I just love everything about my Busa, which I bought new last year (2010), but there are moments when I think that perhaps a lighter bike might suit me better as an alternative more of the time for just knocking around in urban trips of an hour or less.
The Busa is just brilliant for those 3-4+ hr rides where away from city traffic, it just rockets, glides and slashes away like no other. But for those short trips, I was wondering seriously whether there is a bike out there that might be 45-50kg lighter, perhaps just 1 sec slower(11 sec) to the quarter and (within cooey) from 0-100kph at around 3.5 sec or just under.
Anyway, the GSXR750 came to mind and also the FZ1.
The GSR750, (also) tested with the quarter coming up at 10.9 sec looked interesting too, but the suspension package looked very ordinary compared to the FZ1 and the GSXR750.
I got a test ride on the 2011 FZ1 yesterday.
First and foremost, the often mentioned fuelling glitches of pre 2009 FZ1 models are now sorted on this bike. The closed to slightly open throttle roll-ons are now very smooth and powerful indeed and there is instantaneous pick-up, not unlike the Busa, though not quite there was the serious induction ROAR that we get with the Busa.
In traffic, the FZ1 was significantly lighter to handle, at 220kg fully fuelled(compared to the Busa's 265kg). The FZ1 steering was also snappier when it comes to filtering and limited room manouvres.
No gear indicator on the FZ1 though. Only an 18L tank, but the ride itself was smooth with everything in the suspension working very nicely. Brakes were faultless as was the clutch lightness and ease of use (not a slipper however). The dash is definitely not as attractive as the Busa twin dials with the gear indicator in the middle. The best there is for my taste...Also the actual size seemed slightly small on the FZ1. Perhaps one could get used to it.
For a 2-3hr ride over just about anything you can throw at it, the FZ1 seemed more than adequate. The FZ1 riding position with handlebars sitting you in a more upright position felt very good indeed (but I am not complaining about my Busa setup with Heli bars). For city/urban fangs, the FZ1 riding position is very fine, though at speed, (say anything above 150kph, (not to mention 250+) nothing beats or even come close to the feeling of rock steadiness and serenity behind the fairings of the mighty Busa. You gain something (lightness) and you also gain something not as good (wind blast) with the FZ1.
Just getting on it, it felt instantly lighter than the bulky weight of the Busa. However, after the test and getting back on my Busa, I definitely told myself once moving, that the Busa ride is just incomparable and superior. Just maybe, it is just "too superior, too fast, too much bike" for urban use even though in the traffic it is still very easy to manage.
One thing I did not like were the footpegs on the FZ1 where they are positioned, as they dug into my calves at standstill.
That's it. For anyone thinking about the FZ1, I'd say there isn't another naked bike out there that will match it for price, practicality and overall competance & value. It loses about 50hp, 50kg, 50 kph top speed and 0.5-1sec to the Busa but otherwise, especially the FZ1N, it looks great and the quality of manufacture is superb. So if you do not need the 250-300kph region every week, the FZ1 should get a look-in. The rest is personal taste.
I have the 2011 speed triple and its such a fun bike. Wheelies on demand and shit loads of torque straight off idle. 209 kgs and low 11's with a 120kg rider. Steers like a sports bike and comfy as
............
Still miss my busa though.
Good read. Thanks!
I like to ride as many different bikes as I can, and would love something smaller in the stable, . . . plus some thing bigger, and something . . .
265kg for the Busa?
What?
The Gen 1 I had with hump mod, wet weather gear, tools, fuel filled up, bagster tank bag, air horns, grab rail, alarm, and half a tonne of chromed bits weighed 247kgs. Is the Gen 2 really that heavy?
I had a Gen I FZ1 and it holds the record ownership life for me at about 4 years. Great all round bike and comfortable up to the 200kmh mark. The only issue was that when it came out it was priced way too high and was a notorious slow seller.
Gen II felt a bit different ergonomically when I test rode one, but concept was very similar. If I did more metro riding it would be high on the buy list.
This is what you want.....Streeet Triple.
About 65 kg lighter. It feels like a push bike.
![[Image: DSC04995.jpg]](http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr172/Troppo_bucket/Flying%20Fridge/DSC04995.jpg)
I love naked, and have only just made the decision to buy a Busa as I'm touring more these days. The compromise bike I chose 20 months ago was selected mainly for urban short runs of an hour out from Sydney to Westhead, or up to Gosford and back, with a longer trip thrown in rarely and a trip to the city every couple of weeks.
Naked is good for these roles and there are many to choose from. I test rode the following:
Triumph speed triple - great bike but felt like it took a bit of work to throw around. Loved the brakes. Nice motor that had low torque, but lacked that "zing" as the revs grew... the new model just released may have improved it considerably... so I'm told.
