Next purchase conversation - power, miles, etc

[Joe Garfield]

I got to check out a Bandit 1200FA at the dealership (used). It was the closest thing to what I'm looking for, if anything a little big/heavy. Well, that's barring the brand new GSXS-1000F. The used bandit was priced only $2k less than the new GSX, which was a little more compact and better balanced.

I think I'm looking for something a little more geared toward every day use, but capable of longer trips and a little fun on windy roads. If I can do it under $4k then I don't have to borrow money which is a plus.

I'm thinking about looking at the FZ6R. Probably similar to the GSX650F but a little lighter, hopefully geared a little more toward whatever I consider fun.

[gsrick]

I got to check out a Bandit 1200FA at the dealership (used). It was the closest thing to what I'm looking for, if anything a little big/heavy. Well, that's barring the brand new GSXS-1000F. The used bandit was priced only $2k less than the new GSX, which was a little more compact and better balanced.

I think I'm looking for something a little more geared toward every day use, but capable of longer trips and a little fun on windy roads. If I can do it under $4k then I don't have to borrow money which is a plus.

I'm thinking about looking at the FZ6R. Probably similar to the GSX650F but a little lighter, hopefully geared a little more toward whatever I consider fun.

I'm with 'Jedz on the FZ6. It took a couple of weeks for my legs to get used to it, but 20,000 miles later and I'd get another one if a good deal comes up. I've kind of given mine to my wife. I had mine to 130 with GIVI side bags and a trunk on the highway and had plenty more. It's suppose to pull 145, as it's the same engine as the R6. Not a whole lot of torque below 6k, but slip the clutch a little and you'll be pulling the front in no time. Scared the crap out of me the first time it did it. I was in the process of shooting around a bus at the time. Not something you want in a leaning pass.

The FZ6R is a different bike from the FZ6. It doesn't have the power or the same feel. Cheaper swingarm and shock, steel frame instead of aluminum. It is sportier looking and you can change the seat height by flipping the tray under the seat, but that's all that may be better. It also has a narrower back tire. That's about all I will say about that bike. A big let down the first time I rode one at work. My wife loved it, it fit her well and she could flat foot it. I had to cut down the seat and lower the front on the FZ6 to fit her better, she still can't flat foot it. Here is the FZ6R we had a work that she wanted.

Here is our/her FZ6.

[Jedz123]

The FZ6R is not the same bike as the FZ6. Look for a FZ6 it has 25hp more and is just a more quality machine. I just browsed on my local CL and found an 06 for sale for $2900.

I have gotten 140mph out of both of my buddies FZ6's... Like. I said nothing in the 600 standard class that can hold a touch to it.

[bsharpish]

I've owned 2 FZ6's and and FZ6R - great bikes and although the FZ6 has more or everything I actually found the R easier to live with, that said - Get an FZ1 as the endless paddling up and down gears on the 6 becomes tiring....... (both are better than equivalent bandits)

No one makes the bike for me -

Comfortable
Sporty
Torquey
450Lb
V- Twin ( NON ITALIAN)


They used too - The Vtr1000F super hawk .... finding one with less than 30000 miles or that hasn't been butchered is next to impossible though

[Joe Garfield]

I know a guy who's selling an FZ6, and there are a few FZ6Rs around - I'll check them out next week. I just learned that there are aftermarket lower fairings available for the FZ series and the Bandits so that introduces more possibilities. I think the half-fairing looks odd on bikes like the FZ1 and Bandit.

Yeah I definitely noticed the 'endless' shifting when I rode the GSX650 - I hardly ever use 5th on my 1100G, so it seemed like a lot of shifting (and without the indicator I'd be so lost!).

And I agree - it's funny how hard it is to find a bike that's comfortable, manageable, and all-around fun. My personal thought is they might have finally nailed it with the new GSXS.

I really appreciate all your input/feedback. I went to look at a bike - with trailer and cash in hand - and didn't buy the first thing I looked at. That's serious progress!

I have to say, I didn't feel any discomfort whatsoever in my legs after riding the GSX. When I got home I fixed my bike, and after the short 8 mile ride to work the following day, my legs were already starting to cramp. I also really liked how easy it was to turn the GSX which is motivating me to find a new bike that I really like to ride.

[gbw]

I just learned that there are aftermarket lower fairings available for the FZ series and the Bandits so that introduces more possibilities. I think the half-fairing looks odd on bikes like the FZ1 and Bandit.

I don't know about the FZ, but the Bandit's lower fairing is purely cosmetic. It's exactly what you need if you're going for looks. But if you were hoping it provides any additional wind/weather protection...well...it does not.

Thanks for starting this thread. I'm half way thinking about buying another bike and its fun watching you go through the process. In fact, the whole thing of shopping for bikes, and thinking about which bikes would be good, and looking at them on the internet and in person, and talking about them all the time, is a lot of fun.

[Jedz123]

I know a guy who's selling an FZ6, and there are a few FZ6Rs around - I'll check them out next week. I just learned that there are aftermarket lower fairings available for the FZ series and the Bandits so that introduces more possibilities. I think the half-fairing looks odd on bikes like the FZ1 and Bandit.

Yeah I definitely noticed the 'endless' shifting when I rode the GSX650 - I hardly ever use 5th on my 1100G, so it seemed like a lot of shifting (and without the indicator I'd be so lost!).

And I agree - it's funny how hard it is to find a bike that's comfortable, manageable, and all-around fun. My personal thought is they might have finally nailed it with the new GSXS.

I really appreciate all your input/feedback. I went to look at a bike - with trailer and cash in hand - and didn't buy the first thing I looked at. That's serious progress!

