I resign as unofficial president of the Z1000 fan club. Seeing how the bike is just to DAMN small for me after sitting on it at the NYC show. I still LOVE the way the bike looks but it needs to be a little bigger. Not a lot… but at least the size of the ZR-7 or ZRX.

Notes:
Smaller than ZR-7
It’s light as anything
Ride position is “tilted” forward, feels like the seat is tilted under you.
No cover on the starter (strange)
Cans will require cutting pipe to remove
Rear fender is a 2-bolt removal
Seat is VERY firm, and thin
Small foot pegs and shift and break foot pedals
Plastic side engine covers feel cheap
Looks GREAT in black, not bad in orange either

There you have it…

Chris

thanks for the info chris. it sounds like the geometry of the z1000 has more in common with the large bore crotch rockets than the zr-7 or zrex.

scott

Me and a buddy went to the San Mateo show here in California and my friend had high hopes for the Z1000. We bought our tickets and rushed passed all the other bikes to find the"Z". As soon as he sat on it he didn't like it. He felt the cockpit and the riding position just wasn't what he was looking for, the seat was too hard also. There was an '03 ZRX sitting right next to the Z1000 and as soon as he sat on it that was all it took. We both have new bikes and they are the mighty ZRX.

Chris.... big heartbreak, man.

All I can say is "Big-bore Kit??"

Originally posted by ACE
Me and a buddy went to the San Mateo show here in California and my friend had high hopes for the Z1000. We bought our tickets and rushed passed all the other bikes to find the"Z". As soon as he sat on it he didn't like it. He felt the cockpit and the riding position just wasn't what he was looking for, the seat was too hard also. There was an '03 ZRX sitting right next to the Z1000 and as soon as he sat on it that was all it took. We both have new bikes and they are the mighty ZRX.

Ahh yes, the mighty ZRX. Some have second thoughts about it's looks, retro and all that stuff. Sit on one and you think out loud "I really like this bike" then ride one about 25 miles and you say out loud "Damn, I love this bike." Come on Chris, ride one, and forget all about that Z1000.

Ya, I admit I had my hopes WAY up... and I will also admit the 03 ZRX looks good in blue. But I sat on many of bikes at the show and gawked at LOTS more. So here is the new short list...

1. FZ1, the bike just FITS me like it was made for me. I LOVE the style of it. Very modern except for the carbs. There is a TON of after market stuff for it. Has a center stand, and comes in BLUE!!! Very helpful when you have a grand of blue gear all ready. PLENTY of power and room to tweak it up pretty easy.

2. ZRX, Although I don't really care for the style, it's a good fit and has lots of power. Lots of after market stuff out there and it looks GOOD in blue. Maybe someone will let me take a test drive some day to change my mind.

3. Honda's 919, I wrote this bike off when I found out how de-tuned it was from it's CBR roots. But after sitting on it at the show I have to admit it is one of the most comfortable bikes I have sat on. It looks good in the metal, but the flat paint scheem isn't my favorite, but has grown on me a bit. I like the flat black over the flat grey. I will have to do more re-search on the 919 now that it has 2 model years under its belt.

Chris

Hey Chris, I'm not a ZRX salesman by no means, I just happen to be very happy with mine. I rode with a fellow (half my age) not long ago on the Yamaha FZ-1. And I was very impressed with that scoot -- the damn thing just flies and from watching from about 25 to 50 feet back of that kid on the FZ, I was in awe of the way it handled the turns. We were riding really fast turns though, he got away from me in the turns but the ZRX has the awesome roll on that got me right up behind him on exits. He let me set on the FZ when we took a break and I liked it, even though I had always thought the seat height was too tall for me (I'm 5'8" tall and weigh 165) but the bike really felt good for me. My personal observation -- I'd get the FZ over that Honda 919 whatever in a ZRX minute. Just my humble opinion. Now that's my "naked" opinion. There is the ZZR and the ZX12R and .......

Please don't say ZZR in front of me. I get all shakey and start
mumbling uncontrollably and have to ride up o the local dealer and sit on one for a while to regain my composure. It's a good
thing they are not available in Candy Lightning Blue or I would have to sell my soul to the devil to buy one! It fits me very well, the only thing it needs are Genmar risers.

I want one I want one I want one! (Insert mental picture of Herman Munster jumping up and down in rythym here)

I got to put a couple miles on Philips B12 and it was a hoot. But, alas, I couldn't get use to the stationary fairing. But other than that it was fun, smooth, lotta power (wheelies at the twist of the wrist)....

Originally posted by JonF
Please don't say ZZR in front of me. I get all shakey and start
mumbling uncontrollably and have to ride up o the local dealer and sit on one for a while to regain my composure. It's a good
thing they are not available in Candy Lightning Blue or I would have to sell my soul to the devil to buy one! It fits me very well, the only thing it needs are Genmar risers.

I want one I want one I want one! (Insert mental picture of Herman Munster jumping up and down in rythym here)

Can't pass on this one JBL.... ZZR...ZZR... and the roof is falling on your head!!!

:ugone2far

Greetings Herman and all you Munsters.

Chris is spot on with how well the FZ fit him. I wonder who the Z is supposed to fit ? I'd say smaller people, except they may have a foot reach problem. But really, it looks like a bike made for someone around 130 pounds ! The FZ on the other hand seemed to fit much better. I am not sure if it is the seat/bar/peg set ups, the frame size, or the fact that the Z seems to pitch you forward. I'm guessing when the mags review the Z, they will refer to that. Just wish we knew more about how the Z moves , rather than how it sits !

Jon, I was a bit dissapointed in how the ZZR required more of a lean, a sporting position for sure, than I had expected. Here again, you may fit the bike much better than I did. And I guess it really is more intended to be closer to sport bike than tour bike. I am really sorry I didn't get the chance to check out the FJR1300.

Also, I have become very used to a tubular handlebar as apposed to clip ons.

Originally posted by Chris Mundell
1. FZ1, the bike just FITS me like it was made for me easy.

2. ZRX, Although I don't really care for the style, it's a good fit and has lots of power. .

3. Honda's 919, I wrote this bike off when I found out how de-tuned it was from it's CBR roots.

Chris,
Did you try on any of the other Hooligan bikes for size?
SV1000, Bandit, Speed Triple, BMW's?? Wondering your impression on these if ya tried them. I'll be going this weekend here in ATL anyway.

Somebody has to hold this position, and it is no point looking at us others, when a person of your calibre is available. Can't you reconsider....blah blah

Originally posted by Berto
Chris,
Did you try on any of the other Hooligan bikes for size?
SV1000, Bandit, Speed Triple, BMW's?? Wondering your impression on these if ya tried them. I'll be going this weekend here in ATL anyway.

Hi Berto. If I may, we saw those too. I really liked a couple of the Triumphs, and the SV. We talked about the Bandit, and how we both read of it's oil problems. Didn't go either way on the Beamers...expensive ! The standard triple, the orange one, S model. That one I really liked. Triumph has a great line up this year.

Too many bikes, Berto, and not enough time. That's my problem.