Yamaha FZ8 as first big bike?

[messner]

I am currently half way through my DAS with Camrider and am putting thought to what my first big bike should be.

Been riding a Yamaha XJ6 for my DAS and thought it was amazing (although acknowledge I have nothing really to compare it with except my YBR!). However once I started to look at an XJ6 I couldn't help but feel I might want the extra power of an FZ8. I think both bikes look pretty amazing. I am worried however that the FZ8 would be a bit too much of a handful for me for a first big bike.

I also think that the Street Triple looks amazing but I have been put off that by people telling me that it is not suitable for a new rider, very twitchy on the throttle and really a naked sports bike. Is the FZ8 the same or is it a bit more tame?

I am 27 and would regard myself as fairly sensible, but don't want something crazy that is going to kill me if I make a slightly wrong move in a panic situtaion! Another consideration might be the insurance, I haven't got any quotes for the FZ8 but would imagine it will be more expensive than XJ6.

I am also in the fortunate position of being a cash buyer and will not need finance. If I went for a brand new bike would I expect to be able to negotiate much off the list price and/or any good extras from a dealer?

PS. I am aware of all the advice about not getting a nice bike as a first bike, will just drop it, it's your first bike not your last etc. However, I have taken all that into account - my question really relates to whether this bike is too poweful for me, not whether it is sensible financially.

[Tungtvann]

Do you need a brand new bike? I got a 2009 FZ6 for my first bike and I get on great with it. I don't think the FZ8 is hugely more poweful than the FZ6, probably different engine characteristics though.

FZ6 or FZ8, I think you'll be fine on either.

[FirebladeRuss]

For your first bike after your test, I'd get a second hand something - you'll be so pissed if you buy a spangly new bike and then drop it on your driveway or something.

I'm not suggesting you're a numpty or anything. I had the wind slam our side gates into me a month ago, whcih threw me off balance as I was shifting the bike round the back of the house, and I ended up with the deck.
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[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[messner]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify I am not set on getting a new bike, in fact I would rather get a used one if I could find the right one. I just wondered what deals were to be had if I did go down that route.

However my question was about the FZ8 as a first big bike generally, rather than new vs used.

[Matt B]

That depends on you, your preferences, your abilities... etc. etc.

Example - the FZ8 is only about 10bhp (ish) up on an FZ6 but its a has a lot more torque and is significantly heavier at 215kg.

So, although the FZ8 looks a good choice you may find it to be a heavy bike coming from a 600, maybe not.

The only way to find out is to test ride it.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[pinkyfloyd]

I got the new XJ6 and coming from a VTR1000 there is a noticable drop in power but the bike is still plenty powerfull enough to have a laugh on and there is more than enough torque to get you out of any tight spot.

What I have noticed is at town riding speeds the XJ is a lot more agile and it handles a lot better than the big V2 lump I had even though they are around the same weight.

The XJ is so forgiving its easy to ride around town and the few times I have been anywhere I can open her out she's responded well. I'm still breaking the engine in so havent thrashed her yet but up to 7K revs she's smooth and agile.

Only complaint is the gearbox is as clunky as a clunky thing. But so was the one on the Firestorm.

The FZ8 will give you more power that realistically you probably will never use anyways.
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[Az]

i think you'll be fine, my brother went straight from a cbr 125 to a GSXR 600 and my sister went from some shitty Chinese 125 cruiser to a brand new Fazer 600 and both were perfectly fine. I would get some crash bobbins though, my sister did drop her bike at the lights once as she was still adjusting to the weight of her fazer compared to her little 125.

[Az]

i think you'll be fine, my brother went straight from a cbr 125 to a GSXR 600 and my sister went from some shitty Chinese 125 cruiser to a brand new Fazer 600 and both were perfectly fine. I would get some crash bobbins though, my sister did drop her bike at the lights once as she was still adjusting to the weight of her fazer compared to her little 125.

[FirebladeRuss]

[Ribenapigeon]

i've just bought an XJ, if I had the extra financila roomi could have been tempted by an FZ though. What would have put me off though would have been that most of my riding is in the city. But if your commuting the bigger FZ would be ok I would think. I think an XJ with ABS is better value for money though.

If you can pass tests on an XJ your not going to have a problem with an FZ surely?

[metalangel]

I'd vote for FZ6, if for no other reason than the fact that it's cheaper and therefore you won't get upset if it gets scratched or damaged or a bird goes plop on it.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Amber Phoenix]

I can definitely echo what others have said. For first big bike, don't go new, maybe even avoid anything with faring. You will drop it, it's inevitable.

I got myself a rather nice Fazer 600 from 2003, but have dropped it a couple of times and scuffed all the faring. If that'd been a brand new Fazer 8, I'd be seriously gutted. Consider something second hand and naked (unlike the Fazer). At least then if you do drop it, it's only levers and pegs to replace. So I guess that's one plus point for the FZ8. Can you get the FZ8 with ABS, can't see one at a quick glance? Do opt for ABS if you can, even if it just saves you from dropping it once, it would have paid for itself.

Also have you check on insurance for a new bike? For me as a brand new rider, aged 33, anything worth over £1.5K caused the premiums to go sky high. And that's TPFT.

That said, there's some good 0% interest deals on them Yammy's at the moment... Feck it, if you can afford adequate insurance, take one for test ride and try it!
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[angryjonny]

I have an FZ1 and my missus has an XJ6. I love riding both of them but I can really tell the difference power-wise. I sometimes wish that her XJ6 had more power when I'm on it. On the roads I can't realistically use all the power in my FZ1. By that reckoning, an FZ8 would be about right.

If you worry that a bike won't be powerful enough at this stage then 6 months down the line it definitely won't be powerful enough and you'll be after a new bike in no time.

If you're prepared to risk dropping it and coughing up to get it fixed then get whatever bike you want. I've heard horror stories of folks getting Fireblades and Ducatis as a 1st bike and being terrified of them but that's more down to the uncompromosing riding position rather than the power. An FZ8 is a sensible enough bike and the whole FZ series handle beautifully and instill a lot of confidence. They only go as fast as you tell them to.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]