MCN FZ8 Road test-The Verdict

von_trippenhopf

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My new bike...

bb.jpg


...in about five years time when I can afford a used one :rof:

Still, it means I'll be keeping the Fz6 for a while :thumbup:
 

dankatz

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So, it'll probably compete with the Ducati Monster 796, Kawasaki Z750, BMW F800R and Street Triple. I think the triple being one of the least expensive in Europe is probably the best deal. The price will be a killer as Yamaha is not considered a high end brand like Ducati and BMW so will have a hard time getting away with it. Personally, would take the GSX1250F and save the money or the Street Triple R.
 

afpreppie04

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btw, £9k doesn't mean it'll sell for $14k ni the States... most likely it will be around $10k MSRP...

Not dogging on the FZ8 (though I'm not really a fan), but the new Kawaski Z1000 is right around $10k MSRP too...and has adjustable suspension, 138hp (81 lb-ft torque) and looks better:ban:
 

ozzieboy

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Yeah this is fun indeed... mine is bigger than yours though


The Buell's torque curve is FLAT from 3.5k rpms to redline (7k)... something very useful on the streets indeed (no need to wind anything out to get power on the tarmac)...

Here is the actual curves for my Buell with my Jardine pipe (80+ ft/lb right from 4k rpms):

4541898584_320821c5ee_o.jpg


Your '06 FZ1 "only" has a peak torque of 68ft.lb ---not 78ft/lb as mentioned above--- (almost the same as the FZ8 hehe) that kick in at around 8-9k rpms (gotta wind it out if you want more than around 60ft/lb...), here is the dyno curve:

146_06+sportbike_performance_dyno_charts+yamaha_horsepower_torque.jpg





My money is on the rider....

Sorry mate. A bit slow getting back to this as I didn't get home from work until 3AM last night, as I stopped off at the Wolf Den to surf some bike porn:D.

Now, where were we?...lol. (BTW, I know we Aussies like to thread hijack and joke about it, but if this discussion is bothering anyone, please say so, and we can start another thread. This'll more than likely be my last post on this off topic bit anyhow...lol.

Ah yes...that flat torque curve.

Can't apply max torque cranked over with a knee on the deck. The throttle needs to be eased on gradually, so the rear tire keeps squirming all the way up to the next gear. This is why I reckon the FZ chart looks better. The power becomes available as you need it, and it's still there later on, if you know what I mean. The gobs (I believe that's the standard slang measure of torque in current usage:D...lol) of torque might help for rolling on in a straight line, but aren't of much use with the rear tire slipping and sliding near the edge of traction through a turn, especially on the off camber bumpy glazed bitumen we have on my local faves..lol.

Even in a straight line the roll on isn't that spectacular IMO, judging by that Buell pictured above and two different MT01's I've ridden with that have a similar Torque to weight ratio as a Buell. Even the FZ6 was a match for the MT01's after the first 3-4 metres when taking off from the lights (the standard traffic light drag race...lol.), after all if you're slipping the clutch right on a screamer, the front wheel starts to lift almost immediately and that's about as much torque as you can use.:rockon:

The biggest advantage I can see to a low revving torque producing engine is the engine life game. Each rev is one rev closer to death. If your bike doesn't rev the donk should last longer. This I'm sure is one reason why the sports tourers are 'De-tuned. Sports riders theoretically want the ponies, but commuters do all the km/miles so they have them revving less so they go for a 'Happy Medium'. In this neck of the woods with the selection of roads available, I reckon the screamer end of the happy medium is the more versatile option.

If I'm on the gas through the apex, and feeding it on at the limit of traction, an FZ8 (back on topic:eek:...lol) will, with it's reasonable (relatively speaking) torque will keep up for a short distance (due to traction limits being equal for both bikes) and will then start to fall off as I really start to roll on. Then he'll run off the edge of his power curve and have to change gears, and will be trying to push a 'taller gear'. In the 2oo metres to the next turn he will fall back drastically. If he could rev longer he'd be at the 'start to fall off' section for longer but will be falling off a little more for the same result (that's dictated by HP). But, he could also probably have a better go at it on the 'D' road if it was a screamer...lol.

