Let me tell you one thing i noticed about that Bolt. I have not ridden it but I did go and sit on one at couple places and the ground clearance on that thing is about 1 inch! the pegs and bottom of bike is so low it seemed like if you leaned past 5 degress you would be scraping.Thanks, Dart... they don't do enough demo days in Atlanta... and it's a big market here.
Been wanting to take out a Bolt as well... (sh!ts and giggles, and something I was considering at one time)...
How far are you from West Palm Beach? Mine is far from what you will get at the dealership but that would give you a good idea. Don't put a good used one out of the equation either... those things last forever! 43K miles on mine and still rocking!A test ride would be amazing, I hope I can make it out to one of those! It's really the most irritating thing about buying a motorcycle. If I had been able to test ride the VFR then I would've saved myself some time and money.
I didn't like it too much myself I rather get a Triumph that's a similar class to the Bolt.Let me tell you one thing i noticed about that Bolt. I have not ridden it but I did go and sit on one at couple places and the ground clearance on that thing is about 1 inch! the pegs and bottom of bike is so low it seemed like if you leaned past 5 degress you would be scraping.
The Bonneville, now that is a nice bike.I didn't like it too much myself I rather get a Triumph that's a similar class to the Bolt.
Yeah, I was sitting on one two hours ago, during lunch. (I was at Lawrenceville Honda/Yamaha, looking for the FZ-09 -- which they sold out of immediately).Let me tell you one thing i noticed about that Bolt. I have not ridden it but I did go and sit on one at couple places and the ground clearance on that thing is about 1 inch! the pegs and bottom of bike is so low it seemed like if you leaned past 5 degress you would be scraping.
Damn, I was about to mention the Bonneville but they have a lot of nice bikes that are in the Bolts class that are just as awesome. I'd love to get a GSXR, but they're like Honda Civics, I see them everywhere.The Bonneville, now that is a nice bike.
I wish they had some demo rides around here for any makes. I just love trying different types of bikes. I wish I could try them all. I have ridden the fz6r obviously, a 08 ninja 650, a Honda 1300 cruiser, a Suzuki savage, a triumph street triple, Suzuki drz 400 and the big boy Can Am Spyder. Id like to try a gsxr.
LMAO that is sooo the truth, at least here in So Cal. Seems like 25% of all bikes I see are the same GSXRs. I doubt I would get one (or any bike you lay on the tank) but would like to see why they are so popular.Damn, I was about to mention the Bonneville but they have a lot of nice bikes that are in the Bolts class that are just as awesome. I'd love to get a GSXR, but they're like Honda Civics, I see them everywhere.
Ya, I can see if you like the inline 4 feel with smooth bottom end, the FZ-09 is not the right bike for you. The 09 has more of a twin feel with huge torque right off idle. It took me few 100's mile to get use to it. Now if I ride the 6R I'm like :wtfgun: I really need to downshift 3 gears to pass??? LOLHey guys, just thought I'd give a quick update. I went to the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando:
AIMExpo
While there, I had the opportunity to test ride an FZ09 and an FZ8, although unfortunately they did not have an FZ1 for test riding (which was a shame because I'm really interested in grabbing one of those).
What I learned is that I did not like the FZ09 very much at all. The seating doesn't feel right; too narrow. Combined with high, wide handle bars and the relatively low weight of the bike made it feel very unstable to me. The power was indeed very present in the lower ranges, but even on the most conservative riding mode it felt too sensitive and prone to jerking when you just wanted to maintain a constant speed. Furthermore, I felt that the engine was very prone to vibration at all speeds. Basically, I just didn't like the feel of the bike in many regards, and I'm certainly glad that I didn't buy it and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody who doesn't think they wouldn't enjoy a supercharged dirtbike. The power is there, but it just doesn't feel good to ride as a daily rider kind of thing.
I did, on the other hand, like the FZ8 quite a bit. It got a little buzzy around 4k RPM but then calmed down a bit until around 7k. Overall it just felt smoother in terms of the power and more stable in terms of the position and weight distribution than the FZ09, and definitely had a snappier throttle response and more power than the FZ6R. I would definitely own this bike. I still want to give the FZ1 a shot, because if it's similar to the FZ8 then I can't go wrong. But the FZ8 is just not at all competitive to the FZ09, and I don't know why the FZ09 is being viewed as a replacement because it's not at all a similar motorcycle.
Good review.Hey guys, just thought I'd give a quick update. I went to the American International Motorcycle Expo in Orlando:
AIMExpo
While there, I had the opportunity to test ride an FZ09 and an FZ8, although unfortunately they did not have an FZ1 for test riding (which was a shame because I'm really interested in grabbing one of those).
What I learned is that I did not like the FZ09 very much at all. The seating doesn't feel right; too narrow. Combined with high, wide handle bars and the relatively low weight of the bike made it feel very unstable to me. The power was indeed very present in the lower ranges, but even on the most conservative riding mode it felt too sensitive and prone to jerking when you just wanted to maintain a constant speed. Furthermore, I felt that the engine was very prone to vibration at all speeds. Basically, I just didn't like the feel of the bike in many regards, and I'm certainly glad that I didn't buy it and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody who doesn't think they wouldn't enjoy a supercharged dirtbike. The power is there, but it just doesn't feel good to ride as a daily rider kind of thing.
