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Is the FZ1 for me?

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dt2.0

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Hey guys, I currently ride a Suzuki Vstrom 650(Wee). It has been a fantastic bike. It is super-reliable, quick, handles well, is fun to ride down the occasional fire/dirt road and I love the comfortable riding position. Before this, my first bike was a cruiser (VStar 1100). The Vstrom was a great transitional bike and I would never want to go back to a cruiser. The thing now is I would like more power, better handling, just better overall performance, and a bit of style wouldn't hurt either. From my initial research, the FZ1 seems to have all of these. My question for all of you is, what do you like about the Fazer AND what do you dislike? What should I know about the bike going in? What are the bikes main/outstanding characteristics that set it apart from other bikes, etc? Any input, suggestions and information is greatly appreciated. From the looks of it, you guys know a ton about these bikes and seem like a great bunch of guys willing to help one another out so I thought I would toss out this naive question. Thanks in advance for the help!

Peace.
 
I have a Gen 1 FZ1 and I think it's a very nice do all motorcycle. Like most motorcycles there is always room for improvements. :) Choose wisely and have a nice weekend :)
 
Having owned lots of different types of bikes before the first-gen FZ1 I will give you a brief list of pros and cons based on my experience so far.

They are excellent bikes and I highly recommend you check them out more closely.

Pros:
Fast. Faster than any sensible person would ever need
Great fuel range on the highway. Well, great fuel range in general with a 21L tank. (Not as good as your Wee-Strom though)
Decent ergos (depends on the person of course), great seat
Good chassis, good road holding
Great brakes
Great headlights (dual H4 with good projection)
Very visible marker lights & brake lights
Luggage rack ready and inexpensive
Standard 120/180 tires are cheap cheap cheap. Most parts for it are cheap and easily available.
Easy to maneuver

Cons:
Expensive to maintain (compared to all my other bikes)
High insurance premium
Heavy, bulky
Looks like a butthole (opinion ;))
A bit of a gas guzzler (but I have high expectations), but is actually really good in its class in reality
Handling is not anything special

I'd say it's one of the best bikes I've owned and can really do it all and then some. Compared to some of my other bikes with several shortcomings, this bike can really do everything pretty well.
 
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First, there is no comparison between a FZ1 and a V-Strom. Totally different bikes. Think of the FZ1 as an upright crotch rocket, with stiff suspension, excellent brakes and a very powerful engine. If you like the Wee-Strom, I'd recommend something like a Kawasaki 650R, Suzuki GSX 650F, or Yamaha FZ6R. All of these bikes will give far better road manners, better power and style than a V-Strom while keeping your upright riding position.
:sport12:
 
I have been moving in the direction of switching from cruiser (V*1300) to the FZ1. I really like the FZ1, and don't much do any dirt riding. More power than I'll ever use (I have the "fraidy cat" gene) but it is a hoot to ride. I am looking to add some Givi bags for traveling...I don't pack light...:rolleyes:
 
Or, you could do what I did. I test rode the wee-strom ...even brought it home to meet the wife. I smiled the whole time it was in my possession ...and then I went and rode a new, 2nd gen FZ1. That thing scared me so badly that I just had to have it. I was bit so badly ...everything about the experience seemed unreal.

What an unbelievable rush in the pit of your stomach the first time you try to hit red-line. But it happens fast, and then you want it again, and again. You are an habitual offender beyond 2nd gear.

Don't go ride an FZ1 unless you are prepared to buy one, and do keep your emotions in check ...or you'll get a bad case of tunnel vision real fast. They are two completely different bikes, but both great in their own right.

Just have fun, but be careful out there!

-Roger
 
Everybody is going to post up their reasons. I'm going to post something different. After plowing my beloved FZ1 into the side of an Acura and totaling it I was on the hunt for my next bike with the insurance money. After spending a lot of time looking long and hard, I finally found the perfect replacement for my old FZ1....another FZ1. Yup, same year even. It's that fantastic of a bike.
 
