Discussion
Have spent this season re-cutting my biking teeth after a few years out, I’ve got a Fazer8.
As predicted by the salesman, now I’m comfy I’ve found myself wanting more, so I need to make the move toward a litre bike.
I like the semi faired bikes, and have always been a Yam man (previously had a Thundercat). I can’t do sports bikes as my back is goosed, so best I can do is a sports tourer. Current usage is occasional commute through B roads, and regular Sunday rides of ~200miles.
Ive ridden a few bikes over the years, and rightly or wrongly I like in line engines, just couldn’t bond with the V twin when I briefly owned a Firestorm.
So, litre bike, sport touring, ~£4K with a bit of wriggle room..
So far I’ve discounted Blackbirds.. my budget just lets me into older leggy bikes.
Truimph Sprint is possible but looks more touring than sports.
I just don’t like BMWs...
Which keeps bringing me back to an FZ1 like this style, not the new naked ones
So, hit me, what am I missing?
As predicted by the salesman, now I’m comfy I’ve found myself wanting more, so I need to make the move toward a litre bike.
I like the semi faired bikes, and have always been a Yam man (previously had a Thundercat). I can’t do sports bikes as my back is goosed, so best I can do is a sports tourer. Current usage is occasional commute through B roads, and regular Sunday rides of ~200miles.
Ive ridden a few bikes over the years, and rightly or wrongly I like in line engines, just couldn’t bond with the V twin when I briefly owned a Firestorm.
So, litre bike, sport touring, ~£4K with a bit of wriggle room..
So far I’ve discounted Blackbirds.. my budget just lets me into older leggy bikes.
Truimph Sprint is possible but looks more touring than sports.
I just don’t like BMWs...
Which keeps bringing me back to an FZ1 like this style, not the new naked ones
So, hit me, what am I missing?
A blackbird is so far from a fz1.
I've a blackbird I paid 2k for, it had 50k on it from 2001. I've stuck 15k on it in a year and it's only bad oil and one set of tyres, never missed a beat, so if you like the and they're comfy then don't discount, you'll get a nice one for half your budget.
For your use I wouldn't get one, unless you're wanting to smash the autobahn then They're perfect. But b road blasts, no.
I've a blackbird I paid 2k for, it had 50k on it from 2001. I've stuck 15k on it in a year and it's only bad oil and one set of tyres, never missed a beat, so if you like the and they're comfy then don't discount, you'll get a nice one for half your budget.
For your use I wouldn't get one, unless you're wanting to smash the autobahn then They're perfect. But b road blasts, no.
Edited by 2wheelsjimmy on Friday 10th August 21:16
FZ1's are great, and a brilliant do it all bike, I bought a tired high mileage example and it did everything and more that I asked of it, there's very little they need apart from a decat and end can to free up some horses as they feel a bit strangled for a litre bike in the midrange.
I'd happily have another one.
I'd happily have another one.
Jazoli said:
FZ1's are great, and a brilliant do it all bike, I bought a tired high mileage example and it did everything and more that I asked of it, there's very little they need apart from a decat and end can to free up some horses as they feel a bit strangled for a litre bike in the midrange.
I'd happily have another one.
^^^^^^ alll of the above as Dave says , I sold him the high miler and tired , in my hands , it was , he rejuvenated and improved it and it is no doubt fit for another 60k miles ....I'd happily have another one.
wiliferus said:
Triumph Sprint is possible but looks more touring than sports.
What about a tiger 1050, still got the great engine, but the comfier position of being more upright.Other choices could be a Honda CB1300 or Yamaha XJ1300, although not really as sporty.
That being said, my friend had a FZ1 and thought it was great, so you won't be making a bad decision sticking with that.
Thanks gents.
My thoughts on the Blackbird confirmed, I am more B road focussed so suspect it’s a bit to much of a beast for my use.
The Tiger is a good shout, but I should have mentioned my tiny 29’ inside leg.. my mate has a Tiger and it just seems really high! Also it’s verging more towards the adventure side of things which isn’t my scene.
