[High Plains Drifter]

While looking for a bike recently all I knew is I wanted a light, mid-sized naked bike with good upright ergos, I've owned 4 super sports and I'm tired of riding around in the fetal position. I liked the looks of the Honda CB500f in black but thought I'd be disappointed with only 471cc's. And there's just something cheap looking about it, like a toy instead of a real bike.

I saw a white Ducati Monster 696 in the showroom and loved the looks but didn't want high maintenance so Ducati was a no-go. Also didn't want air cooling, it's not 1979.

The Suzuki Gladuis is unattractive and over priced at $7800, didn't even consider it for 2 seconds.

I thought the Suzuki GSX-S750 looked great in both colors, tough and muscular looking, it has the previous gen. GSXR inline four so lack of power would never be a concern, it's the only other bike I seriously considered besides the FZ.

I would have considered a Z800 as well cause I love the looks, but they're not sold in the U.S.

 

[HaleyMorganVII]

I actually bought a CB500F first, but after five months traded it for the FZ. You were right in guessing the 471cc wasn't enough. Good choice.

 

[rmdet]

I started with my interest being on a Victory Gunner, then realized that the cruiser riding position was not comfortable to me. Then I moved on to looking at a BMW f800, followed by the FZ6, then the FZ1, then to the FZ-09... kept seeing references to the FZ-07 when researching the FZ-09. After extensive reading, I took a leap of faith and bought the FZ-07 without even having a chance to test ride it. Couldn't be happier!! (though I had not seen the Suzuki GSX-S750.. if I had, that may have been a serious point of consideration - really like the look of that one!)

 

[CBrodus]

Hey Guys,

New to this forum . I just stumbled on this as I am considering purchasing the fz07 next season. I have pretty much the same considerations as the other nakeds listed (including the cb500f) but I may now reconsider. I am also considering the kawasaki Er6N.

So my main question to ask you fz07 owners is regarding the lack of ABS.. I'm a new rider and this is going to be my first bike and ABS was up there in the list of requirements for a new bike. Do you feel "less" safe without the ABS? If the fz07 had it, I would probably be 100% sold. Also looking at the new (to north america) gsx-s750

Thanks in advance!!

 

[High Plains Drifter]

ABS is new so think about how many rookies have learned to ride a bike without it. No I don't feel less safe on a non-ABS bike but I've been riding for awhile. I wouldn't look at ABS as a safety net if I were you, it won't magically prevent you from having a wreck.

 

[Donny daniels]

Took a hard look at the gladius. Walked in ready to buy and was sold on the weight and torque differences. The dogital dash was a HUGE selling point. Modern digital dash!? Yes please.

Plus maintenance seems reasonable.
The salesman made it hard to say no. The Gladius looked so primitive next to it.

 

[Greg the Pole]

I owned a FZ-09, sold it
I owned a FZ1, sold it

Thought about the gladius, passed.
Thought about the ninja 650 nakkid, same price as the FZ, puny rear tire, and a dated design of sorts
Sat on the z800 in europe, nice bike but heavy
Thought about the new 750 gsxr naked, but it never drew rave reviews from the euro folks, and it's not blowing my skirt up.
so FZ07 it is. took it for a short boot, and rather liked it.
should fit the bill for what i need it to do.
I'm going steady with my Super T for three years now, and that one is never leaving.