R1 vs. FZ1 Fazer - Help Andy Oh!!

[711]

Hallo,

I'm having a bit of a dilema at the minute. I was thinking of getting a new Fazer 'cause I like the looks and the riding position.

After doing some more research however, I've discovered that these bikes are massively restricted in the lower gears, which would seem to make them a bit pointless!

So I was thinking of canning the Fazer and just going to an R1.

Big question is, what's the R1 like to live with in the real world and if you're doing lots of miles? Could I do a Euro or Scotland tour on the R1 without my knees and wrists exploding?

Andy Oh - I know you do touring and commuting so any help / tips appreciated. Next time I'm up at your office I'll get you a coffee / beer

[Exige46]

How tall are you?

[711]

I am a massively tall five foot six

[Exige46]

You will have no problems being cramped on an R1 - that from a five foot seven former R1 owner!

[711]

Thanks Exige...the neck postion worries me a little bit if I'm going to be in the saddle for a long journey. Perhaps I could put a cushion on the tank to rest my chin on

The slightly more serious aspect to it is the more limited visibility from a road riding point of view...have any R1 owners tried raised or flat bars on their bikes? Did it help?

[Andy OH]

711, You'll have no problem with an R1. I have a 70 mile return commute every day all year round and in all weather, the bike is 17 months old and has covered 21,000 miles including a trip to the alps and blats to Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire with the lads. I'm six foot and don't feel cramped on the R1 so you'll be fine, if anything you will be quite comfortable I think.

You'll still have loads of visibility as you won't always have your chin on the tank going for it at 70 mph officer . Seriously though out of the two bikes it's a no brainer....R1 all the way. When I last had the R1 serviced I was given a new FZ1 as a loan bike, needless to say it won't be on my list as a replacement for the R1 when the time comes.

I've changed a couple of things on mine, the 17 tooth front sprocket for a 16 tooth, the roll on in fifth & sixth gears is unbelievable and wheelies off the throttle easily, double bubble screen to deflect the wind over your head as I am six foot and have Akrapovic cans and Y piece, and also using Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's which have transformed the bike.

You won't regret getting an R1 over the FZ1 and it is a bike that you can do big miles on and be comfortable on and especially at your height, believe me I'm a doctor

I see lots of guys on R1's who use them for commuting.

Any questions you still have I'll do my best to answer.

Good luck.

Andy.

Edited to also say that servicing is every 6,000 miles so the intervals aren't too bad unless you doing quite big mileage like myself

Edited by Andy OH on Wednesday 20th September 14:03

[711]

Thanks Andy, much appreciated

[blade7]

Hmmnnn, you can tour on almost anything with enough willpower but an 04 on R1 much as I like them wouldn,t be my choice, I had a well modded 99 R1 and when I looked around for a replacement I really thought a brand spanking new R1 was heading for my garage, and this was for short thrashes not touring, but when I rode one I was decidedly underwhelmed by it's power delivery, it was great over 8k but below it felt like you were forever waiting for it to wake up, perhaps the 07 model that is imminent will put this right but my money went on a K6 thou, not the prettiest bike but bloody great power delivery.

[711]

The K6 looks like a damn fine bike, I could have a look at those also. I just wish Suzi would put a bit more lacquer and paint on the bikes though...the bike will be used for messing around a lot more than touring, so maybe I'll just have to apply some more willpower or use a rental company to get a touring bike...

Was it just the revvy nature of the R1 delivery that put you off?

[Andy OH]

blade7 said:

Hmmnnn, you can tour on almost anything with enough willpower but an 04 on R1 much as I like them wouldn,t be my choice, I had a well modded 99 R1 and when I looked around for a replacement I really thought a brand spanking new R1 was heading for my garage, and this was for short thrashes not touring, but when I rode one I was decidedly underwhelmed by it's power delivery, it was great over 8k but below it felt like you were forever waiting for it to wake up, perhaps the 07 model that is imminent will put this right but my money went on a K6 thou, not the prettiest bike but bloody great power delivery.

