Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Anyone here ridden or got a gen 2 FZ1 fazer?
Considering one for the SMT, bit more power and bit cheaper.

Wonder if it'll miss the torque. Need to go ride one in new year.

I'd give a lung for one of these!

The rear shocks are these:

http://shop.tecbikeparts.com/products/gas-shocks-scrambler

So should be easily adjustable.

Just to confirm the general consensus is that just lowering the rear shocks is fine without worrying about the front?

Seems like you really want to lower the seat before messing with the suspension, or just wear boots with stickier soles.

Missing torque, are you riding a twin at the moment or coming from an R1? They're pretty good bikes, I don't really like the revvy power delivery of a 4 cylinder for London but it'll probably break any speed limits in 1st so it's moot really. As a sports tourer I'm not sure it's best in class, the Hondas always seem to last better.

Ktm smt 990. So yeah, tourque monster.
I figured the fazer would be similar but a bit faster and bit better as fast cruising 2up. Also cheaper, giving possibility for going form 1 to 2 bikes.

It's a detuned R1 so it's going to be fast! Do you want trans european cruising or 80 miles on the M1.

Talking of... well, torque, always had a hankering for a VTR 1000 SP1. Think that would be the only bike at the moment I'd trade my ZX-6RR in for. I presume those riding torquey bikes don't have any regrets about trading that top end speed for more low end grunt?

I'm a big fan of twins, just a personal preference. Probably has something to do with riding a lot in London. Some of the modern twins do hit the rev limiter very quickly though!

Both!?
Going to do a couple big europ trips this year if things pan out as planned.
Maybe I'll keep the ktm! I shall try testride a fz1.

Depends how much lower you are going. Might upset the handling.

How thick is the seat? Can it be reshaped?

What is a bikes top speed? Quite beyond the legal speed limit ;)

Every man loves twins ;) Tried the V4? NC30 is a hoot. Quite fancy the aprillia v4

Riding position and pillion comfort will probably have a lot more to do with you enjoying it than balls out speed. There are loads of 100bhp sports tourers, I think the Honda CBF 1000 gets a lot of good reviews. You'll want something reliable despite the age, that's something Honda do well. The Fazer fairing doesn't look like it will provide that much wind protection, sometimes looks are deceiving though.

Yes, but 14,500rpm max seems a bit mechanically unsympathetic. Crazy little bike though, not sure I'd want to tour Europe on one.

@Airhead yeah fair point, it's not like they're slow! If I can't suppress the feeling I might have to ask about part-ex prices and maybe even a test ride. To be fair just riding one would be awesome.

@lynx very true, but that's where track time comes into play ;) But yeah on the road it wouldn't be too hard to lose your license :/

We get on good 2up on the smt, comfy. So figured fz1 would be ok. Got 115bhp now on the Smt. I'll find a fz1 to testride.

Thoughts on the NineT?
Generally I don't dislike it, the cafe racer flavours are a little... fashionable for my tastes.
Like this one though.

Anything that'll stop hipsters hacking up all the decent old beemers.

Depends how much lower you are going. Might upset the handling.

How thick is the seat?

I was just thinking 5mm then 10mm. The seat... medium I'd say. It's a fairly firm ride, so I'm reticent about reshaping - even putting aside the cost/faff.

Thoughts on the NineT?

Only seen the black ones irl and they look awesome.

It's the sort of bike I like and dare I say it, I wouldn't class it as a faux retro like Triumph's offerings. The only thing is (from what I've read) it sounds like a pretty basic bike, which isn't what I'd want if I was buying a beemer.

EDIT: just seen they're "only" £10,450 which is cheaper than a Thruxton - so in comparison, being low tech seems fair enough.

They're adjustable for length, try no more than 5mm as it will still piss about with the Geommetry. You could always drop the forks 5mm to to compensate. It's easy to do, especially if you have a centre stand.

They look pretty good. There's so many worthwhile bikes in the BMW range alone which undermines it, when you take into account all the manufacturers it just stands out a lot less. I don't do enough mileage to change from my '78 R80 to one of them and I'd assume it would be a magnet for thieves in London, like any decent looking new bike seems to be. It's on my list of second hand bikes to look out for.

Only other problem is the lack of windshield. You will be hanging on at a ton, an hour on the motorway and you'll have a neck like Arnie.

I fear the nineT would be a little inappropriate for my needs, I need a tool bike for year round commuting.
Looks a hoot though.
Might try and convince my father in law he needs one (and let me borrow it at weekends...) Unlikely though, he is after smaller rather than larger. Last time we spoke about bikes he was talking about some Eastern import 400 thumper faux cafe racer thing.
Taking him to the bike show at Excel in Feb to try on a few alternatives.

I'm looking at the 1250s Bandit, unexciting but will do the job (quicker than my Tranny Im sure)

Anyone seen the the new baby BMW f310 gs I think it's name is. Wonder if it's a real BMW or made for them