2011 Gentleman's Sportbike Shootout - Kawasaki Ninja 1000 vs. Suzuki GSX1250FA vs. Yamaha FZ1
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- čas přidán 25. 04. 2011
- Here are three ways to satisfy a thirst for a powerful sportbike without the pretzel-ed legs and sore wrists: the Kawasaki Ninja 1000, Yamaha FZ1 and Suzuki GSX1250FA. Read on to see who wins this three-way battle.
Full Review: www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/...
What started as a duel between the 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 and 2011 Yamaha FZ1 morphed into a Mexican stand-off with the last-minute appearance of the 2011 Suzuki GSX1250FA. The Suzuki's arrival broadened the scope of what a gentlemen's sportbike can be by counterweighting some of the shortcomings of the other two bikes....
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I had the 1250. Did Canada to Mexico in a day, a 2000km day and multiple 1600km days. Just needed bar risers and a new seat. Great bike!
Who doesn't love a screaming inline four... I put a deposit on an FZ1 today.
You enjoying it?
The FZ-1 is the lightest, smoothest, best looking and wins in the 1/4 mile, that's why I bought one even after seeing this review. I wanted a superbike with a more comfortable riding position and that's what I got...+ a little more torque to boot.
Top man!
I had fazer 600 for 4 years.. Lovely bike. But coming to 1000+ cc - I think GSX1250fa and FZ1 cannot be compared. Suzuki has all his torque already at 3500 RPM, so it is more of touring bike.. While FZ1 is similar to FZ6 - it is closer to sports bike, but without fairing and with comfortable riding position. However before 6k-7k rpm - it is dead, and whole fun starts around 9rpm.. While Suzuki don't even have anything at the top. It is pure tourer, and you feel all his power and acceleration immediately.
@@enigmaa5195 All you said it's true, i was owned yamaha FZ 6 S2, now i am owner of Suzuki GSX 1250 FA 2013.
the build quality on the yamaha is first rate and proven. that said, 1st gen and 2nd gen engines from 2006 and up are well proven.there all great bikes.all solid.i would try all of them as i did and decide.i went with fz1 after 40 years of riding and the fz1 is my 1st yamaha.should have bought one sooner.very happy.
My pick of that bunch is the venerable do it all SUZUKI GSX1250 FA.
I've own a FZ1 and ridden a Ninja1000 on a couple of occasions, I felt the FZ1 had the overall handling edge but the Kawasaki had the more flexible engine. What put me off the Ninja though was anything above a cruise the engine was extremely vibey where the FZ1 was very smooth by comparison..
That is the most excited dyno operator I have seen, he is jumping up and down like riding a bronco, or a bull. It must take him hours, just to calm down after doing a session like these. Man he loves his job..Wow !
You cant go wrong with either the FZ1 Or Suzuki- i've had both and keep going back to a Suzuki
This video shoul be called: "How to play bongo on mc tank"
Stop hitting the tank!
it riled me too lol
An average rider would be faster on a bike with a flat torque curve. A skilled rider could utilize the top end of the FZ1 and have the engine singing in the power band with is 150HP leaving the other bikes behind. Simply put less skilled riders need a flat torque curve friendly engine. A hard hitting top end is faster, but requires skilled riders to utilize the power band.
I bought the FZ1 because I am faster on a peaky engine in a light chassis. Perfectly balanced feat of engineering. Dropping the stock exhaust reclaims 20 HP & drops 20Lbs. Riding the FZ1 is a stronger rush than crack cocaine.
if you prefer riding at the top end - why would you buy fazer on the first place? If you like top end - go for super sport. If you don't like riding position of super sport, go for sport touring bike - it would also have top end..
The whole point of bandit is that it is solid and bulletproof as fuck, heavy, stable, and very mistake forgiving bike even for beginner. It is not about top end but about torque on low-mid range. It is better bike for touring and for driving with pillion. FZ1 - is more of a fun bike for riding without pillion, without too long distance and getting fun and top end range. Disadvantages - totally boring and low and mid range, and need to swift gears too often like on 600cc.. Still great bike though. I owned FZ6 for many years. Anyway, bandit and FZ1 are just too totally different bikes. Don't know why they are compared
I like street & track riding & can only afford one bike. Hence my choice of the Yamaha. I do agree that the Suzuki & Yamaha aren't comparable bikes. Much like a church choir girl & a street walker being compared. I would have more fun with the street walker.
