Anyone have any experience riding the Yamaha fz-09?

[torontoZX6R]

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So I think I am about to pull the trigger on a brand new 2014 Yamaha fz-09 in "Blazing Orange", but I am just having trouble making the final decision.

Does anyone here own one of these bikes and care to chime in with their experience? The bike is renowned for its engine and incredible torque,and after my zx6r I'm kind of wanting a more comfortable seating position, but I'm reading a lot of negative reviews about its lack of suspension etc.

So has anyone here ever ridden this bike? And if so, would you recommend it? It will be mostly for spirited weekend rides and commuting, no track days

Thank you

 

[Brian_S]

My buddy bought FZ-09 last summer and I took it for a short spin back in October. The bike is quite comfortable and as you said it packs a lot of power and torque. As per suspension, I found it just a little bit front heavy but again this is just my impression. If I have money right now to buy one, this wouldn't be a concern whatsoever ...

 

[ZX600]

I have had a 2014 FZ09 for about a year now. It is hard to help you make that decision since I don't know you. I know that 3 years ago, I wasn't ready to own this type of bike, I was into the Superbike/sport and felt that I needed to have a sports bike, but now I see what a waste it is to have one when the most I do is commute and long road trips, for others is different so it isn't really about the bike but more about where you are on your riding "life"

Let me tell you about the bike:

The good:
- The most fun I have had in 2 wheels (except for racing of course) - the engine characteristics, the torque is just amazing - I still giggle every time I ride the bike and look forward to it every day, this was no longer the case with my GSXR750 or 1000.
- Seating position is awesome - you are very upright like in a supermoto or dirt bike and are able to really see the traffic around you, excellent commuter and fantastic seating position.
- Plenty of after market parts to make the bike your own and replace some of the shortfalls

In short, a fantastic city fun bike that won't break your back while commuting a great bike for long trips

The Bad:
The Seat: It was fine for like a month and then I started getting a wedgy every time I rode, a huge pain in the *** for me, more like pain in my balls to be honest so I had to replace it - many aftermarket choices and do it yourself fixes, I went with a corbin, expensive but worth it since like I said I ride long trips.
The suspension: The rear shock is garbage depending of your weight, you can adjust it a bit and make it better but it is what it is. I replaced mine with a $50 zx6r shock (plentt of how to guides on the FZ09.org forum) and that cheap mod made it completely better.
The front forks are soft but with some adjustment you can make it a lot better without spending any money, I put heavier springs on mine and changed the oil for from a 5 to a 7.5 (about 150 in parts).

So yes it has shorts falls but there is something on it you won't find in any other bike specially t that price range, the loads of fun that bike is to ride.

Again, if what you want is pose and have the latest best sport bike then this is not the bike for you, if you want a solid fast fun versatile bike this is the bike for you.

I know a few people that got it and sold it because there were not into the type of bike and went back to super sport bikes.

Hope this helps, I would say if you can test ride one.

Oh and the jerky throttle thing is not that bad and to be honest one of the favorite things about this bike, just make sure the bike has the 2015 map on it which can be done at an yamaha dealer for free.

 

[drey]

I'm also interested in peoples opinion on this bike. I've been eyeing this bike since it came out but back then I wasn't ready to pull the trigger on it. I loved and still my R6 but i think that time has come to get rid of her. Since I use it mainly for my commutes, it just doesn't seem practical anymore. ZX thanks for the good and bad on the bike. It seems like everyones issues with this bike can be easily fixed or customized to you individual preferences which is fantastic.

It looks like this is going to be my last summer on a supersport, it just makes sense to go with a bike that works for me. I hate to see it go, but I think that I'll be happy with the FZ-09

 

[ZX600]

Here is a picture of mine - since then I have added a few more mods. Love this thing

and a picture of the stock Rear Shock and the zx6r i replaced it with beside it - about an hour install

 

[drey]

Here is a picture of mine - since then I have added a few more mods. Love this thing

I've been wondering how well the wind screen helps with buffeting? All my commuting is done on the highway to and from work. Does it help on longer trips on the highway?

 

[ZX600]

I've been wondering how well the wind screen helps with buffeting? All my commuting is done on the highway to and from work. Does it help on longer trips on the highway?

It does help A LOT - Basically without it it's hard on the HWY after 130/140 km an hour. I did a 2 day trip to White Mountain in New York State and it was fine with the wind screen.

There are taller screens and smaller screens, i felt this one gave me good wind protection but still looked decent

 

[KJM]

I just got one too. Switched from a naked "hoolganized" first gen FZ1. Man, the -09 is so small and light in comparison and has plenty of go. I love it.

