If no FZ1, what would you buy?

[Isleoman]

2026 Honda CB1000GT – First Look

Based on the CB1000 Hornet, the CB1000GT gives Honda a competitor to go up against the likes of the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT.

www.motorcycle.com

CB1000GT 2026. Ticks a lot of the boxes in my earlier post about my requirements.

 

[spyd3rm4n]

2026 Honda CB1000GT – First Look

Based on the CB1000 Hornet, the CB1000GT gives Honda a competitor to go up against the likes of the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT.

www.motorcycle.com

View attachment 35457


CB1000GT 2026. Ticks a lot of the boxes in my earlier post about my requirements.

Wow, I really like this.

I've had my eye on the MT-09 ever since they came out but have been obsessing over the Tracer 9 lately. Then I heard about the CB1000 hornet and saw the price which got me excited but I want a wind screen. This CB1kGT looks incredible, nicer than the Tracer 9 in my opinion. However I see electronic suspension and heated grips among other gadgets, all stuff that Yamaha removed from the Tracer 9 to keep the price around $12K.

 

[Isleoman]

Integrating the GT’s exhaust with the side case will make designing a replacement exhaust interesting. That’s a pretty big exhaust…….. said the guy with a stock Gen 1 exhaust still attached.

 

[Gapscratch]

That Honda GT looks nice. Typical of Honda though,, late to the party.
Not on my radar since I already have a Tracer GT. It's a 2019, bought new in 2018, which has enough tech to satisfy my needs.
Also it's the best looking Tracer GT in my biased opinion. After adding a full Yosh exhaust and having Ivan flash the ECU, it's got plenty of pep with smooth throttle response everywhere.

 

[spyd3rm4n]

That Honda GT looks nice. Typical of Honda though,, late to the party.
Not on my radar since I already have a Tracer GT. It's a 2019, bought new in 2018, which has enough tech to satisfy my needs.
Also it's the best looking Tracer GT in my biased opinion. After adding a full Yosh exhaust and having Ivan flash the ECU, it's got plenty of pep with smooth throttle response everywhere.

I was going to ask how that Tracer compares to the FZ1 but saw your signature and realized you have a 2nd generation FZ1. The only reason I haven't gotten a 2025 Tracer 9 already is because I'm still wondering what it'll do that my Gen I FZ1 doesn't already do. Guess I'll need to test ride one, along with the CBR1000GT.

The Multistrada and S1000XR intrigue me, but I can't help but see a cardinal:


Yamaha and Honda did a much better job making their sport tourers NOT look like a bird.

 

[Gapscratch]

My FZ1 is totally different from my Tracer. Apples n oranges. I had a Gen1 Fz1 for 17 years, and it was nothing like the Tracer, even with soft luggage on during sport-touring duty.
My XSR, even with the same basic motor as the Tracer, is completely different also, in case you were wondering.

 

[Isleoman]

I like a lot about the triples, Sat on a Tracer last year and the 33.1” seat height was challenging for my 30” inseam. I see the XSR is an inch lower, can the Tracer be lowered? Not sure why the Tracer catches my eye more than the XSR as I’m really not in need of bags. Must be the front screen.

 

[Jessejames1972]

Well.... My thoughts were to step down a bit on engine size to something I could wring out more without potentially going to jail... The relatively small fairing on the FZ1 really makes the long rides better. No chest-level wind blast, but not totally isolated from fresh air in the summer.

I used to say GSX-8GT, but I guess it disappeared in 2023. I guess the luxury of the wind protection but not wind isolation is a thing of the past. Just go full tour, ADV, or naked. I guess what I thought of as the true sport-touring bikes are a thing of the past. Just hoping I can keep riding the Gen II for another 20 years or so!

With all that said, I guess it's a YZ-250...

I think im going to pick up a spare fz1 motor and build it. That wayni will have a fresh motor if mine takes a crap. Best bike ive ever had

 

[Gapscratch]

I like a lot about the triples, Sat on a Tracer last year and the 33.1” seat height was challenging for my 30” inseam. I see the XSR is an inch lower, can the Tracer be lowered? Not sure why the Tracer catches my eye more than the XSR as I’m really not in need of bags. Must be the front screen.

I also have a 30" inseam. I put the seat lowering kit on my "19 Tracer GT as soon as I could. Even in the lower of the 2 oem choices, it was still a stretch for me. The aftermarket kit didn't make a huge difference but, I've gotten used to it and don't have any problems with it. I also use Yamahas comfort seats on it, definitely better than the stock one.
I'm not sure if the newer model years with the electronic suspension can be altered lower.
I really like the MRA sport-tour screen on it. I've tried several different ones and this works best for me. Nice one handed height adjustment.
I also love the heated grips, cruise control and quick shifter. Not interested in adaptive cruise, electronic suspension or phone connectivity that the new ones all have now.
Even though I haven't been touring on it lately, I always leave the cases on, they're convenient, and I like the look better with them on.
To my eye, the first version is the best looking one too.
Also, the XSR is a hotrod in comparison to the Tracer.

 

[Isleoman]

Good input thanks.

 

[spyd3rm4n]

Even though I haven't been touring on it lately, I always leave the cases on, they're convenient, and I like the look better with them on.
To my eye, the first version is the best looking one too.
Also, the XSR is a hotrod in comparison to the Tracer.

