thegutterpoet
Member
Greetings folks,
I have been riding a fair few of my 36 years, from haggard XT250 in the english countryside to slothful Honda H100 to lively TZR125 to Honda CB1-400 to 99' CBR600f to 99' R6 to 07 R6 and today to 09' FZ1S. I love the R6, it is a devil steed, the most manic beast I have ridden, insanely sharp handling, can be thrown around like a feather in the wind, don't even need to think much, just point with my eyes and the bike heads there, ferociously. However, a few long distance trips this year, as I have finally began to explore the gorgeous surrounds outside of Melbourne, have led to chronic lower back pain. The thing simply wasnt designed for high speed journeys of 500km in 24 hours, or 700km in three days. I now have constant aches whenever I ride. The Rossi position seems ill advised for such endeavour!
So with reluctance, I had ear-marked the FZ1, speed triple and Z1000. All of which had offerings within my price range...
Took the FZ for a test ride today. My back, which needs some physio, was aching from the ride on my R6. The ache was close to gone instantly as soon as I was seated more upright on the FZ!
Steering felt more stiff than the R6. I was a little tentative at first, then soon enough, filtering through the traffic at lights and in movement. Power seems fine low down, then comes one beastly at 5000rpm, and the major difference is that it reaches high speed without any roaring. A flick of the throttle and I was doing 100 without even realising!
The gear change peg felt slightly odd, position wise, yet I soon adjusted, and the changes seemed much smoother than the R6. Took it down some small town roads to check for more nifty cornering and found it fine; I think the steering range is actually far wider. Perhaps the stiffness I felt was due to the weight increase? Or maybe due to other factors?
I could tell it will be wonderful for opening up the throttle and touring. May even invest in some panniers yet unsure where to get them from presently. Whilst still a little forward in position its immensely more comfortable than the R6. I just may have to take some time to learn how to throw it about in the City traffic.
Agreed on a price of $6855 (2009 Fz1s). 8k on the clock. will come with RW. rego until december of this year. original manual, tool kit and spare keys. Seems very well looked after, other than a mark or two on the exhaust and oggy knob where he put it down at 25k/h to avoid hitting a dog. Other than which appears mint.
Now onto all that power...which seems, even detuned, hugely above 5000rpm.
I have read that replacing the stock front sprocket with one less fang will have a noticeable effect on low down torque??? Is this true??? And how costly would it be?? Maybe best to wait until the whole chain and sprockets needs replacing! Get used to it calm before chaotic.
What of this power commander routine? Would that make a noticeable difference to the power range? And again, any idea of the cost?
Lastly...what of that huge exhaust? Is it something which can be changed to something lighter, yet legal?? Costly?? Any point doing so???
Any and all advice is welcome!
many thanks,
TGP
I have been riding a fair few of my 36 years, from haggard XT250 in the english countryside to slothful Honda H100 to lively TZR125 to Honda CB1-400 to 99' CBR600f to 99' R6 to 07 R6 and today to 09' FZ1S. I love the R6, it is a devil steed, the most manic beast I have ridden, insanely sharp handling, can be thrown around like a feather in the wind, don't even need to think much, just point with my eyes and the bike heads there, ferociously. However, a few long distance trips this year, as I have finally began to explore the gorgeous surrounds outside of Melbourne, have led to chronic lower back pain. The thing simply wasnt designed for high speed journeys of 500km in 24 hours, or 700km in three days. I now have constant aches whenever I ride. The Rossi position seems ill advised for such endeavour!
So with reluctance, I had ear-marked the FZ1, speed triple and Z1000. All of which had offerings within my price range...
Took the FZ for a test ride today. My back, which needs some physio, was aching from the ride on my R6. The ache was close to gone instantly as soon as I was seated more upright on the FZ!
Steering felt more stiff than the R6. I was a little tentative at first, then soon enough, filtering through the traffic at lights and in movement. Power seems fine low down, then comes one beastly at 5000rpm, and the major difference is that it reaches high speed without any roaring. A flick of the throttle and I was doing 100 without even realising!
The gear change peg felt slightly odd, position wise, yet I soon adjusted, and the changes seemed much smoother than the R6. Took it down some small town roads to check for more nifty cornering and found it fine; I think the steering range is actually far wider. Perhaps the stiffness I felt was due to the weight increase? Or maybe due to other factors?
I could tell it will be wonderful for opening up the throttle and touring. May even invest in some panniers yet unsure where to get them from presently. Whilst still a little forward in position its immensely more comfortable than the R6. I just may have to take some time to learn how to throw it about in the City traffic.
Agreed on a price of $6855 (2009 Fz1s). 8k on the clock. will come with RW. rego until december of this year. original manual, tool kit and spare keys. Seems very well looked after, other than a mark or two on the exhaust and oggy knob where he put it down at 25k/h to avoid hitting a dog. Other than which appears mint.
Now onto all that power...which seems, even detuned, hugely above 5000rpm.
I have read that replacing the stock front sprocket with one less fang will have a noticeable effect on low down torque??? Is this true??? And how costly would it be?? Maybe best to wait until the whole chain and sprockets needs replacing! Get used to it calm before chaotic.
What of this power commander routine? Would that make a noticeable difference to the power range? And again, any idea of the cost?
Lastly...what of that huge exhaust? Is it something which can be changed to something lighter, yet legal?? Costly?? Any point doing so???
Any and all advice is welcome!
many thanks,
TGP