@@enigmaa5195 I would have to agree....that's the whole reason I'm going to get an FZ1....I love super sport bikes but really like the riding position a lot more coupled with "super sport power"
I agree. I'm looking at an fz1 today, it might have its power up higher, but when you get there it's a hell of a good time. No rush like it
@@conradmccall5820 update: I finally did get an fz1...it's first gen 2005 and I absolutely love this bike....more than I thought really. It has full yoshimura exhaust (except header's) sounds absolutely ridiculous (in a good way 😁) I've heard other people say as well you need to ring it our to get the power out of it but mine pulls like a damn rocket ship at 3500 rpm and don't quit till 11,500 rpm lol... absolute blast!!! But did notice riding next to my girl in her car my speedometer is off by 10 mph so don't know if the person who owned put different sprocket on or what but it rolls the fuck out lol the seat isn't bad(going to get aftermarket) but I can ride for a few hours before I take break. It's got 42 thousand miles on it now and I paid 2500 for it and can get rite at 200 miles on a tank of I drive it reasonably 😁
'Tank Slapper' ... haven't seen that in other reviews from this guy.
Decent comparison review..
I like how the guy on the dyno just stares at the camera like, "what now boy?"
1250 FA all day long, love mine.
Is that by any chance a z1000 in your profile pic now 😂
Yes...the tank!!!! stop smacking the damn tank!!!!
On the FZ1, swap in an aftermarket full exhaust, do a conversion to FZ1-N naked front end, and remove the center stand. You will now have a bike that is a whopping 40+ lbs lighter than stock. Then, finish off with an ECU flash & a 16T front sprocket. Now you get to look fantastic, sound marvelous, & hang on for dear life!
I got the GSF1250N and love the hell out of it.
The Bandit journey started with a '96 600N in 2015. 1 year later I moved up to a K8 GSF650N.
1 year after that I sourced a second hand K8 GSF1250 with ~30.000 miles on it and haven't looked back since.
I got it with a Mivv X-Cone exhaust, i cut out the airbox, replaced the air filter with a K&N, removed the seccondary butterflies, added an O2 bypass sensor and put a Holeshot EFI on it which brought the package up to 128 HP and over 80lb/ft of tourqe.
The bike was fantastic before but after the changes it became a real fire breather.
Next on my list was a fork cartridge swap and I put a Bitubo unit in it which made the front end feel much better. Although, the bike does not need it I am also looking into swapping the rear shock.
The only issue I've had with it over 10.000 miles was the fuel pump which failed just after I got it(so before any of the mods). That was a fairly cheap (50$ for parts) fix and I haven't seen any other issues with it since then.
For the price, lasting durability I'll take the Suzuki far more than any other.
+Robert Brumley In an earlier comment you said you would take the FZ1
BOOM!
Flappy front end...NO THANK YOU!!! FZ1 rules once tuned & de-restricted for sure...track proven!
I cruise my 09' FZ-1 without having to "bang-out the gears" through the turns. Shoot, 6th gear works awesome from 30-189mph. Granted at 30mph its a touch sluggish, but it'll straight scoot up to 60-70 in no time. However, on my bike 3-4th gears are the real beasts.
My first bike was an 09 ninja 250, two months later i bought a 09 ninja 650, about a year later i bought another ninja zx6r, i had that bike for a few years and i traded the zx6r for a naked 08 fz1, ive only had the fz1 for a few months now, ive only got a few hundred miles of seat time but hands down its been the fastest and most comfortable bike ive owned. The fz will be in the family for many years to come.
Putting a 190/55 tyre on the rear of the ninja fixes the bullshit handling completely. It's a new bike, with the same awesome engine =) AND STOP SMACKING THE FUCKING TANK!!!!
Thanks for the great work! In your next reviews could you have some shots of the bikes parked and from different angles so that we can have a better look at them. Thanks again!
Mav called, he wants his glasses back.
I own a N1K and it takes extra persuasion to get it to sit in the corners. This is easily remedied by replacing the stocker 190/50 rear tire with a 190/55 and even raising the forks a little bit. The fwd seat slope would be my biggest complaint. Replace with a Sargent and all is right with the world. This is a damn near perfect machine!