I have to say, I didn't feel any discomfort whatsoever in my legs after riding the GSX. When I got home I fixed my bike, and after the short 8 mile ride to work the following day, my legs were already starting to cramp. I also really liked how easy it was to turn the GSX which is motivating me to find a new bike that I really like to ride.

Gen1 FZ1's are AWESOME... I loved mine. The Hyosung GT250 will become an FZ or a GSX-S... Like an FZ-09... But back to why I love the FZ1:


I ran mine as a Dual sport right at the tail end of owning mine. Had 70K miles on it. Rebuilt title, bought it with 15K miles for $2500 for a 2001....

I ran it as the primary for 2 seasons it was a fantastic bike, loved it, BLISTERING fast, comfy and great all rounded machine. Never gave me any issue minus the oil consumption... That went away after the 05 Engine Swap, rare issue that affected some of the 2001 models.




After the engine swap I painted it black and ran it until I bought the B-King (which I don't recommend for a daily rider)


Great value... Just looking at the pictures makes me miss it more... This bike I never upgraded and eventually swapped back to the stock exhaust. No need to, it's just so damn quick and nimble out of the box...

You can get these for CHEAP now... $2500 will land you a decent specimen.

[Joe Garfield]

(For the record, I like the look of bikes with full fairings if I'm not looking at something classic and all steel)

I was out in LA for a couple of days, visiting a buddy who happens to ride BMW bikes. He took me to the local dealership where I got to ride 5 brand new motorcycles. I was interested in the F800GT (really just curious and wanting to try different engines), and the salesman had me start with the smallest engine and work my way up. The 700 and 800 engine bikes (parallel twins) were unfortunately a joke, despite the 800 having the look and riding position I want, and with OK handling. The 1200 bikes (opposing twins) had STUPID amounts of low end grunt and instantaneous throttle response, and the R1200RS was actually quite fun to ride despite not being what I'm really looking for. The last bike I rode was the S1000R (inline 4) - which was the most familiar and I seem to prefer the characteristics of that engine. This bike was a lot of fun to ride, but a bit too forward which was hard on the wrists. Interestingly the bike felt really powerful and fast, yet I never had it over 90mph, which contrasts the Suzuki GSX650 which didn't feel powerful and yet I rarely had it under 80mph. I think I attribute that to quick acceleration and lack of a fairing. Granted, the GSX650 was almost maxed out, and the BMW was hardly working...

Long story short, I feel like 600cc is too much of a compromise and I think I should go for ~1000cc range. I like the low end power of a bigger engine, and like to have more usable speed for each gear (not have to shift as much). So I'm likely going back to the dealership to look at a new GSXS-1000F (1st choice) or a Yamaha FZ1 (2nd choice, if full fairings are still an available option). I read that the GSX has basically the same power and torque as the BMW for most of the power band where I'd be riding it, but I'm also learning you can't really trust words on paper....

I definitely want a fuel injected bike, and I definitely want a turn-key bike that I can trust, so I'm not going for something too old or used.

[Joe Garfield]

Jedz those FZ1's look sweet! There are fairings, too, for the Gen1 and Gen2. I read a lot about that bike and the Suzuki, and got to sit on both. I think the Suzuki is a bit more current, and I liked the weight and balance better, but I'm sure I'd have fun on either one.

[Jedz123]

Jedz those FZ1's look sweet! There are fairings, too, for the Gen1 and Gen2. I read a lot about that bike and the Suzuki, and got to sit on both. I think the Suzuki is a bit more current, and I liked the weight and balance better, but I'm sure I'd have fun on either one.

Joe that is the same bike but over the duration of my ownership.

Fuel injection is nice, turn key and go especially if your bikes sit for prolonged amounts of time. My FZ1 was carburated but I ran it all year round, that bike never left me stranded.

I think the GSX1250FA is your best bet. The FZ1 never came from the factory with a full fairing. The GSX-S1000F is a seriously nice machine. I would have a hard time justifying it in my line up for I'll never get rid of the Connie, unless I bought a newer Connie( Hoping for the Concours 15).

I'm leaning over at a FZ-09 to replace the GT250 next season. I love having a lightweight hooligan in the stable.

Another option is if the FJ-09:


If the FZ line is appealing to you, then the baby FJ might tickle your fancy. I hear it's an awesome machine. Boat loads of power and torque for a 900cc triple.

Food for thought.

[Joe Garfield]

Did you paint the FZ1, or have it painted? It looks blue in some pics, black in others.

After I rode the BMWs, I was convinced that I'd come home and buy a new bike, almost immediately. Then I realized that I'm completely in the wrong part of the country and have shifted my focus toward relocating. I don't want new bike payments to get in the way of moving so I need to be a little cautious (which means forcing myself to stay away from the dealership until I get this figured out).

[Jedz123]

It was blue originally... Then it got smoked by an old lady in a parking lot... Fiberglass and a black rattle can paint job. I couldn't justify spending $500 on a fairing... It looked alright, better then a zip-tie stitch back together...

[gbw]

... I realized that I'm completely in the wrong part of the country and have shifted my focus toward relocating.

Wow, that's quite a jump. From buying a new bike to moving. I've done both. Buying a bike is WAY more fun. But having relocated from Chicago to middle TN I can totally relate to feeling like you live in the wrong place. Middle TN is definitely the right place for me and my family. Where are you thinking?

[Joe Garfield]

I'm moving to LA. I just got a job offer and will get back into designing aerospace vehicles (air and space). And I'll get to live on the beach, and ride my bike to work every day. Speaking of which...
Side shot med.jpg

[gbw]

Hey...congratulations all around!!! Well done. Might be a long ride for you to come the BC or Ozarks rallies, but you'll have a nice bike for it

Lots of west coast GS'ers for you to meet too.