I have the '09 Gen II bike. This has been the single most enjoyable ride I have ever owned. There is almost zero maintenance on her outside of normal OLF, chain and tires. The ergos are exceptional, bone stock power is too much but more can be had with free and cheap mods.

I love everything about the bike except two items which I changed and one I can't. The stock seat is crap and the damned potato cannon on the side. Buy a good slip-on and get a better seat. What I cannot change is the tank size because I would really like more distance out of a tank of fuel. She's a liter bike, and she's a heavy drinker unless you baby her but who buys a liter bike to putt around on? ;)
 
I just upgraded from a Kawasaki Versys to a FZ1 2nd gen.

My goals were:
Different riding ergos, on the Versys I was standing upright and my back had to endure all of the big bumps. I wanted a lean forward position like the FZ1.

Better protection: With the lower faining, the FZ1 has very good body and leg protection. However the head get much more wind but overall I am please with the protection of the FZ1

More power: Power wise it's night and day. The 650 was highly drivable but the FZ1 is fast.

I wanted a light bike, the Versys was 399lbs dry, the FZ1 is 439lbs 40lbs of difference is ok

Better suspension: I will have to upgrade the suspension for my weight. Actually the stock suspension of the Kawasaki Versys is incredible. My guess is that if I can fit a 2006 shock in the back and thicker oil in the forks the suspension will do much better for me

The thing that I don't like about the FZ1 is the range. The fuel tank is smallish for a sport-tourer and the range is not very good. I am still getting used to the bike but the range of the FZ1 is much lower than the Versys and the V-Strom has even a bigger range.

Also I used to have an under body exhaust on the Versys and the FZ1 has this big exhaust on the side but at least it's sonds good.

You might also consider the FZ8, I very interesting bike
 
Wow, I think I am even more excited about the Fazer than I was before! I guess my next step is to test ride one. Any ideas on the best way to do that?
Also, to answer up_on1's question, I think I will only be able to afford a gen1. (Gotta sell the Wee first and will only get $3k-$4k.) Can anyone tell me from a "real world" perspective what the big differences are in the gen1 and gen2? I have done enough research online to know the spec differences. I am wondering if since I am coming from the Wee if the FZ1 (gen 1 or 2) is going to be such a big difference in power, handling, speed, etc. that I will be satisfied regardless? Again, guess I really need to test ride one, but really wanted to get some expert feedback from the people who really know first.

Also, thanks for the welcome to the board and all the great info. Really appreciate it!

Peace.
 
Sorry, you missed out on the best way to test ride one. It was to come up to Dallas this weekend for the motorcycle show and hit the demo rides outside. Yamaha had a pretty good lineup including the newest FZ1 out there yesterday and today. I arrived too late and all the Super Tenere, FJR and VMax rides were already alotted. Dang.

As for in your area, I'm not too sure. I can pretty much tell you that if you dig a comfy fast fun bike that's dang reliable, you can live with every day and ride all day, this is the bike for you.

All this said, understand that the bike does just about everything really well, but it is nowhere near the best bike at any one given type of riding. An accurate quote about the FZ1 goes something like this.

"If I could only have one bike in my garage, it'd be the FZ1. If I can have many bikes in the garage, the FZ1 would not be one of them."

The FZ1 could easily be replaced by an FJR and an R1, but me, I can't have both so I have the FZ1. It doesn't tour as good as the FJR, and it doesn't have the power or handling of an R1, but it's very good at both. You'll love the bike.
 
Welcome to the forum!

I acquired an 07 FZ1 (heavily modded) in August of this year and I am very happy with it. I have read all the other posts and have only one new possibility to add: the FZ6 (not the FZ6R). I also have an 08 FZ6 (bought in April of this past year) and it too is an outstanding motorcycle. For sure, there is a power discrepancy between the two but my FZ1 has gobs of power that I doubt I will ever be able to use (reckless in first gear, jail in second). The 6 is stock and runs and handles so very smoothly that it is it's own special joy to ride. The 6 is no slouch either! While you have to spin the motor a bit faster for the power to come on it can be a very thrilling ride. Better mileage than the 1 with much lower insurance costs too. I have had lots of bikes in 40 years of riding and I can heartily say that these are the two finest bikes I have ever owned.
 
