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2001 Yamaha FZ1 steel-framed bike. The Kawasaki weighs in 35 pounds heavier, and the Suzuki 30 pounds heavier, for comparison sake. The biggest difference is that the FZl feels lighter in almost every aspect of riding. Turn-in is light and crisp with the wide bars giving you an infinite amount of leverage going through corners. The bike can also be maneuvered around tight areas at low speed without ever having to stick your feet down. It has a really nice balance to it, and a good turning radius. The suspension on the FZ 1 is fully adjustable, which is a nice bonus - we were short on time so I never really messed with it, even though some rear preload would have stopped the foot peg feelers from dragging around the tighter corners. But I was really impressed with the light feel and sharp steering. In the faster sweepers it wallowed a bit, but to be fair, like I said above, I didn't have time to fool with the suspension and I know for a fact that it was set up on the soft side. Owners of this bike shouldn't have any issues finding a good set up for both cruising and sport riding. The riding position on the FZ 1 is very comfortable - the seat is firm but well shaped, which allows for decent stints in the saddle. The handlebar position is upright and comfortable, but I think some Renthal motocross bars would look really coolon it. GYT-R (Yamaha's accessory division) is going to offer a set of titanium straight bars for the bike, but I'd stick with the hooligan bars, they're easier to pull wheelies with. And guess what: The mirrors on the FZl actually work, meaning that you can actually see stuff that is behind you - what a novel concept, 16 MARCH 7, 2001 • cue •• eh? The gauges are also easy to read and provide all of the necessary information, including a clock, with an analog speedo and tach. Another really pleasant surprise was the brakes. Yamaha said that they are the same monoblock brakes as on the Rl, and of course I didn't believe them. They are - and they're really good. I may be biased because of the aforementioned sheep incident (if you don't remember that far back in the story, go back and read it, because it's not what you're thinking!). They have the same awesome stopping power and nice feel that we have come to expect from the Sumitomo stoppers. They n • _ s modulate very nicely - trust me on this one. One of my biggest complaints about the Rl and the R6 is their sloppy shifting transmissions. The Yamaha folks promised us that the shift action on the F2:1 would be better, and they came through on their promise. The shift shaft and the actual shift linkage have been changed from the RI, and I think that there's an improvement for sure. The Motor is basically an R1 motor that has been slightly detuned A comfortable riding position made long stints In the saddle a piece of cake on the FZ1. for this application. I guess that is my only real complaint about the bike. I want the R1 motor in this bike. I realize that having the same level of tuning on this motor would cost more and drive the price of the bike up, but that's not the point. I want the R1 motor in this bike. The saving grace is that I'm sure a pipe and a jet kit would put the FZ 1 closer to where I want it. I smell a project bike I'll see what I can do, and get back to you. On the other hand, the bike does make decent horsepower - I'm guessing around 120hp at the rear wheel. Second-gear wheelies were a breeze on the FZ I, and the shortish gearing in the lower cogs makes the bike