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If no FZ1, what would you buy?

CaptainAwesome

CaptainAwesome

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Area this topic belongs in hasn't been posted in like a decade, and what else we have to talk about? lol


So, if the G-Man came today and took your FZ1, along with every other one in the world, and gave you a check for a new bike, what would you buy? Lets keep it brand new, cause why not.
 
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My requirements would be:

Sub 500 lbs
25K + valve adj
120 hp +
50 mpg
Center stand
Sub 32 seat height
Don’t want to be tethered to a dealer ( so Euro bikes are probably out, even though they are slick)
Comfortable bars and seat
Good vibration management
Nothing made in China

So where does that leave me? Without a ton of research or test ride, GSX1000 GT. or Kaw Ninja 1100sx or last years 1000sx. Don’t really have requirement for bags but capability is nice.
 
Isleoman said:
My requirements would be:

Sub 500 lbs
25K + valve adj
120 hp +
50 mpg
Center stand
Sub 32 seat height
Don’t want to be tethered to a dealer ( so Euro bikes are probably out, even though they are slick)
Comfortable bars and seat
Good vibration management
Nothing made in China

So where does that leave me? Without a ton of research or test ride, GSX1000 GT. or Kaw Ninja 1100sx or last years 1000sx. Don’t really have requirement for bags but capability is nice.
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I would consider these as well but I don't think either have center stands.
 
jwarden said:
I would consider these as well but I don't think either have center stands.
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Wonder if there is a simple jack system that could be carried in bags and used in conjunction with the side stand. Went cross country twice on a 74 Kaw Z1 with stand removed. We would just find a stick or rocks to get rear off ground but there were two of us.
 
MT-09,
CaptainAwesome said:
Area this topic belongs in hasn't been posted in like a decade, and what else we have to talk about? lol


So, if the G-Man came today and took your FZ1, along with every other one in the world, and gave you a check for a new bike, what would you buy? Lets keep it brand new, cause why not.
Click to expand...
MT-09, MT-07, Street Triple, GSX-S. I'm sure there are more I would be happy with.
 
Well.... My thoughts were to step down a bit on engine size to something I could wring out more without potentially going to jail... The relatively small fairing on the FZ1 really makes the long rides better. No chest-level wind blast, but not totally isolated from fresh air in the summer.

I used to say GSX-8GT, but I guess it disappeared in 2023. I guess the luxury of the wind protection but not wind isolation is a thing of the past. Just go full tour, ADV, or naked. I guess what I thought of as the true sport-touring bikes are a thing of the past. Just hoping I can keep riding the Gen II for another 20 years or so!

With all that said, I guess it's a YZ-250...
 
I thought the Ninja 1000SX was a good replacement but after test riding one I was not "wowed" by it, just didn't feel like anything special and now I'm not interested.

I test rode a FZ-07 for an entire weekend and got to fully enjoy it. I'm absolutely in love with that bike and can only imagine the newer MT-07 is even better, though in either case it needs suspension work for my bodyweight. The engine is absolutely amazing, plenty of power for everyday riding, efficient, and the bike is super lightweight. Easy to flick around in city riding or canyon carving but still plenty stable and comfortable at 75-80MPH straights. You really get to push it and have fun, still possible to get in trouble but not like the FZ1 at high RPMs.

Tenere 700 has my attention too because of the motor and riding posture; I don't get to ride dirt any more and likely won't but I think that would be a nice all-arounder and the tall seating would be great for my 90% city riding commute.

I haven't ever ridden a MT-09 but always had my eye on that bike for a long time, though I'm leaning more towards the Tracer 9 since I like the idea of being able to do some distance riding, and I really like the updated style. The front lights reminds me of a nicer looking Pan America.

BUT... I just found out about this Honda CB1000 Hornet SP that has me really excited now. I know, totally different than all the bikes I'm interested in, however the price is ridiculous for what you get. I just need to book a test ride.
 
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Blue Flash said:
I used to say GSX-8GT, but I guess it disappeared in 2023.
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Looks like they're planning to bring this back for 2026 fyi.



To answer my own question, probably a Ninja 1100sx. I've ridden a couple ninjas 1000s, and the last body style fits me like a glove. Felt like a really good bike, but didn't have the quick rev or 'chaos' that the FZ1 engine has at the top end. I am however curious to see what one done with Ivans mods would be like, cause my Fz1 didn't have that same quick rev or chaos till Ivans. (chaos= redline fun btw)

The Mt10 I've yet to ride. Sat on a few. Headlights remind me too much of a crashed supersport, but people made different things for them. Be curious to actually ride one though.

Looks like Honda is planning on making a CB1000F, the SE version might remind a few people of an FZ1.

Still debating on Harleys. I like mine but its high maintance, and again that whole trusting a bike thing.


Curious on the centerstand need. I like mine when I'm using it in the garage, but I don't understand it needing to have it. I've used wheel stands before and they're just as easy. I've never needed to work on a bike on the road to the point where a centerstand would be a deal breaker?

Guess the H2SX has one, but a $30,000 bike should have everything, lol.
 
CaptainAwesome said:
The Mt10 I've yet to ride. Sat on a few. Headlights remind me too much of a crashed supersport, but people made different things for them. Be curious to actually ride one though.
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I love the sound and power delivery of the MT-01, but like you I'm not a big fan of the Transformer/Johnny Five front end. I wish they'd give it a modern version of a FZ1-like mini front fairing, preferably not looking like a bird beak or a giant mantis or other insect.


