Comments on: 2011 Yamaha FZ8: MD First Ride (Bike Reports) (News)

By: jimbo

jimbo — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:54:22 +0000

How ’bout comparing it to the coming Suzuki 750 standard?

By: Victor

Victor — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:03:32 +0000

I was rooting for Yamaha to bring us the Fazer8, the same model with the half-fairing. That has real appeal to me, akin to a Bandit 1250 on a diet that would improve fuel economy and still retain comfort with handling. Granted, these models sell poorly (witness the Kawasaki Z750, terminated after only 2 years in our market), and that is keeping the precious gems out of our hands.

I would like to see comments regarding the effectiveness of the accessory flyscreen, as others have mentioned similar interest in. Maybe we could entice an article devoted to factory flyscreens, and include the Suzuki Gladius so equipped in it. The new headlight assemblies becoming popular now don’t accommodate National Cycle’s F15 screens and similar products, and we’re stuck with what the factory offers. Wind protection ranks high in my priorities, as pressure on my chest transforms a nice ride to hanging on for dear life.

Report this comment

By: Alain

Alain — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:21:32 +0000

I personally think it(FZ8)is a decent middle weight standard bike that would get a lot of attention next summer, especially in the province of Québec (Canada) where insurance/registration for sport bikes is way too expensive!!!

Report this comment

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:37:22 +0000

I liked the back and forth about the “japs” from Tom and Ziggy the best. As for the FZ8, c’mon Yamz, what’s with the overweight pig bikes? Ok, so I’m not getting a fairing, wind protection, or an adjustable suspension. Isn’t that bad enough? Why do you have to go and make the bike heavy too? What’s wrong with a Supersport 600 type frame like even the old yzf600 from 1997 and putting some higher bars on it and designing the new engine into that frame. That would handle better and be lighter than the FZ8.

Report this comment

By: Tom Barber

Tom Barber — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:07:29 +0000

I strongly resent your pretense of knowing anything at all about my motives. I do not have a “bleeding heart”, and if I did, it would not ever occur to me tear my shirt, etc., etc. You are in denial. When I read what you wrote, my blood pressure elevated instantly, just as it is at this instant. It has nothing whatsoever to do with any sort of conscious effort on my part. It is simply that I have a strong aversion to the lack of racial sensitivity. It is my sincere hope that each and every time that you use the term “jap” in the future, that there will be someone there to tell you how pathetic you are, and that eventually through osmosis you will develop a healthier attitude toward people who do not look the same as you.

Report this comment

By: ziggy

ziggy — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:25:07 +0000

Maybe you best look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jap#Across_the_world

Across the world

In Singapore and Hong Kong, the term is used freely as a contraction of the adjective “Japanese” rather than as a derogatory term.

In Canada the term is also generally accepted as a contraction of the adjective “Japanese”. The Australian news service Asia Pulse also uses the term.

In 1970, the Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada opened the “Jungle Jap” boutique in Paris. In Japan itself, most Japanese are apathetic about the term, according to a 2004 study.

In all my years of riding I’ve had soccer moms wave fingers at me, had scrapes and scraps with Harley dorks, and the occasional ticket or two. But I’ve never been confronted by sanctimonious baby boomer liberal busybodies who think California culture is the world’s template. Now I’ve seen everything.

Report this comment

By: ziggy

ziggy — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:06:57 +0000

“Dude” is a derogatory term from another time that you have recontexturalized and are now using in modern parlance. You can publicly tear your shirt and expose your sensitive bleeding heart to improve your cache among the politcally-correct motorcyle crowd all you want, but I ain’t taking it back. Few few people under 40 or outside of the US consider it to be a racist term. And yes, “some of my best freinds (and family) actually are Japanese”. Among folks of your ancient generation, the term was taboo, but for those of us who don’t pilot scooters around the old folks home, it has about as much sting as when my “Jap” friends call me a “redneck”…as we slurp miso soup and scarf tuna tataki together…

Report this comment

By: Mickey

Mickey — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:08:42 +0000

That IS a pretty stupid ad, unless they are appealing to that specific crowd with this bike, which doesn’t really make any sense. Doesn’t that crowd go for clapped out 600 super sports?.

Report this comment

By: Austin ZZR 1200

Austin ZZR 1200 — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 18:55:42 +0000

Again with the black color..and stunting…does this emerging generation of riders want to live past 19?

Report this comment

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:59:42 +0000

This bike has not fared well in class comparisons, due to high weight, high price and poor handling. Yamaha is struggling with high prices at the present time too.

Report this comment