well today i went to the bike shop after not being able to find a decent Honda to satisfy all my riding needs and came out with a 2006 Yamaha FZ1 (silver) with 0 miles!!! my 1st non honda ever, 1st brand new vehicle ever...and my 5th bike overall through the years

1986 Honda Magna (crashed then sold)

1988 Honda Hawk 650 (sold...big regret)

1995 Honda VFR750 (sold...another big regret)

2002 Honda Superhawk (sold...no regrets yet but its only been 2 days)

and now a 2006 YAMAHA YZ1!!! it was a big risk for me switching ships but Honda seems to be getting a little stale design and performance wise...to me anyway.

So, sorry i have abandoned my "people" but i think it way time to fly the coop. let the bashing begin...

 

uhhh, yeah. those RRs truly are some ugly, dog-slow pieces of sh*t...

 

they are tired looking and honda doesnt really have a decent semi sport touring bike other than the VFR which is overweight and underpowered. and the 919 needs a make over

 

Some of the guys here really like the RC51. Why didn't you like it?

 

I hope you're happy in the long run my buddy sold his older FZ1 after about 3 months. I just read an article in Cycle World that said the test riders were very disappointed in the '06 because the power was changed from down low on the older bikes to higher in the rpm's on the new one. But they were happy with the rest of the bike, good luck with it and stay on 2. Bikes are a personal thing if you weren't happy with what was out there then so be it, I personally don't like buying new because of the hit you take but that's just me. Atleast with new you know how it's taken care of and you're still on a bike so you're still a brother in my eyes. Oh btw they loved the 919.

 

Have you seen the new RR's?

 

i heard that about the 06 and i will fix that with a smaller front sprocket eventually to torque it up a bit.

as far as the RC 51 i DID like it but i wanted a bike that had more options outside of the twisties, better fuel range and such. the riding postion wasnt as bad as the CBR's but it was a little too much for my long legs.

i was thinking of getting another VFR800 but i just couldnt go back in cc's

 

Good luck and pop in to tell us how it's going from time to time.

 

i sure will pop in...and the ringing from the old V-Twin has almost left my ears. haha. maybe i will even sleep better now

 

geez what will we do without your witty banter, and complimentary attitude towards everybodys bike that participates on this site.

 

Wow was that a knock? and from a squiddy...that sure means a lot. haha

 

had to give you some sort of little jab for the dis, but seriously, sounds like you found a sweet ride. had a bright blue yam myself for a few years and loved it.

 

how did the Yam hold up over that 2 year span? i didnt mean to dis any of the riders on here just dont like what Honda is currently offering in its line up of bikes....couldnt seem to find a bike that suited my riding needs. it was either to uncomfortable for everyday or to weak for gunnin it on the straights!

I tried really hard to stay with the boys in red but it wasnt meant to be

 

Out of curiosity - Honda does not offer new CB1300S in States? Shame
My buddy here bought it (well - it was my tip ) and it is hell of a bike, much more than it even look like. Suprisingly good handling and incredible engine. Long black lines of smoked rubber from standstill and comfortable to ride...

Just one more thing - on Fazer...
I had go on older FZ1 and new one - my colleague at work got sold on "latest the best" and traded his old FZ1 for new one. Then he wrestled with lack of grunt problem. And here is what he says - "my tech guru said problem is engine characteristics, it is not right to try to cure it with sprocket - you just have to climb WAY up in rpms, narrowing usable powerband...Open exhaust (lots of aftermarket available), DNA or KN filter and PowerCommander with right mapping did help much much better than changing sprokets."
Hope it might be of any use. This guy knows a lot about bikes, but in this case his bike was prepped by guy, who many years ago was one of mechanics of Randy Mammola team, so I tend to trust the guy
And good luck with Fazer FZ1 (it is Fazer in Europe )

 

Yeah rub it in....You Euro's always get the better bikes first! But I wouldn't trade it for the price you pay for insurance and gas though.

 

Oh yes. Believe it or no but since we had 3rd child i HAD to limit my rideouts to absolute minimum because of petrol prices! 1.4 Euro per liter...makes it 1.7 USD per liter!
Insurance is bearable - I pay 345 Euros a year for mini-comprehensive (no theft protection thou).
I just can't believe Honda did not bring CB1300 to US! This calls for letters to Honda USA. Here it is a hit and sweetheart of all bike magasines. Honda offers CB1300 naked and CB1300S with gorgeous retro-fairing, reminding a bit of Bol'd'Or - so my buddy got one with fairing.
It is extremely well made - you know, one of those Honda's with no expense spared, with polished and laquered engine covers, superb metallic paint "old honda" colors, ABS etc. etc. and lots of gadgetry, like ambient temperature info etc. etc. and even optional crash pads with tricky mountin kit- if bike dropped no damage to frame or engine.I am sure they will bring it to US, this bike absolutely murdered Bandit 1200 here and made lots of muscle bikes look like outdated junk. No way Honda will keep it to Europe only...