That's exactly why I want a Tracer now. I've been riding my HD Road King daily now because of the saddle bags, office computer backpack on one side and gym bag on the other. I could add bags to my FZ1 but the Gen I just looks wrong with bags or even a top case.

I really like the style of the first tracer but the new one is cool too. It gives off Pan America vibes (which looks like a Road Glide, which is ugly) but much better looking. Hmm maybe I'll look for a deal on a used one.

The there's still the Super Duke GT that I can't shake off. I still want one of those, as long as you close your eyes every time you're walking over to it to ride, it's an amazing machine.

 

[cocacolu]

Area this topic belongs in hasn't been posted in like a decade, and what else we have to talk about? lol


So, if the G-Man came today and took your FZ1, along with every other one in the world, and gave you a check for a new bike, what would you buy? Lets keep it brand new, cause why not.

Big problem,… if the prize is not an issue and counting I’m on my late fifties, I would go for a BMW M1000R

 

[Isleoman]

Big problem,… if the prize is not an issue tand counting I’m on my late fifties, I would go for a BMW M1000R

I was surprised that RR gets 44 mpg. That’s close to or better than a Gen 2. Nice track day / short ride bike……. a 6 hour ride might reveal it’s short comings.

 

[Isleoman]

https://worcester.craigslist.org/mcd/d/troy-2026-bmw-r1300gs-adventure/7907427474.html

Revisited this thread after i saw this CL posting. $31K and it doesn’t seem to include the side cases.

I’ve read the torque on these is impressive but to my eye it’s not very attractive, Not a 100% convince paralever front end is better than modern usd fork.

 

[CaptainAwesome]

The large gas tank version isn't pretty, but hey, like 8 gallons. The standard version is a lot prettier

I've decided my next bike needs to be an Adventure bike. All the good roads out here are dirt roads, and I'm about 15 minutes away from the mountains. But I also need to be able to do the street and freeway.




The Pan America is actually at the top of my list to try. It had some growing pains but after 2024 it looks like it's been sorted out. 150hp, center stand, V-twin fun. Not a typical Harley, and as someone who has enjoyed typical Harleys I find I also really like their unique bikes. The XR1200 and Fatbob were neat and well capable. They've actually done some pretty clever stuff with it, Ducati boasts having the best valve adjustment maintenance at 37,000 miles, but Harley uses hydraulic lash adjustors so it actually never needs it for example.

Like I said, the bike did have some growing pains, mostly caused by too small of a battery, but it appears its been sorted out MY24. Worth a look, though I know for whatever reason in the motorcycle world it seems it's Harley vs every other bike manufacture and people don't seem to think you can own both... lol

Looking into the Honda Africa Twin as well.

BMW and Ducati are out cause I'm not having a German or Italian bike with the closest dealer 6 hours away, lol.

 

[Isleoman]

Good input and pics. I’m close to both BMW and Harley dealers, not that I want to visit any dealer (regularly) I want to like the Pan America but the teething pains you discussed were miserable for first buyers as was resale value.

I wish mountain roads were closer to me. I have to drive two hours to find decent dirt roads and hills (not mtns).

I’ve never had an issue with Harley riders, around New England they dominate the brands i see on the road by a very large margin.

 

[SPLATT]

Probably a XSR900

 

[Blue Flash]

Well.... My thoughts were to step down a bit on engine size to something I could wring out more without potentially going to jail... The relatively small fairing on the FZ1 really makes the long rides better. No chest-level wind blast, but not totally isolated from fresh air in the summer.

I used to say GSX-8GT, but I guess it disappeared in 2023. I guess the luxury of the wind protection but not wind isolation is a thing of the past. Just go full tour, ADV, or naked. I guess what I thought of as the true sport-touring bikes are a thing of the past. Just hoping I can keep riding the Gen II for another 20 years or so!

With all that said, I guess it's a YZ-250...

Ooohhhh... now what to do? The wife got me the YZ250X for Valentine's Day!

I'm still thinking something smaller that I can wring out more, but with wind protection...

OK... no good without pictures... here's the YZX when it came home. It's gotten really dirty since then...

 

[spyd3rm4n]

Ooohhhh... now what to do? The wife got me the YZ250X for Valentine's Day!

I'm still thinking something smaller that I can wring out more, but with wind protection...

LOVE the 250X!!! It's not fair for you to have to weigh that option in this discussion, any dirt bike is a perfect complement to a FZ1!

I gave up dirt riding over a decade ago when I last moved; went from a place where I could ride directly from my garage to thousands of acres of woods and trails (which included a track of a local enduro club and two homemade MX tracks frequently maintained by some other riders) to a place where I'd have to trailer the dirt bikes 2 hours just to get to any riding spot.

As much as these midweight adventure bikes like the Transalp and Tenere 700 are calling my name, I just won't get to ride on dirt even just trails or fire roads more than once or twice a year.

They didn't have the 250X when I was in my dirt bike era so I modified a YZ250 for a similar purpose:

Set up for woods/Enduro, bigger tank, softer suspension, changed final drive ratio but still had the MX oriented transmission. (Also had metal hand guards, not in the photo) None of my bikes are show pieces. I keep them clean but I ride them often.

 

[Mario m]

I love the 250x!! Great bike!I have a couple of dirtbikes also. I have a XR400 and a 450x. Love both of them. I just wish I had the time to get out more on all my bikes.