Looks like the general consensus is the FZ1 is actually the best choice for what I’m looking for and will tick all my boxes.
Now to sell the Fazer8 and get shopping!
My thoughts on the Blackbird confirmed, I am more B road focussed so suspect it’s a bit to much of a beast for my use.
The Tiger is a good shout, but I should have mentioned my tiny 29’ inside leg.. my mate has a Tiger and it just seems really high! Also it’s verging more towards the adventure side of things which isn’t my scene.
Looks like the general consensus is the FZ1 is actually the best choice for what I’m looking for and will tick all my boxes.
Now to sell the Fazer8 and get shopping!
I had an 08 FZ1 last year and it was a great all round bike with plenty of grunt that I happily done 15k miles in the 2 years I owned it. I loved everything about the bike apart from the fuel consumption but to be fair, after an an hour or so on any bike I get a numb bum. I've had three FZ1s in total and they've all been good bikes.
I sold my last one for a Tracer 900. I tried to love that bike but couldn't as the build quality was shocking - the best thing was the engine that was really usable through the rev range where as the FZ1 had like two power bands.
I sold the Tracer in April and bit the bullet and bought an MT10 - a modern day version of the FZ1 but the engine note is addictive with the cross plain crank. Coupled with a Scorpion end can and decat the thing makes noises and spits flames and satisfies the juvenile delinquent in me. The MT10 is also s
t on fuel but the all round package of the bike makes up for that.
I sold my last one for a Tracer 900. I tried to love that bike but couldn't as the build quality was shocking - the best thing was the engine that was really usable through the rev range where as the FZ1 had like two power bands.
I sold the Tracer in April and bit the bullet and bought an MT10 - a modern day version of the FZ1 but the engine note is addictive with the cross plain crank. Coupled with a Scorpion end can and decat the thing makes noises and spits flames and satisfies the juvenile delinquent in me. The MT10 is also s
t on fuel but the all round package of the bike makes up for that. 
CaptainSlow said:
wiliferus said:
Truimph Sprint is possible but looks more touring than sports.
Huh? Sure you have that the right way round?£4k will get a very nice Sprint...go the latest ST model you can find.
Done a fair bit of research tonight... allegedly the FZ1 has about a 100 mile tank range??? I genuinely couldn’t live with that, it’d do my tits in. I did 250 miles on Sunday.. that’s two fills?! Nope. And I have paranoia about running out on a bike... I normally fill with about 40-50 miles left in the tank. So that’ll be a nightmare!
So, the Sprint is in the picture, owners rave about them, it has *that* triple engine, it’s a handsome machine. My head has been turned..
Edited by wiliferus on Saturday 11th August 22:01
The most I got out of my FZ1 was just over 150 and it had 1.5l left it in. If i kicked it's head in, it was anywhere from 75/90 but I would say I averaged 125 miles.
Before my last FZ I had a 2005 Sprint 1050. That was a great bike and the triple engine was really good. I could get almost 200 miles to a tank sometimes. I got rid of it because the riding position didn't suit me, even with bar risers. I also found the exhaust note to quiet and to get any decent sound would have meant spending a few quid to do so. There not cheap for servicing, especially at Triumph and the though of changing a spragg clutch and it eating regulators/rectifiers was also always on the back of my mind.
Before my last FZ I had a 2005 Sprint 1050. That was a great bike and the triple engine was really good. I could get almost 200 miles to a tank sometimes. I got rid of it because the riding position didn't suit me, even with bar risers. I also found the exhaust note to quiet and to get any decent sound would have meant spending a few quid to do so. There not cheap for servicing, especially at Triumph and the though of changing a spragg clutch and it eating regulators/rectifiers was also always on the back of my mind.
Nice selection! All look good although the Tracer is a bit choice... that MT just looks the business!
