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Is an FZ1 right for me?

the Skunk is one of the 04 models... they still had the regular colors as well though...

for an 04 with 4k on the clock.... I'd be willing to pay up to about $4,300 depending on conditions and modifications. Ask the current owner about what mods it has, if it does have mods, and who they were installed by/when they were installed. It'll save you some time in the future... for example, I was going to replace my clutch springs at 27,000 miles to the stiffer Barnett springs (stock springs are notoriously weak, and after about 25,000 miles, it really starts to show) ... I popped off the clutch cover, and the thing already had Barnetts in it. I bought my 01 in Feb 07 with 6,000 miles on it... never thought the previous owner would have changed them out... but... he did. The guy I bought my bike from was a WERA racer, and he took very good care of the bike.... When I picked it up, the bike was absolutely spotless. Places where there should have been dirt (like behind the starter) were perfectly clean... the guy must have cleaned it with a q-tip on a regular basis... the bike had low miles, a LeoVince titanium pipe, Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat with backrest, came with extra: front and rear sprocket; chain; 3 windshields; 2 extra sets of bars ..... He was asking $4,200 for it. I didn't even try to bicker over price. I happily paid him the money and drove off with my bike. I then played around with different windshields, with different bars... with different seats... and sold all of the included extras for close to $700.
 
va_rider said:
the Skunk is one of the 04 models... they still had the regular colors as well though...

for an 04 with 4k on the clock.... I'd be willing to pay up to about $4,300 depending on conditions and modifications. Ask the current owner about what mods it has, if it does have mods, and who they were installed by/when they were installed. It'll save you some time in the future... for example, I was going to replace my clutch springs at 27,000 miles to the stiffer Barnett springs (stock springs are notoriously weak, and after about 25,000 miles, it really starts to show) ... I popped off the clutch cover, and the thing already had Barnetts in it. I bought my 01 in Feb 07 with 6,000 miles on it... never thought the previous owner would have changed them out... but... he did. The guy I bought my bike from was a WERA racer, and he took very good care of the bike.... When I picked it up, the bike was absolutely spotless. Places where there should have been dirt (like behind the starter) were perfectly clean... the guy must have cleaned it with a q-tip on a regular basis... the bike had low miles, a LeoVince titanium pipe, Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat with backrest, came with extra: front and rear sprocket; chain; 3 windshields; 2 extra sets of bars ..... He was asking $4,200 for it. I didn't even try to bicker over price. I happily paid him the money and drove off with my bike. I then played around with different windshields, with different bars... with different seats... and sold all of the included extras for close to $700.
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Man! and I thought I got a good deal! I didn't realize that you only had 6k on the bike when you bought it. I'd say that for $4200.00, and all the extras, that you got a steal. Have you done any track days with the bike yet Aaron?
 
I really just don't have the cash to do a track day... and the Previous Owner used a SV650 on the track.. my FZ has never seen the track...

I've been meaning to get out there and do one... but... you figure a weekend at the track... $225-$350 each day.... plus tires.... plus a place to stay... plus gas... plus getting the bike ready for the track.... You're looking at over $1000 for a weekend at the track...

Judging by the WERA racers I've been riding with lately.... I'd be just fine on a track though... which sucks... cause that just makes it even more tempting...

Plus... I see the merits of classroom time, and restrictions on the first few track-days.... but... I don't feel like messing with that... I just want to get out there and ride.... I think I might try to organize a track day down at Jennings in FL... 1-6 people, you can rent the entire track for just under $2000.... which works out to $340 a person or so... and then, there are no "Control Riders" no noobs that you don't want on the track... just you and 5 other riders of your choosing... so... I think I might go that route.
 
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va_rider said:
I really just don't have the cash to do a track day... and the Previous Owner used a SV650 on the track.. my FZ has never seen the track...

I've been meaning to get out there and do one... but... you figure a weekend at the track... $225-$350 each day.... plus tires.... plus a place to stay... plus gas... plus getting the bike ready for the track.... You're looking at over $1000 for a weekend at the track...

Judging by the WERA racers I've been riding with lately.... I'd be just fine on a track though... which sucks... cause that just makes it even more tempting...

Plus... I see the merits of classroom time, and restrictions on the first few track-days.... but... I don't feel like messing with that... I just want to get out there and ride.... I think I might try to organize a track day down at Jennings in FL... 1-6 people, you can rent the entire track for just under $2000.... which works out to $340 a person or so... and then, there are no \"Control Riders\" no noobs that you don't want on the track... just you and 5 other riders of your choosing... so... I think I might go that route.
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I'd like to do at least one track day before I die, just to experience the thrill of running high speed on a track without the distraction of cagers and cops. I'm just worried that it would become addictive. I've done the Nascar thing and it was a blast, (Lowes Motor Speedway- 8 lap average speed 146mph), but I'd like to try it on two wheels. Maybe someday soon.
 
I'll drop you a line when I decide to rent out Jennings....

**Track Rental**
Max Track Capacity 40 Rider per Group

Weekday Track Rental Mon - Fri

1 - 6 Riders $1950 or $325 per person per day (6 people)
7 - 15 Riders $2495 or $167 per person per day (15 people)
16 - 30 Riders $2995 or $100 per person per day (30 people)
31 - 50 Riders $3495 or $70 per person per day (50 people)
$70 per additional Rider after 50
Click to expand...
 
