FZ-07

[arjayes]

How long has the FZ-07 been available in dealerships - a month maybe? There are already four of them for sale used on craigslist in the San Diego area:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/search/mcy?sort=pricedsc&query=%2B2015+%2BFZ*&srchType=T&hasPic=1

Pretty strange. It took much longer for FZ-09s to start popping up for sale after it was released, and it took forever for the Tenere. I guess there are three possibilities:

1. Bike is selling like crazy.
2. Bike sucks and people are unloading them as quickly as they can.
3. Just a coincidence that these all showed up for sale at the same time.

Anyone here ridden one yet? The reviews I've seen have all been pretty positive.

 

[NittanyXT]

Buddy of mine got one a month ago, pretty decent bike especially considering the price! He and I both look at it as a modern day RD400

 

[GrahamD]

How long has the FZ-07 been available in dealerships - a month maybe? There are already four of them for sale used on craigslist in the San Diego area:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/search/mcy?sort=pricedsc&query=%2B2015+%2BFZ*&srchType=T&hasPic=1

Pretty strange. It took much longer for FZ-09s to start popping up for sale after it was released, and it took forever for the Tenere. I guess there are three possibilities:

1. Bike is selling like crazy.
2. Bike sucks and people are unloading them as quickly as they can.
3. Just a coincidence that these all showed up for sale at the same time.

Anyone here ridden one yet? The reviews I've seen have all been pretty positive.

4. Drug addicts just stole 4 from a truck and are selling them off.

 

[greg the pole]

I like Graham's description best.

I've ridden one, and am taking delivery of a grey one in about a month.

The engine is surprising, it's punchy, wheelies in 1st and 2nd on throttle (at 3500 feet) brakes are very good, suspension, just like my fz09 that I sold is crappy. Not as crappy as the fz09 but crappy.

It's a small bike, I think it's put together far better than the 9, and at $7400 CDN to my door I cannot beat that with a stick.
But it feels like a very fun bike, like the others said, references to old RD's and RZ350's

I have a drop in cartridge kit coming that will give me comp/reb/preload on the front.
Zard pipe
I'll look at the rear shock, as I have a few yamaha spares kicking around. I'll ride it first, and address it need be.

If you go on the 7 forums, the crowd there is how can I put this...not like the crowd here,
people change their minds all the time, hell I did, I'm on my third FZ in less than one year.. FZ9 (New-5500km) used 2001 FZ1 (2000km) and now the 7.

 

[talonboy]

I rode the FZ-07 around the parking lot a bit, I really liked it. Light and nimble, motor made good torque down low, seem like it would be very fun around town.

 

[Nimbus]

I think it's about expectations. Having read most of the reviews of the FZ7, they have begun to shift to describe the suspension as as bad as the FZ-09. My suspicion is that it's easier to overlook on the FZ7 because it's more easily perceived as a beginner bike (and they continue to compare it with the new Honda 650, and Kawasaki 650). The FZ-09 is compared to the Street Triple a lot and even to the Brutale! I expect that the FZ-09 will perform like the engine seems to want it to, and then become disappointed. But, really, on the smooth mountain roads up off the BRP, I was grinning like an idiot as I flogged the crap out of the FZ-09 and could find zero fault. I kept thinking: all this for <$8K and I got 50mpg avg for the 500 mile day.

I've put 4,000 miles on my FZ-09 and while I am totally ready for a new rear shock, I'm still having a blast riding it. I bought it out the door for $7800 (incl TTL) and so believe that I got what I paid for. I also don't get the knocks about the fit/finish? Other than the crappy radiator sides, it seems quite nice to me.

 

[greg the pole]

I think it's about expectations. Having read most of the reviews of the FZ7, they have begun to shift to describe the suspension as as bad as the FZ-09. My suspicion is that it's easier to overlook on the FZ7 because it's more easily perceived as a beginner bike (and they continue to compare it with the new Honda 650, and Kawasaki 650). The FZ-09 is compared to the Street Triple a lot and even to the Brutale! I expect that the FZ-09 will perform like the engine seems to want it to, and then become disappointed. But, really, on the smooth mountain roads up off the BRP, I was grinning like an idiot as I flogged the crap out of the FZ-09 and could find zero fault. I kept thinking: all this for <$8K and I got 50mpg avg for the 500 mile day.

I've put 4,000 miles on my FZ-09 and while I am totally ready for a new rear shock, I'm still having a blast riding it. I bought it out the door for $7800 (incl TTL) and so believe that I got what I paid for. I also don't get the knocks about the fit/finish? Other than the crappy radiator sides, it seems quite nice to me.

Don't get me wrong, the 9 was a blast around Cali, 3300km in 7 days, basically bog stock. In the tight stuff, it's a riot, wheelies in 2nd gear between corners etc..but on the longer faster stuff is where the suspension rears it's ugly head. And around where I live, I didn't get to use it to it's full potential.
I have swapped the front springs for my weight, rear shock to a penske double clicker (transformed the bike) and Nick's flash was well worth the money.
at about 5000km a buddy of mine borrowed it, and fell in love with it. He gave me an offer that I couldn't refuse, so I sold it on. it now has 12k on it, all of them without fault, and a huge grin factor.
Fit and finish for the price was very good. But it seems to me that the 7 and it's finish is even better for the price.
At any rate, I expect similar issues with the 7, mainly suspension. I have a full cartridge kit on order to sort the front, and a few shocks kicking around that could work for the rear.

 

[vilageidgit]

I was interested till I saw the top of rear shock is bolted to rear of the engine case and not the frame
maybe the aftermarket can make a bracket to attach it to the frame

 

[snakebitten]

Mind elaborating?

Just curious of why you object that strongly.

