BIKE OF THE MONTH REPORT

As life goes on I have realised more often than not, that the answer to most

problems is a compromise. For me, my biking life has often been this way when

choosing a new steed. As those who know me will be aware, I change my bikes

nearly as often as my socks and therefore have had a variety of bikes over the

last few years. Many have been good at certain tasks or situations, whether that

be the power of the engine, the handling, practicality, economy (there’s a

recession on), comfort.  Every now and then there is a bike that ticks a lot of the

boxes and is almost perfect, but there is always something not quite there.

One such bike is the FZ1 Fazer. I have had the pleasure of riding the previous

model as well on several occasions when my bike has been having new

tyres/service etc at my local dealer, Alford Bros. This bike was a brand new

demonstrator with only a handful of miles on the clock. First impressions were

that it felt comfortable – I am average

build, average height (cue jokes about

average rider etc) -  and is one of those

‘get on and ride it bikes’, similar ironically

to my YZF750 Streetfighter, but with the

bonus of a nice screen, and bigger

engine.

Controls are all fairly standard – usual

Japanese quality/locations with nice

large mirrors and easy to read digital

clocks with analogue tacho. My personal

preference is this type of tacho – seeing

the needle move can be done out of the corner of my eye or at a quick glance

enabling me to keep my eyes elsewhere.

Using a ‘re-tuned’ engine from the R1, the motor pulls well. I am sure if you’re

used to the R1, then it would feel flatter in some areas, but as a road bike there is

plenty of power for those cheeky ‘just nip past’ type overtakes. I personally think

the power thing is relative in regards to what’s around and what you’re used to.

When you think a 600 is putting out not far off the same power my 97 Thunderace

used to have (yes, yes without the torque I know, but still….). Whilst talking about

the engine,  the exhaust can needs to go. It looks like a piece of a Star Wars

space craft, and about the same size.

What I found nice, was that the fuel injection was not snatchy at the point when

you first open the throttle. On some bikes, this is very irritating, especially where

you are in a bend and want to get on the gas – and then it cuts in suddenly,

taking the balance out of the bike mid bend. No such issues here, and with the

easy neutral handling was able to hustle it around the marsh roads easily. Wide

bars and a sit-upish position allow good forward observation and the ability to

drop it in a corner and change direction swiftly. The one issue I had with this bike

is that when braking firmly, the forks appeared to dive a little too much. The

brakes themselves were excellent, and there were no ‘moments’ so to speak, but

at times felt I was on a see saw. I am sure it’s something that can be dealt with

either by a spring change/oil change etc, or perhaps a fiddle on the adjusters. 

Pillions are catered for with comfy seat, grab handles and not too high pegs. I

didn’t take a passenger (everyone said no for some reason).

The service at Alford Bros was, as usual, very good. Alfords are very supportive

of EKAM and as the advert says in the mag – ‘For the best price in the South

East – we will not be beaten!’

Oh the compromise thing – an R1 would be nice, great sportsbike, great

handling and power. An FJR1300 would be nice too, great tourer, comfortable,

lots of power and luggage space. This appears to be the half way house that

does a little of it all and very well. Yamaha’s VFR?