So this is what a real motorbike feels like
Written: Jun 29 '08 (Updated Jun 29 '08)
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Pros: Well-behaved at low rpms. Comfortable for 6'1" rider. Inspires confidence
Cons: .... still thinking. I would venture hot without over-pants, but it's summer in Arizona.
The Bottom Line: Comfortable for 6'1" rider. Well-behaved in lower rpms. Great pedigree
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| tntgems's Full Review: 2007 Yamaha FZ1 |
On Saturday June 28, 2008, I bought a used 2007 Yamaha FZ1. It had 1265 miles on the odometer. My previous bike was a KLR 650 that I bought used in 2006 and before that I owned a Yamaha XS400. The model year was 1977, I was 18. I lived in Trinidad, last island in the Caribbean archipelago. On balmy nights, I enjoyed riding from Port of Spain to Maracas Bay. Following the contours, that road snaked through of the Northern Range. It was unlit for the most part, but had the usual median line that helped me stay on the road and not plummet down the steep rain forest covered hillsides.
When the sky was clear and the moon was full, it was near bliss to lay gently into the turns with quick glimpses at the sliver carpet of moonlight on the Caribbean sea.
I moved to the US and years became decades. During all of that time, the urge to ride never diminished. But as I was busy with life and school I never had the resources to buy a motorbike. After earning my Ph.D., I felt I was in a position to ride again. I took the MSF course and contemplated the bike I wanted.
I knew I did not want a bike that would intimidate me. I played with the idea of a DL1000, but thought it was probably too much bike for me. I thought the KLR was a good bike to get back in and would provide touring capability when I felt ready for longer rides. I found the KLR was a lot of machine and enjoyed every moment on it. Yet reviews were not very favorable, tolerant and friendly, but not glowing.
I moved from Los Angeles to Phoenix (for a job, of course). One Saturday morning I decided to explore my new state and rode my KLR 650 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, AZ. While in Flag Staff, I decided to visit Snow Bowl and returned the long way down through Sedona. The ride was beautiful. The canyons from Flagstaff to Sedona took my breath away on every turn. But, I understood the reasons for the reviews of the KLR. Since, I want to review my first day on the FZ1, I'll make a long story short on the KLR. I got home very sore and very tired.
I bought the KLR 650 with the intention of going camping in Big Sur and beyond. But with a young family, that kind of camping is not an option. Also, I am not as interested in off-road riding, as I imagined I would be. In my 18 months, on the KLR, I never took it off the pavement and never wanted to. Second, all the places I want to visit in the near future have paved roads all the way.
I had never seen an FZ1 "in-person" until I saw the one I bought in the previous owner's garage. The photographs do not do it justice. The FZ1 is much lower than the KLR (to state the obvious). My eyes could find no place to rest. As soon as I concentrated on one spot, the light would ooze and slip to another and my gaze would follow. This one is a dark deep blue. It has an abbreviated fairing that is similar, but more substantial than that of the KLR. I walked around it and saw the four pipes joined a single exhaust on the right side.
At this point, I am not sure that I would buy the bike because I have zero experience on a bike this size. So I ask to test it. The owner agreed as long as I understood the "pottery barn" principle. I agreed and threw my leg over it. You sit "in" this bike as compared to "on" the KLR. I wondered about that as I am 6' 1" (1.85 metres). The tank is wide and the seat slides me against the tank. While my wife volunteers to bring me her pink helmet from the mini-van, the owner points out the controls. They look straightforward enough for a test ride.
With the helmet on, I ease out of the drive way and into the cul-de-sac. No choke, no throttle, just ease off the clutch. The bike does not stutter or complain it complies. I paddock around the cul-de-sac about five times with the slightest turn on the throttle. The bike is smooth and compliant. I roll out of the cul-de-sac and up the street in first gear. Again, the bike complies smoothly with no jerkiness. I move through second and third gears keeping rpms low (maybe less than 4000 rpm). I backed off when the speed crossed thirty mph.
At this point, I am still wary, but impressed. I did not detect any hint of hooliganism (as in reviews, I've read). This is a well-mannered bike that seems eager to please. I turned around a started back to the cul-de-sac. With my decision made, I could relax a bit more. Then I finally heard the the melody in the background. The motor whistled while the exhaust had a rich baritone grumble. Well, I've been around long enough to know research went into making this pleasing combination of sounds to separate me from my money. I also felt a throb transmitting from the motor through the seat into the core of my soul. My mind knew it was the high gear and low rpm, but my soul saw a dashed white strip on a pitch black strip winding through the rain forest with the moon laying a sliver carpet across the water to a white sand beach.
Still, I know an FZ1 is a big jump from a KLR. However, it's working for me. At the rpms that I am used to (3000 to 4000), I can keep the bike well within the speed limit of 40 to 45 on the surface street. At these speeds, it feels better behaved than the KLR. The wind screen leaves my head in quiet air with no buffeting. Without ear plugs, riding it is quiet except for the helmet wind noise. With ear plugs, it's just the whistle of the motor and grumble of the exhaust. The seating position as not as upright as the KLR (again stating the obvious), but I don't feel cramps in my legs and my foot finds the gear lever more securely than on the KLR.
For lane changing, the mirrors a nice and wide. I always look over my shoulder before changing and this bike seems to help in that way as well. However, I haven't figured out how as yet.
Arizona was 111 degrees Fah. this weekend. I was going to the grocery to pick up eggs. I wear over-pants, a mesh jacket and safety vest (I did not have on my evaporator cooling vest). Yet, I felt I would have been happy to make return trips to the grocery and by the eggs one at a time.
At a light, I was at the front. Two young men pulled into the lane on my right. They drove a lowered Altima. I wear a helmet with a dark smoked visor. On green we move off together, they pace me for a moment then take off. After about 150 - 200 yards, they slowed down when they realized that I was not about to race them. This bike lets you know that you don't have to prove, explain or justify a thing.
Most of the day, I toddled about on the surface street, but took a shot hop a few exits down the freeway. Getting into the flow of traffic was not as anxiety-ridden. The wide mirrors and easy head-turn allowed good assessment of the flow and matching the speed of the traffic was effortless. The bike felt the same at 70 as it did at 43. I did not have to get over 5000 rpms (as I remember). The only change that I remember was the absence of the motor whistle and the grumble of the exhaust hinted and whispered things in my ear that will have to wait until after I complete the course at super bike school.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6800
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2007
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tntgems
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Reviews written: 1
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