Moved up to a litre bike - Yamaha FZ1

[Doovy]

After 2 years of CBR600 RR ownership I've decided to buy something newer, faster and generally more suiting to my riding needs nowadays.

My wife (of a month) and I are now riding everyday from Borehamwood, Hertfordshire into Central London (Baker Street for her, Cavendish Square for me) on mainly A roads - the RR did it but handling was a bit squirrelly at low speeds 2-up and the aggressive riding position was a bit tiresome on the wrists. It also needed even more screaming through the gears (600 IL4 init) than usual. At 51k miles on the clock and doing 100 odd miles a week, the RR needs some more love (Carvel - over to you )

So... as of yesterday, I am now the owner of a grey 2008 Yamaha FZ1 (998cc to be exact) with just 16,000 miles on the clock. It's in fantastic standard condition and got it at an excellent price; the seller has moved to Germany and wanted quick sale so I saved £400 off the asking price of £3500 - which will be spent on a new front tyre and a shouty exhaust! Can't decide on stubby or not yet though (will be a carbon can).

I then rode it 60 miles home in the absolute pissing rain yesterday, got home with bike gear absolutely drenched (Alpinestars Drystar textiles - highly recommended) but with my body dry and a big smile.

Anyway, some photos (some are my father's potato pics).

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/doovydoo/DFB00FE3-8D6D-41DB-8087-D59B6068B9B7_zpsiyrkuv85.jpg

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/doovydoo/14391D35-B0DB-43C0-AC6A-313FA85AF2A9_zpsq11in0xl.jpg

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/doovydoo/7E92951C-F2A8-4E5D-8839-859CD7F35F14_zpsltvjitob.jpg

And off for the ride home.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11181630_10153481815159513_8235740760348114266_n.jpg?oh=448bbcd6223f7cae23d733fea05b4a6e&oe=560FA3CD

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y41/doovydoo/40D91360-F410-4EA1-80B0-98BC06B9D2B1_zpsk94xssfn.jpg

First impressions are very good. It clicks into each gear nicely, throttle response very smooth (some reports of throttle jerkiness at low speed but I've not found this an issue), wide bars are comfortable (might change to renthals soon?) and getting to speed is lovely in any gear. Pulls from 40mph in 6th gear all the way to 70 (honestly officer) and beyond very well.

First ride to work together today was comfortable and pillion reports back happy too! Stuck £15 worth of petrol to fill up the tank this morning and reset the trip meter, so we'll see how that far it gets us.

Off to get a new front tyre after work as current is down to tread indicators and squared off on right hand side something horrific - have to fight it into the right bends! Insurance only wanted £40 to change the policy to this new bike, so happy days. Taxed online too

Further photos / reports soon
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[P.]

Has it really been 2 years Shit, time flies.

Looks nice mate, looks real nice

[Doovy]

Yes my dear boy, 2 years this August in fact. Remember it was just after the BBQ in Peterborough!

Thanks

It's a very clean and un-fucked with example, I could tell right away from the Autotrader ads. Full service history and all keys. All kosher
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[angryjonny]

I haz one.

Can't think of a better all-round bike. Only downside is that it's got 50bhp more than I'll ever use. I feel sorry for it.

[Doovy]

[Suntan Sid]

I've got one of them as well, unfaired version though!

Yours isn't black enough though, needs to be blacker!

Enjoy!
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[Doovy]

Ah yes, I did see a few with black engines! Unfaired looked nice but with the A road riding the screen is handy. Will most likely swap that to a double bubble type screen soon though as standard is quite high.

Also happy the additions of the crash bungs and the belly pan, both of which I would have most likely got anyway!
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[chickenstrip]

Nice one - good value for money are these. Guys on the Fazer forum say you don't need a full system, just a can. EXUP on these makes no difference - just noise/emissions. Different on the early carb models.

Enjoy!
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[angryjonny]

[angryjonny]

[Doovy]

[Suntan Sid]

[Ash-69]

Another satisfied owner here - a tankful (no pillions but 'mixed' use ) should get you 120miles until the reserve kicks in.

Chamfering the RH side of the front tyre doesn't enhance the ride quality at all - just had it on mine with a PR4, but you'll get used to buying tyres ................
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FZ1-S Fazer (licence killer😢) , CRF1000L - Adventure Sport

[P.]

Unsure what R1 engine they have in them, but my 2001 R1 engine was happily getting over 160 miles of sane 70-75mph cruising before the light came on, I'd managed nearly 200 on 1 tank of light cruising also.

[Supermoto_Fan]

A friend has just sold his FZ1 but kept all the extras to sell separately, too many bits to list but cheap enough, think rearsets, dyno commanders, bars, exhausts etc.

PM me and we can swap details if you want
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[ginny]

Lovely looking bike, Im looking for a VFR for a similar commute. FZ definitely has more aggressive looks though! Done the half naked thing and 1000cc just too much for me to use or insure.

How long does it take you to get into London? and how do you find the ride? I'll be doing Welwyn Garden City to Victoria... need to do the maths and it would be really useful to factor in timescales from someone who does similar!

[angryjonny]

I have done the London commute hundreds or times on a VFR(fi) and Fazer 6 (FZS600). The Fazer is certainly easier. More balanced, more flickable for getting between cars etc (similar handling characteristics to the FZ1). The VFR though - dat engine

(doze electrics )

[Doovy]

[Pigeon]

Bike looks brand new! Very low miles and a very decent price.

It's going to take some getting used to, not seeing you + the RR!

Must be really comfy though. Is it weird going back to bars? I find it odd when switching between clipons and bar.

Spot on about the exhaust though, needs to be replaced.


Married, mortgage, sold the supersport.......what usually follows

[chickenstrip]

[Doovy]

[oscar777]

I wanted to go with a 1000, but literally could not get insured on the 1L sportbikes.

How is the extra weight feel? Hows the fuel economy compare?
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Push bike with a 80cc jerry rigged 2 stroke---> CBR125R ---> GSXR600 ---> Ducati 1098SF

[Doovy]

[duhawkz]

[angryjonny]