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What a Bike!

Matt C.

Matt C.

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
170
Age
37
Location
Auburn, AL
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Finally got to go out and ride for fun today. Wow what a bike! Tons or power great handling. I have an 06 and I can definitely tell the Fuel Cut and there are some vibes but I was very happy with how the bike handles to be so big. I am very pleased. And I averaged 46.7 mpg. Not too shabby.

I would like to get rid of the vibes around 4500 rpms in the footpegs and handlebars. And an FCE is definitely on the list of mods.

Thanks

Matt
 
I concur! Another '06 owner here and I really like the bike. I average about 43mpg commuting, even milked 46 mpg out of it once just to see how far it would go on a tank and when the F-trip flashes. Sure the '06 has a snatchy throttle but I have just learned how to ride around that, no deal breaker because it isn't that bad. Besides there is known fix for it and one day I'll get around to it.

Vibrations are highly subjective and affect each rider differently. It does not bother me because I came off of a Harley Sportster! Recently I installed the
1" lowering foot pegs from Knight Designs and like that mod.

It is good to hear of another satisfied 2006 owner!
 
Do you still have the stock exhaust fitted ? I did a comparison and found the bike would vibrate through the pegs with the stocker but not with the slip on fitted ,, how ever it will veer to the left when you let go the bars due to the weight loss of the std can , as for the snatch issue I have an 08 ecu that works perfect for my needs .
 
Unfortunately I do still have the stock can fitted. I hope to get the MIVV GP can soon. Thanks for the heads up on the vibrations. They suck.

Where can I find an updated ECU. The 08- are the best ones, correct? I have read a little about them but cant seem to track one down outside a dealership. One question tho, is this more cost effective than the FCE from Ivan's? I'm a college kid so money isnt falling off trees for me.

Thanks a ton

Matt
 
Matt C. said:
Unfortunately I do still have the stock can fitted. I hope to get the MIVV GP can soon. Thanks for the heads up on the vibrations. They suck.

Where can I find an updated ECU. The 08- are the best ones, correct? I have read a little about them but cant seem to track one down outside a dealership. One question tho, is this more cost effective than the FCE from Ivan's? I'm a college kid so money isnt falling off trees for me.

Thanks a ton

Matt
Click to expand...

it's not cheap to change the ecu... you're lookingat at at least $450... the fce is $200.
 
Kinda what I was thinking. I have read that the updated ecm's are much nicer overall than the 06 which is why I asked. I guess the FCE is for me.

Thanks

Matt
 
Think the 2010 ecu onwards is better again .i picked up a used one from ebay for less than the fce, I had to have all the locks and keys with it because of the immobilizer we have in the UK,, I looked at all options /pro;s / cons and this was ideal for me , im very happy with the bike now
 
IMHO, if you are planning on significant performance mods (Power commander in your future) then skip the ECU upgrade unless you can find one for a real steal. Get the FCE (which completely eliminates the fuel cut), and once you have the PC use a proper map and you will be amazed at how good this bike can be. . . .
Keeping things mostly stock? Very late ECU swap (I have ridden an 08 and 10 and can find the throttle snatch on both of them. Fueling is a bit better than my 06 was in stock form) can give you a plug an play OEM quality option.
 
Thanks for the advice. Really appreciated. I dont have a ton of coin to throw at the bike, but slip-on, BMC filter, FCE, PCIII or V are on the list long term.

Thanks again

Matt
 
Speaking from experience; if you don't have a lot of coin and want to spend some on your bike, suspension is the way to go. It is the most receptive to changes and is always noticeable :)
 
I've been able to spend a month with my '08 FZ1 and am really enjoying it. I had read about the suspension being poor, mid and low end power isn't great and the throttle snatch issue. I guess a lot of it has to do with what you have to reference your bike to. I'm coming off a 1981 Yamaha Seca 550. 50 HP when it was new and about 23 ft/lbs torque.
Let me tell you, the FZ1 has a ton of torque anywhere. The suspension is just fine by my standards. I was able to detect the throttle snatch issue but I can't ever see where my type of riding would lead it to be an issue. Fact is that, living on the prairies, I see 1,000 miles of flat straight road for every mile of corners.
I've seen ride reports where guys will frequently top 100 MPH on the GPS as the top speed registered for the trip. I did question why guys were hitting these speeds but now I know that it is so damn easy to walk on the throttle when you hit the highway and bounce through the gears to 100 MPH or better! : oops:
Sitting on the old Seca still feels good. The seat is comfy and the bars drop right to where your hands feel they should be. I can see a set of 1" bar risers in the FZ's future. Might spring for a touring windshield as well. The wind on both bikes hits me about mid helmet but the Seca has a little flip to the top of the windscreen and it causes quite a bit of buffeting. The FZ is totally smooth in comparison.

My point to all of this is: the stock FZ platform is an awesome bike! Depending on your needs and experience it can be modified to make it even better but when you are moving 27 years into the future, it's pretty freaking sweet!

PS. I did the retro kit just to keep the look of the old Seca, which will be handed over to my son.

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Dustin said:
Speaking from experience; if you don't have a lot of coin and want to spend some on your bike, suspension is the way to go. It is the most receptive to changes and is always noticeable :)
Click to expand...

I have searched here a little for suspension setups but I'm not sure what the best thing to do is. I'd like to have the bike set up for me at about 170 lbs (+ gear of course).

What mods or set ups do you suggest?

Thanks

Matt
 
I put Kuryakyn ISO grips on my VTX and they are the most comfortable grips ever had. I saw that they make black ones so just ordered some last week for my FZ1. I plan to put them on within the week and will try to report back.
 
Dustin said:
Matt;

Best thing to do is set a budget first, then figure out what you can do with that. :)

How much do you have to spend?
Click to expand...

I just ordered a slip-on. I got the two brothers black series. I found a deal I couldnt pass up.

About my budget. Im a college kid but work a full time job. I kinda live paycheck to paycheck but I usually have a couple hundred bucks at the end of the months to play with. I'll more than likely save up for a few months and see what mods I want most. I also have to get another jacket and as front tire in a little while. Those are important.

Thanks

Matt
 
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