please convince me...

[justinrhenry]

I felt the bars were a tad low for me (6'2" with 34 inseam). Can you add risers to the S4R without replacing brake lines etc? It looked like it was pretty tight in there. The brake lines were neatly tucked to the upper triple clamp.

i'll let someone else answer this. i have a 620, so it may be different, but i didn't have to replace any lines.  i'm 6'4" and i felt the bars were too low and the stock seat sits you up too high.  a corbin seat puts me down lower, which feels much better.  

[DucaChic]

Its really not a reasonable comparison. It seems that you are making the evaluation primarily because these are the choices $11k can get you.
Consider a new Monster 1100 vs the new FZ1. Or, consider a 2004 FZ1 and the SR4. I suspect you will have your answer rather quickly.
Best wishes with which ever choice you make.

[picard]

Its really not a reasonable comparison. It seems that you are making the evaluation primarily because these are the choices $11k can get you.
Consider a new Monster 1100 vs the new FZ1. Or, consider a 2004 FZ1 and the SR4. I suspect you will have your answer rather quickly.
Best wishes with which ever choice you make.

For me it is. These are the two bikes I can have for what I can spend. Comparing the 2004 S4R versus a 2004 FZ1 wouldn't be fair either as there would be a 3k price difference, carbureted vs. FI, etc.

[Kopfjäger]

I would never try and convince anyone to buy a certain type of moto. You need to make your own choice. There are far too many nice motos these days.

[LA]

Out of all the bikes available today, I wouldn't try to tell which to buy either.  But between these two, not make the beast with two backsing choice.

Buy the S4R.  You can thank me later.

What color? Not that it matters, but the Blue and White striped ones were tits.

Jack the back end up one inch over stock, make sure there's a 14 tooth front sprocket on it, some new Michlien 2CT's or better and have at it.

Ohlins? Cool.

LA

[picard]

Out of all the bikes available today, I wouldn't try to tell which to buy either.  But between these two, not make the beast with two backsing choice.

Buy the S4R.  You can thank me later.

What color? Not that it matters, but the Blue and White striped ones were tits.

Jack the back end up one inch over stock, make sure there's a 14 tooth front sprocket on it, some new Michlien 2CT's or better and have at it.

Ohlins? Cool.

LA

Actually I thought these were ohlins components (quick look) but I think they were stock. the TiN coating fooled me. Showa?
Still better planted than the FZ1.

[motoboy]

Did I mention the bike had a full Arrow system (CF)

every time I hear a Duc engine with a good after market exhaust fire up something deep and primal in my soul stirs....................should be a no brainer !    

[RVA Duc]

I would go with the Monster. It's not a bike you'll see everyday and there bad ass, dry clutch and beautiful 

[hihhs]

Hey, I'm early forties also...
Had several yamaha rockets and they are great bikes...
I recently got a Monster 11000 and it is a completely different animal.
Not to wax existential but the Yamaha's feel "soul-less" in comparison. The Ducati handling, the torque, the excitement of the Italian bike just wins hands down IMHO.

[RC Fan]

I'll likely be the only one, but I vote FZ1.  I'll take the inline 4 every time, and there is likely a fix for your suspension concerns.

[hoyden]

I'll likely be the only one, but I vote FZ1.  I'll take the inline 4 every time, and there is likely a fix for your suspension concerns.

It's funny - after riding an I4 for the past nine years and loving every minute of it, I got a HawkGT a few months ago....
Now I feel like I'm cheating on my CB-1. I forgot how much I *love* riding twins.
The torque ... the sound.... the feel....

When I first encountered the M900 I was living in Vancouver, BC.
I sat on it and immediately fell in love.

I heartily vote for the Monster.

. . .

That being said... get the one that /feels/ the best to you. Don't logic it out.
Get the one that  you first think about when you are still lying in bed half-asleep in the morning.
When you think "motorcycle" and "fun" and "exhilaration" which bike springs to mind?

[RC Fan]

It's funny - after riding an I4 for the past nine years and loving every minute of it, I got a HawkGT a few months ago....
Now I feel like I'm cheating on my CB-1. I forgot how much I *love* riding twins.
The torque ... the sound.... the feel....

I guess I am the opposite.  After hearing people rave about twins, I decided to try the 696.  After a season with the 696, I am still an inline 4 fan.  However, having both would be great.  The OP already has a twin (V-Strom), so I say go for the FZ1.  

[picard]

RC Fan - you are backed up by this... just found this comparison test
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0509_naked_bike_comparison/handling_style.html
hmmm... maybe the stock suspension settings on the FZ are less than ideal for my riding style as I did not have the chance to play with them.

[RC Fan]

RC Fan - you are backed up by this... just found this comparison test
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/122_0509_naked_bike_comparison/handling_style.html
hmmm... maybe the stock suspension settings on the FZ are less than ideal for my riding style as I did not have the chance to play with them.

Interesting comparo. Have you gone on an FZ1 forum?  I see there are several.  If there is a concern with the suspension, I am sure those on the forums have found a way around it.

[Monster Dave]

I would never try and convince anyone to buy a certain type of moto. You need to make your own choice. There are far too many nice motos these days.

I agree. When i started looking at motorcycles, my final decision was really based on which bike best "fit" me. I must have sat on every motorcycle available so that I could make a fair assessment of body position, pressure points, ect... Ultimately, I narrowed it down to two and the decision was pretty easy. Displacement was far less important (to me) when I was considering a motorcycle. In the end it's your money that you're spending, so get what you like best!