FZ-09 is tempting me

[Warpdrv]

I'm thinking about adding the FZ-09 as a stable mate / project bike.....

I'd like to have something lighter and smaller to have access for on hot days, fun in the twisties as well as future track days since I live so close to Road America - 45 mins away....

Coming up on 50 in the next couple years, not looking to push the limits, just find something that doesn't kill my wrists and back - so no R6's or R1's for me, but still want something that makes some good power and offers up the thrills.......

Entrance fee seems pretty reasonable to me, and it seems that there are tons of upgrades and mods to get it where I want.

I know that suspension will be on the docket since I'm in the 200lb realm....

Any thoughts / incite are welcome......

Right now I have the 1986 NightHawk 700S, but I'm not confident in its performance for the track. Its a great bike, but I don't want to mess around with it, just leave it stock for its historical value.... Pic from Independence Day weekend, buddy of mine came into town and we poured some miles on the 700 since she doesn't see all that much love anymore.... and I'm thinking of selling it to open up some room for her replacement...... I have some interested buyers that will show 'er more love for the future....

What Say Ye.......

 

[Bungie]

Do yourself a favour and test the FZ07. I've ridden the FZ09, the FJ09 and the FZ07.

The 7 is a good piece! Handles great, much better suspension than the FZ09, lighter, almost the same acceleration at least on the bottom end.

For my money, the FZ07 would get the nod first, then the FJ09, then finally the FZ09. The )7 made me giggle in my helmet, the FJ09 had me thinking if it had cruise control, my FJR would be in jeopardy, the FZ09 had me thinking it would either have me dead or without a motorcycle license in short order.

 

[Warpdrv]

Yeah My dealer has a couple 15 FZ-09's in stock at good reduced price, since the 16's will be arriving in sept with nothing but paint changes may as well go for a model year deal... plus its got those blue wheels, kinda works with the theme I'm running LOL. Not sure they have any FZ-07 but it'd be nice to do a comparo....

I figure I'd like the higher power of the 09, plus if its going to be track run, the suspension will be headed to the choping block - basically any bike I were to get would be getting a major overhaul anyways....

Thanks Bungie, appreciate your input....

 

[xcsp]

Rode a FJ-09 this a.m. and that triple has some character. Liked the lighter weight and more narrow seat & tank. Hard to give up the FJR, but for a second ride, possible.

 

[Fred W]

I'd like to own a triple again. Had a Hinkley Triumph Trophy 900 for a while and I enjoyed the 3 cylinder engine configuration. And with the entrance fee for the FZ09 I don';t think that you can go too far wrong. Even if you flip it in 2-3 years you won't get too bruised. I'm watching for used FZ09's and they are holding their (small initial) values well.

 

[redzgrider]

Street triple R. All the good with none of the FZ/FJ short comings.

 

[hppants]

I rode the FZ-09 during the demo ride at Friendly Yamaha last year. I have it on good authority that in many 3rd world countries, having that much fun is illegal! I'm turning 50 this year - would I have an FZ-09 as my only bike? Never. If I could have one as an addition to my 5-10 bike stable? You bet ya arse I would.

Also, seeing your 700s reminds me of the one I had. Mine was technically an '84 that was originally red/black, but with '86 plastics. I like the combination of the chrome engine cosmetics, and chrome rims, along with the RWB colors. Mine also had an aftermarket chin fairing and a Mac header. I loved that bike.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Frankly, the FZ-6R seems like the perfect city bike to me. Small, light, wearing the correct marque, and plenty strong enough to keep me at 75 mph when jousting on the freeway. It's also been around for years, so Yamaha's got everything polished and refined. Phenomenally inexpensive, too.

Since I don't actually know the answer, does anybody still make 2-stroke street bikes? One of those would be a load of fun in the city! (Self-answered, thanks to CycleWorld's 'Ask Kevin' column: "Two-strokes left the market because they could not meet steadily-tightening EPA standards for vehicle exhaust emissions.")

 

[08FJR4ME]

2 strokes, I believe the black and orange devil machines (KTM) still offer that platform.

My dealer doesn't do test rides. Time to take a ride to RI and check out some other dealers.