 

[greg the pole]

I was interested till I saw the top of rear shock is bolted to rear of the engine case and not the frame
maybe the aftermarket can make a bracket to attach it to the frame

why would that matter?
They did it for a reason.
interestingly, on the fz07, yamaha has a pinch bolt at the top of the triple tree, and they are not using conventional double lock rings...good reason for that too.
Honda, back in 2001, switched all their pivot/swing arm mounts to be incorporated off the motor (cbr 929, 954, vfrs etc..) no issues on those.

I don't care, my new one is in the garage, and will get ridden accordingly..https://thetenerist.wordpress.com/2014/12/06/new-bike-new-post-yamaha-fz-07/

 

[JaimeV]

I like the engine a lot and I hope Yamaha builds a trail bike with it

 

[vilageidgit]

even though the engine is a stressed member,its one more stress that the engine casing has to deal with
i'm sure the casing is designed well,just like the Yamaha cam chain tensioners on the Super Tenere and FZ09
just a personal preference,prefer the shock to be attached to a steel frame
thats why I like the Super Tenere which still has a steel frame
had a 2001 Gold Wing with an aluminum alloy frame which got recalled for cracks in the frame
Gold Wings are not the only ones,steel is easier to weld
alot of european bikes still use steel frames,surprisingly so does the new Kawasaki H2

 

[Andylaser]

I think the Moto Cage version looks stunning. If I was still 20 years old, I'd want one. ;D

 

[greg the pole]

even though the engine is a stressed member,its one more stress that the engine casing has to deal with
i'm sure the casing is designed well,just like the Yamaha cam chain tensioners on the Super Tenere and FZ09
just a personal preference,prefer the shock to be attached to a steel frame
thats why I like the Super Tenere which still has a steel frame
had a 2001 Gold Wing with an aluminum alloy frame which got recalled for cracks in the frame
Gold Wings are not the only ones,steel is easier to weld
alot of european bikes still use steel frames,surprisingly so does the new Kawasaki H2

pretty sure i'll be a-ok. We're not comparing apples to apples. The 7 is all of 400lb wet. With me and my gear, i'll have to lug around a total of 600lbs.
the goldwing doesn't even begin to tip the scales at 800lb dry.
the tensioners...well, talk to any mechanic. Several manufacturers have struggled for years with reliable cct. Oddly enough my fz1 has a simple ratcheting cct and no issues with that one. The fz09, yamaha cheaped out and didn't install a long enough bolt into it, hence the start up noise (lack of oil) and short lenght. Most are replacing them with manual cct's as I have on my ST.
don't forget that our beloved tenere has a nice big fat lug sticking off the engine block that most attach skid plates to. Worried, no not really. I still pulled my alt rider plate that used that attachement, and went to an acd plate, that technically attaches to the frame.

 

[Brick]

Damn that IS Beautiful!! How about an even trade for my 1999 SV-650? ::025:: ::26::

I think the Moto Cage version looks stunning. If I was still 20 years old, I'd want one. ;D

 

[greg the pole]

Actually Brick,
you're not too far off.
The FZ07 should pick up nicely where the sv650, rd350 left off.
Good honest, fun transportation.
No other intent with this bike.

 

[fredz43]

I like the engine a lot and I hope Yamaha builds a trail bike with it

Reviving an old thread because I rode a FZ 07 today and really enjoyed it, especially the engine. Great bottom end torque. I agree with JaimeV, they should build a XT700Z Tenere with that engine. I would buy one for sure!

 

[greg the pole]

Reviving an old thread because I rode a FZ 07 today and really enjoyed it, especially the engine. Great bottom end torque. I agree with JaimeV, they should build a XT700Z Tenere with that engine. I would buy one for sure!

I grew tired of holding my breath, and bought an FZ-07. Great bike, great motor. Needs suspension work but otherwise a winner.

 

[fredz43]

I grew tired of holding my breath, and bought an FZ-07. Great bike, great motor. Needs suspension work but otherwise a winner.

Hi Greg,

I thought of you when I rode the FZ 07, as I recalled how you went from the FZ 09 to the 07. I wasn't really impressed with the 09, but the 07 really speaks to me. Reminds me of my 1998 Super Hawk that I sold last year, with that wonderful, smooth, low RPM power. Wheelies very controllably just like my Super Hawk. I can see why several teams are building flat track versions for AMA racing.

 

[greg the pole]

Hi Greg,

I thought of you when I rode the FZ 07, as I recalled how you went from the FZ 09 to the 07. I wasn't really impressed with the 09, but the 07 really speaks to me. Reminds me of my 1998 Super Hawk that I sold last year, with that wonderful, smooth, low RPM power. Wheelies very controllably just like my Super Hawk. I can see why several teams are building flat track versions for AMA racing.

I have to say that I never really felt as one on the 9. It was an absolute blast in California, with the pogo stick suspension, and stupid fast motor, but to me, anywhere other than 10/10ths made no sense on the 9.

The 7 is different. It's a willing motor that you can exploit to the fullest. It's a fun little bike, decent comfort, especially after I ditched the stock bars to renthal streets (still not 100% pleased with the bend though...too much pull back)

If you follow my blog, I've updated the front with emulators, and pre load adjusters,which makes a big difference, but the rear shock transforms the bike. It feels planted, goes where you want it to, and handles like it's on rails. Riding around town, the tires are scrubbed (rear anyways)

I moaned a bit about lack of abs availability, but honestly with the new suspension, great pilot road 2's the bike is fantastic.
I just installed a yosh fender eliminator (will post up) which cleans up the rear.
And my Zard full exhaust should be here any day.

To me it's the perfect polar opposite to the tenere. Nippy, wheelie happy, and excellent on gas..47mpg around town riding like a numptee. which translates to a 260-280km tank..which is errmmm....160 miles or so out of 14L of fuel