06-05-2015, 05:04 AM
(06-05-2015, 04:39 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote:(06-05-2015, 02:32 AM)Scoobynut_imp Wrote: This new Kawi and the new Suzuki GSX-S are pretty nice bikes in their own right from everything I've read, but I think their main problem remains that the FZ-09 is still nearly 100 lbs lighter than both and has more power than both for pretty much the same price. If you were a 20 something -- or even a 50 something like myself -- which would you choose? Again, the Kawi and Suzi are nice bikes, but I think they won't come anywhere near the sales numbers of the FZ-09, which as understand it has been a very strong seller for Yamaha (their 2nd best selling non-cruiser).
In my opinion the Kawi & Suzi are already relegated to stopgap status in the market until they come up with something with a power-to-weight ratio similar to the FZ. The Yamaha I think has been somewhat of a market buster and a shock to the other Japanese (and European) manufacturers, a game changer if you will.
Having ridden a 2014 FZ09, until they fix the fueling and the suspension and maybe add ABS (which the Kaw has) I'd opt for either the Suzi or Kawi despite being down on horsepower and up on weight. If weight and horsepower mattered to me I wouldn't have bought a 570 pound 88 horsepower CB for $3K more than an FZ09.
HOWEVER..if Yamaha fixes those things and brings out a more touring oriented version of the FJ-09 I could see that being a suitable replacement for my 717 pound ST 1300. But they'd HAVE to fix the fueling and suspension first.
Having ridden a 2014 FZ09, until they fix the fueling and the suspension and maybe add ABS (which the Kaw has) I'd opt for either the Suzi or Kawi despite being down on horsepower and up on weight. If weight and horsepower mattered to me I wouldn't have bought a 570 pound 88 horsepower CB for $3K more than an FZ09.
HOWEVER..if Yamaha fixes those things and brings out a more touring oriented version of the FJ-09 I could see that being a suitable replacement for my 717 pound ST 1300. But they'd HAVE to fix the fueling and suspension first.
Mickey, from what I've read, the fueling has been drastically improved for 2015. Don't know about improving the suspension, but I do recall reading about it's shortcomings when it first came out, but it was written off as the price of such a low list price. I guess there's quite a few aftermarket choices out there for them now. Even if you spent $1k on upgrading the suspension, you'd still have a pretty low price of admission. Unfortunately, I'm still not sold on the 3 cyl. and the seating position...
As for the FJ09, I'm with you; they're advertising it as a sport-tourer, but to me, it seems much more an adventure bike. An ST it's not, by a long shot -