Price seems fair. Just paid $3700 for an '05 with 12k miles and about $800 in aftermarket stuff (Yosh pipe, corbin seat). Ask the seller what engine oil and chain lube he uses. If he has a good/consistent answer, he's probably taken good care of the bike and the 11k miles should not be an issue at all. From everything I've heard, if well-maintainted, the FZ1 motor should not have problems before 30k miles at the earliest.
My '01 with 67k miles blew a little blue smoke the other day when I was syncing the carbs. I figure it was most like valve seats, but I suppose it could be rings. I'll do a compression check in the near future. Rob Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
I guess if you never change the oil and are constantly bouncing it off the rev limiter then maybe you'll have a problem that soon. A well maintained FZ should be capable of well over 100k without any major problems.
Well, I got it. Nice blue one, 11k miles, runs great. Amazing performance. I'll give it.a few weeks, but right now I think it could use bar risers. Wonderful handling, great brakes, and plenty of torque. My frame of reference is last bike near 20 years ago, an 83 GS1100E. Bikes have improved!
What year did you get? I discovered a "free mod" yesterday. On my Gen1 (2001), the standard bar risers (attached to the triple clamp) have offset bolts. If you remove the handlebars, then reach underneath with a 14mm wrench, you can rotate the risers 180 deg, which will move the bars back about 1/2". Then put the bars back on and readjust them to suit. It made a world of difference for me, and a 1" riser should finish things off nicely ($19.99 from Rocky Mountain ATV). Rob
Thanks for the tip, I will look into it. Mine is a 2003, blue... Manufacture date July 2002 (maybe its a 2002' after all?)
That should be easy to tell - just figure out which blue it is. DPBMC or DPBML? A photo would probably do.
a quick one from my cell... I'll get better ones later. Here it is: Getting used to it, though not riding today... it's 105 outside, I'm staying in and studying for now. Bike is fun. I'm using earplugs, as there is a LOT of wind noise at speed (stand up and it's quiet). I'll give a few weeks to get used to it, but I'll prob raise bars and get a bigger screen. I figured that after an 1100E I was used to Fast, but this thing is... well, it's fun. I've not even wound it past 8 grand. Yippeeee!
So in Europe this would be an '03. Darker blue and black frame. The '01 and '02 had the lighter blie and sliver frame. Having said this I'm not sure about what was done in the USA.... As for the wind noise - try a smaller screen (take a look at my pics a couple of pages back)! This will keep the wind from hitting your helmet and direct it to your chest instead. Much better. And instead of raising the bars, lower them. Gives you a much better feeling for the front wheel. Take for example the risers of the old XT600 and a SBK bar. It changes everything! And - have fun!
Silver(ish?) frame, silver swing arm is 01-02. Black frame, silver swing arm is 03. Black frame, black swing arm is 04, 05. Silver frame, black swing arm is silver 05.
So that seems to be consistent with the European models then. At least as far as '01 - '03 is concerned. So you should have a '03 model, Catus.
Hehehe, just wait until you take it all the way up, don't wear earplugs and finish studying before you do though
You know, the other day when I stood up into the still air, I thought about that very thing... that maybe no screen would get me smooth/quiet air. Well, just looked at your photo of the darkened flush screen - THAT is what I want to get. Where'd you get it? Gimme the source, please, and thanks!
Hey, I've been looking at these bikes a little bit lately. I'm talking to a guy on craigslist, trying to work out a fair trade for my zx-14. You guys think I'd miss the zx motor? I could care less about the 180+ top speed, I never get there anyways. What I do like is the wide powerband, and the smoothness in the 100 to 140 range. At 100 the big ninja is just getting into its happy zone. How are the passanger accomadations? They look maybe about the same as the 14, which is fine with her. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully I can make this trade work. I like the ninja, but I think I would like the fz more.
