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Ashok, if you were to do it again.... (Reply to this comment)
by hgrama
My demographics and background are very much like yours. 40-ish years of Indian descent and rode a Yezdi for several years in my college days 20 years ago. Haven't really ridden since except for a CB750F a few times 10 years ago.
I am *very* taken up with the FZ1's looks but hear the bandit 1250S is the more 'rideable' of the 2 because of it's low end torque. On the downside, it is much heavier and I don't care much for it's looks.
Any comments on what you'd do - bandit or FZ1 - if you were to do it again?
Thanks in advance
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Jul 02 '08
11:18 am PDT
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Re: Re: Not so much... (Reply to this comment)
by aashok
Thanks for your comments. After 11 months and almost 10000 miles later, I really crave more low end torque as well. The Ysmaha MT01 would be my next bike, if they sold it in the US :(
Remember to always keep the shiny side up...
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Apr 28 '08
5:02 am PDT
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Re: Not so much... (Reply to this comment)
by fazered
Are you the same "bladerunner" guy on the Sulekha forum by any chance ?
The FZ1 can be modified cheaply by changing the front & back sprockets to give it a boost at lower rpm's. But yeah - the torque at lower rpm's is what I'd like too.
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Apr 27 '08
9:37 pm PDT
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Not so much... (Reply to this comment)
by blade_runner
Your review was very thorough and I completely agree that the FZ1 styling is great. However, I try not to let that override the performance of the bikes that I buy. Having said that, the Suzuki, although somewhat retro compared to the Yammie, stomps all over it on the bottom end. It produces more torque at 3500 rpm than even the Hayabusa. So unless 120 mph is the current speed limit in NY State, you're gonna get a LOT more grunt from the Bandit, and have a lot more fun at all but the highest speeds, which of course on a naked bike with no wind protection are not particularly enjoyable anyway. This is the first Bandit with FI and water cooling, and most buyers don't realize that. Also, the ST1300 is not in this class of bike and should not be considered.
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Apr 10 '08
10:04 pm PDT
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Re: I want to be a hooligan too :-) (Reply to this comment)
by aashok
"I really need your input and I hope you will see this and respond. I'm just about hitting 40, have not ridden in the last 7 yrs. But before that, I rode for 8 yrs on an RD350. Now I'm lusting after this bike. I'm quite aware of what it can do. I was very comfortable riding before. Just rusty and doing the MSF rider course first. Do you thik its manageable for me to ride this. I live in city not much populated. So I'll practice for a long time on deserted roads/parking lots. Is it safe for me to buy ?
**(from email)**
I had last ridden a Yamaha 350 in India for 8 yrs. Took to it like a glove. Now there's a 7 yr gap from the time I last rode it. Also rode a CB400 once then. I'm very interested in the 2007 FZ1 for all the reasons you say. One significant factor is being able to ride the bike at slow speeds till I get used to it. I live in WV - not much traffic - not anything like NY where I lived before
I'm hoping its easy to ride in 1st on the street without jerkiness or lurching. And take things slowly. Try and simulate road challenges (braking, cornering, controlling the weight at turns/countersteering WITHOUT actual traffic. then slowly step up so that the mind trains
The throttle snatch problem seems to be resolved over the 06 model. I am well aware of how powerful this bike is. I did go to a dealer and twisted the throttle to see how much twist took it to 3000 rpm. This was to give me a very rough idea that it was not like the sportbikes/MotoGp bikes - a little twist and it howls. That would make me run away. I'm well aware that it will change personality very quickly. I just want to avoid having to buy a 500 / 650 for 4-6 mnths, then wait for winter and buy it next year. But I'm not closed to that idea."
I am glad that my review prompted you to join Epinions. I hope you stay a while and post reviews on some of the consumer products & services found in your universe.
All your questions revolve around bike selection. Your choice of bike will have the greatest impact on how much you enjoy your ride (or hate it). Here are some factors to consider:
YOUR WEIGHT:
If you are a heavy guy (225 lbs), you will find it easier to ride and maneuver a heavier bike, especially at slower speeds & at extremely fast speeds (100 mph). Before the FZ1, my only riding experience was 20 years ago, on a Yezdi 250. While that was a relatively light 250cc bike, it was OK for me because I was lighter too. Now I need at least 1000cc’s to haul my fat-azz from 0 to 60. In normal city and highway riding, I don’t find the FZ1 heavy at all. However you WILL feel the full dead weight of the FZ1, if you tip it over. I messed up my lower back trying to lift it up by myself. The reason why most MSF sponsored basic rider courses are conducted on very light 150cc Suzuki street bikes, is because they are so easy to maneuver at slow speeds. Based on your riding history, I would suggest you to stick with bikes like the FZ1 & FZ6 that have upright seating with sensibly placed handlebars and footpegs. The FZ1 can be comfortably driven at slow speeds in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears. Yamaha set very tame ratios for the lower gears in order to accommodate the typical urban rider / commuter. You can ride smoothly in 1st or any gear, only after you have a good feel for the clutch friction point, and good throttle control. The BRC will give you excellent (classroom & on-bike) training for various simulated riding situations. BTW you truly cannot appreciate or utilize this bikes power, until you hit 8000 rpm.
YOUR TYPICAL RIDING HABITS:
Be honest with yourself! What do you enjoy doing the most on a bike? Cruising around at a leisurely pace knowing that you have the power if you need it, aggressive stop-n-go city riding, or do you like to (occasionally) pretend you are Casey Stoner going down the NJ Turnpike at 137 mph with your hair on fire? I can tell you from experience, the FZ1 performs admirably well….at doing all three ;) But if you like to go insanely fast, I would seriously consider the R1 or even a Busa. And in reality, you will never get a chance to drop knee like Rossi, unless you are running hot laps on a controlled circuit or track. Keep in mind that riding in the US is dramatically different from riding in India. There are numerous new challenges you will face here. There is no contest when a motorcyclist meets up with an SUV driven by a knee-steering commuter running late for work, with one hand stuffing a McMuffin down the throat while the other is holding a cell phone to the ear. Speeds are much faster & car drivers are typically quite inexperienced at dealing with motorcyclists. Besides all that, contemporary motorcyclists have to live with an undeserving and misdirected bad rap in American society. On the positive side, you won’t have to deal with cows crossing the road, or a slow moving bullock-cart. And if you have 3-5 year old nephews, they will think you are God!
"Do you think it is NOT insane for me to buy this bike?"
Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy. ~~~Nora Ephron~~~
All the best with your new bike, and please ride safely.
Ashok
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Aug 01 '07
1:49 pm PDT
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I want to be a hooligan too :-) (Reply to this comment)
by fazered
Very insightful and detailed review. Especially to people who have some concerns/questions about this bike. Thanks for the post.
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Aug 01 '07
4:25 am PDT
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Remember the Yamaha RD 350 in India (Reply to this comment)
by fazered
Ashok - I really need your input and I hope you will see this and respond. I'm just about hitting 40, have not ridden in the last 7 yrs. But before that, I rode for 8 yrs on an RD350. Now I'm lusting after this bike. I'm quite aware of what it can do. I was very comfortable riding before. Just rusty and doing the MSF rider course first. Do you thik its manageable for me to ride this. I live in city not much populated. So I'll practice for a long time on deserted roads/parking lots. Is it safe for me to buy ?
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Jul 31 '07
9:12 pm PDT
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