I'm thinking about getting an FZ1 in a couple of years.   I've sat them at the dealer and the ergos are great for me.   It's just a hell of a bike.   Has anyone ridden one or own one?  I'm assuming it is not so very flickable as our little GS's.   Otherwise what's not to love?

I know they did a brief stint of those bikes without the half fairing, I wish the naked versions were more common because I really like the bikes aside from that. I've never really been sure why the forks are so long too, that always kinda bugged me, but I'd get over it I guess.

Sorry, that didn't answer your question at all.

i've ridden an fz6, TONS of power, likes to rev, etc.

i'll assume the 1 is a good deal more grunty, which is a good thing. no, it doesn't feel like a gs, but it's not a bad feeling, just a different feel. the ergos are really nice, and the suspension is loads better.

brakes were a nice addition too

congrats on your next bike !

It really doesn't feel so heavy for a 1000 4 cylinder.   Has a great quality build to it.   One other bike I like a lot is the Vstrom 650.   Plenty of room for two on that one.    Any bike I get will have to be suitable for two-up riding.   Made the mistake of carrying my lovely bride for a ride on the GS.......now I can't get a ride to myself.

I got to test ride a used one at a local dealer and it is very nice.  Way fast, got up to 100 mph in no time on the freeway.  Roll on power is instant compared to our gs bikes.  The sunspension felt good and not mushy.  The Back brake felt like nothing though.  It works but not any feedback really.  The front were good.  Handling was very different from the gs.  In a good way.  More bike and pretty precise.  Cost of ownership will be much more steep.  Tires, chains, sprockets, insurance.  All factors to budget for.  I see them all the time on my commute.  they seem like a good choice if your ride is a tough one just because they have the roll on power and handling and brakes.  About every 3 days I wish I had more power, handling and brakes.  Then I think about how cheap the gs is to own and I stop wishing.  Also the FZ1 has a 26k mile valve adjustment interval.  Or something like that.

V strom 1000 or SV1000 has my vote, SV1K really feels like a big GS. Oddly, the 650 does not.
Cool.
Buddha.

I can't figure out what the deal is between the sv650 and sv1000. For some reason I've always loved the sv650s, but the sv1000s have never done anything for me. I'd grab a TLS and ride it stripped down with risers though. Go figure...

Ive had a few litre bikes and a YZF600. My boorish and unscientific opinion is
the rush of rolling it on will be like nothing you've ever felt, but for me, thats all there is.
They are hard to ride fast on a real tight back road and shred rear tires like crazy.  
If I was going to do fast, two-lane stuff a lot I might still want one, but for everyday,
under 70mph stuff, flickable 50hp is good for me  

0.2¢

Quote from: tt_four on June 27, 2009, 08:34:49 PM
I can't figure out what the deal is between the sv650 and sv1000. For some reason I've always loved the sv650s, but the sv1000s have never done anything for me. I'd grab a TLS and ride it stripped down with risers though. Go figure...

i found a tl1000s (or was it tlr? can't remember) that could be had for $900 with clear title. the problem was, it seemed to be a 'widow maker of a bike' from what the reviewers said.

maybe so, maybe not. dunno.

Quote from: ohgood on June 28, 2009, 10:05:39 AM

Quote from: tt_four on June 27, 2009, 08:34:49 PM
I can't figure out what the deal is between the sv650 and sv1000. For some reason I've always loved the sv650s, but the sv1000s have never done anything for me. I'd grab a TLS and ride it stripped down with risers though. Go figure...

i found a tl1000s (or was it tlr? can't remember) that could be had for $900 with clear title. the problem was, it seemed to be a 'widow maker of a bike' from what the reviewers said.

maybe so, maybe not. dunno.

There were two versions, full fairing rep racer and nekid, 1/2 fairing.
I think it got a bad rap because the elite motorcycle press (worthless !! ) kept comparing it to a
Ducati. I thought  it was a very nice bike and with a set of Yoshi's sounded like the Hammer of Thor coming
down ! AWESOME !!!! 
There were two of them in the club I rode with in the 90's and those guys loved them.
If I could find a running one for cheep Id buy it without thinking twice 

Quote from: birdman561 on June 28, 2009, 10:21:39 AM

Quote from: ohgood on June 28, 2009, 10:05:39 AM

Quote from: tt_four on June 27, 2009, 08:34:49 PM
I can't figure out what the deal is between the sv650 and sv1000. For some reason I've always loved the sv650s, but the sv1000s have never done anything for me. I'd grab a TLS and ride it stripped down with risers though. Go figure...

i found a tl1000s (or was it tlr? can't remember) that could be had for $900 with clear title. the problem was, it seemed to be a 'widow maker of a bike' from what the reviewers said.

maybe so, maybe not. dunno.

There were two versions, full fairing rep racer and nekid, 1/2 fairing.
I think it got a bad rap because the elite motorcycle press (worthless !! ) kept comparing it to a
Ducati. I thought  it was a very nice bike and with a set of Yoshi's sounded like the Hammer of Thor coming
down ! AWESOME !!!! 
There were two of them in the club I rode with in the 90's and those guys loved them.
If I could find a running one for cheep Id buy it without thinking twice 

hmm, really ? yes, the few times i've heard a tl it sounded ohhhh so cool. hammers for sure, hammers on HUGE drums. braaaAHAAAAAHAA and then silence.

ok, i won't jack this fz thread anymore with tl stuff

Quote from: ohgood on June 28, 2009, 10:05:39 AM

i found a tl1000s (or was it tlr? can't remember) that could be had for $900 with clear title. the problem was, it seemed to be a 'widow maker of a bike' from what the reviewers said.

Yeah, "widow maker" was their nickname. If I remember right, they had a headshake problem on the earlier models and a couple guys got hurt/killed from it. Suzuki fixed it in the 2nd/3rd year. Still, for $900 you'd have plenty left to put a nice steering damper on it and call it a day. Plus if you're not setting the front wheel back down over 130mph and taking turns you can't handle, you should be fine, considering crashing on a sportbike doesn't really mean there was something wrong with the bike....   

You come to any more conclusions on that FZ1? I know you said you wouldn't actually be buying one for a while.

No ... you dont need a steering damper. You need a decent set of neck bearings you could adjust instead of the ball type garbage, with a spritz of wd40 suzuki started putting in their bikes.
The GS type tapered rollers work well for most new sport bikes.
Cool.
Buddha.

If you're gonna go up to a liter bike and want a naked, have you looked into the z1000 yet?  Loads of low end grunt and (in my eyes) Stunning looks.  I love the stock dual exhaust that people cut down into shorty pipes for sound and looks.  Still able to ride 2 up but maybe not as comfy.  It has upright ergos and makes a great hooligan bike. 

I've heard those passenger seats are surprisingly comfortable. Those bikes do look awesome too, it's a little bit of a different bike. They could be ridden the same if you put in the effort, but I think the FZ1 is meant to be more of a commuter/light touring, but the z1000 is definitely more of a sporty hooligan bike

My dad owns a 1st gen FZ1. He had one before, but was totaled in an accident (in the back of a truck).

It's heavy. It really is. 500+ wet type of heavy. It's a lot of power. Around town, it's all about being gentle. In the twisties, you have to be VERY gentle. On the open road, there is plenty of power. My dad doesn't really like commuting on it because it's heavy and has a lot of power. He has been toying with getting something much smaller and lighter, like an SV650, to use for every day riding, and even sport riding. The FZ1 is a beast to handle, especially coming off something with as little power as the GS500.

The engine is huge. 140 whp, boat loads of torque.

Quote from: Alphamazing on September 13, 2009, 03:04:14 PM
My dad owns a 1st gen FZ1. He had one before, but was totaled in an accident (in the back of a truck).

It's heavy. It really is. 500+ wet type of heavy. It's a lot of power. Around town, it's all about being gentle. In the twisties, you have to be VERY gentle. On the open road, there is plenty of power. My dad doesn't really like commuting on it because it's heavy and has a lot of power. He has been toying with getting something much smaller and lighter, like an SV650, to use for every day riding, and even sport riding. The FZ1 is a beast to handle, especially coming off something with as little power as the GS500.

The engine is huge. 140 whp, boat loads of torque.

I want one.  there are a couple for sale in here in LA, and I'm thinking of trading my GS towards one.

Quote from: s0crates82 on October 09, 2009, 12:13:29 PM
I want one.  there are a couple for sale in here in LA, and I'm thinking of trading my GS towards one.

Just remember it is a LOT of bike, especially moving up from the GS. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it unless you are extremely confident in your skills, and have had a few track days under your belt.

+1

Yes... it's double the cc's....

BUT, it's MUCH more than double the bike...  it will NOT be as forgiving as the GS was in terms of riding mistakes.

I'm fairly confident as to my skill.  And, with any new bike, it's a matter of respecting the throttle.  If/when I get it, I'll post pics.