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FZ1 or Ninja 1000?

Ruggybuggy

Ruggybuggy

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Aug 29, 2012
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Kenora, NOnt, Canada
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So need a little help here trying to decide between a '10 FZ1 with around 1,200 miles or a '11 Ninja 1000 with the same mileage and both are priced pretty much the same. Both bikes are in mint condition. I'm currently riding a '08 FZ6 and have road bikes for better than 30 years. Between the two would you choose the Ninja over the FZ1 and why. I know the Ninja can go further on a tank of fuel and that is a slight concern because I'm in a rual area with not a lot of fuel stops but by no means it's not a reason not to consider the FZ1. Have to admit the Ninja is one nice looking bike but there are many other factors to consider besides looks.
 
Ninja 1000 you may want to get an insurance quote for against the FZ1. Around here the Ninja is classified as a sport bike vs the FZ1 being a sport tourer. For me that is a 1500 a year difference LOL.

I am biased, but I vote FZ1. I just like the quality of a Yamaha over a Kawasaki. I personally feel the Kawi's are the cheapest built bikes of the big 4 jap companies.

Just an opinion though.
 
I like the look of the kawi. Havent ridden one, no one here does test rides. The kawi has almost 2x the torque of the fz down low but about the same top end.
Insurance would be the deciding factor for me. I paid$ 599 for full coverage on my fiz last kawi I got a quote on was an older zx9 and it was 2x that making almost the same hp.
 
Fz1

Its a good jump from the R6.

Two friends (who now only have track bikes) said Yamaha has a "lower maintenance cost and better build quality."

I could not afford the "Sport Bike" insurance.
 
i actually traded in a ninja 1000 on a new fz1... lots of factors to it, the fz1 was more comfortable - the ninja def looked badass but not having a center stand/the bulky exhaust made it hard to fit swing arm spools for a paddock stand... the torque down low on the ninja is incredible tho, doesnt have the snowballing of power like the FZ1 does, its all just right there from down low - giving it a more hooligan feel, def wants to put the front tire up, but i guess for me i just didnt like the ergonomics. add to that the fz1 has been around for a while, and thus a huge aftermarket and support i think that helped my decision as well.

either way id say u gotta sit on both bikes and just figure out what feels right haha
 
I have sat a few fz1 and liked the seating position, it fit me well. Found a 06 with only 1200 miles on the clock and $5,000. Said it did have the hesitation at 3,000 rpm but not enough to worry about. Should I be concerned about frame crack issues on the 06? Also concern about fuel range. I phone my issuance provider and was told $535 for the ninja and now pay $380 on the fz6.
 
I took a 2013 Ninja 1000 on a demo ride and pulled a wheelie in first starting form 3500 rpm up to about 8000 rpm. It scared the crap out of me because I was not ready for it after ripping on my Fz1 all the time where the power build doesn't happen till 5500-6000.

I thought the ergo's were comparable. The biggest drawback for the Ninja 1000 I rode is the exhaust did not allow my size 14 feet to ever comfortable rest. I tried resting my heel on top but that created a funky angle on my knee. I tried putting my foot forward but I almost started riding the brake or would have to turn my toe out. I settled on having my heels clicked out. That is the one big thing for me that I could never buy that bike, despite the awesome low end torque and ability to fulfill my hooligan desires
 
Ruggybuggy said:
I have sat a few fz1 and liked the seating position, it fit me well. Found a 06 with only 1200 miles on the clock and $5,000. Said it did have the hesitation at 3,000 rpm but not enough to worry about. Should I be concerned about frame crack issues on the 06? Also concern about fuel range. I phone my issuance provider and was told $535 for the ninja and now pay $380 on the fz6.
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I pay $1580 a year for my Fz1. I am single, rent and had 3 speeding tickets and a car accident in 2010. I was told if I can make it November that it would be 1/2 of that.
 
Just so happened to ride with 2 ninja 1000's today and a Z1000 the FzI help its own very nicely. 16 tooth sprocket is probably the best 35 dollar mod on the planet..lol. Both the Ninja riders hated the low gear ratio on the Ninjas and already changed them out. Buy a used FZ1 like I did and spend the extra money on Mods and have GREAT bike. for less then a new Ninja(I do like the Nijas)
 
Thanks for all the replies. So if I were to go with the Yamaha should I be afraid of the frame cracking issue on the 06? I've got two FZ1 choices, an 06 with around 1200 miles and a 10 with around the same mileage. The 06 is $5,000 and the 10 is a firm $7,500. I know both bikes are identical but the frame cracking and 3,000 rpm hesitation are a concern.
 
Also forgot to ask, how far can you go on a tank ful off fuel. My FZ6 I can easily go 300-250 kms. The trade off seems to be the FZ1 with poor range or the Ninja without a center stand.

The reason the FZ1 range is important is because I ussually do one long tour a summer.
 
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I have a 12 FZ1 and the range is about 310km plus or minus some.

My insurance company has a break off at one liter displacement, expect to pay about 25% to 35% more than you do for the FZ6.

I fiund the seating position more to my liking on the FZ1 and the 12 doesn't seem to have any hesitation at 3,000 rpm.
 
I have an 07 and I look over the welds on the frame every now and then to check but I dont expect to have any problems it certainly doesn't stop me from enjoying it. Last time I was in the market for a new bike I test rode the ninja 1000 a few times loved the torque it had over the fz1 and I would have went with it but insurance for me was $1500 more a year than the fz1, they are both great bikes though I dont think you could go wrong either way
 
Im not saying Yamaha would do this too but the z1000 that rear ended me had a cracked frame from the impact and since the crack was on the weld Kawasaki paid for the frame replacement. Just thought I'd mention it
 
T84A said:
If I were you, I'd pass on an 06 unless you can get a great deal. Fuel cut was pretty bad on the 06's as well.
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Looking at a 06 with 1,200 miles and in new condition and priced at $4,800. What was the fuel cut problem? The person selling mentioned that it does have a very slight hesitation at 3,000 rpm on full throttle. He doesn't even notice it when riding normally. I do have up to 8K to spend but like everyone looking for the best bang for the buck.

Also looking at a 10 with the same mileage as the 06 but he mention the tank has a scratch which he tried to sand out. Then said the seat may be a bit faded from the sun. Thought that was strange for a 2010. I contacted my local body shop and was told repainting the tank would be $300. He's priced the bike at $7,000.

Thanks everyone for helping out. Much appreciated.
 
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