Kawasaki Z1000 - didn't love the brakes. And no hydraulic clutch
Ducati Monster - liked so much about it, brakes, looks and "the vibe". I rode the model with the pipes under the seat. Cooked my nuts something terrible... just as well I have kids already! Plus, a bit low on power for the price. Still, nice.
Aprilia - Now you're talking... oh, except my passenger burnt her leg on the test drive, yep, no passengers recommended. Oh and the clutch is one heck of a mother, high effort and very far out engagement. I double my daughter a lot so no deal on this one for me.
Motoguzzi - looks great. Enough said (shaft drive was just too different for me)
BMW 800R - yeah right, nice but where was the power.
BMW R1200R - now that is a naked that's somewhat different. Long wheelbase and boxer twin motor. Great when the speed got going past 120 km/hr but then the wind blows... Didn't like the steering damper in town, really hard on tight roundabouts. Took this touring around Tassie last year and really liked it, really went smoothly and it was a hire bike. Prefer a bit more excitement but hey...
And just for contrast a couple of non-nakeds I've tested recently:
BMW 1300S - okay I should have tried the naked but what the heck. Loved it but felt VERY big. Little too expensive for my taste.
Multistrada - the new model I've just ridden, LOVE it but the seat is just too high for me, and yes, I rode my mates with the low seat.
Triumph ST - drove a hired one around NZ last November. Nice bike for touring but felt a bit heavy for me. Very heavy clutch for my hand. Nice brakes. Smooooooth motor. Great instruments. Softish handling but it was a hire bike!
So what did I go for and why:
CB1000R - No contest. Why, technically beautiful swingarm (single sided), hydraulic clutch with light action (real easy in traffic), enough power (for city and short tours) delivered in an easy to manage in traffic or rain situation (no sudden power surge but progressive power "zing"). Really nice instruments (totally digital, which I like), and honda quality in a designed and assembled in Italy package (yeah, I can join the Italian bike club, ha). But for me the handling and breaking was the standout. The forks, brakes, and engine come from the 2007 fireblade. Bulletproof and good performers. About 220kg fully fuelled, feels much lighter.
Initial price on these was $19k when they came out... yep I got done... now new is much more reasonable at about $15-16k. Second hand they seem to have had a significant price drop.
If you had time and money on your side, the GSX1000 may turn up as a naked down the track? Just like they did with the 750? I'm just guessing but it could be a standout.
Just my two cents.
Cheers,
TonyAAA
That's very interesting, Tony.
I have sat on the Honda, but never ridden one.
They are certainly a lovely looking bike.
(17-09-2011, 05:52pm)TonyTripleA Wrote: [ -> ]I love naked, and have only just made the decision to buy a Busa as I'm touring more these days. The compromise bike I chose 20 months ago was selected mainly for urban short runs of an hour out from Sydney to Westhead, or up to Gosford and back, with a longer trip thrown in rarely and a trip to the city every couple of weeks.
Naked is good for these roles and there are many to choose from. I test rode the following:
Triumph speed triple - great bike but felt like it took a bit of work to throw around. Loved the brakes. Nice motor that had low torque, but lacked that "zing" as the revs grew... the new model just released may have improved it considerably... so I'm told.
Kawasaki Z1000 - didn't love the brakes. And no hydraulic clutch
Ducati Monster - liked so much about it, brakes, looks and "the vibe". I rode the model with the pipes under the seat. Cooked my nuts something terrible... just as well I have kids already! Plus, a bit low on power for the price. Still, nice.
Aprilia - Now you're talking... oh, except my passenger burnt her leg on the test drive, yep, no passengers recommended. Oh and the clutch is one heck of a mother, high effort and very far out engagement. I double my daughter a lot so no deal on this one for me.
Motoguzzi - looks great. Enough said (shaft drive was just too different for me)
BMW 800R - yeah right, nice but where was the power.
BMW R1200R - now that is a naked that's somewhat different. Long wheelbase and boxer twin motor. Great when the speed got going past 120 km/hr but then the wind blows... Didn't like the steering damper in town, really hard on tight roundabouts. Took this touring around Tassie last year and really liked it, really went smoothly and it was a hire bike. Prefer a bit more excitement but hey...
And just for contrast a couple of non-nakeds I've tested recently:
BMW 1300S - okay I should have tried the naked but what the heck. Loved it but felt VERY big. Little too expensive for my taste.
Multistrada - the new model I've just ridden, LOVE it but the seat is just too high for me, and yes, I rode my mates with the low seat.
