I previously owned a yamaha fz-1 and now I have the z1000. I thought I would throw out some comparisons. Let me first start out by saying that the z1000 out-handles the fz1 hands down. This bike is easy to ride and screams at you to go faster, faster, faster in the turns. I haven't actually raced any other bikes yet but from what I rememer I would say the fz-1 has a stronger motor, if not by much, especially up top. I hope that by changing out the exhaust and maybe remapping the z it will really be woken up. Of course this bike doesn't have as much wind protection, but I'm sure there will be aftermarket windscreens made to help knock down some of the wind. Me....the wind doesn't bother me that much. I love the looks of the z and it has been a really fun bike for me. I have 1800 miles on it now and have to give this bike a thumbs up!

Yeah, the FZ1 just seems a lot bigger and heavier doesn't it.

An aftermarket windscreen might come in handy, I agree. I would buy one and bolt it on for long trips. The stock one seems fine up to about 70-80 mph, but beyond that I'm laying down on the tank to esacpe the wind.

I'm looking forward to a naked comparo in the bike mags. I want to hear some opinions on the Z vs. the Speed Triple (the bike I set out to buy before deciding on the Z1K).

Take care

I had a chance to ride my Z1K back-to-back with a Bandit 1200. What a difference? The Bandit is like a Caddy Escalade with a huge motor, while the Z1000 is taut, smaller and less comfortable (but still perfectly good) like a Subaru WRX. I put the Z1000 half way in between a Bandit 12 and an R6, perhaps leaning towards the R6 in terms of size, suspension and power delivery (Bandit 12 has more oomph down low, but runs out at the top end). Even my brother, who loves his Bandit, now calls it "the Queen Mary" after riding my Kaw.

Tom