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Radar
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
6205 Posts |
 Posted - 26/11/2009 : 20:48:26
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Do you remember that bit in the iconic film ‘The Blues Brothers’ when Elwood turns up in the new Blues mobile; an ex police cruiser, much to the disgust of his partner? He leapt to the beaten up cars defence stating coolly
"It's got a cop motor, 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it's a model made before catalytic convertors so it'll run good on regular gas."
He then nailed the throttle, smoking the tyres and leapt across river. My recently acquired FZ1S somehow reminds me of that ex-cop cruiser: Unassuming looks but
“it’s got R1 shocks, R1 brakes and a R1 motor” to paraphrase old Elwood
So what we have here is the proverbial ‘wolf in sheep’s’ clothing’, the ultimate sober suited assassin who looks like the nice bloke next door, but the attaché case he carries doesn’t contain his butties, but rather a dis-assembled snipers rifle and sights…in the 800 miles I have covered on the Fazer so far this is the image that is coming through strongly. With barely 1,000 miles on the bike in total I am yet to really to open the throttle right up, but I am looking forward to letting loose all 132bhp available. Some 40-50bhp shy of the frontline sports bikes but still plenty for me. Potent and arrogant are the best two words to describe the performance so far. The upright and relatively high riding position gives a feel somewhere between a Supermoto and a Range Rover Sport! I doubt however that the top-end will have the ultimate rush of a R1 or GSXR1000 etc. but wonder if the Fazer engine and gearing is generally more realistic and possibly even quicker in the give and take riding at sane (ish) speeds on bumpy, pot holed British roads.
Mention of the gearing brings me to the Fazers’ Achilles heal…the clunky gearbox. Sadly this is a bit of Yamaha characteristic and is particularly noticeable as 1st gear is engaged and when you shift from 1st to 2nd. Suzuki for example always seem to manage to design and build smooth changing boxes even on their most powerful bikes, so why Yamaha fail so consistently on this point eludes me. If it is follows my experience with other Yamahas I have owned it will ease as the miles rise.
A stiff, R1 based frame and brakes back up that potent engine 100%, and the Fazer is great fun to ride; really chuckable and the confidence inspiring. I felt really home straight away and can’t wait for next summer so I can explore the talents of this fantastic bike more in full…watch this space…
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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left! |
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Pete247
Uber Member
United Kingdom
1364 Posts |
Posted - 26/11/2009 : 23:23:00
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nice write up mate, I look forward to your updates as the miles mount up!  |
Pete.
"underhand, under water and damned un-English"
Cagiva Mito 300 Project Build: http://pete247.wordpress.com/ |
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TT07
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
853 Posts |
Posted - 27/11/2009 : 10:34:55
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| Yes well emphasised write up as usual Radar, currently the waiting for next summer feels a long way away. |
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imperialdata
Administrator
United Kingdom
3406 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2009 : 18:13:14
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| Yup, very nice bike (I know, I had a go on it!). Even that exhaust is growing on me. Good point about going fast on potholed and lumpy roads. |
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Gordy
Senior Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 14/12/2009 : 07:05:32
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Well R, you've got the right bike at last, just don't sell the 600.
(I still think that exhaust looks like a Klingon space-cruiser laser cannon!)
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Radar
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
6205 Posts |
Posted - 16/12/2009 : 00:45:25
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| I wont Gordy, the 600 is still tucked up in the Garage along side the FZ. The exhaust is growing on me...not literally, but you know what I mean! |
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left! |
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Gordy
Senior Member
United Kingdom
126 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2009 : 02:01:04
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If you've got the snow we have then keep both of them tucked up and use a closer pub!
(Gordy... always full of good advice. I should listen to myself sometimes). |
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benji_zx10r
Uber Member
United Kingdom
695 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2009 : 14:13:11
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| cmon boys, snow riding is fun |
Keep it rubber side down |
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Radar
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
6205 Posts |
Posted - 24/12/2009 : 19:04:58
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| Sorry Ben but both are tucked up for winter...at least we have passed the shortest day now. Spring is not so far away |
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left! |
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Scouser
Uber Member
United Kingdom
1583 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2010 : 21:27:45
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| Nice bike Don but the exhaust looks like a daleks todger! |
Be seen and be Safe! |
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imperialdata
Administrator
United Kingdom
3406 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 11:45:29
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| Thanks for the new mental picture that ruins any bike I see with that style of exhaust, Scouser! |
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Radar
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
6205 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 23:06:01
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quote:
Originally posted by imperialdata
Thanks for the new mental picture that ruins any bike I see with that style of exhaust, Scouser!
Initially I wasn't keen on the can either, but i am getting used to it. I will post up an update soon...how you getting on with the 9R ID? |
I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left! |
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Radar
TBF moderator
United Kingdom
6205 Posts |
Posted - 12/07/2010 : 23:04:17
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Spotted one up at Quatt the weekend with a rather better looking pipe fitted
I am going to have to start saving my pennies!
Also good to see a FZ1 in the 1970's typr colours too:
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I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left! |
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Topic |
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2007 Yamaha FZ1S. The first 1K miles
