I attended a Yamaha test ride today and was excited to be able to finally test a FZ09 and a Star Bolt. The Bolt was quite awesome and surprised me how easy it was to ride and how well it handled. The FZ09 also surprised me. I was able to test both for about 30 min or so.
I loved the torque of the 09, the breaks where good and shifting was very smooth. I was really enjoying the motor and the sound and it's a good direction of future power plants. And the torque that I wish the 8 had. But past that I was disappointed on how uncomfortable it was and how it didn't feel as "planted" as the FZ8. I felt to big for the bike and I'm only 6 foot tall. My most comfortable position was sitting with a gap of about 5" inches between me and the tank and that still wasn't a comfortable feeling. I tried sitting as I would on the FZ8 against the tank but it felt way to far forward and it was even more uncomfortable.
And I'm not sure if the lighter weight made it fell less "planted" The only way I can explain it is the 8 feels attached to the road and very stable which I could only contribute that to the 8 being heavier. And not only taking curves but also going straight. The 09 felt really good on the curves so no complaints there. It felt like a super moto bike just not an upright sports bike.
And I guess that's where the 8 comes in because it's got a sports bike heritage and the 09 is a different beast.
Not saying it's a bad bike by any means but I was just disappointed on how it felt for me. I was really excited to possibly get this bike next year but unfortunately the FZ09 is a no for me. I'm so glad to get a test ride in before I had buyers remorse.
But it was still a lot of fun.
I loved the torque of the 09, the breaks where good and shifting was very smooth. I was really enjoying the motor and the sound and it's a good direction of future power plants. And the torque that I wish the 8 had. But past that I was disappointed on how uncomfortable it was and how it didn't feel as "planted" as the FZ8. I felt to big for the bike and I'm only 6 foot tall. My most comfortable position was sitting with a gap of about 5" inches between me and the tank and that still wasn't a comfortable feeling. I tried sitting as I would on the FZ8 against the tank but it felt way to far forward and it was even more uncomfortable.
And I'm not sure if the lighter weight made it fell less "planted" The only way I can explain it is the 8 feels attached to the road and very stable which I could only contribute that to the 8 being heavier. And not only taking curves but also going straight. The 09 felt really good on the curves so no complaints there. It felt like a super moto bike just not an upright sports bike.
And I guess that's where the 8 comes in because it's got a sports bike heritage and the 09 is a different beast.
Not saying it's a bad bike by any means but I was just disappointed on how it felt for me. I was really excited to possibly get this bike next year but unfortunately the FZ09 is a no for me. I'm so glad to get a test ride in before I had buyers remorse.
But it was still a lot of fun.