Have to give the nod to the FZ1 (2013) also. I had to give up my beloved Thunderace YZF1000 as I can't take the clip-ons any longer. Yamaha's build quality is the best and though I miss the stomping torque (78.5f/lbs) of the YZF, the top end on the FZ1 is just terrific. Its fine and right now is being sold at stupid low prices everywhere.
I bought a 2013 FZ1 after my feet wouldn't fit on the pegs on the ZX10. The ZX10 is the FZ1 competitor since naked bikes should be compared to naked bikes. The FZ1 has been a fantastic all around ride!
Sean Wallace What? Z1000 SX (or Ninja in usa) is competitor for FZ1. Where did you get ZX10 in here? Z1000 is naked bike, Z1000 SX (the bike in this test, what ever the name it has there) is naked with fairing. Same with with Yamaha, FZ1N is naked bike, and FZ1 Fazer (the bike on this test) is FZ1N with fairings. So where did you get ZX10 in to the mix which is competitor to Yamaha R1?
+Aljosa Skrabelj probably meant Z1.
rcflem Z1000 is competitor to FZ1N not Fazer. Anyway you look at it..he does not know what is talking about.
I agree with kawasakg ryder, stop smackin the fuckin tank!!
Ride them all and choose one! Great video BTW..
Forget about the tank slapping and criticisms for a moment, and let's focus on a comment about the Ninja. The presenter says that the Kawasaki "flops into a corner" and that you need to "apply some inside pressure" to the bars to compensate. Now maybe I'm having a senior moment, but wouldn't "inside pressure" be the WRONG thing to do to a bike that falls into a turn?
Yes.. and he knew he fucked up, I think, that's what the "or whatever side" comment indicated to me.
Nice quick & useful review. Would echo the comment about some shots of the bike though.
Nice video; thanks!
Beautiful tan jacket, BTW.
does the kawasaki ninja 1000 have the same engine of the z1000??
the dude on the dyno is very disconcerting staring at the camera like that... good review, best review from motorcycle... well yet i think, please more like this
I have 1250 Bandit S - I'll never sell this bike..
FZ1 guy, i have a love hate relationship with the motor. i want it to be torquey but i want it to have a lot of horsepower too. i ride it like it's a jacked up R6 or 600R, since I came from a YZF600R. with shorter gears it will track better innacity.
Yello, How Artistic. copy tail What's your opinion about this 11
What did the five fingers say to the motorcycle? SLAP! Good review though. I hear the 1043 cc Kawi motor is absolutely stellar from everybody...need one.
@steady2wheels I think the dyno was being run by a laptop or at least a comp with a monitor mounted cam lol. but it was kinda freaky
Can we get a 2019 version please
@teampig i didn't get what you mean about the ninja bike???
You're obviously doing this wrong. A CZcams review that was actually useful... Who woulda thunk it?
Thanks guys.
hi what make is your jacket????
I'm going to apologize in advance for this common question. Although it's common my situation is different. I'm wondering if the CBR600, GSXR600, ZX6R, Daytona 675, and R6 are created equal or is there one bike better than the other for my first bike. I'm 6'2 220lbs and 26 years old. My show boat days are behind me. I'm mature enough to start with a 600. Any recommendations to what bike has the least twitchest throttle, and which one is better to start with?
Cheers
I say test ride them all, and buy what you like!!
Nice review!
What you mean is that you've got to keep the FZ1 in a relatively higher rpm range to get the same kind of power the other two have... not that one is by far the best engine out of the three... it comes down to rider preference... And if you're not running around with a Ninja 1000 or a Suz 1250, you wouldn't feel a thing... besides one of the reasons you buy a Yami is because you can take it that much higher in RPM than others while being intoxicated with that sound. Kawa does have best midwhack
very cool looking bikes. I have an fz-07 now that I love to ride.
If only I didn't have kids, insurance payments and fear of death...
Can anyone identify the roads they are riding on in this video? Looks like SoCal, but not sure where. GMR? GRR? East Fork?
Yay bikes I would actually buy and USE being reviewed
Great review! Keep this guy as the main reviewer and up his salary! ^^
Everyone take a drink every time he hits the bike
🏍️🍷
Haha !! Blind !
Does this guy really know what he is talking about!
