First Ride: Yamaha FZ-1

Re: Writers...

Okay. I see your point.

Forgive me if I'm wrong since I don't know what MSF is. I'm from Aus, so I'll asume that means new riders. But as for a test of beginner bikes by novice riders, that would be a crack up reading about all the new ways they found to wedge themselves in bushes and car bumpers. (made me laugh just thinking about it)

As for Goldwing riders doing Goldwing tests. You make a good point. While I'm sure the MO staff do plenty of touring, I'm sure there are many little things that a dedicated tourer would be able to point out that MO might miss. But I think the MO staff are still capable of covering 95% of the issues that would come up with testing bikes in different categories.

I think an issue here (especially if the stories we hear of litigation crazy America are true) are that I'm sure there is more to testing bikes than just getting any old biker, poking a bike at him, and telling him to go off and do a review. I must admit that I'm fairly ignorant here, but I could imagine that their would be many legal and financial issues (eg insurance) that would stop MO giving their bikes to just anyone to test. You've also got to find someone who can actually spin a good yarn as well as ride the things. Then I guess you'd have to think about what MO would have to pay these freelance reviewers.

I guess there are 1000 different reasons why it wouldn't be worth MO's while to have these guest testers, just as there are many good reasons to have them.

Maybe when MO goes subscription, they will be a better position to offer some reviewing variety.

An experienced tester should be able to make some comparisions to similar previously tested bikes. Notice that there was no hesitation to compare with the R1 even though it was not a "back-to-back" ride. Also, where are the nuances? It all seems pretty superficial and written almost entirely from a closed track riding point of view.



The most irritating and stupid comment was the reference to the FZ1 having "big 'ol mirrors so you can see that truck sneaking up behind you, ye who thinks they own the fast lane even at a snail's pace." Anyone that commutes or otherwise uses a bike in the real world knows that good mirrors are essential to quick riding in traffic. Also the observation that one tester was innovative enough to actually carry and use a tire guage -- wow, what a revelation.



Finally, the preview to this preview mentioned options and accessories - I heard heated grips would be one - why no discussion along those lines? Was it because the reviewer writes from the perspective of 10 to 12 hot laps on a track instead of 175 miles of bad road in 35 degree temps?

Re: Review falls short/Don

Brent, before you guys at MO get too thin-skinned about the feedback from your ride report, just remember that a lot of the upset people put down deposits at their Yamaha dealer many months ago and yet they still don't have an FZ1 to ride. So they are bound to be "on the rag" so to speak. Some understanding is in order, these guys want their FZ1s reaaallll bad, and are grasping at any info they can. FZ1 people: Hold on a little longer, your bike is almost here. Call Yamaha and tell them you are NOT happy about having to wait so long.

I am a big fan of bikes like the FZ1, Bandit 1200 and ZRX, these are the most practical motorcycles around. I'm especially a fan of the new 2001 Bandit 1200 because its prices undercuts both the FZ1 and ZRX, yet gives awesome low-RPM torque and likely the best wind protection in its class. I noticed that you noticed the Bandit should have comfier ergos too, thanks to the Suzook's lower footpegs.

I place emphasis on other aspects of a bike than simple quarter-mile times and peak horsepower figures. The fact that the FZ1 will be slightly faster than the Bandit is not an issue for me. The fact that the FZ1 costs substantially more than the Bandit IS an issue though, money doesn't grow on trees. I've seen 2001 Bandits going for $7500-$8000 out the door in some places, the FZ1 will probably be around $9000-$9500 out the door. Having rode both the Bandit and FZ, do you think the FZ is $1500-$2000 better than a Bandit? I think the answer to that question is an easy "no way, man."

Also, regarding the "141 hp and 78 ft-lbs of torque" the FZ1 is supposed to have. Let's not forget that these are CLAIMED figures (crankshaft horsepower, not rear-wheel horsepower) and have yet to be proved by any dyno run. I'm thinking about 118-120 at the wheel with about 72-75 ft-lbs of torque will be the FZ1's end result. Gawrsh I hate when manufacturers quote crankshaft power just to inflate the numbers.

And another thing....please oh please, if you do a shootout between the ZRX/B12/FZ1, make sure you pop a slipon on all three bikes and do a quick dyno run. Even without touching the jetting, I think you'll find the B12 jumped 10-15 hp over the stock B12, while the FZ1/ZRX jump only 5-6 hp. This is a huge "low buck power" advantage the Bandit has that I've never seen mentioned in any hop-up articles. The Bandit is truly the king of bang-for-buck performance.

In the end, I think your ride report is pretty accurate. There's simply no way the FZ1 could've lived up the incredible hype generated by Yamaha's PR people, who were crowing the FZ is a "naked R1." Obviously, the FZ pales in comparison to the R1, so Yamaha should be chided for barking up that wrong tree. I'm glad you guys pointed that out!

It wasn't YOU who claimed the bike was a naked R1, it was Yamaha, and you are correct in shooting holes in that theory. Just adding some cat-eye headlights can't hide the fact there is a flexi steel frame wrapped around a detuned engine...just like the Bandit and ZRX. Hey, I thought the FZ1 was supposed to be "revolutionary?" Sounds like a very familiar recipe to me...

At the end of the day, I think the FZ1 will be faster and more nimble than the Bandit/ZRX. After all, it makes more peak power and weighs less. But for my hard-earned money, the '01 Bandit is the bike for me, and I feel it's the better sport tourer.....you know, what these bikes will be used for. And the Bandit has been available since last September, while the FZ1 is still in "don't call us, we'll call you" status.