Gixxerjasen, Funny thing about that quote, the same thing is said about the Vstrom all the time. I think that's the way it is with do-it-all, utility kind of bikes. The VStrom is a little sporty, you can tour with it, and it can even go off-road a bit. Great if you have only one bike, but it really is lacking in speed and performance. And I rarely do any "off-roading" with it. Thus, the interest in the Fizzer.

Gilesc, I am afraid that with the FZ6 I will find the same thing that I did with the smaller VStrom. After a short bit, it just didn't have the power and WOW factor that I was craving. Appreciate the suggestion though. I'll try to keep an open mind.

From everyone's comments, it sounds as though the FZ is a reliable, fast, well-handling and all around just really fun bike. I also happen to think it is pretty good-looking, too. Of course, I am coming from the perspective of owning the ugliest production bike on the planet.

One question I do have is that I have heard a lot about the Fizzer not having much bottom end umph. Top end is great and mid-range not bad, but the low end is not too good. Is this a legitimate gripe or more just from reviewers who are used to race bikes and won't really bother someone like me who is an average rider who is just looking for a little bit of power and speed?

Thanks again for all the info and input. You guys on this forum are great!!

Peace,
DT
 
supersonic said:
For the money the FZ1 is a fantastic bike, it's no Ducati but it is cheap. The suspension is it's biggest downfall. Nothing that can't be upgraded.
Click to expand...

I really don't know what people are looking for in the suspension. The FZ1 has six suspension adjustments (front preload 5 setting, compression damping 21 clicks, and rebound damping 17 clicks) and (rear preload 11 clicks, compression damping 12 clicks, and rebound damping 20 clicks). My FZ1 is set at factory right in the middle of the wide adjustment range of all those adjustments, and I have never had any desire to change them. This FZ1 has a better suspension right from the factory than any bike I have ever had.

My guess is that the V-Strom has just two adjustments (preload only in front, and preload only in back). Am I right?
 
Low and midrange power all depends on what you are comparing it too. Compare it to a Bandit 1250, Kawasaki ZRX or a Z1000, and you'll find it lacking in low and midrange power, but having much more up top. Compare it to a 600cc supersport and it's got gobs and gobs of power everywhere, but it doesn't rev as high.

When I first got my FZ, I did several accidental wheelies coming off of stop lights. Yes, they were accidental because I really can't wheelie and don't try much. But it was lofting the front wheel easily. You'll find it's not really lacking that much in that department I'm sure.

I agree with the comparison you said about the Strom, except the FZ is more oriented toward sport than off road. But don't be afraid of some dirt roads here and there...

IMG_2134.JPG
 
yeah, the better one is to choose gen 1 for considering , and must say that
if you are considering to go for a long solo-touring on a bike with motorcycle center then you should opt for Kawasaki Versys as your partner. Originally the first version of this model was launched at the end of 2006 and the revised version in 2009. The 2009 version has been perfected by improving all the weaknesses as found in the 2006 version. Earlier the owners were not so happy, but recently the owners having the new version are pretty happy with their purchase.

Several improvements in desgining, performance, suspension, motorcycle exhausts, seating, side-mirrors, wind protection etc have been made in teh new version. With a comfortable seating upright position, the rider's viewing area has been widened to see around. The driving comfort and smoothness of the bike is maintained even at higher speeds, for instance between the speed range of 55mph to 80mph, there is no disturbance created within the bike.

The braking capacity and motorcycle tires of this bike is good too. The bikers who had not considered this bike as an option must seriously try it. Its price range starts from £6,120. Its powr / torque is 63 bhp @ 8,000 rpm / 45 lb ft @ 6,800 rpm. It offers a maximum speed of 115 mph. For fuel storage its capacity is 4.2 gallons with a mileage of 210 miles. As it has an outstanding performance it gets an overall rating of five out of five. thanks
 
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