'02 FZ1 vs. '07 FZ1 vs. '05 FJR

[SPORT]

Just had a short afternoon ride with several friends. I had a chance to ride the '02 FZ1 and ride against the '07 FZ1. the '02 FZ1 was stock except for a 1 tooth drop on the front sprocket. The '07 FZ1 had a 2 tooth drop, a pipe and re-map of the ECU. Although the other ride was about 50lbs heavier than I, I walked away from him every time (about 2-3 bike lengths at around 120mph). He also had a hard time keeping the front end down. The '02 walks the front end up in 1st and skips the front end up in all other gears. All in all, it was a great balance between weight and power ratio...long gears and high horsepower.

Comparing my '05 FJR with the '07 FZ1 surprised the other riders. I think their exact response was, "Damn! That thing is FAST!!!". The '07 FZ1 and my '05FJR are pretty evenly matched. I walked away the first run by several bike lengths. The second run he walked away by a bike or two; and the final run, after my tire finally grabbed, I walked away, again by several bike lengths. All runs were at a rolling start, in first gear, at about 25-30 mph.

I didn't get a chance to compare the '02 FZ1 with my FJR, but that will come later. For me, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the '02 FZ1 rides; light, yet LOTS of torque and even more HP feel. On the flip side, I was not as impressed with the '07 FZ1 as it has way to liitle torque, making it not as user friendly on the streets.

As a side, I was using the Conti Road attack and must say they did not stick as well I thought they should. Maybe the FJR is too much bike for these tires??? They're not bad, it really only slipped once (on a shady road with temps around 70F) but it caused me to fish tail for about 25 feet before grabbing...gently I might add. The other runs it locked in VERY well lifting the front end up quite easily.

The shorty...I had a good time comparing the various models. Looking forward to a great summer of riding!

 

[keithaba]

The genI vs genII torque differences has been a hot topic on the FZ1 forum for a while. There is definately much more low end torque on the Gen I. You should ride a GenI with a jet kit, AIS removal, and exhaust. It definately makes a difference!

I expect that your riding ability also had something to do with the outcome of the runs. They should be relatively close, but in a straight line, the GenII really should have taken it. I suspect the 2 tooth lower sprocket actually hurt the GenII in a straight line.

I have always felt that the FJR and FZ1 are very close in speed, it's just that the FZ1 "Feels" much faster. Probably just because of the wind, and how solid the FJR feels at all speeds. The FZ1 is much twitchier, for lack of better terms. This all changes though when you get into the twisties. That's where the weight difference on the FZ1 really shows compared to the FJR.

I still prefer the look of the GenII FZ1, but don't think I would take one over my 03. If I could only have 1 bike, I wouldn't have to think twice before the FZ1 was gone.