New FZ1

[Ed K]

Geez,

I think I am falling under the spell of the new FZ1... Have never rode one, but it sure seems like a dynamite bike. I am afraid if I ride one, it'll be all over for my RR.

And this year the frame geometry and structure is different than last year's: tubular-steel is out, and engine as stressed member is in for 2006. Slightly less power than an R1, but still mucho through a fantastic engine. Heavier flywheel for smoother delivery.

Bones: What is your take on the 2005 FZ1?

Anyone else have some experience with one?

As I recall, at least one other cafe member has an R1.

What do you guys think about the FZ1?

[Big Papa]

I think the 06 FZ1 and FJR are 2 of the best remakes for this year. Now the FZ1 is closer to the "naked R1" than before. Also, the euro Yamaha website is showing alot of very cool accessories like hard bags and full fairing. I am waiting to see an FZ-1 in person as well as the ZX-14, before plopping down my money on a new BMW K bike. The 06 FZ-1 is priced very well IMHO.

[DJ Down Under]

Hey Ed K...is this the bike that you're talking about...I had a good look at it yesterday and have more pics if you like...I'm not sure but I think you guys get the half fairing job instead of this true naked one.

DJ

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2142.JPG

[Big Papa]

DJ, We don't get the truly naked one like in your pic. That bike is really hot.

We get this one...

http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=28736&stc=1&d=1141525508

[Bones]

Ed,
I haven't been on the '06 FZ1, but I do have some opinions on that bike, based on really looking into it. I did so because I have a close friend and riding buddy who has an older FZ1 with about 50,000 miles on it and has considered a new FZ1, as he has been totally enamored with his old one. Indeed, I have an '05 FZ1 with 5,200 miles on it. Mine had only minor mods: Two Brothers exhaust, mini nose cowl, rear fender eliminator, hugger, Metzler Z6 tires and Sargent seat.

As far as I am concerned, the OLD one makes more power than makes sense. So, more power is ridiculous. Now, don't get me wrong; that is one of the things that seduced me about this bike. I was interested in a real world road bike with the following:
1.Power
2.Great ergonomics for all day riding, sporty riding, touring.
3.Personality
4.Comfort
5.Fully adjustable suspension
6.Little to no driveline lash
7.Smooth non snatchy throttle response
8.Did I mention, power?

The '05 is all that. Plus, with the TB exhaust, it sounds great.

The thousanth time I passed a car going a zillion miles an hour, it occured to me that being able to pass a car at only a thousand miles an hour would be just fine.

I never got into trouble, even with all that power (though I was lucky that law enforcement just seemed not be anywhere around me most of the time on that bike), but I really do think the amount of power is ridiculous. Respect for that throttle is a must.

And as anyone who has done any racing or track riding will tell you, it is not faster through turns than any good bike that makes 85 hp, because even an '05 GSXR1000 wouldn't be. Even on a track, the liter bikes don't post faster lap times than the 600's most of the time until you get to Matt Mladin type riding. But the bike will go like hell in a straight line.

I actually love the carbs on that bike because none of that snatch that EFI causes exists with this bike. It tracks with so much comfortable stability that it is really confidence inspiring. The brakes on the '05 are just fantastic. Really fantastic.

SO other that techno wizardry that may not really have utility in real riding, what will the new FZ really offer:
1. More power that you can't really use.
2. A stiffer frame that you can't really use (the old one is stiff as hell).
3. It does look nice, that I will admit....but I like the way the old one looks just fine.
4. A cooler looking seat that will need to be changed to a less cool looking one that you can actuall sit on for more than a half hour.
5. It costs a lot more than the '05. Like 30% more, list (and they aren't selling for less than list).

When my "devoted to FZ1" buddy saw the new features but also the price he said "no way." I am selling mine, NOT because I don't love it: I do. But I love the R1200GS more, it fits me real riding needs better and I actually decided that I wanted a bike that makes less power. Plus I just could not stay away from a flat twin forever.

