1st Gen. FZ1 On Crappy Road

brucifer · 01-03-2010, 06:48 AM

Went for a little ride yesterday afternoon with a couple friends -both named Don- me on my '02 FZ1 the other guys on Kawasakis, an '88 ZX600 Ninja and an '05 ZRX1200.
The route we decided to go is best suited to dual-sports or sumos but we took the big bikes anyhow.
The road itself is narrow mostly paved but not well kept up. Several miles of 20-40 mph with lots of switchbacks, frost heaves, pot holes, bumps, washboard with short spans of gravel and dirt thrown in. And being this time of year, wet.
Regarding the bike, I was very impressed how it handled this road. The suspension blew me away as it soaked up everything extremely well without transmitting anything to my back, which is not in good shape. It handled very well too-as well as a semi-sporting postured 500lb. bike could I suppose.

All in all, a very impressive bike.
For anything but true off-roading, I'd say this bike would make a great adventure-sport-tourer.
Just my opinion. And, as always, YMMV.

Anyone else take their 1st gens on similar crap infested roads? Lets hear about it!

Thumpermeister · 01-03-2010, 07:17 AM

The bike will do it fine.
Plush suspension, smooth power and lighter then some full on adventure twins!

JamesG · 01-03-2010, 07:36 AM

FZ1s are noted for being softly sprung and so thats probably why you got such a cushy ride. Get its suspension set up for trackdays and it probably would have beaten the crap out of you.

Grainbelt · 01-03-2010, 08:57 AM

Any street bike can handle crappy roads if ridden at a reasonable pace.

brucifer · 01-03-2010, 10:00 AM

I guess I'm not getting my point across.
I have ridden this particular road and others like it (there's plenty like it around here) on other street only bikes and this particular bike took it way better than the other ones I've owned (and ridden.)

It's almost got me thinking about some dirty style tires, a mondo skid plate and maybe some taller and wider bars...

clapped_r6 · 01-03-2010, 11:03 AM

did 60+ miles of deep gravel on a cbr900 way back when, and it was completely miserable at anything over 25mph
hit some similar roads later on an r1100r and it was a completely different story, it actually handled pretty good.

i think it's all about the steering geometry, i've read the old fz1 was "lazy" so that makes sense.

JamesG · 01-03-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

It's almost got me thinking about some dirty style tires, a mondo skid plate and maybe some taller and wider bars...

I don't know how you somehow connected a big ol' liter streetbike to dual-sports or motards, but what ever floats yer boat.

ag_streak · 01-03-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucifer

...I'd say this bike would make a great adventure-sport-tourer.

I agree...

brucifer · 01-03-2010, 06:33 PM

LOL That's what I'm talkin' about!

Fitty · 01-03-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucifer

Anyone else take their 1st gens on similar crap infested roads? Lets hear about it!

I did a little dual sporting on my first gen FZ1.

Wheeler Pass outside Las Vegas.

Sorry, I got a little carried away.

Bocephous · 01-03-2010, 07:18 PM

I've owned two first gen FZ1's now and live in NE PA where the roads are total crap, and live on a dirt road. When I had my Speed Triple I was always feeling like I was taking a beating. Granted, on smoother roads the handling was fantastic, but those roads are few and far between around here. I bought FZ1 #2 back in May of '09 and that was the first thing that registered in my mind: the FZ1 was so freaking smooth. I owned my first FZ1 in Florida and the roads there are so smooth that anything feels like you're riding on a barcalounger. The Yammy is softly sprung, especially in the rear, and seriously undersprung for 2-up riding so my shock will soon be taking a trip to Traxxion; I hope I don't lose too much of the comfy ride quality.

ramon · 01-03-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitty

I did a little dual sporting on my first gen FZ1.

Wheeler Pass outside Las Vegas.

Sorry, I got a little carried away.

That's pretty serious, I like it!

brucifer · 01-03-2010, 07:42 PM

Fitty-Excellent! Could you tell me all the mods you did, either here or in a pm? Thanks!

Of the three bikes pictured and where you were at, I think I would have preferred the Uly. Wish I hadn't sold mine.
You da man takin' dat FZ dare fer sher!

ramon · 01-03-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucifer

Fitty-Excellent! Could you tell me all the mods you did, either here or in a pm? Thanks!

