Yamaha FZ-1 Sneaky Peaky
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I must say that is a sweet pic of the FZ-1 up on its ARSE!!!!!!!
snout in the trough, minime? haha!
About the FZ1. I'll take a black one please. Or I would have, had I not just bought a new bike.
About the FZ1. I'll take a black one please. Or I would have, had I not just bought a new bike.
I've seen the bike in person (at the Cleveland show) and I -and everyone else I talked to- was not wowed. Sure, it has most of the right ingredients, and is probably highly functional, but the looks are only marginally nicer than the Bandit. At 33 I'm still willing to accept sportbike ergos to get sportbike handling. However, I do see myself purchasing a bike like this in the next couple of years, along with a track-oriented bike for track days and perhaps racing. If I were in the market today, I think I'd either go for the Bandit or "roll my own" using a crashed R1, ZX9 or something.
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24 Posts
It will be interesting to see how well the FZ-1 sells against the approximately grand cheaper Bandit 1200 and ZRX-1200. Especially when for the money you would plop down for an FZ-1, you can get a 600 supersport that would beat the FZ-1's performance for about 500 bucks less. I realize the 600s may not be the long-distance traveler the FZ-1 is, but lets be real. The majority of rides are under an hour out here in the real world. And the better handling, braking, and outright performance would more than make up for that to me. Let's see, $8499 for a new FZ-1 or $7999 for an R6. Hmmmm?
"...but lets be real. The majority of rides are under an hour out here in the real world"
I feel sorry for you, dude. My average ride is more like 3-4 hours. An hour ride would be plausable if I lived at one end of Deal's Gap.
You do have a bit of a point with the 600 vs. FZ1, today's 600s are surprisingly comfy for their performance. Beyond that, it's really apples + oranges, 600s will never have the TORQUE of those bigger bikes. People in this market are interested in 60-80 roll-on times, not quarter mile bragging rights.
I feel sorry for you, dude. My average ride is more like 3-4 hours. An hour ride would be plausable if I lived at one end of Deal's Gap.
You do have a bit of a point with the 600 vs. FZ1, today's 600s are surprisingly comfy for their performance. Beyond that, it's really apples + oranges, 600s will never have the TORQUE of those bigger bikes. People in this market are interested in 60-80 roll-on times, not quarter mile bragging rights.
As someone who spends between 1.5 and 2.5 hours a day on his bike, AND likes big power, I think the FZ-1 fits the bill. Added to all the amazingly weird things to fix on the Bandit 1200, I'll take the Yamaha, thanks. Make mine blue.
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134 Posts
OK MO, for my $11.94 I'd like to see a sporty-standard comparo. The FZ-1, the new R1150R, the ZRX-1200 and the venerable Bandit 1200S. Maybe toss in an Interceptor as a control bike.
I'm in the market for one of these later this year -- something comfortable but fun, that can handle some light touring with a little more windshield and the Givi's.
I'm in the market for one of these later this year -- something comfortable but fun, that can handle some light touring with a little more windshield and the Givi's.
Well I have no idea how many of you have or have not joined my site which is dedicated to the all new FZ1 but if you have not then get your butt over there and chat on the board...there are 32 members so far.
www.yamahafz1.com
My name at the discussion board is: modette
www.yamahafz1.com
My name at the discussion board is: modette
The European red version is sweet looking too bad it wont be int he USA either :-( I'v had my money down on a Blue one for months.
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486 Posts
Seat height?
The FZ-1 looks like a good way for Yamaha to get back into the sport-standard market. However, one thing about the bike I think keeps it from being a good all-rounder: the seat height. The 32.3" seat height is significantly higher than other bikes in its class. It's 0.6" higher than the tall-but-narrow, 0.8" higher than the (similarly-shaped) ZR7, 1.2" higher than the Bandit line and the ZRX, and 1.6" higher than the Nighthawk 750. Is there a good reason for the high seat height? I'm 5'6", short but not tiny, and I still find a bike much more comfortable and practical if the seat height is between 30.5" and 31.5".
The FZ-1 looks like a good way for Yamaha to get back into the sport-standard market. However, one thing about the bike I think keeps it from being a good all-rounder: the seat height. The 32.3" seat height is significantly higher than other bikes in its class. It's 0.6" higher than the tall-but-narrow, 0.8" higher than the (similarly-shaped) ZR7, 1.2" higher than the Bandit line and the ZRX, and 1.6" higher than the Nighthawk 750. Is there a good reason for the high seat height? I'm 5'6", short but not tiny, and I still find a bike much more comfortable and practical if the seat height is between 30.5" and 31.5".
There is a few people standing inline for this bike at one of the local dealers. I was thinking of putting my name on the list but then I drove a new 1200 Bandit. I liked the new Bandit over the old and I guess I was tired of waiting. Tomorrow or the next day I'll pick up the new Bandit. Last week when I was there they didn't have any Bandits and there was one person on the list waiting for a red one. I was surprised to find out they got two in and both were available. The dealer has gotten several Bandits in and they haven't lasted over a week before being sold maybe once the FZ-1 comes in they won't go so quickly. This dealer sells all 4 Japanese bikes so you can compare the different bikes.
Re: Seat height?
There are a couple of good reasons- #1 is ground clearance. Another is the fact that they're trying to sell to the average height rider, who is at least a few inches taller than you. It may be a pain mounting/dismounting and keeping the bike upright at slippery stoplights for shorter riders, but being higher up does have its advantages- like visibility,one of the reasons so many people buy SUVs.
There are a couple of good reasons- #1 is ground clearance. Another is the fact that they're trying to sell to the average height rider, who is at least a few inches taller than you. It may be a pain mounting/dismounting and keeping the bike upright at slippery stoplights for shorter riders, but being higher up does have its advantages- like visibility,one of the reasons so many people buy SUVs.