CaptainAwesome said:
Still debating on Harleys. I like mine but its high maintance, and again that whole trusting a bike thing.
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Which Harley do you have? I have a Road King and while I love the riding position, the vibrations beat me up. It's "smooth" at cruising speeds, as smooth as a 45° single crank pin V-twin can be, but still beats me up after a while compared to my old FZ. My legs and arms are perfectly fine after hours and hours, it's just the vibes wear me out and put me to sleep. Still keeping it though, fun to have, and mine is lower maintenance than my FZ1 so far. Just a leaky shift shaft seal and leaky stator grommet left to fix.

CaptainAwesome said:
Curious on the centerstand need. I like mine when I'm using it in the garage, but I don't understand it needing to have it.
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You're right, not absolutely necessary, but I like mine. Makes it easy to check air pressure and spin the tire. Also makes it easy to change tires and adjust chain tension once every few years.
 
Yeah, if I can figure out something on an MT10 front I may do that someday. I still don't fit quite as snug in it as the FZ1, but I need to ride one to see if it makes a difference. Course they wouldn't let me test ride the used one next to the FZ1 I bought cause it was a "hyper bike". I just kinda smiled and went the FZ1 has about150hp... (least it does now)., Check out kenstomoto, he does different headlight setups, especially for the MT09.


My Harley is a '17 Dyna Lowrider S. (S is important). I bought it new. Been fairly reliable if I'm being honest but I'm annoyed with it as the starter silonoid just went out last month and replacing it isn't as easy as my stuff from the 60s lol. (Course now that I've actually gone through the shop manual rather than looking on Youtube real quick, it's not as bad as I thought. It use to involve taking off somethings and draining the oil to get to it. )
Under warrenty it did have an issue starting, wasn't the starter but something else. And a wheel bearing went out and took the wheel and brake caliper with it, thankfully it was the rear and not the front, litterally spit out the bearings at 70mph and I could hear them hit my licence plate (its off to the side). I need to replace the rockers on it since it has a 110 and they are known to go out on those engines. So maybe I'll just upgrade the Cams while I'm at it. It's been a fun bike. Only Harley I really liked when I road it, something about 100 pounds of torque at idle (was in a dyno contest, it starts at 100, not like like 40 like the Fz1 lol). Mine is very comfortable, I've done 14 hour days with it, done a 3000 mile trip in a week. These guys made my seat, I highly recommend them: https://ccseats.com/ Don't confuse them with C.C. Rider seats. C&C is full custom and extremely comfortable.

When I did a dynojet on mine it really woke it up, smoothed it out too. Who knew all bikes get way better when you reprogram them to run right, lol.
 
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spyd3rm4n said:
I thought the Ninja 1000SX was a good replacement but after test riding one I was not "wowed" by it, just didn't feel like anything special and now I'm not interested.

I test rode a FZ-07 for an entire weekend and got to fully enjoy it. I'm absolutely in love with that bike and can only imagine the newer MT-07 is even better, though in either case it needs suspension work for my bodyweight. The engine is absolutely amazing, plenty of power for everyday riding, efficient, and the bike is super lightweight. Easy to flick around in city riding or canyon carving but still plenty stable and comfortable at 75-80MPH straights. You really get to push it and have fun, still possible to get in trouble but not like the FZ1 at high RPMs.

Tenere 700 has my attention too because of the motor and riding posture; I don't get to ride dirt any more and likely won't but I think that would be a nice all-arounder and the tall seating would be great for my 90% city riding commute.

I haven't ever ridden a MT-09 but always had my eye on that bike for a long time, though I'm leaning more towards the Tracer 9 since I like the idea of being able to do some distance riding, and I really like the updated style. The front lights reminds me of a nicer looking Pan America.

BUT... I just found out about this Honda CB1000 Hornet SP that has me really excited now. I know, totally different than all the bikes I'm interested in, however the price is ridiculous for what you get. I just need to book a test ride.
Click to expand...
I’ll say I have T7. It is a great bike. I wouldn’t say it is horrible on road but it is just not great. When I ride it I go as fast as I can to where the dirt starts. Sometimes that is an hr and some times a day. The long plush suspension is harsh at high speed compression and if I was to use it solely for a rd bike I would get some suspension work done to it. Off rd it works much better though high speed compression still stinks, I have learned to ride around it. The bike sits way high so something to consider depending on you inseam and it IS top heavy. All that said when its moving it is a hell of a machine and that CP2 engine is a gem. I am hyper critical to dirt oriented bike as dirt is my focus but with suspension, proper sag and street tires I can see it being a decent rd bike. Just many better options. Great for more money, though.
 
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The CB1000f is a Hornet underneath. The SE version has a fairing. I'm debating buying one of these when they are released, lol.
honda-cb1000f-concept-bike-2.webpCourse the MT-10 is rumored to get a V4 for 2026. And Kawasaki is making the Z1100.

Might be a really good year for bikes.
 
I have zero interest in a V4. I do like that retro CB1000F. First I have heard of it.
CaptainAwesome said:
The CB1000f is a Hornet underneath. The SE version has a fairing. I'm debating buying one of these when they are released, lol.
View attachment 35323Course the MT-10 is rumored to get a V4 for 2026. And Kawasaki is making the Z1100.

Might be a really good year for bikes.
Click to expand...
 
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