[michaelcly]

Hello all, I think this may be the best bike for me. I am 68 and haven't ridden for 10 years. I got married and sold my '84 V65 Sabre which I loved. My wife passed away a couple months ago and I want to start riding again. I tested some bigger bikes (Voyager, Concourse and a few others) but they are just to heavy for me at low speed. I tried a NC700x which I absolutely loved accept it is gutless. I was considering a Kawasaki Versys but then I discovered the FZ07. Desires are:

Easy to move in and out of my car port
Commuting
Light touring (100-150 mile jaunts)
Affordable (under 8k)
Thrilling when I want, but able to cruise comfortably at lower RPM too
Comfortable for a 5' 8" older guy (used to be 5'9"... I hate that)
Single rider only
Smooth
I won't do much flicking, but would like to lay it low in a sweeping corner.

I'm sure I'll want a wind screen and removable storage.

Is this the bike for me?
What RPM does it do at 70mph?

 

[Highlander]

I picked up my 07 on Sat - see my post - it was not a happy experience. I am much younger than you (66), so I hope the thing beds in. The 07 is NOT gutless, far from it, things a bloody rocket. Go test ride both. I looked at the 650 Suzuki, but the finish was awful..
Let me know how it works out

 

[michaelcly]

I picked up my 07 on Sat - see my post - it was not a happy experience. I am much younger than you (66), so I hope the thing beds in. The 07 is NOT gutless, far from it, things a bloody rocket. Go test ride both. I looked at the 650 Suzuki, but the finish was awful..
Let me know how it works out

Well, I got one on craigs list. You're right...a rocket. I'll ride it a while and see how it goes. I got a great deal on a white 2015 with 3,300 miles and a ton of add-ons. It has Yoshimura exhaust, Bazzaz EFC, Fender eliminator, LED blinkers, frame sliders and other stuff I don't remember. I paid $5,900 and an additional $400 for an Arial XD4 helmet, Alpinestar jacket and liner, Sena 20 Bluetooth and gloves. All are black and white and fit me perfectly. I made out well. Performance wise, it's more than I need and the sensitivity of the clutch and throttle made me a little nervous. Especially the engine braking. After a week, I could ride it smooth as silk except for rev matching on deceleration. But I have to work at it and I'm concerned how I would react in an emergency situation. This is a lot of bike for the money and a great ride.

BUT, it's not exactly me. I see guys on cruisers with doo rags pretending. I don't want to be one of those guys. I may sell it a little later—I won't know until the Madstad Windshield gets here. If I'm comfortable on the highway I'll probably keep it. Otherwise I'll take a look at the Suzuki DR650 and use it for commuting and getting too a nice fishing hole. With all that said, running through 2nd and third gear full throttle, that old thrill is still there.

And then there's Karma: The guy I got it from asked me why I stopped riding and I shared how I got married and my wife wanted a promise I wouldn't ride. Well, she passed away a couple months ago and I decided to start riding again. I asked him why he was selling it. He said he was getting married his fiancé didn't like him riding.

 

[Ivotrino]

It is the right bike for you, for anybody as a matter of fact.

In 6th gear it will rev to 4000 rpm at 70mph. Its got lots of torque and it pulls and pulls like forever.

Seating position is very comfortable, stock seat not too much for longer trips. Yamaha offers a comfort seat on their website.

I am sure youre gonna love it as much as I do.

cheers,

 

[Highlander]

I share with michaelcly, I am struggling with the sensitivity of the clutch and throttle. The gear shifts are far from smooth and matching revs on the downshift is jerky to say the least. The reason is that this machine has no flywheel effect, the revs fall as quickly as they rise. I just pray I can sort myself out. In my defense, the god awful seat doesn't help. I am 6ft./150lb and the damn thing tips me forward, bending my legs down and my foot away from the gear lever, making changes awkward.
Teething pains I hope.
PS I looked at about 6 Suzukis (SV650/V Strom). Within two years the aluminum casings were corroded and every bolts was rusting.

 

[Highlander]

Oh, more importantly than anything else; My profound condolences on the passing of your wife. That was young and unfair, which is life. Bikes don't really matter, family does.