Is your NINJA 1000 very buzzy at about 80mph??
I test rode a 2011 with only 1.500 miles on it and it was so buzzy on the highway I felt it through the footpegs and it was making my feet go numb even in riding boots!!
good video.... showing up the MCN boys eh...
Will this guy stop banging on the fucking bikes!??
I've heard it lubricates the engine when you give it a few slaps like that. Similar to my gf.
A slip-on with Ivan reflashed ECU makes the FZ1 a completely different motorcycle. I was going to get rid of mine until I did the mods. It's now a buttery smooth beast with good low-end torque to complement the amazing 145 RWHP on the top.
Great review. This guy has great "TV" presence; very watchable.
...he seriously just said "funner?"
Why do u have lower power specs in USA compared to same motorcycles in Europe/Japan? Fz1 for example is 140Hp in EU.
Great review... thank you. I own a GSX1250FA for its cost performance, and its relaxed riding position ;-) and am loving it (Cchanging the oil filter is a bitch though). Prior to going w/ Suzuki I checked out the Yamaha FZ1... and was surprised to find out only one-side of the two headlights lights up at low beam :-( Plus its riding position felt somewhat awkward... If you're a fan of Yamaha's engine you might like it though, but it wsn't for me...
I own both a 2008 Bandit 1250s and a 2014 FZ1. I actually prefer my Bandit all around. It does everything i ask of it. I will probably be selling my FZ1 next spring.
probably buying a1250fa this weekend. was the dealers demonstrator, has 250 miles on it, the luggage, and a 1000 dollars off retail. Just wish it was any color other than black.
The FZ1 is a completely different bike after the ECU is reflashed. I was going to trade mine due to snatchy throttle and poor low-end performance, but I tried the reflash. The difference was like night and day; amazing results. The only thing I don't like about the FZ1 are the drag bars. I just don't like the way they look.
I don't know what impressive hp is to you. My FZ1 gen 1 is very very very fast.
You're maybe thinking of the ZX10-r?
just bought a ninja 1000, 2011 matter of fact, and i have to wholeheartedly agree, the torque of this bike is just ridiculous, it WILL pull the front end off the ground all the the way through 4th gear and thats stock, plans to add a power commander and a pipe in the upcoming month so see what it does then
Honda CBF 1000 FA is missing here. it would be the best by far
@DCNinja76
Don't be daft. The Z1000 is designed to have a more comfortable and upright riding position, a powerband more tuned for street conditions and not a racetrack, lower pegs, etc. The ZX-10 is a superb bike, but it was never designed to putt around at 50 mph in traffic. Sure, you can do that and there are many happy owners, but you're not using that bike anywhere close to what it was designed for and most at home at.
135hp underpowered? Maybe if you do track days 80% of the time.
these are Sportbike Tiers .. Branching out to the Sport Tourers.. Those Yamaha R1 , GSX 1000r , ZX10R are also Sportbike Tiers branching to more specific SUPER Sportbike
Guy is playing drums on the bikes. LOL
He also looks like John Henson from wipeout
I want a 200hp bike that's handles really well, can have a pillion and is not too uncomfortable for tall guys (6"4'). I basically want a ZX10 that's a little bigger and with a FZ1 style tail and it just doesn't exist currently. There is a huge hole in the market between super sport and sport tourer. Early 2000s super sports were a lot more comfortable but now the super sport bikes have turned in to hyper bikes and sport tourers have turned more in to dedicated tourers.
Well i think all this bikes comes with ABS, at least as optional (don't know how i works in USA thou...)
@teampig LOL! That ninja joke was good..
honda VFR1200? honda CBF1000F?
From a non motorcycle stat nerd or mechanic I don’t understand how 30 more hp and same +/- torque as Suzuki that the fz1 is no power compared to the Suzuki ………I mean it was supposedly tuned for more low rev torque from the original r1 platform ( this is what I’ve read all over the place) as far as the stats read so maybe yours was tuned for r1 performance as a lot of people seem to do ?.?
I was wondering the same thing.
i like the specs on the fz1...perhaps the olny part the bugs me is the wind protector...it's too straight up
its actually not bad man
For the FZ1, going down a tooth or two on the front sprocket helps with low end grunt.
What are crumpets?
+Chas R English doughnuts!