If you gear the R1 down to a 16 tooth front sprocket (a mod that costs about £6) it picks up just as good as a geared down GSXR 1000 K5, I know this as two of the guys I ride with have their GSXR's geard down.

I initially thought about a GSXR but went with the build quality of Yamaha as I do a good few miles and the R1 has stood up to all knids of weather really well.

Edited by Andy OH on Wednesday 20th September 16:25

[rsvmilly]

I took my 2004 R1 to France and I was really surprised at how easily it toured. My only caveat is that I had a Baglux tank bag which I ended up leaning on, so the weight on my wrists was reduced. I am 6ft and lanky but I wasn't uncomfortable on 3-400 mile days.

Plenty of power for me, though shorter gearing would improve town work.

[711]

rsvmilly said:

I had a Baglux tank bag which I ended up leaning on, so the weight on my wrists was reduced.

Looks like the cushion on the tank option was not so after all I'd be using a tank bag for touring, so that's a top tip, cheers!

[rsvmilly]

[redacted]

[blade7]

It's not my intention knock the newer R1s as I said I like them and particularly in red it's the best looking of the lot but, when I,m riding a bike I,m not admiring its looks, the gearing down is a valid mod but I,m suprised it cures the big dip in the midrange and makes it as strong as a gixer,I always thought it made the bike feel like it's in a lower gear plus there's the added hassle of fitting a speedo healer, before I bought my new bike I asked on all the yam forums if fitting cans and a power commander made the R1 as strong as a K5/6 and nobody said it did, as for the quality issue I don't think suzuki are that far behind yam now, but honda are still the best.

[slim_boy_fat]

Im looking at a 06 R1(Red). Always owned Hondas before but after reading so much praise about the R1s build quality thought i would check it out.

Anyone know a Yamaha or R1 forum?

Anyone managed to get a decent deal on one, seems the blade can be had for about £500 less than either the R1 or the GSXR

[711]

George White are advertising a blue r1 for £7.5k at the moment, although I've not really had a chance to look around for more deals...I've not looked for a Yam owners club yet.

[rsvmilly]

slim_boy_fat said:

Im looking at a 06 R1(Red). Always owned Hondas before but after reading so much praise about the R1s build quality thought i would check it out.

Anyone know a Yamaha or R1 forum?

Anyone managed to get a decent deal on one, seems the blade can be had for about £500 less than either the R1 or the GSXR

Buy it over the Christmas period and there'll be loads of deals for unsold 2006 models.

[slim_boy_fat]

rsvmilly said:

slim_boy_fat said:

Im looking at a 06 R1(Red). Always owned Hondas before but after reading so much praise about the R1s build quality thought i would check it out.

Anyone know a Yamaha or R1 forum?

Anyone managed to get a decent deal on one, seems the blade can be had for about £500 less than either the R1 or the GSXR

Buy it over the Christmas period and there'll be loads of deals for unsold 2006 models.

Yes that what I was intending, Jan is a good time to buy, bought my last bike in Jan, sold it 2 weeks ago for more than I paid!!!

Anyone know any Yamaha specific forums?

[Jay_999]

I'm 6ft in my socks and I wouldn't want to spend more than an hour on my R1, riding at legal speeds doesn't generate enough air pressure to take the weight of your wrists - If you can rest your chest on a bag tank then that would help. Passenger comfort is not good for distances, I've had people on the back to Brands and they were glad to get off (it also spent most of its time with the front wheel lofted!)

R1's are great as a Sunday hooligan tool & for short-ish journeys, the difference between a Fazer & R1 are quite massive. Decide whether you want Hypersports or Big cc retro style. Have a look at the Kwak Z1000.

[711]

Thanks Jay...I might try renting an R1 for a couple of days to see how I get on with it...I'm beginning to think that the ideal bike would be a Fazer with a proper R1 motor in it, not the detuned effort they have at the moment.

Now there's a thought