Will the '06 be fantastic? You bet. In all ways. Will that fantastic-ness be usable? No.

Is there anyone on this board that can really ride a bike that makes that much power to anywhere near its potential? I know we have some very, very talented and experienced riders here, but I am willing to bet a nice bottle of scotch that the answer is no. Because an inline 4 doesn't really do its thing until the revs get up there, and this bike will rip your gonads off when it gets over 9K. We need our gonads, because of Bob's postings in the Page 3 Girls section.

So my '05 is for sale, if anone is interested. Pics available by email.

Jeff

[Ed K]

Hey thanks guys...

Bill, I am waiting to see it in person as well...

DJ, As you and Big Pappa mentioned, we get the half-faired... There a write-up in this month's Cycle World, which I just got today.

Bones, Thanks for the extensive write-up based on your experience with the 05. Very helpful counsel.

I noticed that it only has a 4.75 gal tank... Good for about 135 miles... Dang, I'd either just about run out of gas, or have to change some of back roads routes, with that small of a tank.

Well... Looks like I am gonna have to try and feel one to know for sure...

In the mean time, BMW better hurry-up with R1200R... My eyes and heart are some times wandering in lust of more power and overall performance (although I still do love my RR).

[jamming]

Is it just me, or did Yahama steal half a headlight off a ST?
Roger

[Bones]

Ed,
You would only need a gas tank that takes you 137 miles, because that is exactly how long a rear tire will last on that bike!


Jeff

[Rchop]

Hey Ed, you might want to look at this Kawasaki Z750S. about 7k

http://members.cox.net/frsengineering/Z750S.jpg

check this link for past discussion http://www.motorcyclistcafe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72

[Ed K]

Hey Jeff: Yea, was wondering about rear tires. I'm already on my third rear tire on my RR...the Z6s last no more than 3K miles given the back road conditions I mostly ride in, and my riding style.

Also, about how often do you need to lube, adjust, replace sprockets and chain specific to the FZ1? Been a while since I had a chain driven bike...

Jamming, that was also the first thought that occurred to me...looks something like the ST headlight.

Rchop: The Z750 certainly seems like a great back road burner...as I recall, I think Bones was thinking about this one...but I'm not sure it'd be a match for me tho.

[lkyphl]

Ed,
I have a '00 1150GS with a few kms up, and was considering upgrading to a 1200GS. I decided that the 1200 wasn't a (AUD)$13,000 better bike, so I bought a new '05 FZ-1 last July. I've not owned an in-line four before, and after 7000kms the FZ-1's up for sale. Compared to a boxer the Yam is devoid of character and personality ; it does everything [I]too[I] well. It goes like a cut cat, but it's boring. You can get the 'bars waggling under hard acceleration in second, it has dynamite brakes, a slick gearbox, corners well on smooth roads, and has faultless carburetion, but it doesn't ring my bell like an R-engined BMW !
I love riding the 1150 even more now.

Can't wait to ride a 1200R ........

Phil

[Bones]

Ed,
Phil has it right, if you love twins. I don't dislike my FZ1 as much as he does, but the essence of what he describes is right on. I found the Kawasaki 750 to be OK, but without the balls of the FZ1. To me it isn't so much that the FZ1 has no personality. Actually, with that Two Brothers exhaust, it has a hell of a nice snarl. But an in line 4 is just such a different beast. Guess I was trained on twins and they feel like home.

Phil, I had no intention of getting the 1200GS. But after 5K on the FZ1, I rode the new GS for about 45 minutes and there was no going back. I just think it is all that is good about the 1150, but better. Lighter, handles a better, faster (not that that is needed, really) and the brakes are better. NO ABS and no servos for me.

Jeff

[Ed K]

Thanks Phil and Jeff.

I understand what you are saying about Japanese engineering...kinda sterile. And maybe its just my wandering eyes. Even though a sample ride on an FZ1 might not be enough to tell, it will at least give me an idea.