Of the three bikes pictured and where you were at, I think I would have preferred the Uly. Wish I hadn't sold mine.
You da man takin' dat FZ dare fer sher!

Post it up here, I want to hear about it too!

Fitty · 01-03-2010, 08:22 PM

Well I had upgraded my suspension for my 215 lb weight. Traxxion AK20 cartridges and 1.0 kg springs in the forks and a Penske Sport shock. But due to a lack of ground clearance and an exposed crankcase, I felt I had to keep things pretty stiff to keep from bottoming out. Because of that I bounced my way through some of the rockier sections. My 35" inseam was probably my best asset though. I also went 1 down on the front sprocket and 2 up on the back for that trip. The tire choices are the same as the Uly. We both had Dunlop 616's. The only other viable choice for that type of riding is Scorpion Syncs.

The guy on the Uly did great. One of his fork seals was blown, but he did fine. The guy on the GS Adventure was the most skilled rider of the three.

All in all it was some of the most fun I ever had on that bike. We got some funny looks at the top of Wheeler Pass.

The next day we did a couple of hundred miles of gravel in the desert, until some, uh, incidents cut that part of the trip short.

That bike is now retired and living in Key West. If you're ever down that way say hello to the new owner. He has the same personalized plate I did.

I now have a Wee Strom which I love, but I think the FZ1 was better on gravel roads.

I took some rocks to the crankcase and exhaust, but fortunately no damage.

Here's the Uly and GS coming up a hill.

01-03-2010, 06:48 AM	#1
brucifer ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Eureka, Ca. Oddometer: 1,625	1st Gen. FZ1 On Crappy Road Went for a little ride yesterday afternoon with a couple friends -both named Don- me on my '02 FZ1 the other guys on Kawasakis, an '88 ZX600 Ninja and an '05 ZRX1200. The route we decided to go is best suited to dual-sports or sumos but we took the big bikes anyhow. The road itself is narrow mostly paved but not well kept up. Several miles of 20-40 mph with lots of switchbacks, frost heaves, pot holes, bumps, washboard with short spans of gravel and dirt thrown in. And being this time of year, wet. Regarding the bike, I was very impressed how it handled this road. The suspension blew me away as it soaked up everything extremely well without transmitting anything to my back, which is not in good shape. It handled very well too-as well as a semi-sporting postured 500lb. bike could I suppose. All in all, a very impressive bike. For anything but true off-roading, I'd say this bike would make a great adventure-sport-tourer. Just my opinion. And, as always, YMMV. Anyone else take their 1st gens on similar crap infested roads? Lets hear about it! __________________ 2006 KLR650-2002 Husaberg FC550E w/2008 FE550E engine-2000 Buell M2 Cyclone-Plated 1995 XR600R-1984 Honda CR500R-1984 Honda XL600R/XR650L Hybrid-1984 Yamaha TT600L-1981 Honda XR500R-1980 Honda CB750F

01-03-2010, 10:00 AM	#5
brucifer ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Eureka, Ca. Oddometer: 1,625	I guess I'm not getting my point across. I have ridden this particular road and others like it (there's plenty like it around here) on other street only bikes and this particular bike took it way better than the other ones I've owned (and ridden.) It's almost got me thinking about some dirty style tires, a mondo skid plate and maybe some taller and wider bars... __________________ 2006 KLR650-2002 Husaberg FC550E w/2008 FE550E engine-2000 Buell M2 Cyclone-Plated 1995 XR600R-1984 Honda CR500R-1984 Honda XL600R/XR650L Hybrid-1984 Yamaha TT600L-1981 Honda XR500R-1980 Honda CB750F

01-03-2010, 11:03 AM	#6
clapped_r6 The Spoad Warrior Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, WA Oddometer: 2,192	did 60+ miles of deep gravel on a cbr900 way back when, and it was completely miserable at anything over 25mph hit some similar roads later on an r1100r and it was a completely different story, it actually handled pretty good. i think it's all about the steering geometry, i've read the old fz1 was "lazy" so that makes sense. __________________ none of us are as dumb as all of us

