S4R or FZ1

[red baron]

+2

+3



Ask the guy (on the Yamaha) I left behind on the mountain Sunday morning.

Gotta luv a lightweight twin two valver when it gets tight.

[silentbob]

The older FZ was nice but had crappy suspension and needed carb work out of the box.  The newer FZ is not as well liked as they killed the linear power band which made the FZ such a fun bike.

[rileysdad]

Adam,

I already looked at a tuono, I didn't like the riding position, my legs are way too long and having had 4 knee surgeries I can't have my legs compressed like that for long.  Plus it kinda looked, ah, whats' the PC phrase, not heterosexual.  Every time I buy a bike, I get caught up in numbers and stats and whatnot, I never get something just because I want it.  For example, I've found that most people that don't ride and want a bike want a Harley.  Well, I just WANT a Ducati.  I have to go to Newbury MA tomrrow, I'll try to hook up with you before that if it's nice out.

[DucSeason]

I used to own a 2003 FZ1 with a number of mods: Holeshot jet kit, AIS removal kit, timing advancer, slip-on exhaust, etc. I also dropped a tooth on the front sprocket. It was really a lot of fun to ride, easily pulled a wheelie in first gear with a twist of the throttle, was extremely stable at speed, really comfortable (couch rocket-wise), and the pipe really sounded great when I wound her up, really great. What it lacked out of the box was a bottom end, but the jetting/gearing etc. helped that significantly, though it still didn't have v-twin grunt. My only Monster experience is an S2R, so I can't speak to the 4-valvers, but I thought the S2R had plenty of power for the street (even though the hp was about half what my FZ1 had), and loved the low end grunt, since it gave you the power where you normally ride on the street, not at >5500 RPM. All that being said, you could have a blast with either. My FZ1 never had other than normal maintenance issues, and the maintenance schedule included a valve check at 24,000 miles, but most guys I knew found they still didn't need adjusting by then. I'd advise you to ask this same question on the FZ1 board: www.yamahafz1oa.com. The guy that runs the board, "wardog," is an S4RS owner and shows up in the maintenance forum sometimes. There are others there that either do or have owned Monsters.

My advice though: go look at both and follow your passions. Motorcycling is alot about passion.

[corndog67]

Adam,

I already looked at a tuono, I didn't like the riding position, my legs are way too long and having had 4 knee surgeries I can't have my legs compressed like that for long.  Plus it kinda looked, ah, whats' the PC phrase, not heterosexual.  Every time I buy a bike, I get caught up in numbers and stats and whatnot, I never get something just because I want it.  For example, I've found that most people that don't ride and want a bike want a Harley.  Well, I just WANT a Ducati.  I have to go to Newbury MA tomrrow, I'll try to hook up with you before that if it's nice out.

A good friend of mine has a Tuono, he loves it, it's like riding a 500cc two stroke dirt bike, wheelies pretty much any time, any place, and it's been real reliable, after all the engine is made by Rotax.  This guy has gone through KTM 990's, FJR 1300's, a couple of them, FZ1, a couple of those too, a KTM 690 Supermoto, just all kinds of stuff, but he still has the Tuono (but the make the beast with two backser won't let me ride it!!!).   It seems like a quality piece.   He really liked the KTMs too. 


Get whatever turns your crank.  If it isn't your cup of tea, get something else.  I really like riding different bikes every year or two, the ole lady is sort of getting used to.   Sort of.  But like someone said above, I pretty much like riding anything.  Next might be a big Honda or KTM Dual Sport.   Or maybe not. 

[JustDucky]

I don't believe there is any I-4 out there will give you the same smile as apexing a tight uphill turn on a monster and hearing the glorious sound as that desmo V-twin forcefully pulls you out of the turn and uphill under load.  I admit to never riding an FZ1 but I can't imagine it's a much different feeling then any other I4. 

There are always cheaper, more efficient, more sensible options but if that's probably not what got you into riding in the first place.

And I haven't had a single maintenance issue with my S4Rs other than those darn tires don't seem to last!

[rileysdad]

Thanks guys.  I think I'm going to go with a S4R but it looks like the one I've been interested in is sold.     Oh well, I'll keep looking!