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24 Posts
"I feel sorry for you, dude"
Don't feel sorry for me dude. I usually ride about 2 hours each day (broken up into about 20 minute blocks) and on the weekends I ride about 10 hours (if the weather is REALLY nice, maybe twice that). My current ride is an F3 that I've had about 4 years. In the past, I've owned Suzuki Bandits, Honda Interceptors and Nighthawks, and a couple of Harleys. The F3 is my favorite ride by far. I'm a short person so sport bike ergos don't bother me a bit, even on 8+ hour rides. The payoff of better handling, braking, even roll on speeds (when you downshift smoothly), and overall protection from the elements make 600 cc scoots better for me. Don't get me wrong, I do like the FZ-1 a lot. I hope Yamaha sells lots of them. But for me, I can't see how the extra dough is justified for maybe only better roll on performance when you don't want to downshift. But to each and their own of course. See you on the asphalt rivers dude!
Don't feel sorry for me dude. I usually ride about 2 hours each day (broken up into about 20 minute blocks) and on the weekends I ride about 10 hours (if the weather is REALLY nice, maybe twice that). My current ride is an F3 that I've had about 4 years. In the past, I've owned Suzuki Bandits, Honda Interceptors and Nighthawks, and a couple of Harleys. The F3 is my favorite ride by far. I'm a short person so sport bike ergos don't bother me a bit, even on 8+ hour rides. The payoff of better handling, braking, even roll on speeds (when you downshift smoothly), and overall protection from the elements make 600 cc scoots better for me. Don't get me wrong, I do like the FZ-1 a lot. I hope Yamaha sells lots of them. But for me, I can't see how the extra dough is justified for maybe only better roll on performance when you don't want to downshift. But to each and their own of course. See you on the asphalt rivers dude!
Joined
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24 Posts
I usually ride about 2 hours each day (broken up into about 20 minute blocks) and on the weekends I ride about 10 hours (if the weather is REALLY nice, maybe twice that). My current ride is an F3 that I've had about 4 years. In the past, I've owned Suzuki Bandits, Honda Interceptors and Nighthawks, and a couple of Harleys. The F3 is my favorite ride by far. I'm a short person so sport bike ergos don't bother me a bit, even on 8+ hour rides. The payoff of better handling, braking, even roll on speeds (when you downshift smoothly), and overall protection from the elements make 600 cc scoots better for me. Don't get me wrong, I do like the FZ-1 a lot. I hope Yamaha sells lots of them. But for me, I can't see how the extra dough is justified for maybe only better roll on performance when you don't want to downshift. But to each and their own of course.
Looks like a pretty cool bike. You might tell by my name that I have a Bandit 1200S (2001). I love it. I've had it since October. Got the second one in Austin, Tx......they go like hot cakes. I like the Fazer and thought about waiting for it but the Bandit track record is pretty good over the last few years. Only thing I don't like about the Fazer is the fairing looks a little like a hammer head but I like the silver engine. Should be comprable to the Bandit.
B1200S
B1200S
'bout the only thig comparable to the B12 is that they both have two wheels! Seriously, a 50lb weight difference with 15-25 more HP will generate significantly better numbers for the Yammi. I think a sport-tourer (NOT a knee scraper) with this power/weight, wind protection, large fuel capacity, and ergos will be a real hit; the B12 and to a lesser extent the ZRX prove the viability of this market. The sv650 and the new XR-7s show that there is another level to this growing market.
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486 Posts
Re: Seat height?
For me, riding in rural colorado (where many roads are dust-and-sand-covered, if not flat-out unpaved), it is a major concern--especially for a short guy like me. However, for an average-height rider in a more urban setting, I see where it wouldn't be an issue (I've ridden a CBR on city streets and didn't find seat height to be an issue, but I wouldn't choose that bike for the tertiary roads where I like to ride).
If Yamaha decides to make and import an FZ-6, I hope they put a lower seat height on it. I'll still probably go with a Nighthawk as my next bike because of the ultra-low-maintainence costs (hydraulically adjusting valves), but when I'm finally out of college and got college loans paid off, something like an FZ-6 would be sweet (I'm not too into liter-sized bikes).
I still applaud Yamaha for all they've done to improve the standards market, though the FZ1 isn't right for me.
Starving Student
For me, riding in rural colorado (where many roads are dust-and-sand-covered, if not flat-out unpaved), it is a major concern--especially for a short guy like me. However, for an average-height rider in a more urban setting, I see where it wouldn't be an issue (I've ridden a CBR on city streets and didn't find seat height to be an issue, but I wouldn't choose that bike for the tertiary roads where I like to ride).
If Yamaha decides to make and import an FZ-6, I hope they put a lower seat height on it. I'll still probably go with a Nighthawk as my next bike because of the ultra-low-maintainence costs (hydraulically adjusting valves), but when I'm finally out of college and got college loans paid off, something like an FZ-6 would be sweet (I'm not too into liter-sized bikes).
I still applaud Yamaha for all they've done to improve the standards market, though the FZ1 isn't right for me.
Starving Student
Re: "I feel sorry for you, dude," he should
Motorpsyche, "Roll-ons" by definition don't involve smoothly downshifting. That is called DOWNSHIFTING to the power peak. A "roll-on" is just that, rolling-on the throttle WITHOUT downshifting. Get a clue. 600's will NEVER touch litre class bikes for roll-on torque.
Motorpsyche, "Roll-ons" by definition don't involve smoothly downshifting. That is called DOWNSHIFTING to the power peak. A "roll-on" is just that, rolling-on the throttle WITHOUT downshifting. Get a clue. 600's will NEVER touch litre class bikes for roll-on torque.
Add a Triumph Speed triple to that test.
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