If the weather and my other obligations are clear next weekend, I'll get out to a Yami dealer, give it a spin, and report back.

Thanks guys for counseling caution. I do love my R1150R, and have been waiting with much anticipation regarding the R1200R, expecting it (as everyone is) to be more and better. And since I prolly remain a one bike guy, I want to be sure I have the right one!

[Bones]

Ed,
Having said what I have said, I would DEFINATELY take a test ride on the new FZ1 if given the opportunity. The power will give you a woody, and who would turn down a woody?

We will expect a ride report.

Jeff

[Arby]

RE; The post regarding adjusting and lubeing chains. If you like to use your bike for sporttouring, and it's a chain drive, you will find yourself doing just that in some motel parking lot.

That's why I like the Harley/Buell belt drive or the shaft drive of BMW , FJR, etc.

I had a DUCATI 900ss that I liked, But after a 2000 mile sport tour in the mountains with a friend on a ED 80 Rockster, and him watching me deal with lubeing and adjusting the chain ,with some amusing commentary, that was it for me. The 900ss was history.

If you just do day rides, it's not as important.

Bob

[DarthRider]

"...The post regarding adjusting and lubing chains. If you like to use your bike for sport touring, and it's a chain drive, you will find yourself doing just that in some motel parking lot..."

Bob, I have a number of friends with chain drive dual sports and sport tourers and they all swear by the Scott Chain Oiler. I know there are a couple of other similar products too. They all say they rarely adjust chains.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a chain drive sport tourer and equip it like that. Personally, I would have much more peace of mind with a chain than a BMW after having not one but TWO rear drive failures on my 50R at 24 and 25K miles. Not to mention a bad U-joint and drive shaft splines. I'm riding it to Sturgis in August on business and I'll be listening, feeling and imagining failures all the way. The others weren't imagined! Hope it doesn't take a dump again...if it does it will be for sale cheap & fast and will be replaced by a new Triumph Sprint ST.

I've had 3 Beemers and loved them all but the BMW "mystique" has worn too thin for me with the 50R problems.

The modern chains are *so good* it's incredible. I have a DID 530 X-ring on the Speed Triple. In 3,700 miles I've adjusted just the tiniest amount twice. This is a powerful bike and I ride it hard. I was very surprised & pleased at the chain performance. Every few hundred miles a I wipe it down with WD40 or mineral spirits and give it a quick spritz of Silkolene Pro Chain Synthetic lube. Doesn't sling off...the only rear wheel grunge I get is from the brake.

And it hasn't blown up the rear end...not even once!

Dave

[Deans BMW]

You R1200GS guys, keep in mind that adding a full Remus system, head pipes and can adds 7 to 8 RWHP, I have been involved with doing same twice, two Diff 1200GS's on two diff dynos with same result. If intrested, I have a source with no shipping and no tax.

[Arby]

Dave
You're right, of course. Chains are getting better and better. Especially when it comes to big horsepower and/ or abuse.

Even so, I've been coast to coast twice on the Buell, done several 600 mile days on the Harley and lots of long days on various shaft drive bikes ,(850 Suzuki, Concours and BMW)with zero parking lot or road side adjustments.
(Except for a R100R that I rented in San Francisco that dropped a u joint before I made it 10 miles from the rental shop).

I wouldn't hesitate to take off on any of the new bikes, if it was something I liked.

I was just bringing up a point based on my experience.

BTW, for your return route from Sturgis, why not follow Route 89 south. you would see everything from Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons to the North Rim to Sedonia, plus probably a lot of good stuff I don't even know about. Assuming you have the time of course.

Just a thought.

Bob

[DarthRider]

Bob -

And you are right about the belt drives! I think that's a great alternative to shaft drive and chains, theoretically anyway. But if they can live and be happy on a Buell they should be happy most anywhere, except maybe something like an R1 or MV Augusta 1000 F4.

I do wonder how the belts will fare on the Buell Ulysses when used offroad. I know sand & gravel is real hard on them.