Definitely not saying the FZ8 is garbage. It'll definitely be fun in the hills, and go harder than an FZ6. I like the looks, I think it'll sell well:cheer:. I just expected a more revvy option in keeping with the FZ6 and 1.

From that second link, the grab rails on the faired version and none for the nekkid (like the FZ1) will keep the nekkid version looking a bit sportier like the Z's and give you the grab rails on the more touring inclined bike. Makes sense IMO. :thumbup:

I've got typers cramp:eek:...lol.

Nice to have a reasonable discussion on a different point of view, without the carp and abuse that are rife on some forums.:cheer:

Oh. And no one's is bigger than mine....LMAO

Cheers
Mike
 

ozzieboy

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pricing, and that ugly exhaust can, looks like what the problems will be.

LOL...The can is nicer than the FZ1 can, and (from my point of view) more importantly, it is narrower at the bottom. It won't be in anywhere near as much danger of scraping:cheer:.

That's a definite step in the right direction:thumbup:.
 

CrazyBiker

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That price is going to be another Fazer sales disaster compared to cheaper competitors. I can very well see the FZ8 being bought as new leftovers 2-3 years down the line. Yamaha failed on the pricing big time (also the curb weight) by going for the FZ1 components thereby needing it to price higher.

Rather they should have stuck with the FZ6 frame which was the awesome CFDC no weld one. It could have handled those additional 180ccs
 

Wavex

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Sorry mate. A bit slow getting back to this as I didn't get home from work until 3AM last night, as I stopped off at the Wolf Den to surf some bike porn.

Now, where were we?...lol. (BTW, I know we Aussies like to thread hijack and joke about it, but if this discussion is bothering anyone, please say so, and we can start another thread. This'll more than likely be my last post on this off topic bit anyhow...lol.

Ah yes...that flat torque curve.

Can't apply max torque cranked over with a knee on the deck. The throttle needs to be eased on gradually, so the rear tire keeps squirming all the way up to the next gear. This is why I reckon the FZ chart looks better. The power becomes available as you need it, and it's still there later on, if you know what I mean. The gobs (I believe that's the standard slang measure of torque in current usage:D...lol) of torque might help for rolling on in a straight line, but aren't of much use with the rear tire slipping and sliding near the edge of traction through a turn, especially on the off camber bumpy glazed bitumen we have on my local faves..lol.

Even in a straight line the roll on isn't that spectacular IMO, judging by that Buell pictured above and two different MT01's I've ridden with that have a similar Torque to weight ratio as a Buell. Even the FZ6 was a match for the MT01's after the first 3-4 metres when taking off from the lights (the standard traffic light drag race...lol.), after all if you're slipping the clutch right on a screamer, the front wheel starts to lift almost immediately and that's about as much torque as you can use.

The biggest advantage I can see to a low revving torque producing engine is the engine life game. Each rev is one rev closer to death. If your bike doesn't rev the donk should last longer. This I'm sure is one reason why the sports tourers are 'De-tuned. Sports riders theoretically want the ponies, but commuters do all the km/miles so they have them revving less so they go for a 'Happy Medium'. In this neck of the woods with the selection of roads available, I reckon the screamer end of the happy medium is the more versatile option.

If I'm on the gas through the apex, and feeding it on at the limit of traction, an FZ8 (back on topic:eek:...lol) will, with it's reasonable (relatively speaking) torque will keep up for a short distance (due to traction limits being equal for both bikes) and will then start to fall off as I really start to roll on. Then he'll run off the edge of his power curve and have to change gears, and will be trying to push a 'taller gear'. In the 2oo metres to the next turn he will fall back drastically. If he could rev longer he'd be at the 'start to fall off' section for longer but will be falling off a little more for the same result (that's dictated by HP). But, he could also probably have a better go at it on the 'D' road if it was a screamer...lol.

Definitely not saying the FZ8 is garbage. It'll definitely be fun in the hills, and go harder than an FZ6. I like the looks, I think it'll sell well:cheer:. I just expected a more revvy option in keeping with the FZ6 and 1.