I did, on the other hand, like the FZ8 quite a bit. It got a little buzzy around 4k RPM but then calmed down a bit until around 7k. Overall it just felt smoother in terms of the power and more stable in terms of the position and weight distribution than the FZ09, and definitely had a snappier throttle response and more power than the FZ6R. I would definitely own this bike. I still want to give the FZ1 a shot, because if it's similar to the FZ8 then I can't go wrong. But the FZ8 is just not at all competitive to the FZ09, and I don't know why the FZ09 is being viewed as a replacement because it's not at all a similar motorcycle.
First off im glad im not the only one that has that hand numb feeling after an hour. I thought I just had horrible circulation or something. I keep thinking a good grip like kuraykan iso grips might help. if anyone knows solution to this speak up!Ya, I can see if you like the inline 4 feel with smooth bottom end, the FZ-09 is not the right bike for you. The 09 has more of a twin feel with huge torque right off idle. It took me few 100's mile to get use to it. Now if I ride the 6R I'm like :wtfgun: I really need to downshift 3 gears to pass??? LOL
I don't feel the vibration like you did. It does vib but nothing like the high frequency on the 6R that gets my hands numb after 1/2 hrs no matter what I do. 5K @ 75 MPH help a lot too. The 09 is all engine for sure... I'm sure if you did spend a bit more time on the saddle you would have appreciate the character of the 09.
No way you can get me to buy a I-4 right now... LOL BRAAAPPP!
I4 are mostly all top end. Twins are mostly all bottom end torque. The triple sit right in the middle, perfect compromise in my book. The FZ-09 has more torque right at 2K RPM than the 6R at 8K peak. All you need to do is gently squeeze the throttle and that thing goes . So it take few rides to get use at not dumping the throttle at 3K like you're use with a I-4 until the power kick in at 8K.First off im glad im not the only one that has that hand numb feeling after an hour. I thought I just had horrible circulation or something. I keep thinking a good grip like kuraykan iso grips might help. if anyone knows solution to this speak up!
Second Marty from the mechanically unknowledgeable (me) isn't the fz-09 an I-3? Whats so much better about 3 than 4? if three is better than 4 why didn't we all buy the ninja with the twin?
Hear the Kawi bit a lot in the nut sac area... LOL But I never rode one. If the 09 didn't make it this year the FZ8 or Z1000 were on top of the list.Well, in terms of the FZ6R, I would say that depends where you do your riding. I would go so far as to say that it's nearly completely without vibration up until around 5k RPM, but around 6k it starts to buzz pretty badly. With the default gearing that means you're hitting it at around 70-75 mph, so... highway riding is a little bit of a liability there. But in terms of nothing but the vibration, power notwithstanding, I think the FZ6R is extremely smooth to ride on city streets up to 50 mph, without question.
I only went up to around 60 mph on the FZ8 so I don't know how it would translate to the highway, but I can see that you might have to bump up a gear to get out of the buzzy area around 4k, if that bothered you.
I'm really liking the 2014 Ninja 1000 in terms of the spec sheet and "word on the street", and I think the ABS, traction control, and street fueling mode are all great features. My only fear is that I'll buy it, get on it, and find that some subjective characteristics annoy me. It's supremely irritating that it's so hard to get test rides of popular bikes, especially given how deeply motorcycle riding relies on personal preference.
.Well, in terms of the FZ6R, I would say that depends where you do your riding. I would go so far as to say that it's nearly completely without vibration up until around 5k RPM, but around 6k it starts to buzz pretty badly. With the default gearing that means you're hitting it at around 70-75 mph, so... highway riding is a little bit of a liability there. But in terms of nothing but the vibration, power notwithstanding, I think the FZ6R is extremely smooth to ride on city streets up to 50 mph, without question.
I only went up to around 60 mph on the FZ8 so I don't know how it would translate to the highway, but I can see that you might have to bump up a gear to get out of the buzzy area around 4k, if that bothered you.
I'm really liking the 2014 Ninja 1000 in terms of the spec sheet and "word on the street", and I think the ABS, traction control, and street fueling mode are all great features. My only fear is that I'll buy it, get on it, and find that some subjective characteristics annoy me. It's supremely irritating that it's so hard to get test rides of popular bikes, especially given how deeply motorcycle riding relies on personal preference.
Ahh, good to know, I am learning something every day on this site. I see what you mean too, I have ridden the street triple a few times which is an I-3I4 are mostly all top end. Twins are mostly all bottom end torque. The triple sit right in the middle, perfect compromise in my book. The FZ-09 has more torque right at 2K RPM than the 6R at 8K peak. All you need to do is gently squeeze the throttle and that thing goes . So it take few rides to get use at not dumping the throttle at 3K like you're use with a I-4 until the power kick in at 8K.
I don't have that problem (hand numbness) after the -1 front change and softer grips, if you grip to hard it will make a difference too.First off im glad im not the only one that has that hand numb feeling after an hour. I thought I just had horrible circulation or something. I keep thinking a good grip like kuraykan iso grips might help. if anyone knows solution to this speak up!
Second Marty from the mechanically unknowledgeable (me) isn't the fz-09 an I-3? Whats so much better about 3 than 4? if three is better than 4 why didn't we all buy the ninja with the twin?