+Robert Brumley cool thanks I kinda figured 'cause he said w/ tea so it sounded like us saying coffee and doughnuts.
The Ninja is clearly the best! With only 4 less hp than the FZ1 (I think it's a mistake that the GSX has 92) and the best torque! It's a beast and really comfortable too
Uh what? The z1000 is same thing as the ninja 1000 except with a naked body style and the R1 isn't even in the same league as the rest of these bikes.
Your bike six yrs old. Duaaa! !
Meh, don't care about reviews on the FZ1 (and even Ninja 1000) in their stock form. These 2 bikes respond SO WELL to mods it's crazy, especially the FZ1. When with a simple Ivan ECU Flash, Power Commander w/ his (or comparable) map, and if you want to swing for the fences, full exhaust system puts the Ninja at 146hp/85tq and FZ1 at 150hp/79tq. Drop the FZ1 to a 16t front sprocket, like everyone and their mother that owns that bike does and neither one of these bikes can keep their fucking front wheels on the ground. It is a shame that the oldest (Bandit) is the most expensive, the least nimble, the heaviest, worst brakes, worst suspension, worst frame but a great torque curve that, sadly, falls on it's face after 7000 RPMs, along with the HP. I get that those 7000rpms are 'real world' riding, but I kinda like a power hit at 7 - 8k like the Ninja/FZ1 have. ...and that FZ1 just keeps pulling and pulling...
PS: Stop slapping the tank!
Agree 100%. Post mods the FZ1 has it all. Top end rush, solid midrange, handles really well and is comfy. Ya, I own one with the Ivan ECU and Akra full exhaust and a Penske shock.
The Ivan ECU flash transforms the engine, giving it that every molecule of fuel is smoothly and crisply being burned feel. Oh, and the maniacal pull to an indicated 13,000 rpm (actual is 12,500 IIRC). The silky wailing hard pulling 10,000 and over zone is a drug. I want it bad :)
The better action and ride height adjustment on the Penske transforms the handling. Setting the shock longer than stock with the ride height cleans up the steering nicely. It is crisp and yet stable, really excellent steering and front end feel all the up to truly stupid on the street velocities.
Ya, that is a lot of modding done, but you can buy an FZ1 for cheap and what the Hell, it is fun to be involved in bringing a bike to life eh?
The FZ1 has proven to be your basic anvil in the reliability area too. Keep it on 2 wheels and it will run forever. Will never sell it.
FZ1 love mine
(sigh) I guess it means I'm getting old, but I'd take the Bandit in a heartbeat. The torque is just unbelievable, build quality is a cut above Kawasaki, and let's face it: these bikes are ALL too heavy for carving up twisties; might as well have the comfortable one. ^_^
Hahah I couldn't agree more, was driving me nuts.
Fz1 125hp..??
Mine on the dino showed 141hp and other videos in yourtube says 150hp..
Don't trust Dino's they differ from shop to shop giving conflicting figures.
Fz1 all day! Don't listen to his review
" it doesn't have the engine, you have to spin this things to damn near to redline to get impressive power"
I can't believe you are saying this... I have a 2008 fz1 and I can barely keep the front end down its got so much power. And racing my friends liter bikes I think this is a ridiculous comment. I have HUGE amounts of low end power... you don;t need to "bang out gears". This thing can do 30 in 6th and just a slight twist will get you right back up to 60 in no time, with no sluggish nature.
I'm buying the FZ1 because I can get it for $2k...midrange might not be as good as others, but nothing fixes that like still having money in your pocket.
Shades quit slapping the tank.
@teampig Ninja's power and torque are the less than my 2002 Triumph 955i.
suzuki with the 72 ft lbs.....at 3500rpms! holy moly
That's all I could hear through the video...
Why compare a Ninja1000 to an FZ1? Yamaha have an R1, Kawasaki have a Z1000. POINTLESS!!!!!
nice video and review but it was a bit boring.
What he means is the FZ1 doesn't have the low end grunt as the other 2 and he's right I rode one....I like the low end grunt of the FIRST gen FZ1 much better.
I had a first gen, Fazer 1000, and it pulled like a train. You could ride as slow as 15 mph, in top gear, open the throttle, and it would just take off, no snatch or complaints, best engine in any bike I have owned.
FZ1
aren't these tourers?
fz1n ftw