Dave

 

[HotRodZilla]

Dave, I think only in dirt bikes. Not even Enduro dirt bikes, but full on track oriented bikes. Haven't seen anything 2-stroke streetwise for years. Why would anyone want that anyway? Dirt, yes, but street?

 

[Uncle Hud]

Why would one want a 2-stroke street bike? ZIng, baby; lots of zing. Frightening amounts of acceleration. My first bike was a 2-stroke RD400 that would rip the hair right out of your scalp if you twisted the throttle quickly. You could easily lift the front tire in each gear except fifth.

Don't want another one, just curious. I've got lots more judgement now than I had then, and lots less testosterone, so I'm very satisfied with the zing provided by the FJR.

========================================================

But back to Warpdrv's FZ-09 .... That bike seems very similar to the FJR. Yeah, I know it's a triple and a whole lot lighter -- and it's nekkid -- but it looks like a baby FJR. Don't you guys that own multiple bikes want contrasting styles? Or do you get three similar bikes with different size engines?

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Frankly, the FZ-6R seems like the perfect city bike to me. Small, light, wearing the correct marque, and plenty strong enough to keep me at 75 mph when jousting on the freeway. It's also been around for years, so Yamaha's got everything polished and refined. Phenomenally inexpensive, too.

Since I don't actually know the answer, does anybody still make 2-stroke street bikes? One of those would be a load of fun in the city! (Self-answered, thanks to CycleWorld's 'Ask Kevin' column: "Two-strokes left the market because they could not meet steadily-tightening EPA standards for vehicle exhaust emissions.")

I found a 2009 Yamaha FZ6R cheap in the late fall 2010 and thought it would be a great upgrade for my son from a 06 Ninja 650. We quickly found out It would make an awesome first bike for someone, but the subdued engine and sound did not thrill my son one bit and sold it for a nice profit the next spring. That spring we bought him a 2 year hold over R6 and all was well.

Don't screw around if you want to hit the track days or twisties. Get an R6, learn how to sit on it, set the suspension, and have a blast. By the time you have the suspension right you will be spending as much or more than the cost of the R6. A supersport isn't as uncomfortable as you think it may be if you aren't in stop and go traffic and only use it or the track or twisties. My Ducati 999 is a blast in the curves or on and advanced rider track but it is not a city bike.

 

[Fred W]

I think Dave's remarks about KTMs was directed at my lust for a capable dual sport. Yes, KTM does still make street rideable 2-strokes, and they are heavily biased to the dirt side of the dual sport equation, but only in the smaller displacements. With a 2-stroke you get nearly double the HP punch of a 4 stroke, but not the torque of larger displacement. Dragging my fat ass up the hills requires big piston(s). If money were no object I'd have something orange in the garage for sure.

Street triple R. All the good with none of the FZ/FJ short comings.

As an ex-Trumpet owner, I know they come with their own set of vagaries.

 

[Warpdrv]

Totally appreciate all the input guys....

A little back story...

Had an 78 RD 400 built to the max way back in the day, DG heads, RZ350 reed valves, 50 over pistons, kerker headers and pipes, bigger mikuni carbs, it was a freakin monster - super fun and absolutely insane when that powerband kicked in..... I don't think I would want to tame that beast on a turn when that rubberband started to unwind..... I'm looking for and prefer a nice steady, more predictable power curve...

After a high speed wobble on that RD put me off at 100mph (Stoooopid Ass YOUNG Pilot) I was banned by my father from owning another Motorcycle / Death Machine again or I'd be written out of the will... I switched to Snowmobiles and ATV's - the Yamaha Raptor was the demon of choice and was with me until I bought my house and had to leave the 300 acre playground I learned to master that machine on.

From that point on I was relegated to hauling it way up north to ride it on awesome trails, but just didn't have the time to do so..... my business just didn't allow me enough freedom to warrant the distance to travel for the fun, 70-80+ hrs a week. Well needless to say eventually I ended up with 2 ruptured and 1 bulging discs from that bad boy, 20-30 ft jumps are detrimental to future upright walking... I need to stick to the road...

It was then that I was feeling the need to get back on a bike, I mean there are roads that start right at my driveways end and go forever, I don't have to pack or haul ****.... I need a bike again..... Now I've got a dilemma, I don't give a flying **** about any will, I'm just no good as a liar / hate liars - and more importantly Lying / Hiding the truth from my father was almost inconceivable to me - but there was this drive and the void of what was missing in my life..... It was almost a year of having the NightHawk before he caught wind of me getting that bike..... it was a head down shameful discussion, even though I was a grown man, I felt I let my father down.... but he just didn't want to see me get hurt..... OK - that wasn't as bad as I thought....