01-03-2010, 06:33 PM	#9
brucifer ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Eureka, Ca. Oddometer: 1,625	LOL That's what I'm talkin' about! __________________ 2006 KLR650-2002 Husaberg FC550E w/2008 FE550E engine-2000 Buell M2 Cyclone-Plated 1995 XR600R-1984 Honda CR500R-1984 Honda XL600R/XR650L Hybrid-1984 Yamaha TT600L-1981 Honda XR500R-1980 Honda CB750F

01-03-2010, 07:18 PM	#11
Bocephous Bitter Clinger Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Smiley/Tirzah, NEPA Oddometer: 338	I've owned two first gen FZ1's now and live in NE PA where the roads are total crap, and live on a dirt road. When I had my Speed Triple I was always feeling like I was taking a beating. Granted, on smoother roads the handling was fantastic, but those roads are few and far between around here. I bought FZ1 #2 back in May of '09 and that was the first thing that registered in my mind: the FZ1 was so freaking smooth. I owned my first FZ1 in Florida and the roads there are so smooth that anything feels like you're riding on a barcalounger. The Yammy is softly sprung, especially in the rear, and seriously undersprung for 2-up riding so my shock will soon be taking a trip to Traxxion; I hope I don't lose too much of the comfy ride quality. __________________ "With a Bocephus sticker on his 4-4-2 he'd light 'em up just for fun." '04 DL1000 '02 FZ1 '09 Raptor

01-03-2010, 07:17 AM	#2
Thumpermeister roost maker Joined: Sep 2009 Location: Frosbite Falls Oddometer: 1,147	Fz1 The bike will do it fine. Plush suspension, smooth power and lighter then some full on adventure twins!

01-03-2010, 07:36 AM	#3
JamesG Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Columbus, GA Oddometer: 10,110	FZ1s are noted for being softly sprung and so thats probably why you got such a cushy ride. Get its suspension set up for trackdays and it probably would have beaten the crap out of you.

01-03-2010, 08:57 AM	#4
Grainbelt marginal adventurer Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Minnyhappiness Oddometer: 25,025	Any street bike can handle crappy roads if ridden at a reasonable pace.

01-03-2010, 07:42 PM	#13
brucifer ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Eureka, Ca. Oddometer: 1,625	Fitty-Excellent! Could you tell me all the mods you did, either here or in a pm? Thanks! Of the three bikes pictured and where you were at, I think I would have preferred the Uly. Wish I hadn't sold mine. You da man takin' dat FZ dare fer sher! __________________ 2006 KLR650-2002 Husaberg FC550E w/2008 FE550E engine-2000 Buell M2 Cyclone-Plated 1995 XR600R-1984 Honda CR500R-1984 Honda XL600R/XR650L Hybrid-1984 Yamaha TT600L-1981 Honda XR500R-1980 Honda CB750F

01-03-2010, 08:22 PM	#15
Fitty Shopping cart rider Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Oddometer: 192	Well I had upgraded my suspension for my 215 lb weight. Traxxion AK20 cartridges and 1.0 kg springs in the forks and a Penske Sport shock. But due to a lack of ground clearance and an exposed crankcase, I felt I had to keep things pretty stiff to keep from bottoming out. Because of that I bounced my way through some of the rockier sections. My 35" inseam was probably my best asset though. I also went 1 down on the front sprocket and 2 up on the back for that trip. The tire choices are the same as the Uly. We both had Dunlop 616's. The only other viable choice for that type of riding is Scorpion Syncs. The guy on the Uly did great. One of his fork seals was blown, but he did fine. The guy on the GS Adventure was the most skilled rider of the three. All in all it was some of the most fun I ever had on that bike. We got some funny looks at the top of Wheeler Pass. The next day we did a couple of hundred miles of gravel in the desert, until some, uh, incidents cut that part of the trip short. That bike is now retired and living in Key West. If you're ever down that way say hello to the new owner. He has the same personalized plate I did. I now have a Wee Strom which I love, but I think the FZ1 was better on gravel roads. I took some rocks to the crankcase and exhaust, but fortunately no damage. Here's the Uly and GS coming up a hill.

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