Fazer 1000s

The early ones, that is.

I've noticed the price on these has dropped a fair bit of late and all
of a sudden they look like they're in budget.

So... anyone ridden one?

I seem to remember 'Mike' kept breaking the gearboxes on the ones he
had when they first came out, in between breaking himself on it - are
they prone to doing this?

I've not yet found a Thunderace to replace the VFR with, and given I
really liked the Fazer 600 I had (bar the shite build quality / lack
of top end), a while back, I'm wondering if one of these would be
worth a punt.

I've tried Bandit 1200s and I'm unimpressed... XJR1300 etc seems a bit
too lardy for what I want, hence why one of these appeals.

Not really interested in doing long distance trips - my bike is mainly
used for scratching and generally arsing around on local back roads
etc, and if I am honest, the one thing I would like is enough poke in
second for the front to come up off the power, something the VFR
doesn't quite have enough of.

 

How early?

 

Seen a 2001 model at the right money, so far... so pretty much one of
the first I should think.

 

EXUP valves seize up, but apart from that they seem pretty bullet
proof. It's an R1 engine with a heavier crank and different head.

The suspension is a bit soft and the steering a bit slow, but most of
that can be adjusted out or fixed properly with a new shock / spring /
linkage. I think it just adds to the fun.

120 ish bhp at the back wheel, 130 ish with a slip-on and jet kit, 140
with further breathing mods.

Way more fun than a VFR unless you're doing 130mph down a motorway for
hours on end. Several generations more modern than an XJR / ZRX etc.
and doesn't come with the chip-on-the-shoulder that Bandit 12 owners
seem to develop.

 

I'm still (not really seriously) looking for a buyer for my 2007 but
don't want to sell it for 2001 money.

 

Out of my price range, I'm afraid.

 

That's a Yamaha litre bike given, so it seems.

Others have advised that if you look after the EXUP valve, it'll look
after you - they need regular routine maintenance.

heh

Cheers

 

'sallright

 

And what is Sir thinking of replacing it with... and why?

 

Cash

and why?

Living beyond my means and a hefty credit card balance ;-)

I have a SOB to tide me over and winter's coming...

 

Bloody awful time of year to sell IMHO, especially given the current
financial climate.

Fair enough.

What happened to the rat bike?

 

Had mine over three years from new.

Somebody else mentioned seized exup valves, but in my case it was the cable
operating it that seized at the same time as the choke cable seized (this
may have been a pdi issue as it had always been stiff to operate). The
seized exup cable put the engine into a 'safe mode' where it wouldn't idle.
The seized choke cable cured that at the expense of loss of engine braking
due to a 3000 rpm idle! I spray everything liberally with Scottoil FS365 and
so far the finish has stood up reasonably well to three winters worth of
daily commuting. Fitted with chin spoiler and hugger to keep most of the
crap off. Black finish is starting to fall off from parts of the engine most
subject to spray and gravel.

Top speed is limited by your neck, but roll-on acceleration is quite
addictive. There's a bit of hesitation at low revs that doesn't quite
resolve itself as a stutter nor driveline shunt. I'm told that a 'Ivan's jet
kit' solves the problem but I haven't got around to trying it yet. Can't say
how the performance compares to similar bikes because I haven't tried them.
Riding position suits my stocky (OK Fat) 6' frame. Getting off a 'sports'
bike and riding it for the first time, it felt like a large trailie. You get
a pretty good, high up, view in traffic. New stiffer aftermarket rear shock
helps with 'stockiness' and increases arse to ground distance from
'dragging' to something which gives a comfortable forward lean.

Fuel consumption on a mixed commute of three lane, town and country road
varies between 35mpg (max speed 120) and 45mpg (max speed 80 and after a
'talking to' from an unmarked Janitor). It'll easily do 150 miles from full
tank to reserve if you want it to.

Tyre's are now Conti Road Attacks, which are OK (and cheap) when new, but
give a slight hands off weave on slowing down through 40-50 mph when the
front is worn. I am most definitely not a fast rider, which might explain
why the handling seemed OK to me despite soft original suspension.

The sidestand can be awkward to get down in the rain (or snow) due to its
positioning if you have race boots with 'chamfer' on heal. This may just be
a problem with my ankle articulation. I Solved it by 'roughening' the ball
on the sidestand to get more purchase.

Oh yeah, the original horn is shit and would be embarrasing on a Honda
Melody. Budget a tenner or two for some aftermarket horns.

I like it. In fact I may buy a lower mileage, less abused example to replace
it.

For lots of interesting and exciting things to do with Fazer thou's see:

http://www.cartestsoftware.com/fz1/index.html

 

Ok... so spill the beans or at least point me in the direction of any
thread that covers the basics.

 

Good good. I'm quite partial to off the throttle mingers these days,
(allegedly), and as per my original post, the VFR is bloody good for
stuff in first gear, but a no show in second... which is where you
need to initially be if you want to progress up the box any further
with clutchless changes.

6'3" and 'stocky', too. ;-)

All sounds good - I was always really impressed with how slingable the
Fazer 600 I had was, especially given how basic the suspension set up
is on those.

About the same as the VFR then... and better than the Fazer 600 I had.

Got those on the VFR as well, and had them on the CBR before that -
seem alright really, and no notable weaving as of yet.

Noted.

Many thanks for the advice.

 

You're probably looking at a big V-twin then, they don't need much
coaxing to loft the front on the power.

Have you considered the SV1000 or a Falco ? if you're feeling very
brave, a TL1000

P.

 

Call me fussy, but I'm not keen on V-Twins really?

I quite like the look of the RSV Mille, if I'm honest...

 

Hence my "not really seriously" comment. I am in the market to sell but I'd
rather lose another 6 months' depreciation than sell it for stupid money.

"No comment"

 

Well... it's not likely that anyone stole it really, is it.

Environmental Health?

 

lol. You wouldn't believe us if we told you.

P.

 

Bought by National Motorcycle Museum and now on display, what with
them possibly being a bit hard up for exhibits since 'The Fire'?

Mistaken for one of Damien Hursts finest, and sold at auction for $2.2
million to a private collector?