Salina KS FZ-07

[sidrael]

Well was looking for my first bike reading and researching everything I could and fz07 became one of the ones I wanted. Went to visit family in the Wichita area. Went to a dealership to look at a lot of bikes. They didnt have and fz07. Sat on the Vulcan S. an sv650 and cbr650 then the fz09... decided I like that the best. and fz07 was decided on. Later I came here looking at everything I could on the bike. looks parts etc...
 
setup a motorcycle safety course date (scheduled next weekend) and decided to try and find an actual FZ07... nothing... 2 red ones. both 3 hour drives away one in Lincoln one in KC... then decided well wonder if anyone is selling on here.. saw the lovely thread made by missourifz07 viola.. few days later I own one. Very few things I need to do to the bike. but Im super happy and he was a really cool guy too.
 
some teaser photos
 
http://imgur.com/Gk3hnb2
 
http://imgur.com/WSURgkM
 
http://imgur.com/PfuGJJ9
 
http://imgur.com/UxUvEcP
 
http://imgur.com/ychX0nO
 
http://imgur.com/6vm7c65

[Eastern Kayaker]

Welcome and congratulations! The FZ-07 is a fun bike, but these same things that make it fun can get you in trouble if you are a new rider. Smart move to sign up for a rider class. Enjoy your new ride.  

[mjh937]

Congratulations on the purchase. I agree that taking the MSF is a good idea. I did that too and was glad I did.

[lbv]

Practice in a safe environment (no/little traffic) is the best teacher though to put those lessons learned at the course into muscle memory. You'll feel more confident each time out ... from personal experience, only use the rear brake on turns if you must and learn to control the bike at slow speeds with the clutch and easy throttle (otherwise a bit of throttle only could shoot you fwd). Do lots of figure 8's, etc in an empty parking lot using the clutch and rear brake to manage your speed. Use the front brake on turns and you could tip over.

[SkH]

Just remember to be very gentle with the throttle. Actually, it being your first bike, its a good thing because you can be gentle with the throttle out of the gate. Some people who transitioned from 300cc to FZ07 were alarmed by the difference in throttle response. If this is your first bike, it will seem normal and being gentle with the throttle will be instantly burned into your head and the norm like it was mine.
 
I recently test rode a R3 and man, if I learned on that thing and then transitioned to the FZ07, I would've gotten myself into trouble because the R3, you have to roll on the throttle VERY HARD to get any power, and the acceleration is gradual and smooth. If I learned on that, that will be all I know, and then I jump on the FZ07 and do an accidental wheelie or something for rolling the throttle too hard at the start.
 
But knowing the FZ07 has a instant on/jerky throttle off the bat, and learning with that as your first bike, you'll instantly program yourself to be smooth and gentle with it.
 
And you'll learn this on the MSF, but slow speeds, be sure to always use clutch control. There was one mistake I ever made with the FZ07, I turned into a store parking lot, the "ramp" from the road had a bump, and I was going slow, didn't do clutch control, the bump made my hand roll the throttle and I had a burst of power right into the parking lot and almost hit a car. Learned my lesson that day. Always clutch control on slow speeds. Especially on any U-turn. No matter how many times I U-turn, I tend to accidentally over-roll the throttle at some point but thanks to clutch control never get into trouble.