Yamaha FZ1

[skysailor]

Any strong opinions out there on an FZ1. Looking very serioursly at one. Looking for a reliable pavement gobbler for sport touring.

[BobFV1]

Originally Posted by skysailor

Any strong opinions out there on an FZ1. Looking very serioursly at one. Looking for a reliable pavement gobbler for sport touring.

IMO the FJR is set up much better for the "touring" part of "sport touring".

[arshishb]

Very good bike for sport touring if setup correctly. Oh & they are cheap. They do love tires but thats mainly dependent on the right wrist

Heres what I have done to make it worthwhile for touring:

1) Windshield. There are many many options out there, what works for you may not work for someone else, so this is a hit or miss. Unfortunately the only way to accomplish this is to keep trying different shields. Not to worry though, the FZ1 classifieds are very active in this regard

2)Seat. Sargent or Corbin, both are good, cant go wrong with either, though the common verdict leans towards the Sargent.

Thats about all I did & set out for my 3000 mile trip to Louisiana. YMMV.

[ptc05ADV]

Just did a 1000 mile Iron Butt - GATOR 1000 on my 2009 FZ-1. Used a Laminar Lip to get the air up and over my average sized frame of 5ft 9in.
The stock ergos are nearly perfect and the Corbin seat was very good at elminating monkey butt between fuel stops, which were approx 150 miles apart.
I used the FJR tank bag which was on the large side but it worked fairly well.
I also have the FJR and YES it is the definition of sport TOURING. The FZ-1 is IMHO the opposite - the definition of SPORT touring. And it isn't THAT hard on tires. Over 8200 miles now and front is still very good, the back will need replacement in approx 1000 miles.

PTC

Originally Posted by arshishb

Very good bike for sport touring if setup correctly. Oh & they are cheap. They do love tires but thats mainly dependent on the right wrist

Heres what I have done to make it worthwhile for touring:

1) Windshield. There are many many options out there, what works for you may not work for someone else, so this is a hit or miss. Unfortunately the only way to accomplish this is to keep trying different shields. Not to worry though, the FZ1 classifieds are very active in this regard

2)Seat. Sargent or Corbin, both are good, cant go wrong with either, though the common verdict leans towards the Sargent.

Thats about all I did & set out for my 3000 mile trip to Louisiana. YMMV.

[garrett the nerd]

First wash of the year

[CHOPPASTYLE]

Just picked one up.....now where do i get all the mods?

[Milhaus]

I have several mates that ride these and can't say enough good things about them.

Bob has a good point about the FJR being a great platform too, but you asked about the FZ1 and I would say it is a solid choice!

[agoailam]

I love mine. I have a Gen 1 that I commute 80 miles/day on. It's an excellent commuter. Ergo's are not the greatest for long distance, but there are things you can do to help that. I have a Sargent seat that I'd recommend as well as a Rifle screen for long trips and/or winter.

In twisties, it's fun. It has lots of power in an accessible RPM range. Handling is predictable, and for its size it's nimble. I'm coming from an older 600 bike, and to me the Fizzy is big. But I like the way it rides on the highway.

It's a great bang-for-the-buck bike. Buy in is low, and versatility is high. Post up or PM specific questions if you've got 'em.

[pluric]

I have an FZ1 (02) and an FJR (06). The FZ is much lighter and
frisky feeling. The FJR is comfortable and a great bike for distance.
The FZ is a little buzzy in the bars. I call it an "FJR lite" great taste
and less filling. I have it set up with a Givi trunk and soft bags. So if
I want to use it for a weekend get away it's up for it. Any long stuff
I lean towards the FJR. It's Been very reliable and the performance/handling
made my old Bandit 1200s seem so dated.
If most of your riding is commuting, short get aways, and some twisties
I would lean towards the FZ. If distant horizons are your thing, the FJR.

[MrVvrroomm]

I've owned both a Gen1 FZ1 ('02) and a Gen1 FJR ('04). Both can eat lots and lots of miles.

If I were buying a new bike for ST duties today it would be the latest Bandit 1250. It's a poor man's FJR.

[spaiduhz]

Originally Posted by Bocephous

I hit a deer last fall with my '02 FZ1 at about 60mph. Surgery was performed over the winter with my fizzy going from this...






...to this.

That a double h4 bulb setup? Very nice! I might put a manner of cowling to cover the meter.

I am guessing you might miss the fairing when you are in excess of 100MPH though.

[Bocephous]

Originally Posted by spaiduhz

That a double h4 bulb setup? Very nice! I might put a manner of cowling to cover the meter.

I am guessing you might miss the fairing when you are in excess of 100MPH though.

There is an H4 bulb in each headlight. I commute home in the dark so being able to see well at night is a priority and these light the night well. The speedo/tach gauge is (so far) impervious to weather and I have ridden through some pretty strong storms.

I rarely exceed 100mph so it really isn't a factor for me. There is actually FAR less turbulence and noise than there was before with the 1/2 fairing and mirrors. It's my second first gen FZ1, my daily commuter, and I love it.

[sailah]

Turned an 04 into this:



Love the motor, that's about all I kept!!

[Bocephous]

Originally Posted by sailah

Turned an 04 into this:



Love the motor, that's about all I kept!!

That thing must be a handful in the dirt. Very nice work, btw.

[fizzerfz1]

The FZ1 is one of the most underrated bikes. Here's my second gen1. My previous one was also gen1 blue. I like the Bee better, but the blue seemed faster, Didn't know the color had an effect on top speed.

Still a baby with just over 16k miles.