The only other time I rode to Sturgis was on my '84 R100RS with my wife. This was during the Rally and we only lasted 2 days before we'd had much more than enough of straight pipes & drunks. And drunks with straight pipes coming 'round the mountains 3 feet over the double yellow. One of those idiots took his 8 year old daughter with him...drunk. Over the double yellow right into the bumper of a truck. Killed the little girl and he just got an ambulance ride. I wonder how he sleeps, most nights?
Anyway, when we bailed out we headed West and went by the Devil's Tower, then on to The Tetons, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, etc. Absolutely breathtaking! Little traffic, no other bikes to speak of, and the Tetons...!
Coming back we stayed in a haunted B&B in Laramie, did the Rocky Mountains State Park in CO and more. It was a great trip!

This time I'll be riding the 50R solo with two guys on hopped-up Harley baggers...my boss and a co-worker. Should be fun in a strange way! And it's all expenses paid on company time. I always dreamed of getting paid to ride motorcycles, but doing it in the Harley aftermarket is not what I had in mind...this is the most fun job I've ever had though!

Dave

[Sir Limpsalot]

"The Tetons, Jackson Hole, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Haunted B&B in Laramie" I don't have the slightest idea what (or where!) these places are.....
But they sound WONDERFUL!
The only reason I sold my Sprint was doing chain maintainance every morning in B&B car parks. Oddly enough, the only part of that bike ever to give me trouble was the bastard Scottoiler! Other people I know have had no problems with 'em, so perhaps mine was a duff 'un. Maybe I expect too much?
The friend who bought the bike off me can't get it to work either though.
I like the Sprint ST a lot, but I'm starting to LOVE the Moto-Guzzi Breva 1100!
If your 1150R gives you further drive problems then I recommend the time honoured solution.......................................... .........



A lighted match in the gas tank and claim the insurance money!:037:
(Sorry mate!) Si.

[arkline]

Si,

Does sound grand doesn't it?

Grand Tetons:
http://www.nps.gov/grte/

Jackson Hole:
http://www.jacksonhole.com/

The Devil's Tower (most know it from the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" where it played a starring role)
http://www.nps.gov/deto/home.htm

Yellowstone (National Park)
http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

All natural wonders of the American west. But not the only ones. Devil's Tower is an amazing sight. Yellowstone smells of sulphur. The Tetons are, well, huge and Alpish.

I've never been to Jackson Hole, thus no comment.

[Deans BMW]

The Grand Tetons on my beautiful blue R1150R.

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/14483468-M-1.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/14415037-M.jpg

[Bones]

With my comments about my FZ1, I completely forgot to mention the chain. The new FZ1 will have a chain, too.

Well, yes, the chain can be a bit of a pain in the arse when traveling on long trips, esp. if you hit rain. On my trip last summer through NY, PA, Maryland, West. Va., Ohio, then back across PA and then home to NY, indeed, we had rain. As I was dealing with chain lube one morning in the parking lot of our motel, my riding buddy just smiled, shook his head and said, "Oh, chains, I forgot bikes came with them." He rides an 1150R. I said "thanks...go get coffee, will ya?"

I never had any loosening problems with mine. Just the PIA factor of lubing it all the time. I use Honda white chain lube which dries into more of a waxy consistency so there is less (but not none) of the fling issue. My other buddy with the FZ1 with a lot of miles on his replaced his front sproket and chain at about 30K. He rides his bike very hard most of the time.

Jeff

[Ed K]

Terrific additional counsel and commentary guys on chains, sprockets, lubes and, of course, things that are Grand and Teton...Thanks!

[Deans BMW]

For Bones and all the other R1200GS riders, you shouldn't have any problems with any sport bike rider and yes twins have soul in abundance.

http://www.advrider.com/Photos/hpimages/image_141.jpg

[Bones]

Dean...don't I know it! I have been so impressed with the GS on backroads, it is ridiculous (in a good way). I have been at a track day with a guy on a 1200GS in our group. He smoked. The only place to get around him ever was on the longer back straight where sheer hp turned into top speeds. Otherwise, he was as fast or faster than the fastest in the group through all turns and passed people like "butter."

