[TorqueyT]

Apologies, realise this is isn't really the right place, problem is so far I've not found any decent Fazer forums, so I'll raise the question here "at home"....

I'm out looking for a first bike for my better looking half, and she's set on a 600 Fazer. I know the early fuel injected one's had some fuelling problems, so reckon a carb'ed one will be an easier and smoother bike for her to ride + I don't want to spend a fortune. I realise it's quite a lot of bike for a novice, but then again I want something that will take us across the Alps/Pyrenees/etc without too much effort.

Anyone got any advice on this bike? I'm especially interested in underseat space for autocomm etc. - is there any? (On that note, since we manage to squeeze in comms on the Tiger we should be OK on pretty much everything else..). Any other tips/advice will come in very handy....

Thanks

[ This message was edited by: TorqueyT on 2007-01-27 19:57 ]

 

[boocat]

Hi TT
Before getting a tiger I had a Fazer 600 (v reg carb model) To answer your underseat question...yes, theres loads of room under the seat for an intercom. The under seat looks quite tidy compared to my tiger and certainaly has more space although an alarm may cut into it as usual. I have never heard of fuelling problems on the carb model but make sure it hasn;t been restricted like my friends bike when he bought it, It accelerated normally to about 70 i.e. suprisingly fast. then pettered out.

It has a very comfy and natural riding position and I think quicker than a tiger but with a bit more gear work. the lights are not very good and i would check that the suspension has been overhauled on anything above 20,000 miles. metal tank for tank bag and throwovers do the trick but I read somewhere that a topbox upsets handling. mirrors are better than most and it has a fuel gauge (18 litre tank i think but good fuel economy), seat height is around 815mm i recal.

It is a great bike and if you look at magazines it always gets 5stars , compared to the new fazer which by all accounts is *****.

I did a lot of touring and stuck on a hugger, powerbronze double bubble screen and a fender extender. Your missus will love it as it is very nippy and practical, you will find it suprisingly small and narrow but seemingly faster than your tiger but you might start using it for quick blasts instead of your tiger.

Ride is better than a tiger and seems more 'planted' on the road (IMHO) but the brakes apparently are very sharp, but I didn't really think they were any more so than any other bike.

Plain Red and silver are the best colours methinks, gold looks terrible and the two-tone ones are a 80's throwback

 

[TorqueyT]

Excellent, just the sort of info I was after, thanks a lot Boocat. I've seen the light problem mentioned, with the twin headlight mod information popping up here and there (seems we have an easy job on the Tiger...). Looking at a couple of 2000/W's at the moment, one ~15.5k miles, one ~19.6k miles (getting 20K service with that one...). Will have a look out for suspension issues.

You got any tire advice? I'm possibly putting deposit down over the phone tomorrow morning, saw the bike yesterday but forgot to fully check tires, so considering asking for new one's anyway.

 

[boocat]

Hi TT,
I cannot remember the tyres but I'm pretty sure that they were Bridgestones BT something.

The onl fazer forum I know of is FOC-U.com

B

 

[BoneyMalloney]

Ditto everything BooCat said, i had the face lift model (2003) no issues with lights and the brakes were far better than on my Tiger! Plenty of room under the seat, put a rack on the back for luggage and away across Europe, the engine was superb

Best tyres were BT020, at the time.

There's a link on my web site to the Fazer Owners Club where you'll find loads of info...

Chris.

 

[FifeTiger]

Don't want to eb a wet blanket, but a colleague recently bought one of the original styles, in gold (yuk).

When he got it it was pristine so he cheerfully thought all thsoe stories about the finish were rubbish, now he's used it for commuting he can't believe how quickly it corrodes, he's washing it every day and covering it in anything you can spray on just to keep it from peeling.

He claims his old bandit was much better in that respect. He loves the Fazer for it's engine and brakes but hates it for the headlights and finish.

How about a faired Bandit instead ? They'll nip up to cruising speed quite comfortably. Just a thought.

Nothing against the Fazer, I had an XJ600 before they came out, only reason I didn't buy a Fazer was it felt the same only faster, and (sorry to say it) at two years old the one I looked at was badly corroded. Next to the older VFR it was parked next to it looked a heap.

Now a VFR for your lady.....

 

[gsp0702]

Have you tried, http://www.foc-u.co.uk/new/news.php. Always helpful good forums and as for all mk's of fazer pretty knowledgable and often fazers for sale on the board.

As for tyres either BT020 or Metzeler Z6's which in my opinion were better than the 020's

[ This message was edited by: gsp0702 on 2007-01-29 05:56 ]

 

[TorqueyT]

Cheers for lots of advice guys, much appreciated. Tire wise I've done a bit more searching about, and as you mention the BT020 seems to be the most popular choice, I would maybe also consider the Conti Roadattacks or Michelin Pilot Roads.

How about a faired Bandit instead ? They'll nip up to cruising speed quite comfortably. Just a thought.

Had a chat about bikes with a breakdown guy that sorted my rear puncture coming off the Zeebrugge-Hull ferry year and a half ago (if you're going to have a puncture, where better than at the ferry terminal before the ferry trip home ..... the guy was just waiting for us the next morning...) and asked which bikes he had to sort the most. His reply was to stear well clear of Bandits. Might be a bit misleading, but it's sort of stuck with me...

Now a VFR for your lady.....

Absolutely, but the VFR being superb and keeping it's price I would probably have to get a bike ~3 years older than a Fazer for the same money.

She's pretty set on the Fazer, so will probably stick with that. Also being a bit worried about dropping it she doesn't want something too shiny, so sticking to the 1st generation Fazers seems an OK choice...

 

[nobby400]

TorqueyT get the latest Superbike mag its got an artical on the old v new 600 Fazer. Plus even better a great test on new Tiger.

 

[TorqueyT]

Nice one, cheers. MCN had one last week as well.

 

[tcowjww]

I've never owned a Fazer, but I have done a few miles on Fazers belonging to two friends, and I have to say they are amazing bikes.

The one aspect that really knocked me out was the handling and turn-in. Imagine riding through a long sweeping bend, setting the bike up, countersteering into the bend and then the bike just *staying* the way you set it until you accelerate away. No fighting it or making any corrections.

And I was coming from a ZZ-R600 at the time, which wasn't exactly a poor handler.

And then there's the comfort. Mmmm, comfy.
And then there's the brakes. Fixed caliper floating disc jobbies from the R1. Very, very responsive.

In fact, when my GPz500 finally falls totally to bits, I've got my heart set on a Mk.1 Fazer.

...or a late 80's VFR...
...or an 885 Speed Triple...

*****, there are still so many bikes I want to own!!

[ This message was edited by: tcowjww on 2007-01-31 16:40 ]

 

[TorqueyT]

Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated, just put money down on a w-reg black Fazer, mint, fsh, hugger, sports can, powerbronze screen and bellypan. Took it for a ride, should be spot on for my wife, nice smooth powerdelivery, pin sharp brakes. Getting it in a couple of weeks (crash bungs, alarm and scottoiler still to go on), then it's B&Q car park for the first few trips methinks.
:razz: