Yet another help me decide - (lightweight?) SPORT touring - DECIDED!

[Dan K]

I pay $1400/yr for my old CBR600 here in communist Manitoba $700 for a 'busa is cheap

You need to shop around - there must be better rates available...that's just insane.  Or lower your coverage.

Wow.

- Dan

[Ceolwulf]

Government monopoly.  They are not allowed to have competition, and we are required to purchase from them.  And they don't like bikes.

[ride200mi]

I really like mine, however it could be a bit more reliable in the electrics department....
It feels light (like a 600) and has great power (for a V-twin).... I REALLY wish Aprilia still made these.... But with a new electrics system and a V-4.....

[nomagnashn]

I want them all!  I'm in. Chicago, so that may be affecting the insurance.

Get the one I want. Here's the thing. I've been driving my car forever and it just blew a head gasket. Time to buy a new car. Last weekend, just discovered mold in my attic, likely need to replace some sheething, which means partial tear off roof. May come out of my pocket, not sure yet.

Wife gates bikes. I can't dig into family cash with these expenses coming up, even for just a few grand, to buy a bike. Doesn't feel right. I'm 37, there will be more bikes in my future, and the problem is I haven't ridden many of the bikes on the list.

If I find a Futura that fits the bill , I'll likely buy it. What do I really want? K1300S or new Multistrada. But I won't be happy with myself if I buy either with the expenses about to come down the pipe. What will I buy?  F*** if I know!



-Dan

I went through this exact same thing 3 years ago.  I spent the entire months of Dec-Feb agonizing over which bike I wanted to buy to replace my ZZR1200.  I wanted something lighter, less power and fuel injected.  I made a spreadsheet with all of the bikes I was looking at.  Futura was near the top of the list but I didn't want a long distance purchase.  It eventually came down to a Bandit 1250 or the Sprint in the end.  The decision ended up being made by the Triumph dealership making me an offer I couldn't refuse.  I haven't looked back.  

[Dan K]

I went through this exact same thing 3 years ago.  I spent the entire months of Dec-Feb agonizing over which bike I wanted to buy to replace my ZZR1200.  I wanted something lighter, less power and fuel injected.  I made a spreadsheet with all of the bikes I was looking at.  Futura was near the top of the list but I didn't want a long distance purchase.  It eventually came down to a Bandit 1250 or the Sprint in the end.  The decision ended up being made by the Triumph dealership making me an offer I couldn't refuse.  I haven't looked back.  

I hear you loud and clear.  That Sprint is why I am waiting until March - I need to get some good saddle time on a Sprint. Not sure I'll be able to throw a leg over a Futura, which ergonomically is the same as a VFR (there's a diagram posted on some VFR review - I'll try to find it and post a link).  As of right now, the Sprint and the Futura are leading the pack.

- Dan

[CrazyRider]

See ebay completed listings. 05-06 K1200s are going for 6k all day. But at the moment you can't get a better value than a genII FZ1 for as low as 4k.

[CrazyRider]

Cost of lower fairings have gone up a bit though: http://www.yamahasportsplaza.com/pages/catalogs/detail/26/216/415/40819/2/0/0/1/4/4/56/41343/lower-fairing-kit.aspx
http://www.yamahapartshouse.net/pages/catalogs/detail/26/216/415/40819/2/0/0/1/4/4/56/41343/lower-fairing-kit.aspx
http://www.yocracing.com/accessory_store/store/yoc_listItems.asp?idCategory=311

Last time I checked they were close to $550-600 shipped.

ebay has some: http://shop.ebay.com/s.html?LH_SellerWithStore=1&_nkw=fz1+lower+fairing&_arm=&_armm=&_ruu=&_rdc=1

I have the lower fairings, V35s, Shad 50 top case which makes my bike look pretty much like a FJRLite, only lighter, powerful and more fun

If you need more convincing, here is a thread that may help: http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75541

[CrazyRider]

I was in the same boat comparing 05+ Sprint ST and 06+ FZ1. FZ1 turned out to be a better value in terms of performance, brakes, headlights, parts, mods, looks, price and reliable brand name. Same year Sprint STs are atleast 1000 more expensive than FZ1s and IMO not worth it for just that triple wail. Plus Sprint ST are slightly aggressive essentially a sport bike in touring disguise and all mags and user reviews say they are basically canyons and backroad tourers than interstates at 70+ mph

Here is a source which I trust for unbiased reviews. They say the same thing about Sprint http://www.2wf.com/content/view/2343/28/

And here is the link to FZ1 review http://www.2wf.com/content/view/2107/28/

[Dan K]

OK!  I've been busy since getting back from the 3/12-3/14 California ride, including some visits to the doc and MRI people for a torqued knee (suffered during the Rich Oliver Dirt bike school which ROCKED!).

