BDazzler]

Can somebody please make a soap box smiley face so that it can depict when a person gets off the soapbox after a rant?

I didn't make it, but Google loaned it to me...

 

[FZ1inTX]

I would prefer CA any time under any circumstances over the cold North East. I may even be ready to live on the road for the weather here . Cold is just depressing to live in, forget doing any work!

When I spoke about NH, I was referring to taxes and laws, not riding.

Dustin says "Weather!" and I agree! But you can get most of the same weather in TX with much of the same laws and tax codes as NH. While TX doesn't have an income tax, just like NH, they have lower property taxes and get back the difference with a sales tax. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

Sooooooooo... with that in mind.....

Besides, New England people are rude, cruel, mean, bitter, angry, ugly, unfriendly, pessimistic and cold. While we have awesome countryside and vistas, incredible seasons and manu picturesque moments daily, it is also getting FAR too expensive to live here. The cost of living is going through the roof!

Anyway.... again, congrats on the bike and I hope it gets there sooner than later! Ride safe and go easy so you gain some respect for her abilities. She'll give you an awesome ride but if you mis-handle her, she'll toss you like a rag doll.

 

[Ssky0078]

All states have 'issues', whether high cost, high crime, high income taxes, property taxes, too many Libs/Conservatives, etc, etc. Some are far worse than others, we all have to pick and choose among a lot of factors, including employment, as to what is best for us and our families. We all should try to hit the sweet spot that balances out income and freedom, the whole 'pursuit of happiness thing'.

I was fortunate enough in that I lived a lot of years overseas so didn't have a lot of ties to any one place, so when it came close to retirement my wife and I looked at a lot of places with a clean slate. We chose central TX for climate (year round riding), cost of living and the fact the goobers running things pretty much leave you alone and respect your overall rights.

Enjoy your new toy and remember :needpics: of your new FZ1.

View attachment 12683

and if you want to check it out, I think it is still up on Road Track and Trail's website

Yamaha 2009 FZ1

 

[Hellgate]

When I spoke about NH, I was referring to taxes and laws, not riding.

Dustin says "Weather!" and I agree! But you can get most of the same weather in TX with much of the same laws and tax codes as NH. While TX doesn't have an income tax, just like NH, they have lower property taxes and get back the difference with a sales tax. Six of one, half dozen of the other.

Sooooooooo... with that in mind.....

Besides, New England people are rude, cruel, mean, bitter, angry, ugly, unfriendly, pessimistic and cold. While we have awesome countryside and vistas, incredible seasons and manu picturesque moments daily, it is also getting FAR too expensive to live here. The cost of living is going through the roof!

Anyway.... again, congrats on the bike and I hope it gets there sooner than later! Ride safe and go easy so you gain some respect for her abilities. She'll give you an awesome ride but if you mis-handle her, she'll toss you like a rag doll.

I dunno about New England property taxes vs. Texas, but if you are in a "rich" area of Texas your property taxes are through the roof. I am paying $8,200 a year on my west Austin house. In OKC I'm paying $3,400 a year for twice the house, but I pay state income tax of about $9,000 a year. Net-net, about the same as I make more in OK than TX.

I've found cost of living to be much higher in OKC than AUSTX; vehicle insurance, MC insurance, home owners insurance, utilities, etc.

Bottomline, it's all relative and do your homework.

 

[Ssky0078]

This begs the question "Why choose to live there?" Sounds like a state I will never choose to live in, much like California with all their weird laws. NH is SOOOOO much less complicated. We pay all our fees in two yearly payments and we don't pay any other taxes... the two payments are the first and second installments of your yearly property tax. :deal:

I always explain AZ like this, "It's not bad, but it's not good either." I have been here 11 years. Came for Naturopathic Medical school and just haven't left yet. My medical profession is only licensed in I think 16 states now, mainly the west coast and northeast. It is outright illegal in 2 states, tennessee and Florida, to say I'm a naturopathic doctor and attempt to practice.

Az state icome tax is like 1.5-3.0%, sales tax runs between 8.7% to 8.9% depending on city. I can rent a nice place for between 600-800 a month where as if I were to go to California they would cost 1200-1500 a month. We have cheaper gas and our food prices are slightly cheaper as well.

Az cost of living compared to income opportunities is a net positive compared to a lot of other states. The only other states I would consider living in California, and Colorado have a much more difficult time finding chances for income cmpared to the cost of living.

So, alas I intend to get my motorcycle and ride year round. I will continue to buy guns just in case the crazies in charge ever get any crazier. I will just make sure that I am not on the wrong side of the crazies and they can do all their political grandstanding while I fly under the radar.

BTW my roads kick big A$$ over NH roads. (except for the ones on national forest land that aren't maintained and you should never lean a motorcycle on a corner: oops

 

[Evitzee]

I dunno about New England property taxes vs. Texas, but if you are in a "rich" area of Texas your property taxes are through the roof. I am paying $8,200 a year on my west Austin house.