Triumph ST - drove a hired one around NZ last November. Nice bike for touring but felt a bit heavy for me. Very heavy clutch for my hand. Nice brakes. Smooooooth motor. Great instruments. Softish handling but it was a hire bike!
So what did I go for and why:
CB1000R - No contest. Why, technically beautiful swingarm (single sided), hydraulic clutch with light action (real easy in traffic), enough power (for city and short tours) delivered in an easy to manage in traffic or rain situation (no sudden power surge but progressive power "zing"). Really nice instruments (totally digital, which I like), and honda quality in a designed and assembled in Italy package (yeah, I can join the Italian bike club, ha). But for me the handling and breaking was the standout. The forks, brakes, and engine come from the 2007 fireblade. Bulletproof and good performers. About 220kg fully fuelled, feels much lighter.
Initial price on these was $19k when they came out... yep I got done... now new is much more reasonable at about $15-16k. Second hand they seem to have had a significant price drop.
If you had time and money on your side, the GSX1000 may turn up as a naked down the track? Just like they did with the 750? I'm just guessing but it could be a standout.
Just my two cents.
Cheers,
TonyAAA
The "GSX1000 naked would be THE bike to watch out for and ride...
meantime there's the FZ1 as the Honda is no longer available in Oz.
Why not streetfighter a GSX-R 1000?
The 750 is certainly not a naked GSX-R750. It is budget.
I have 06 Fz1 Fazer I also ride. Put Rizoma fat bars and risers on to make feel and steer better then spent time getting suspension right with fork adjustment and 02 R1 shock with fazer spec spring. More get up and go with GYTR pipe and Pc3 fitted at dynoverks last time i was on big island for WSB. Scrapes pegs easy,no chicken strips front or rear,and fairly comfy on long rides (wadonga to melb out to dynoverks and back thru hills to chiltern same day ) beautiful to ride but feels like sitting on big dirt bike after riding busa for last month. Still makes me smile thou
.
(17-09-2011, 10:12pm)GOOFTROOP Wrote: [ -> ]I have 06 Fz1 Fazer I also ride. Put Rizoma fat bars and risers on to make feel and steer better then spent time getting suspension right with fork adjustment and 02 R1 shock with fazer spec spring. More get up and go with GYTR pipe and Pc3 fitted at dynoverks last time i was on big island for WSB. Scrapes pegs easy,no chicken strips front or rear,and fairly comfy on long rides (wadonga to melb out to dynoverks and back thru hills to chiltern same day ) beautiful to ride but feels like sitting on big dirt bike after riding busa for last month. Still makes me smile thou .
That would be a great combination pair of bikes. Good to know that for longer rides, the FZ1 is doing OK by your account. I'd say that with a PC3 and power pipe, the FZ1 would be quite a weapon anywhere as the original package is already so good.
That would be a great combination pair of bikes. Good to know that for longer rides, the FZ1 is doing OK by your account. I'd say that with a PC3 and power pipe, the FZ1 would be quite a weapon anywhere as the original package is already so good.
[/quote]
Only thing left to do to make really good on long rides is to make seat more comfy. Starts to get uncomfortable after 3hrs. With pipe and Pc3 motor is more responsive up and down the revs and leaves squigly lines out of the corners
. Still only 147hp at wheel for now. Might have to do more tuning but busa will be coming with me to mainland from now on. Can't wait to get it flashed and see what it really meant to go like
.
(18-09-2011, 09:05am)GOOFTROOP Wrote: [ -> ]That would be a great combination pair of bikes. Good to know that for longer rides, the FZ1 is doing OK by your account. I'd say that with a PC3 and power pipe, the FZ1 would be quite a weapon anywhere as the original package is already so good.
Only thing left to do to make really good on long rides is to make seat more comfy. Starts to get uncomfortable after 3hrs. With pipe and Pc3 motor is more responsive up and down the revs and leaves squigly lines out of the corners
. Still only 147hp at wheel for now. Might have to do more tuning but busa will be coming with me to mainland from now on. Can't wait to get it flashed and see what it really meant to go like
.
[/quote]
Someone I know got the full Akra 4-1 plus PC3 on the Busa and the said rear wheel HP was dynoed at 195.
Too much for me I'm afraid, but to some people, more is never enough! (used to be my motto as well!) 147 at the wheel for the FZ1 is sensational!
I am just concerned abou getting wind blasted to pieces...other than that, th FZ1 is a right super bike!
Hi Guys
Just thought all of you might be interested about this, Last Wednesday night at the drags I put the Busa on the scale and it was 247Kg with full tank, 4 into1 akrapovic system.
I think its a few Kilos lighter from the standard Gen11 with the standard pipe system.