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

donoharm said:
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.
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Maybe a better way to say it was situational awareness and decision making were deficient. It was dusk, the road was breaking down and I thought I was going slow enough. I was wrong. I thought my skill set I could react quickly enough and get out of the situation that I was entering in to. I was wrong.

And actually in my situation it was my recent learning of countersteering and desire to do it in any situation that may have contributed to the slide. I was consciously pushing the inside hand all day when I was riding. I noticed it made a huge difference and allowed for tighter cornering especially when I noticed I may go a little wide. Downside is the bike leans a little more and during the corner I went down I thought I had the right mix of lean, counter-steer, speed and traction. I was wrong.

Again the main reason I want the Fz1 and ordered one is that ergonomically I feel it is a better fit. It has a chance to grow into it if I'm smart about it and don't engage in risky behavior. I like the look and size of the bike as well, I felt the Fz6 looked small with me on it because I'm big.

I'm going to start putting the experience behind me, learn what I can and take into consideration all the helpful advice I have received. I plan on being a rider for many years to come and can have self control.

The only silly idea I have had recently is to get a super-moto DR-z400 or something to mess around on if I get that itch to push the boundaries of being stupid. I figure the lower hp/torque will make it more forgiving and cheap factor for fixing if I dump it could make it a good learning tool.
 
A DRZ is a really great bike but I'd just worry about getting delivery of your new bike and learning to ride that first. :) You have next to no riding experience, focus on learning for now
 
Dustin said:
A DRZ is a really great bike but I'd just worry about getting delivery of your new bike and learning to ride that first. :) You have next to no riding experience, focus on learning for now
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I know man, but I got bit by the motorcycle bug and I'm itching all over, LOL. I'm seeing how the different bikes have different applications. Like I prefer sport tour riding and my commuting. My riding buddy has a BMW G650GS and always likes to go near sketchy roads and even dirt roads. I will not be joining him with the new Fz1 but would like to figure out a way till still go hang out with him.

I want a target of what would constitue experience BTW. I mean is it 5k-10k-15k-20k miles or what. As soon as I get my bike I'm going to ride for 5k miles straight just so I dont' have to hear I don't have any expereince again, LOL. I'm just playing and you guys have been good sports.
 
The exact mileage which constitutes for an experienced rider is 82,392.65 miles

Just kidding, there is no number of miles for an 'experienced rider'. Suffice to say, you are not one. I'm not even one, I think. If I had to categorise myself, I would lump myself into the 'competent' group, just a mere pup

Plus, there are lots of other factors involved other than just a mileage number :)
 
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Dustin said:
The exact mileage which constitutes for an experienced rider is 82,392.65 miles
:)
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thanks, I LOL'd pretty good at that one.

I know what you mean, I do tend to try and push things hard and fast, yet still be sane and reasonable.

I think my first year driving in a car I put over 20k miles on it and would hydroplane the $hit out of it in the crappy wet seattle weather. The other fun stuff was I lived down a twisty road and learning to get the best line everytime. My favorite was there was one s-curve portion that about once every 3-6 months someone would crash in the ditch. I never did and felt like a pro by 17, LOL, jk. :gaming::jaw drop:

I think that is part of the reason I am loving the motorcycle so much is that it is new and I feel invigorated actually learning something again. I'm not going to lie the increase in torque and hp has me thining about how much more cautious I'll need to be on the Fz1
 
Dustin said:
It's a DR650 and not a Z it's an enduro/dual sport. It's a good deal if you want a big, slow, tough bike to do enduro riding with. It's not at all like the DRZ400SM but more like a Kawasaki KLR 650.
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You are correct, so it's the DRZ400sm that is more fun and can be a little more agile off the road, supermoto style.

Also 12/21/2012 is around the corner and it would be a great bugout bike. LOL
 
FYI... the DRZ400sm is built for riders a LOT smaller than us. The suspension and brakes are designed for small riders. This is what one of our members named Currently was riding when he couldn't stop and had to lay it down... He'll be recovering for the next few months. :( If you want that bike, plan on buying upgraded brakes and suspension.
 