Bottomline, it's all relative and do your homework.

It seems cities like Austin and San Antonio really slug it to homeowners in the property tax regime. I pay half of what you are paying in Austin by living 75 miles west of Austin (similar size house I would presume), and food, utilities are more reasonable, too. And we don't have a pesky state income tax, personal property taxes and other wallet draining fees in TX. Prices really vary even within states. As you say, do your homework.

 

[Ssky0078]

So initial mod budgeting

Racetech fork spirings $115-$130 plus my shop said they'd throw them in during a fork rebuild for $200+part (gaskets or something maybe). If I did just the springs I think he said he'd charge $80 for the hour labor. On the topic, I am suggested by racetech at 1.07kg/mm right between the 1.00 kg/mm and 1.10 kg/mm. So my question is should I go for the stiffer spring if 85% of my riding is commuting and 15% is canyon carving. Also I intend to lose 25-30 pounds to get back into fighting shape. Think I should go for the lighter spring?

For the rear suspension I dunno, I'm open for suggestions.

I want a FE kit from this guy on Ebay that says it goes into the stock screw/bolt holes

View attachment 12684

I am going to keep my eyes open for a black set of rims and or I am keeping my eyes out for the auction site that is going to post my old bike up. If I can get it back I will possibly take off all the damage stuff and turn it into a naked streetfighter/track bike. Does anyone know if you can swap an '08 Fz6 wheel set with an '09 Fz1 or suggest where I should look?

Probably six months down the road I think I will go for the Two Brothers Black Series CF slip on.

 

[Dustin]

Because this is a brand new bike (to you) and you're a brand new rider, I would just re-spring the front and rear and have them serviced. Once they're rebuilt, you can have preload set to your weight and have a great bike to ride and learn on. It's the most benefit for the least cost, I think.

Regarding spring rates: if your recommended rate is between two available rates, my experience is to go with the softer one, especially if you intend to drop 30 lbs from yourself. Ditching the stock muffler and fender and such will peel away a bunch of weight as well.

I think the KISS principle is necessary in your case. No need to get all caught up in mods and tweaks at this point. The rider is always the limiting factor but more so when you are brand spanking new. Once you get some solid seat time under you, you'll know what you want from the bike

 

[Ssky0078]

Because this is a brand new bike (to you) and you're a brand new rider, I would just re-spring the front and rear and have them serviced. Once they're rebuilt, you can have preload set to your weight and have a great bike to ride and learn on. It's the most benefit for the least cost, I think.

Regarding spring rates: if your recommended rate is between two available rates, my experience is to go with the softer one, especially if you intend to drop 30 lbs from yourself. Ditching the stock muffler and fender and such will peel away a bunch of weight as well.

I think the KISS principle is necessary in your case. No need to get all caught up in mods and tweaks at this point. The rider is always the limiting factor but more so when you are brand spanking new. Once you get some solid seat time under you, you'll know what you want from the bike

Agreed, I like the KISS principle. I think the suspension is the most important thing to address first. I think it contributed to my crash because when I let off the throttle after my back tire slid out, the nose dived and scared me from getting on the brake. I couldnt' find a spring for the back on racetech's site that was stronger than the stock Fz1 spring. It was off by about 3.0 kg/mm. (stock is 12.0 kg/mm and rec was 15.3 kg/mm)

BTW it's about a 4 and half to 5 hours ride to Racetech, Do you think it makes a different if I were to have them do it and set the bike up, or should I just have my local guys do it?

 

[Earlzach]

Dustin Nailed it!

I am afraid you will get caught up in thinking your buying superior riding skilz by modifying your bike.
The truth is you just need seat time. Feel the bike in its natural state. I think you will find it to be very pleasing.

The FZ1 is very fast and powerfull. I dont think you know what your in for. The 600 is NOTHING compared.

What happend to you in your video on your 600 could have been so much worse, did you think if your were going into a right hander and the back end bobbled and you came out of your lean and crossed the yellow line with a car coming? You would be dead!
You will have enough bike in stock trim on the FZ1 for a little riding experience to get yourself some good learning. They handle just fine.
Learn body position, braking BEFORE the turn not in it.
Grab the front and back brakes at the same time, Niether one alone with agressive riding is exceptable. The front brake is 70% and the rear is 30% of your stopping power.
Both should be applied for a smooth desend in speed.
And remember changing road conditions daily isnt something you can correct with a bolt on modification.
Learn to ride a 1/8th of a mile or more ahead of you.
Antisipate the danger, if you find it wasnt there at least you live to ride another day.
My cruiser is BONE stock I ride with sportbike riders. Please take your time and learn the feel of the bike. :sport12:

 

[Ssky0078]

Dustin Nailed it!

