FZ1 Bars Before & After Pics

[Gcontroller]

Finally got around to installing my FZ1 bars. I've had them for 6 months. As for how they feel? Well in a short 20 mile night ride they feel good. I can get down on the tank under the shield better. We'll see how I feel after a 350 mile day. Makes the bike feel more sportbike like for sure. Easy job if you've ever wrenched on a bike before.

Before


After

 

[razteo]

How is it when you ride?
Do you feel a big difference on your posture?
It helps with the wind?
How is on your back?

 

[dean owens]

i wonder if any fz1 owners every put fz6 bars on their bikes?

 

[CrazyBiker]

i wonder if any fz1 owners every put fz6 bars on their bikes?

A few have ...

 

[Motogiro]

i wonder if any fz1 owners every put fz6 bars on their bikes?

That's a good question! Haha..

 

[Jake]

Looks good!

Just an FYI for anyone else who has swapped bars... I noticed that my bike (2005 model) is prone to a little headshake when at top-end speed with the FZ1 bars. At normal, moderate and fast they are rock solid.

So just keep in mind if you happen to hit that long straight boring road and can't resist cracking the throttle wide open in 6th gear... you may find a little instability due to twitchy straighter bars.

Jake

 

[Daryldaddy]

Looks good!

Just an FYI for anyone else who has swapped bars... I noticed that my bike (2005 model) is prone to a little headshake when at top-end speed with the FZ1 bars. At normal, moderate and fast they are rock solid.

So just keep in mind if you happen to hit that long straight boring road and can't resist cracking the throttle wide open in 6th gear... you may find a little instability due to twitchy straighter bars.

Jake

I would tend to suspect it 's a weight transfer matter.. When I raced just a small body shift , aft to for and visa versa...would change any headshake , of course that was hmmm, anyway the physics are still basically the same . I think i would perfer the straight drag bars...now if I could get my lower back to agree...... Daryl

 

[goker]

Looks good!

Just an FYI for anyone else who has swapped bars... I noticed that my bike (2005 model) is prone to a little headshake when at top-end speed with the FZ1 bars. At normal, moderate and fast they are rock solid.

So just keep in mind if you happen to hit that long straight boring road and can't resist cracking the throttle wide open in 6th gear... you may find a little instability due to twitchy straighter bars.

Jake

Hmmm... Haven't had that on my 08. I have done this plenty of times to keep up with the traffic.

 

[Gcontroller]

How is it when you ride?
Do you feel a big difference on your posture?
It helps with the wind?
How is on your back?

The ride is a little different but not that much. The FZ6 already has such tall bar risers that the FZ1 bars put me in a nice lets say more sporty ride position.

As far as the posture not a problem. Pulled off 225 miles today with no trouble. You can still sit straight up if you want to relax the back a little. Takes a little more arm stretch to do so no biggie. Unless your arms are short.

Wind wise not much difference a I felt a little less wind on my helmet but not much and that would depend on how tall you are. I can tuck much better with these bars. Really get under the screen. Not like I do that all that often but it's easier now. BTW I am 5' 8".

So all in all a good mod for me. The bike felt better in the corners maybe due to the lower more agressive body position. Who knows I like them and they were cheap.

 

[Gcontroller]

Looks good!

Just an FYI for anyone else who has swapped bars... I noticed that my bike (2005 model) is prone to a little headshake when at top-end speed with the FZ1 bars. At normal, moderate and fast they are rock solid.

So just keep in mind if you happen to hit that long straight boring road and can't resist cracking the throttle wide open in 6th gear... you may find a little instability due to twitchy straighter bars.

Jake

That may be unique to your bike. Who knows.

I hit 105 today and the FZ ran straight and true I was surpised to see how fast I was going. Very smooth. The only time I've had any head shake at speed was in windy conditons and even then it wasn't bad. But any shake at 130 is reason for concern!!!

 

[speedfrk]

Check you steering head bearings. Every FZ6 I've had or worked on has had loose and dimpled bearings. That will certainly mess up your high speed stability.

 

[Gcontroller]

Just a quick update. Did a 500 + single day ride a week or so ago and the bars were great. Really like the bend better overall. No problems with sore back or anything. Nice mod if you want a little more agressive position on the bike. Yet at the same time the bars are still comfortable. A good compromise.

 

[jbblunck]

I used to ride a Honda VFR800, but the appeal of a smaller, lighter ride attracted me to the FZ6. I just got a beat up FZ6 which I have been steadily getting into shape for knocking around town. Mostly cosmetic nonsense -- the bike's mechanicals are very good.

The bike had been through some bad times and along the way someone mounted some ProTaper Kiwi Mini handlebars. They're similar in shape to the original FZ6 bars, though not as swept back. Despite raking them way aft, they still felt like dirt bike bars. So, the research began. I picked up some OEM FZ1 bars (thank you ebay) and stuck them on the bike today. It basically looks like the pictures posted earlier (though my bike is the much faster, silver FZ6), and I agree that they are an improvement. Width about the same, but the added rake is helpful. I wish they were narrower, but I have to admit that the snappy handling of a lighter bike was what I was looking for, and these bar seem to contribute to that. And, they're proper Yamaha bars...

I do miss my VFR for freeway flying -- it's weight and balance was perfect for that -- but the 100 pound lighter FZ6 has been an enjoyable change. Now if I can find that comfort seat...

 

[Motogiro]

Just a quick update. Did a 500 + single day ride a week or so ago and the bars were great. Really like the bend better overall. No problems with sore back or anything. Nice mod if you want a little more agressive position on the bike. Yet at the same time the bars are still comfortable. A good compromise.

Love my FZ1 bars. They may not be for everyone because of different physiques but they're actually more comfortable for me. I really like them when I'm doing more spirited riding. :rockon:

 

[reiobard]

good cheap mod, looks good and it might make it onto my winter mods list. were you able to use everything over again or did you need new cables or anything?

 

[jbblunck]

In my case, everything moved over without modification. Took an hour.

 

[fazer.rider]

In my case, everything moved over without modification. Took an hour.

how come you didnt need to drill the handlebar?

 

[jbblunck]

Remember that in my case the bike had already undergone some modification with the aftermarket bars that it had. Those had no holes, so whatever tab needed seating was already gone. Everything is holding tight and works fine.

 

[deeptekkie]

You can't fool us! We know why it was an "easy job". (We see the M&M's in the second pic!) Good job on the bars too!

 

[Dennis in NH]

Just a quick update. Did a 500 + single day ride a week or so ago and the bars were great. Really like the bend better overall. No problems with sore back or anything. Nice mod if you want a little more agressive position on the bike. Yet at the same time the bars are still comfortable. A good compromise.

Looks good and glad it's working out. I just ordered an FZ1 bar myself at the dealer for about $42 shipped. I'll have to pick it up next week.

Anyway, I think the hardest part might be getting that left grip off. I was thinking how about just buying a new set of grips for the FZ1 bar. But I wanted to ask do I need to remove the grips on the FZ6 bar to get it off the bike? -- and do I need to mount the FZ1 bar in order to get new grips on? If this the answers are no, then I'll have 2 sets of bars with their own grips and then it will be easy to swap back and forth as I feel.

Does it make sense or am I just wishful thinking?

Thanks,

Dennis