From that second link, the grab rails on the faired version and none for the nekkid (like the FZ1) will keep the nekkid version looking a bit sportier like the Z's and give you the grab rails on the more touring inclined bike. Makes sense IMO. :thumbup:

I've got typers cramp:eek:...lol.

Nice to have a reasonable discussion on a different point of view, without the carp and abuse that are rife on some forums.:cheer:

Oh. And no one's is bigger than mine....LMAO

Cheers
Mike

Yep! FZ1 > XB12!!! there happy? :Flip:

Seriously though, I don't think neither of us care to know which bike is theoretically faster down a tight road... the point I was trying to make was that having turbo_ed 300HP monster machine or a stock 100HP won't make much of a difference down a tight twisty road... again, and imho, usable torque and rider skill are much bigger factors on a tight canyon road than pure HP... Other ppl think they need huge amounts of HP for tight roads and my response is "all the power to you!!!" :D :rockon:
 

ozzieboy

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Yep! FZ1 > XB12!!! there happy? :Flip:

the point I was trying to make was that having turbo_ed 300HP monster machine or a stock 100HP won't make much of a difference down a tight twisty road... again, and imho, usable torque and rider skill are much bigger factors on a tight canyon road than pure HP... Other ppl think they need huge amounts of HP for tight roads and my response is "all the power to you!!!" :D :rockon:

Ahh! So you admit my beer belly is bigger than yours:eek:...lol. (It's bigger than most:D)

I couldn't agree more. A Busa won't ever beat me up Lobie road.....Unless I get hit by a 4WD:( on my way up or he rides in a straight line. Not even a 200rwhp job. The ZR7 hinged pogomobile flogged R1's up there in the very tightest bits.

But remember folks. The road is not a race track:eek::spank::spank::ban:
 

Motogiro

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The FZ1 didn't monster anything... you the rider did... I passed an R1 going up Montezuma road last month and it doesn't mean the Buell is "faster" than an R1... it just means he wasn't pushing it or did not have the skills.

I was there and both Wavex and Cali rider did in the R1. :rockon: I've had the same experience with liter bikes including Busa's. In the straight aways they'd be very hard to pull up on but then when the turns came up the FZ6 was so surprising! It's definitely the rider....
 

Wolfman

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I was there and both Wavex and Cali rider did in the R1. :rockon: I've had the same experience with liter bikes including Busa's. In the straight aways they'd be very hard to pull up on but then when the turns came up the FZ6 was so surprising! It's definitely the rider....

My old Ducati Pantah 500 is a very good thing in the tight stuff, and i can remember many occasions when i got to the Deli at Lobethal, that young guys on "the latest and greatest pocket rockets", who had been passed by me on the way up to Lobethal...come over and ask me about the bike, and what i had done to the engine....My Old Pantah only cranks out about 64hp at the rear wheel...on a good day!

Skill, and road knowledge count for most in the tight stuff, oh, and the level of commitment from the rider also makes a big difference...if you are leaving heaps in reserve cause you dont like the consequences of a big accident on a road lined by drop-off's, tree's, cliff's, etc..then you aint gonna be so fast.

But if you have a devil may care attitude, and leave less in reserve, i reckon you could beat most people on most bikes, on a 250cc bike...

:thumbup:
 

Goop

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Not dogging on the FZ8 (though I'm not really a fan), but the new Kawaski Z1000 is right around $10k MSRP too...and has adjustable suspension, 138hp (81 lb-ft torque) and looks better:ban:

I really like the look of the Z1000...would like to see one in person at some point.
 

Wolfman

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I really like the look of the Z1000...would like to see one in person at some point.

There was a new Z1000 at the local Kwaka dealership when i was there the other day....sorta looks ok, a bit too squat maybe...dont like the white, with burnt orange colour scheme of the bike i saw...most un Kawasaki like, in terms of being loud, and boisterous.

Reviews of the the new Z1000 in Australia, have been very favourible...

:thumbup:
 

Ridgeback

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I don't get the pricing at all. How can they possibly price it at 14k when the list for the FZ1 is only 10,290? This makes no sense!!

Thats the conversion rate from what we pay in the UK
In reality it will be a lot cheaper than that in US$ as we get shafted over here on pricing......:rolleyes:
 
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