 

[torontoZX6R]

Thnx everyone, especially ZX600 for the detailed review. Really puts my mind at ease that you guys are all having so much fun on the fz09

I had a 2007 zx6r for a few years and honestly, I love an SS, wish I could own both,but the riding position is a bit tiresome for everyday street riding and mostly I'd like a little bit more low end torque instead of having to wring its neck to get any power out of the 600

I was really worried about the suspension on the fz09, especially for my 200lbs fat ***, but knowing there are affordable suspension upgrades that can be done is great.

Think I'm gonna pull the trigger!

 

[Bagman]

That Corbin seat looks VERY comfortable. Nice purchase!

 

[catzo]

This will probably be my next bike in a couple years when they depreciate a bit and my insurance goes down. Although they are VERY good value even brand new! Too bad about the insurance.

I used to not like the looks that much but they look great in real life. Especially in black with those gold forks

 

[inreb]

I used to not like the looks that much but they look great in real life. Especially in black with those gold forks

Styles and tastes change. How do I know this? Recently clearing away some old motorcycle magazines to make room for the ever expanding Capodimonte porcelain figurine collection when I couldn't help but leaf thru them. I was appalled to view all the older Japanese bikes as so much generic product. Sure a pic of 8 year straight Canadian Superbike Champion ZX7 might get the juices flowing but overall it's a sad state of affairs. So just keep that in mind when making predictions. At least you're not looking to buy a cruiser. Oddly tho, all the European bikes still retain a relevant sense of style.

 

[Boots]

hoping to try one of these at the demo days this year . I'm torn between my next bike being one of these or a sport bike. I feel like this would suffice for both long distances and wanting to go fast whereas sport bikes usually just satisfy the latter

 

[ZX600]

One of the things I found as well was that the very few times i rode this bike what I consider fast down in PA, the bike actually really settled after 9000 RPM and became a very smooth bike, does not have the 280km/hr top end but who needs to go fast in a straight.

 

[Boots]

One of the things I found as well was that the very few times i rode this bike what I consider fast down in PA, the bike actually really settled after 9000 RPM and became a very smooth bike, does not have the 280km/hr top end but who needs to go fast in a straight.

what mode do your find yourself in most during spirited riding? do you ever go into A mode on spirited rides or is it too difficult to keep the front down?

 

[abkdt41]

Also consider the xsr900... Same engine but retro styling.... TC and ABS standard

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[catzo]

Styles and tastes change. How do I know this? Recently clearing away some old motorcycle magazines to make room for the ever expanding Capodimonte porcelain figurine collection when I couldn't help but leaf thru them. I was appalled to view all the older Japanese bikes as so much generic product. Sure a pic of 8 year straight Canadian Superbike Champion ZX7 might get the juices flowing but overall it's a sad state of affairs. So just keep that in mind when making predictions. At least you're not looking to buy a cruiser. Oddly tho, all the European bikes still retain a relevant sense of style.

Thats so true. Most of the japanese bikes from the 80s and early 90s look horrible. Although there are some ducatis from the same period that arent much of lookers either.

Kinda makes you think if the r6's and h2's of today are going to be considered ugly in 30 years.

 

[LPakkala]

I have had a 2014 FZ09 for about a year now. [...]

Hope this helps, I would say if you can test ride one.

Oh and the jerky throttle thing is not that bad and to be honest one of the favorite things about this bike, just make sure the bike has the 2015 map on it which can be done at an yamaha dealer for free.

The reflash is no longer free, Yamaha offered it for free for up to a year after they announced it. I found this out the hard way with a customer not that long ago. But it can still be done and it is not expensive.

OP. I was really surprised by how much power these bikes have, they are tons of fun. If you end up with the orange one, let me know, we have some left over Ermax body parts from a show bike that are colour matched to that bike.

 

[ZX600]

what mode do your find yourself in most during spirited riding? do you ever go into A mode on spirited rides or is it too difficult to keep the front down?

I had my ECU flashed and my bike starts in A mode, 90% of time I am in A unless it is raining and I go to B.

 

[ZX600]

I got that done not long ago, there is a Technical bulletin about it - I have a copy you can bring to the dealer if you wish.

But if this has happened in the last couple of months then what a pile of crap

I wouldn't pay for that, I much rather spend 200 and get it flashed like I did last week.
Starts in A
Eliminate the O2 sensor
Map changes for A, std and B modes
Lower starting temperature for the fan
Eliminate the pops from the aftermarket slipon
Enable the QS function
Reduced engine brake

and a few more things

The reflash is no longer free, Yamaha offered it for free for up to a year after they announced it. I found this out the hard way with a customer not that long ago. But it can still be done and it is not expensive.

OP. I was really surprised by how much power these bikes have, they are tons of fun. If you end up with the orange one, let me know, we have some left over Ermax body parts from a show bike that are colour matched to that bike.

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