Motorcycle Forum / General / Yamaha / July 2003

Awesome bike... if you're going to be doing any trips greater than 30 minutes I highly recommend getting a taller and wider Windscreen.  I've got the factory yamaha extended fairing.  Works really good, still looks nice!

The power of this bike is frickin awesome!  You can literally feel this things trying to rip your arms outta their sockets if you yank on the throttle with gusto!

My crotch is more sensitive than most peoples and this bike does quite well at keeping me comfortable on long-ish rides.  I bought the bike to allow me to perform a twice-a-month commute of 50 miles down LA's infamously bad 405 Fwy.  My drive time is cut in half!  Also the Mrs. said the pillion was fine.

When it comes to your chain, use BelRay SuperClean chain lube.  Goes on white so you can see that you've got it on... you can see when its wearing off and time to re-apply.  I've seen other FZ-1's around town that aren't using SuperClean... Yeck!

The only little annoyance I have is that the bike often requires the choke to be on for a little bit when I first start her up.  There again this is only an annoyance because I'm always trying to turn it off ASAP so I don't screw-up and forget and leave the thing on all day and if you turn it off too soon, the laws of physics simply remind you that "No!" you need to leave it on a little longer sir.  I live 1 mi from the Pacific Ocean so I think this might have something to do with it.

I'm a software engineer, so I type a lot, thus my wrists can often be sore.  The more upright position of the standard-style handlebars is such a blessing.  But don't think she can't carve a good line!  No chicken strips here!

I found my used 2001 (with 1288 miles!) for $6500.00 U.S. from a Dealer.

P.S. It's got a center-stand too!