Cobalt said:
This is what one of our members named Currently was riding when he couldn't stop and had to lay it down... He'll be recovering for the next few months.
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That's really terrible to hear he crashed but I struggle to see how it's the fault of the bike.

I had a DRZ400SM for quite a while and I never felt anything was inadequate about it for what it was designed to be. I was quite fat at the time, around 220 lbs without gear & I could find no faults in the brakes whatsoever. I was even able to get the sag set with my fat ass on it and there was turns to spare on both ends

$0.02
 
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Cobalt said:
FYI... the DRZ400sm is built for riders a LOT smaller than us. The suspension and brakes are designed for small riders. This is what one of our members named Currently was riding when he couldn't stop and had to lay it down... He'll be recovering for the next few months. :( If you want that bike, plan on buying upgraded brakes and suspension.
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Honestly when I went to buy a bike 3 years ago, the guy there scared me off talking about all the suspension mods to be done to account for my size. I started to become jealous of the more average/normal size guys. Does this mean that I am developing a Big Man Syndrome (BMS) to oppose all those guys with Little Man Syndrome (LMS)?

I will now stomp my feet and say it's not fair, and my office assistant shall look at me and be like WTF?
 
So, I am looking at headlight mods now and have a few questions.

Do the Fz1's requrie the BD43 relay mod to get both lights on at the same time during lowbeam operation?

Also what are peoples experiences with the HID ballast setups? What are peoples experience with the Xenon Bulb swap?

I did the Xenon Bulb on my Fz6 and noticed it was maybe 50% brighter (150% total brightness for any math nerds that will call me out). :woot:
 
Do you know why One head light is on at Low beam?


It is because they have learned that cars pull out in front of bikes more at night that have two lights because they look like cars way down the road not 30 ft away.

All though it looks better having both working your throwing safety by the wayside.
 
Because the brain fills in visual data based on what it knows. From what I've read, your brain will often interpret two headlights close together as a car off in the distance, not a motorcycle coming through the intersection. It's often not until it's too late that you register it as an approaching motorcycle. One headlight is more often a motorcycle trait and when you scan, it registers more easily.

This is based off what I've read from studies and such
 
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Dustin said:
Because the brain fills in visual data based on what it knows. From what I've read, your brain will often interpret two headlights close together as a car off in the distance, not a motorcycle coming through the intersection. It's often not until it's too late that you register it as an approaching motorcycle. One headlight is more often a motorcycle trait and when you scan, it registers more easily.

This is based off what I've read from studies and such
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Your absolutly right. I was too lazy to type out the long version. Thank you.

Its not a matter of "If I have two wont they see me better" Its if I have two they think I am a car a mile down the road. The Two lights look more like a car in the distance. Rather than a bike right on top of you.
 
Earlzach said:
Do you know why One head light is on at Low beam?


It is because they have learned that cars pull out in front of bikes more at night that have two lights because they look like cars way down the road not 30 ft away.

All though it looks better having both working your throwing safety by the wayside.
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From what I had read up on it, basically yamaha saved like 30 bucks by not putting the second relay in to allow for the high and low beam.
 
Ok, I'm getting stressed out. This dealership that has the bike I put money down on is making me fill out all this paperwork and get it notorized. It includes a contract of sale, wisconsin reassignment "supplement of tite" form and a disclosure form.

The contract of sale had the actual sale price at 1000 more than I agreed upon that they had listed then turned around and took off 1000 with a discount.

The reassignment "supplement of title" form, WTF.

I guess I'm going to read the wisconsin legal code. So lame.

:zzz::zzz::drools::drools:: oops:: oops:

My bike I got from Maryland was so easy. I sent payment, and got a bike on the truck and a title in the mail.
 
I wonder if that applies to Fazers. Since the reflectors are so huge, and nearly touch, I would say that could never look like a car's headlights... Unlike some bikes where the headlights are separated by a lot of fairing.... The appearance of my headlights from a distance almost looke like one huge and wide light.
 
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