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I've updated the last post with cost per person, per day... I don't think I'd like to have over 15 people... and... keep in mind... these are during the week rates (mon-fri) ... weekends... well... add about $10,000 to the above numbers... so... we'd have to do it during the week ... people might have to take a little time off of work.
 
va_rider said:
the Skunk is one of the 04 models... they still had the regular colors as well though...

for an 04 with 4k on the clock.... I'd be willing to pay up to about $4,300 depending on conditions and modifications. Ask the current owner about what mods it has, if it does have mods, and who they were installed by/when they were installed. It'll save you some time in the future... for example, I was going to replace my clutch springs at 27,000 miles to the stiffer Barnett springs (stock springs are notoriously weak, and after about 25,000 miles, it really starts to show) ... I popped off the clutch cover, and the thing already had Barnetts in it. I bought my 01 in Feb 07 with 6,000 miles on it... never thought the previous owner would have changed them out... but... he did. The guy I bought my bike from was a WERA racer, and he took very good care of the bike.... When I picked it up, the bike was absolutely spotless. Places where there should have been dirt (like behind the starter) were perfectly clean... the guy must have cleaned it with a q-tip on a regular basis... the bike had low miles, a LeoVince titanium pipe, Corbin Gunfighter and Lady seat with backrest, came with extra: front and rear sprocket; chain; 3 windshields; 2 extra sets of bars ..... He was asking $4,200 for it. I didn't even try to bicker over price. I happily paid him the money and drove off with my bike. I then played around with different windshields, with different bars... with different seats... and sold all of the included extras for close to $700.
Click to expand...
It's a totally stock bike from what I've been told. He says it's imaculate and always kept in an air conditioned garage. Found out today that his bottom dollar price is $4200.

If it looks and runs like he says it does then that seems to be a decent price?? What do you guys think?
 
The Fz1 is a well sorted out bike, It's not likely to become boreing due to lack of power. Were talking in refference to it being a 'first bike'. I wouldn't take it to the DMV to take my driving test, I mean that for Newb's, its heavy and low speed transition of the throttle leaves a bit to be desired as it is geared rather tall and the throttle is rather 'snachy' from idle to takeoff with a dead zone in there, on acceleration. I'v ridden for decades now, so for me it's just 'another bike' though a fairly powerfull one.

I'v got a bit of seat time now in the last couple'a three weeks since the weather has gotten warmer, and my complaint is the off idle snachiness before one can smoothly take off from a stop.....that is to take off smoothly.... Having said that, I think one of the most important factors with any bike is the abillity to be able to stand flatfooted or only slightly with your heels off the ground, toes/balls of your feet touching an inch or so. After all, with uphill stopsingns/lights or with downhill stopsigns/stoplights it can become difficult to ballance the 500 pounds of bike even if it is considered a well ballanced bike.

I'v seen a Girl on an R1 up in Anchorage Alaska, she was a small petite girl as a matter of fact. Looking and seeing this particular girl often times on the way through town, I was amazed to think she could handle the R1. It was an 03 model, and it wasn't because she was a female...... no, it was because she was so small of stature and size. I guess the point I'm making, be it male or female, is that the R1 based motor, ie. the FZ1 motor has still been designed for mere 'Mortals" to be able to go to the dealer, buy and ride 'off into the sunset' with.

Once you learn the lower RPM area of the powerband, you can slowly explore the upper ranges, and the first time your pointed on a long straight'away and wind it up, and go past 8,000 RPM up to redline, Feel the thrust, you will develop a new-found respect for the capabilities of this kind of power. Key to any bike is to 'FIT' the bike ergonomically, if your tip-toeing it, your likely to drop it at some point, likely in your driveway first, then at a stop or slow-speed manouver around town or on the highway. Thats not guaranteed, but an unwelcome eventuallity.

So.... is the FZ1 the bike for you? mabe not, but then theres the FZ6 if you are new to bikes, but like anything, if you become involved in bikes and infact start riding alot, you will learn the peculiarities of your chosen bike and quickly become comfortable on it. Once comfortable, you can start to explore the power, braking, leaning and all the features so well refined into modern biking, no matter the brand.

The one great thing the Fz has going for it, is the upright seating and for a beginer, I believe thats 'KEY' in the ability to control and feel well ballanced. Ballance and control are essential, if you have them, it will be a much enjoyed learning process.
 
I also had an FZ6 and 06 in fact and now have an 09 FZ1. The FZ6 is a great bike, plenty fast, but it doesn't have that quick burst of power that the FZ1 does. That being said I could rip on the FZ6 whenever I wanted for the most part without getting myself in trouble. You can't do that on the FZ1 unless you want to be off the back of the bike. Styling wise I love the FZ1 over the 6 I had but to some degree I miss being able to really open it up often without worrying about the dire consequences of doing so.

Just saw the date.
 
It seems the question comes up over and over....which bike for me? should I...? is it too big a bike, and all the questions that new potential riders have. Yes the FZ1 is powerfull but it can be docile too, with a bit of restraint. Really just my take on this bike. I'v had mine now since February, so it's become a willing partner for my needs. I'm just saying that it's not nessessarily too big if you treat it with respect. I'v gotten over having to always give it WOT. :)
 
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