FZ8: Loves me, loves me not...? - Page 2 - Yamaha FZ8 Forums - International FZ8 Motorcycle Community Forum

crspangenberg · 12-19-2011, 10:49 AM

Hey bluecat, I am basically in the same boat as you my friend I completed the MSF Course 5months ago, and I started riding a 2005 GS500, so my dad and I could go riding, I am very much a beginner on the street although I have had a bit of expirience riding in the dirt.

I like you was at a toss up between the FZ6r and the FZ8 (i got the FZ8)
Here's Why:
I have read numerous things on the FZ6 saying that once you ride it and get to know it you will be wishing for more power.

Being that I bought the bike brand new and paid 8k for it I wanted somthing that would last and not something I would get sick of.

Althoug its an 800cc bike it's tame you respect the throttle its going to respect you and it has the extra power when you need to get out of a sticky situation. That is one of the reasons i stopped riding the GS500. I always wanted more power and if I didnt keep the revs high enough on that bike it had almost zero acceleration. I am not heavy guy either 5'11" 150lbs also 19 if that makes any difference...

The FZ8 handles like a dream too. I tend to take my hands off the bars at times when coasting to a red light. I can steer the bike with subtle moves of my body. I wasnt able to do that with the GS500.

Although the FZ6 is a nice bike, I wouldnt buy it as a new first bike, just becuase of the lack of power. Yamaha radically detunes it from the factory. Of course i am not bashing the bike but I am very happy with my choice I wouldnt trade the bike in for anything else and I dont regret spending the money. I have had it since 11-19-11 and have put 570 miles on it. Its even smoother now then when I bought it.

Just my

Good luck and be safe!

**DJK1505** · 01-12-2012, 02:15 PM

Well finish the story, did you get the FZ8?

I think you are a little nuts for gettin an $8K first bike, but hey if you have the money why not. If it was me, I would of watched craigslist and got an older CBR 600 F2, F3, spent 800-1200, put a few thousand miles on it, sold the bike for about what you paid for it, and then jumped on a brand new 8 thousand dollar toy. To each his own, so if you did get the 8, how do you like it, have you been able to ride it much, any new rider lessons learned, etc.

DJ

jumb5150 · 01-12-2012, 02:57 PM

My Fz8 is my first bike ever. And I love her. As long as you respect the power between your legs i think you should be fine.

**Black Widow** · 01-25-2012, 07:04 PM

My FZ8 is the first bike i had ever had.Never rode a streetbike in my life before, got used to the power and handling right away, easy bike to ride. The thrill of full throttle acceleration thru the gears is addictive.

K-Gr. · 01-27-2012, 12:44 AM

Author of this post has committed just this one entry and never again logged on. Shame. We would easily convince him

bluecat · 02-12-2012, 05:06 PM

Hello and happy belated 2012! I am SO SORRY I fell off the face of the Earth! All sorts of things and unexpected stresses got in the way (family, holidays, new job...) In any case my sincerest thanks for your amazing feedback! This is truly an awesome community and I'm glad to be part of it in some way.

Now for the update: I found a great, I mean GREAT deal on an FZ6R a couple of weeks ago and decided enough with the hesitation. I'm having a great time with it so far! Still not my heart and soul's desire, but it will more than suffice for now. It is black with red accents, has the fender eliminator kit, and I added reflective red pin-striping on the wheels. I've gotten a ton of compliments on it. I got my first nod of approval from another rider at a traffic light the very first day and I can't tell you how good that felt. It was like an official welcome to the biking world.

The FZ8 is in my future. It is my hope I'll find a good deal in a glossy black 2011 when the time comes (I really do not care for the gray tank on the 2012), or maybe 2013 will surprise me with some more black magic.

In any case, thank you again, I'll keep reading the forum posts as well as contribute over at the FZ6R forum.

Cheers everyone,

Blue Cat

**Dr_Doom** · 02-12-2012, 07:27 PM

Looks good. Glad you were able to pick up a bike, it doesn't matter that it's not an FZ8.

**Camo** · 02-12-2012, 08:39 PM

Hell yeah! That's a sweet first ride mate.
The FZ8 is not the be all and end all either so no need to rush..If you're still after one in a year or two there shall be quiet a few second hand ones floating around I would think, a whole lot cheaper with most of the aesthetic mods done.