I got some saddle time on an '09 Sprint and an '09  FZ1.  Would have liked more time on the Sprint, but got some high speed, some twisties and some low speed work.  It wins.

The new FZ1 is great, but I liked my old one a bit better.  New one is super comfy ergonomically, plenty fast (although a little less grunt down low - may have been my particular bike), but has an even smaller half-fairing than the Gen1, and even with lower afirings, won't really do the trick . It was also a very boring, do nothing wrong bike, which isn't really a detriment, as it responded exactly as I told it to.  Plus, I was riding a Ducati Streetfighter the majority of the time, and the FZ1, while more comfortable, couldn't entice me to push it like the Streetfighter did, especially on the technical mountainside stuff.

Anyway, the Sprint felt great, responded the way it was supposed to, felt more substantial but not heavy, had great wind protection (highway blasts sucked on the Streetfighter, except for when using the gobs of power it has).

I found a Sprint locally that I'm hoping to pick up tonight or tomorrow.  2006 ABS model with 9600 miles.  It's got some cosemtic issues, but nothing too major, and it appears mechanically sound. All that's left is a test ride, but I see no reason it won't work.  Cosmetic issues got the bike to my budget range (like, $80 less than my maximum...)

I'll keep you posted.

- Dan









Wish me luck.

[chornbe]

Good choice.  


The low-end grunt being better in gen-1 vs. gen-2 is a common issue. The Gen-1 is considered more "streetable", especially after having a jet kit done.

[squeezer]

Wish me luck.

Luck wished.

I always liked those and darn near bought one. Good choice.

[MadOzodi]

 

Yea buddy!  GL

 

[MadOzodi]

Oh, looks like it went down on its right side?  Brake lever looks bent in that first pic.

[CrazyRider]

Sprints look awesome. They do have brake issues out of the box. Other than that a fine ride. Only wish they came with USD forks up front and more adjustable suspension. Touring bike does not mean we don't want an adjustable ride. I could have got one 07 ABS locally for $5000 with just 5K miles.

[MadOzodi]

...They do have brake issues out of the box....

Ahhh yes, the "spongy" feel and sticking cylinder seals or whatever.  Luckily for me, I've not experienced the latter since mine's still new.  Relative to my previous bike, the former isn't even an issue.  

[Dan K]

Sprints look awesome. They do have brake issues out of the box. Other than that a fine ride. Only wish they came with USD forks up front and more adjustable suspension. Touring bike does not mean we don't want an adjustable ride. I could have got one 07 ABS locally for $5000 with just 5K miles.

That would have been a good deal.  Mine was a bit more, but included Givi rack, E52 top case, and zero gravity touring shield, plus the manufacturer's more upright bars from the '07 or '08 and on...

So far so good, only one ride.  ABS light is on, but it looks like when the front tire was changed, they put the spacers on the wrong sides and the wheel is a bit off.  Hopefully that's the cause - started immediately after front tire change.   9106 miles when I rode it home.

- Dan

[Dan K]

Oh, looks like it went down on its right side?  Brake lever looks bent in that first pic.

Yeah, bike dropped on right side.  The right fairing has some vertical (and angled) scratches that were touched up.  It's my only problem with the bike, but it was a good deal.  Rode straight and true, practically brand new tires.  Need to see about repainting the touch ups.  Not done really well.  Plus, since the bike was in storage in a small garage, the left side chrome thingy on the fairing is cracked in half.  Need a new one of those too.

The rigth side brake pedal also appears bent in, but it isn't scratched at all and has plenty of clearance.  I'll have to compare to a new one.

Easy to find fault with the bike, but it's functionally in great shape (other than the ABS light...need to figure that one out when I have time...)

- Dan

[caddydaddy]

 ABS light is on, but it looks like when the front tire was changed, they put the spacers on the wrong sides and the wheel is a bit off.  Hopefully that's the cause - started immediately after front tire change.  

- Dan

If they switched the wheel spacers, then the ABS pickup sensor will rub the reluctor wheel, and both will need to be replaced at around $400 in parts!  

[Dan K]

If they switched the wheel spacers, then the ABS pickup sensor will rub the reluctor wheel, and both will need to be replaced at around $400 in parts!  

OK, where do I find the sensor and what the fuck is a reluctor wheel?  Regardless, if that's the case, the (previous) owner will give me back some money, or even take the bike back.  Cool guy.  

- Dan

[MadOzodi]

Congrats!  Hope you get the ABS light issue squared away.  I'm lucky to have a small amount of experience in touch up paint repairs; I was able to fix the scratches I inflicted when trying to turn my bike around in my single lane driveway.