He was on street tires, too.

Have I mentioned how much I love my NON SERVO GS bike? Ahhh, if only the weather would let us ride up here in snow country!

Jeff

[Sir Limpsalot]

Thanks for the links, you guys are soooo lucky with all that fantastic scenery.
Who'd have thought that Yellowstone would have an "Historic Vehicle Collection"?
I've promised "her indoors" a holiday in the US sometime. Looks like it ought to be sometime soon.
Cheers all,
Si

[Ed K]

Well guys...

On my way back from work today I stopped by the Yamaha / Kawasaki dealer...

And no, they didnt have a 2006 (or 2005) FZ1, and dont expect one for a few weeks at least. And no, they dont do sample rides anyway...so I wouldn't get to ride it.

But they did have an FZ6...very close dimensions and look of a FZ1.

I sat on it for while, visually studied it, imagined what it would be like...and funny, kinda came to the same conclusion without even riding it, that the guys here did.

I seemed kinda...uh...cheap...compared to a BMW. And I thought of Bone's comments... I imagined it going like a bat out hell, but not delivering the best overall riding pleasure. But I might not ever know, cause, for sure, I aint gonna buy something I cant ride first.

Then again, what I did like (but I know I wont make this jump, because I am a one bike guy and need something more all around) ...was the Kaw 10R. Very nice...in black.

So it seems I am back to R1200R. Dang, wish BMW would hurry up.

After going to the Yami / Kaw dealer I stopped by a BMW dealer to pick an oil filter (still dont understand why BMW filters are so outrageous $$$) and oil, and this particular dealer thinks we wont see the R1200R until 2007 (ouch!). Dean: Tell me its not so!

Anyway, looks like the FZ1 spell that was cast over me, has been broken...

[DJ Down Under]

These two new Yam's were at the motorcycle expo the other day during the Supa's....the yellow naked R1 and the MT-01 took most of my interest.

Is one of these an FZ-6...?

DJ

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2186.JPG

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2187.JPG

[Ed K]

Dave,

Interesting pics...

The first one looks like an FZ1 (with the inverted fork), and the second (regular fork) looks like an FZ6.

However, I thought all 2006 FZ1s and FZ6s were to have black engines. :eusa_think: Maybe different down under :icon_question:

[Bones]

Ed,
You have it backwards. Look at the swingarms. The Black bike is the FZ6 and the Blue one is the FZ1. The header pipes also give it away. Plus the two piece seat is with the new FZ1 and the one piece seat is the FZ6. And the inverted forks are on the FZ1.

Jeff

[Ed K]

Yup...inverted fork = FZ1... When I was replying, the order was reversed in sequence...

[Wild Will]

The New Cycle World mag has an article on the new Yamaha Fazer (that's what it says on the fairing) FZ1.
BTW, a modern chain will go for 40-45,000 miles if almost completely ignored. A pal with a '91 VFR had that mileage when, on a trip, we discovered it was out of adjustment and dry. It got him home again after another 500 miles. Some folks are just maintenance hounds. Me? I like The Shaft, but both my XR's, my Ducati and Ninja are chained. Maintenance is a breeze. I wonder if a modern O ring chain, a marvel of engineering and metallurgy, ever needs more than wiping with a paint thinner-wet rag and adjustment when needed. That's all mine get even when we're in the thick of Nevada doing single track.

[DJ Down Under]

My local Yamaha dealer said the new naked R1 (FZ1) will be here in a couple of weeks and will cost about 17k (Aussie)..

..the MT-01 costs almost 22k..and our RR costs about 18k.

btw...the Yamaha Fazer (half faired model) has been here for years and I think it's Yamahas competetion for the Suzuki Bandit which sells so well.

DJ