I am afraid you will get caught up in thinking your buying superior riding skilz by modifying your bike.
The truth is you just need seat time. Feel the bike in its natural state. I think you will find it to be very pleasing.

The FZ1 is very fast and powerfull. I dont think you know what your in for. The 600 is NOTHING compared.

What happend to you in your video on your 600 could have been so much worse, did you think if your were going into a right hander and the back end bobbled and you came out of your lean and crossed the yellow line with a car coming? You would be dead!
You will have enough bike in stock trim on the FZ1 for a little riding experience to get yourself some good learning. They handle just fine.
Learn body position, braking BEFORE the turn not in it.
Grab the front and back brakes at the same time, Niether one alone with agressive riding is exceptable. The front brake is 70% and the rear is 30% of your stopping power.
Both should be applied for a smooth desend in speed.
And remember changing road conditions daily isnt something you can correct with a bolt on modification.
Learn to ride a 1/8th of a mile or more ahead of you.
Antisipate the danger, if you find it wasnt there at least you live to ride another day.
My cruiser is BONE stock I ride with sportbike riders. Please take your time and learn the feel of the bike. :sport12:

Agreed and I intend to ease into it and try to log a few thousand more miles before going out on any spirited rides. I understand that the handling on the bikes takes time to get used to and I will put the time in for sure.

I just brought up the mods because I felt like I would have been much more sure of things with a better suspension kit setup. I was seriously looking at racetech the night before I wrecked and was going to put an order in the following week. I know gravel is gravel, but still I think it would have made a difference.

I also just think that at 6'4" and 250 pounds I need to do something because I far exceed the expectations of the OEM setup. When I lean forward I am 2-3 inches more forward than most riders and that weight comes down on the forks. I try to position myself backward but found that awkward on my arms/shoulders. I probably need to get some more advanced riding courses in as well. The Advanced Riders Course is on Jan. 5th at my local training facility.

BTW i'm not modding to increase performance, I'm thinking suspension as of being more for safety. The pipe and FE is just for looks. I guess I didn't even realize that it would be cutting weight for performance but judging by the reactions so far I can see where your guys are thinking.

And finally I did not think the 600 was fast. I thought it was quick like a well tuned 4 cylinder and I think of the 1000 as a V8. More powerful low end and higher top speeds. Have to be more careful cause it will bust the tires loose and/or slide when you don't want to.

 

[Ssky0078]

What does a steering stabilizer do? And is that a good thing to consider early on in the relationship with m Fz1?

 

[Earlzach]

Cuts back on tank slapers or 'High speed wobble".
THis is one of the lucky guys. Not many ride out of these.
Yahoo! Video Detail for R6 Speed Wobble

 

[Earlzach]

There are a few theories as to why this happens, Tire pressure, brake rotor, and fork balance. One has built up more air over the other or they are just not equaly stiff or soft. if one tube moves more freely then it can cause this. A damper or stabilizer will help controll the magnetude of the wobble and help you get it slowed down safely.

 

[Earlzach]

Tank Slapper - Video

 

[Pyrogenic]

I think fighting the wobble has something to do with making it worse, which is difficult if you are having to maintain a direction in the mean time. But you have to be zipping along at pretty unsafe (on the street) speeds to induce that problem. It also has a lot to do with the tightness of the frame and suspension, rake and position of the front end and rider, none if which is particularly a problem on the FZ1.

I would like a stabilizer for my Fazer but I can't find a reason to at this point.

 

[ethandf06]

I had a tank slapped last summer. I came out of a turn hard on the throttle and the front wheel got light. It shook like hell I almost shit myself. It never happened again though the fz1s geometry Is petty good I wouldn't worry about a stabilizer yet.

 

[Ssky0078]

Yeah, I don't intend to be going that fast anytime soon. I took my Fz6 up to 130 and the front end started feeling wobbly and I let off. Now that I see what can happen, just cracking 100 is good enough for me.

 

[donoharm]

Hi buddy, I'm gonna tell you a short story, hope you will get something from it.

About 10 years ago I crashed my 650 DragStar gravel,water and a slight curve were involved but mostly my 1k riding experience, I always blamed the gravel, there was no doubt in my mind, that until I learned how to control a bike and it was clear as day I crashed because lack of control.

I got pretty scared after that, some bones still hurt and some skin never got as new, gave up riding for a few years after that but I started again and after a few 500/600cc bikes I got my fz1.

It was amazing, I got brakes suspension and lots of power to play with, but didn't exactly knew how, the thing is I never understood countersteering, the thing got serious when I saw I can't keep up with smaller bikes on the curves and I'm not talking about knee dragging , just a bit faster riding where all the fun comes from.
The fz1 made me learn how to ride it

Now I won't tell you why you fell, I wasn't there, but I see you repeating the word gravel and I guess you blame it just as I did .

I can't advice any new rider to buy a fz1.