I think I need to ride a Sprint. I’m aware of the regulator issues, the one I’m looking at has just has a new one strangely enough. I certainly like the looks. I’m even strangely drawn to GT model... I must be getting old
I think I need to ride a Sprint. I’m aware of the regulator issues, the one I’m looking at has just has a new one strangely enough. I certainly like the looks. I’m even strangely drawn to GT model... I must be getting old
wiliferus said:
Nice selection! All look good although the Tracer is a bit choice... that MT just looks the business!
I think I need to ride a Sprint. I’m aware of the regulator issues, the one I’m looking at has just has a new one strangely enough. I certainly like the looks. I’m even strangely drawn to GT model... I must be getting old
The GT has larger panniers which are an improvement, it also has a longer swing arm for better improved stability which is to the detriment of flickability.I think I need to ride a Sprint. I’m aware of the regulator issues, the one I’m looking at has just has a new one strangely enough. I certainly like the looks. I’m even strangely drawn to GT model... I must be getting old
CaptainSlow said:
The GT has larger panniers which are an improvement, it also has a longer swing arm for better improved stability which is to the detriment of flickability.
Yea and I need to be mindful of that as 60% of my riding is twisties on a Sunday. The extra stability would be most welcome when I occasionally ride from Reading to Swansea on the M4, but I probably don’t need it really.
Bit late to this but I have a 2005 Sprint. Good bike, I think surprisingly nimble for what it is and at no point do I ever think "I wish this had more power" 
Had mine for 3 years now, about the longest I've kept any bike (other than my beloved first Thundercat). I am thinking that I'd like a supermoto for hacking about on but as an addition, not replacement
Had mine for 3 years now, about the longest I've kept any bike (other than my beloved first Thundercat). I am thinking that I'd like a supermoto for hacking about on but as an addition, not replacement
I've got an FZ1, 2008 model.
It's nice, it's a good bike - comfortable (I replacd the taller screen the previous owner had fitted with a standard yamaha item which is better because less buffeting), quick (although you can feel it is restricted in the lower gears), brakes are good, reasonably easy to work on and it's good build quality.
I replacd the rear shock with a nitron unit - the original was shot at 22,000 miles. I also had the forks serviced with new seals and good quality fork oil - this made a huge difference. However, I personally find the damping harsh at the front and will be looking to get some upgrades from MCT in the near future to give better control.
bear in mind that come the valve check time there are 20 of the buggers to check.
Overall, I wont be getting rid of mine, it's an excellent every day workhorse. MPG is as high as 45 on a motorway run at 90 mph. I fill up every 130-140 miles. The fuel level display flashes way too early, probably after only 12 litres of fuel has been consumed / 100 miles has passed.
I have a givi topbox on mine, 45 litres. Yamaha dont want you using a big topbox so no-one sells a kit to take a big topbox; buy the arms, then buy the plate seperatly, then get a decent sized box if all this is your thing. I also fitted barkbusters handgaurds which mount at the bar-ends, and symtec heated grips.
It's nice, it's a good bike - comfortable (I replacd the taller screen the previous owner had fitted with a standard yamaha item which is better because less buffeting), quick (although you can feel it is restricted in the lower gears), brakes are good, reasonably easy to work on and it's good build quality.
I replacd the rear shock with a nitron unit - the original was shot at 22,000 miles. I also had the forks serviced with new seals and good quality fork oil - this made a huge difference. However, I personally find the damping harsh at the front and will be looking to get some upgrades from MCT in the near future to give better control.
bear in mind that come the valve check time there are 20 of the buggers to check.
Overall, I wont be getting rid of mine, it's an excellent every day workhorse. MPG is as high as 45 on a motorway run at 90 mph. I fill up every 130-140 miles. The fuel level display flashes way too early, probably after only 12 litres of fuel has been consumed / 100 miles has passed.
I have a givi topbox on mine, 45 litres. Yamaha dont want you using a big topbox so no-one sells a kit to take a big topbox; buy the arms, then buy the plate seperatly, then get a decent sized box if all this is your thing. I also fitted barkbusters handgaurds which mount at the bar-ends, and symtec heated grips.
Edited by thatdude on Wednesday 15th August 11:46
Edited by thatdude on Wednesday 15th August 11:48
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