Then came the 05 FJR, and 10 years later - now the 2015.

So between all the phyical work and beating the hell out of my body on the ATV, there will be no lean over bikes such as the R6 or R1..neither the back nor wrists won't take it, trust me when I tell you - I've tried, its def a no go..... hence the idea of the more upright triple....

Not looking to win any trophys on the track here just enjoy it..... yet also have a bike I can ride around on the really hot days that I'm able to ride solo, R6 and R1's can be brutal on the roads around here....

Also, I'm not a huge man but certainly not small either at 200-205lbs... I keep telling myself, I'm not fat, I'm big boned !

redzrider mentioned the Speed Triple R - I was also looking at what BMW had to offer....... as you can see by my history - I've always been a Yamaha Man through and through..... I just don't know nor whether I have the ability to leave that bond of trust.... I grew up playing a Yamaha baby grand piano - bikes, sleds, atv's...

hppants - that is a beautiful machine

 

[HelzBelz]

My 20 year old nephew bought the FZ09.. I got to ride it. Loved it as much as I thought I would. It would make a cool 2nd street bike.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Abercrombie FJR posted: <snipped a bunch> Don't screw around if you want to hit the track days or twisties. Get an R6, learn how to sit on it, set the suspension, and have a blast. ... My Ducati 999 is a blast in the curves or on and advanced rider track but it is not a city bike.

Thanks for the word, but you may have missed the part about judgement and testosterone changing places in my decision-making process. Track days sound fun, and I will get to Road Atlanta or Barber soon enough, but I don't think my shoulders and wrists could handle much time on an R6. I could tell that by sitting on one in the showroom for 5 minutes.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

Abercrombie FJR posted: <snipped a bunch> Don't screw around if you want to hit the track days or twisties. Get an R6, learn how to sit on it, set the suspension, and have a blast. ... My Ducati 999 is a blast in the curves or on and advanced rider track but it is not a city bike.

Thanks for the word, but you may have missed the part about judgement and testosterone changing places in my decision-making process. Track days sound fun, and I will get to Road Atlanta or Barber soon enough, but I don't think my shoulders and wrists could handle much time on an R6. I could tell that by sitting on one in the showroom for 5 minutes.

Hey Unkle Hud and the original poster Warpdrv. I apologize to both of you for my opinionated, boorish response late Friday night. I had just completed mounting a couple of rather stubborn Pirrelli Sport Demons on some training bikes (GZ250) in the late night, hot, humid weather and I must have still had a little pent up aggression when I posted.

I am just about 53 and fully realize that supersports aren't for everyone and can be a royal pain in the neck, ass, back, wrists, shoulders, ect. ect. My first time out on the 999 this summer was just about my last. I rode about 60 miles on flat straight roads and I was hating the ride. The old Ducati redeemed itself when I rode it around the Black Hills a couple of weeks ago having a blast in the curves. I guess with the right roads the aches and pains of a supersport can be replaced with smiles and giggles.

I understand where you two are coming from with more upright seating and miss my 08 FZ1 every time I want to get a little hooligan on in comfort. The Ducati is fun and an attention whore at gas stations, but an FZ1 or FZ-09 would make a much better real world bike at our age.

 

[Uncle Hud]

^^^^^ No apologies necessary; your reply wasn't boorish in the least, and I've got a pretty thick skin for others' opinions -- heh, heh, heh -- a thick skin I wish to keep unabraded.

Yeah, I'm "considerably" older than you, and some of my joints just don't operate like they did when I was 30. Despite riding like a grandma, I derive considerable pleasure from the speed, G-forces, and lean angles my FJR supplies. A track day is coming; honestly, I don't think I can avoid it.

 

[Big Sky]

So two others in this thread owned the RD400; now make that three. It was my first bike at age 21. My pal on his KZ650 was always surprised I could keep up in WOT mode. And, yes, it was wheelie prone. All in all, a pretty good first street bike. Out on the highway on a long day? Ha! No way! The girls liked it though...