Glad you took the plunge. You'll never regret it as long as you ride within your limits, not others.
Shoei's are great lids too.
Nice to see you come back and fill us in

12-19-2011, 10:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
crspangenberg Weekend Rider Bike: 2011 Yamaha FZ8 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 45 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Get the FZ8 Hey bluecat, I am basically in the same boat as you my friend I completed the MSF Course 5months ago, and I started riding a 2005 GS500, so my dad and I could go riding, I am very much a beginner on the street although I have had a bit of expirience riding in the dirt. I like you was at a toss up between the FZ6r and the FZ8 (i got the FZ8) Here's Why: I have read numerous things on the FZ6 saying that once you ride it and get to know it you will be wishing for more power. Being that I bought the bike brand new and paid 8k for it I wanted somthing that would last and not something I would get sick of. Althoug its an 800cc bike it's tame you respect the throttle its going to respect you and it has the extra power when you need to get out of a sticky situation. That is one of the reasons i stopped riding the GS500. I always wanted more power and if I didnt keep the revs high enough on that bike it had almost zero acceleration. I am not heavy guy either 5'11" 150lbs also 19 if that makes any difference... The FZ8 handles like a dream too. I tend to take my hands off the bars at times when coasting to a red light. I can steer the bike with subtle moves of my body. I wasnt able to do that with the GS500. Although the FZ6 is a nice bike, I wouldnt buy it as a new first bike, just becuase of the lack of power. Yamaha radically detunes it from the factory. Of course i am not bashing the bike but I am very happy with my choice I wouldnt trade the bike in for anything else and I dont regret spending the money. I have had it since 11-19-11 and have put 570 miles on it. Its even smoother now then when I bought it. Just my Good luck and be safe!

01-12-2012, 02:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
DJK1505 Canyon Carver Bike: 2011 Yamaha FZ8 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Yorkshire, Virginia Posts: 276 Thanks: 1 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Well finish the story, did you get the FZ8? I think you are a little nuts for gettin an $8K first bike, but hey if you have the money why not. If it was me, I would of watched craigslist and got an older CBR 600 F2, F3, spent 800-1200, put a few thousand miles on it, sold the bike for about what you paid for it, and then jumped on a brand new 8 thousand dollar toy. To each his own, so if you did get the 8, how do you like it, have you been able to ride it much, any new rider lessons learned, etc. DJ __________________ Two Brothers slip on, headers wrapped, ebay mirrors, ebay grips, ebay shorty levers, rear grab handle, ebay fender eliminator, mini turn signals, frame sliders, bobbins, PVC throttle mod, vortex rear sets, K&N air filter, air box mod, a few stickers for aero dynamics , steel brake lines, gold engine bolt set, gold oil filler cap, gold chain, black vortex handle bars, USB power port, clear tail light, power commander PCV, -1 front sprocket, +2 rear sprocket, BT016 tires, 190 rear tire, I know I am forgetting stuff

02-12-2012, 05:06 PM	#16 (permalink)
bluecat Pillion Bike: Yamaha Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2 Thanks: 13 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you! Hello and happy belated 2012! I am SO SORRY I fell off the face of the Earth! All sorts of things and unexpected stresses got in the way (family, holidays, new job...) In any case my sincerest thanks for your amazing feedback! This is truly an awesome community and I'm glad to be part of it in some way. Now for the update: I found a great, I mean GREAT deal on an FZ6R a couple of weeks ago and decided enough with the hesitation. I'm having a great time with it so far! Still not my heart and soul's desire, but it will more than suffice for now. It is black with red accents, has the fender eliminator kit, and I added reflective red pin-striping on the wheels. I've gotten a ton of compliments on it. I got my first nod of approval from another rider at a traffic light the very first day and I can't tell you how good that felt. It was like an official welcome to the biking world. The FZ8 is in my future. It is my hope I'll find a good deal in a glossy black 2011 when the time comes (I really do not care for the gray tank on the 2012), or maybe 2013 will surprise me with some more black magic. In any case, thank you again, I'll keep reading the forum posts as well as contribute over at the FZ6R forum. Cheers everyone, Blue Cat

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01-12-2012, 02:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
jumb5150 Avid Rider Bike: FZ8 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: California Posts: 126 Thanks: 5 Thanked 20 Times in 9 Posts	My Fz8 is my first bike ever. And I love her. As long as you respect the power between your legs i think you should be fine.

01-25-2012, 07:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
Black Widow Avid Rider Bike: 2011 FZ8 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: B.C Posts: 109 Thanks: 41 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts	My FZ8 is the first bike i had ever had.Never rode a streetbike in my life before, got used to the power and handling right away, easy bike to ride. The thrill of full throttle acceleration thru the gears is addictive.

02-12-2012, 07:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
Dr_Doom Canyon Carver Bike: FZ8 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Morton Grove IL Posts: 392 Thanks: 69 Thanked 71 Times in 50 Posts	Looks good. Glad you were able to pick up a bike, it doesn't matter that it's not an FZ8.

02-12-2012, 08:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Camo Rusty Nail Bike: White 2011 FZ8n Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: The Central Coast. NSW, Australia. Posts: 339 Thanks: 85 Thanked 40 Times in 32 Posts	Hell yeah! That's a sweet first ride mate. The FZ8 is not the be all and end all either so no need to rush..If you're still after one in a year or two there shall be quiet a few second hand ones floating around I would think, a whole lot cheaper with most of the aesthetic mods done. Glad you took the plunge. You'll never regret it as long as you ride within your limits, not others. Shoei's are great lids too. Nice to see you come back and fill us in