New to Forum... 2006 Tuono or FZ1? Help please!

[crwolf79]

OK... I posted this message in a reply under the general forum, but I wasn't sure based on the title of that thread that I would get any hits on it... This title is pretty self expanatory.

So, here goes--

I've been obsessing about trading in my Honda 919 (anyone want to buy it??? OK, I thought it might be worth a shot... http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/mcy/160727326.html)

Anyway, so I've been lusting after the 2006 FZ1. Yeah, I know, it has low torque under 5K... anyway... Does anyone have any REAL WORLD experience between the FZ1 and the Tuono 1000R. Also, what can I pick one up for, realistically. It looks like we're talking a $4,000 difference, no?

I think I finally have it nailed down to these two bikes. They seem like they have pretty similar riding position, and height. I'm 6'3", so that is a real issue. I'm also basing a lot of my decisions on if it can accomadate a 2nd rider well (hence, I've ruled out Speed Triple, and Ducati S2R 1000)

What a wonderful delima, to have to choose between so many sweet naked bikes. I was dead set on the FZ1, then this little beauty came along--I haven't seen one in the flesh, but I can't wait to... Any thoughts?

[chrisscaines]

I too was considering the Yamaha FZ1, but after owning other exotics, decided to go with the Tuono for pride of ownership. They're both plenty fast, but like Jay Leno says, "If you don't look at the machine and want to wash and wax it, it isn't worth owning."

[xsquiggy]

I'd place the FZ1 slightly above the realm of the 919.

The Tuono is in a whole different league.

[crwolf79]

I too was considering the Yamaha FZ1, but after owning other exotics, decided to go with the Tuono for pride of ownership. They're both plenty fast, but like Jay Leno says, "If you don't look at the machine and want to wash and wax it, it isn't worth owning."

True... but as a current owner of a bike with flat colored paint, I'm guessing that the sexy black Tuono (with flat paint), can't be waxed. Hmmm.... :p:

[Beau1K]

I was considering the FZ1 when I got my Tuono as well. I was totally confused at first...now I know I made the right decision. It's like the difference between driving around a honda civic and a ferrari. The FZ1 aint turning any heads and sure isn't going to put a smile on your face like the Aprilia will. Get the Tuono. Done deal.

[Maxacceleration]

IMO the FZ1 will have better wind protection for racking up miles, if that matters to you. Also My Tuono sure loses its sharpness and rebound control(in the rear) while riding two up. And the girl I took for a ride said her feet were buzzed to sleep after a 20 minute ride. I'm giving another girl a ride on Thursday and I'll get a second report.
The Tuono shines more as a solo bike IMO.
And the Tuono has more charisma than the FZ1 will ever have-thats for sure.
If THAT matters.
Hopefully Scorpion(or anyone) has a slip-on to rid the FZ1 of that god awful exhaust pipe! LOL
BTW I own an '05 FZ6. Less bike but way more wind protection.

[FredE]

Riding a passenger on the back of a T7 is like putting ketchup on a Filet Mignon. You could do it, but why? So if two up is important to you.......get the FZ1.

If blitzing the twisties is your first love, get thee immediately to your local Aprillia dealer and secure yourself a T7. You will be a very happy camper. I've ridden/owned MANY bikes, and the T7 just blows them all out of the water when the road turns serpentine. With the fabulous chassis, the more than willing motor, a very comfortable seating position, high wide bars for cornering leverage, and the great brakes (once you bleed the rear system properly) all working in seamless harmony................it's as good as it gets in the naked bike category.

[crwolf79]

IMO the FZ1 will have better wind protection for racking up miles, if that matters to you. Also My Tuono sure loses its sharpness and rebound control(in the rear) while riding two up. And the girl I took for a ride said her feet were buzzed to sleep after a 20 minute ride. I'm giving another girl a ride on Thursday and I'll get a second report.
The Tuono shines more as a solo bike IMO.
And the Tuono has more charisma than the FZ1 will ever have-thats for sure.
If THAT matters.
Hopefully Scorpion(or anyone) has a slip-on to rid the FZ1 of that god awful exhaust pipe! LOL
BTW I own an '05 FZ6. Less bike but way more wind protection.

Good info. Yeah, I'm not in love with the exhaust on that FZ1. It looks like a Marvin the Martian "Ray Gun". It does look better in person than in pictures though.

Charisma is important, hence, I'm getting rid of the 919. The Tuono does look like quite the head turner. (as my wife said it, "it looks like a bike that wants to be a race car... true) :D

Don't most bikes lose a lot of their sharpness when riding 2-up? I know the 919 does. It turns into a bit of a low rider. I scrape pegs way easier in the turns with her on than with her off, and quite frankly, it's a little scary when that happens... I ride with her about 10% of the time, so I suppose that performance when 2-up is not my TOP priority, but she will be severely pissed if I get rid of the 919 in favor of a bike that she can't ride on.

It does look like there is at least enough room (NO?) for riding 2-up fairly comfortably...

[crwolf79]

OK... so you all clearly prefer the Tuono (there's a big surprise). And the concessus is, it's not the best for 2-up, mostly because it's way to fun in 1-up position. Point taken. So here are my other concerns...

Q: What can I expect to pay out the door on a new Tuono? (and what's a T7?) My guess is, not much negotiation room on these bad boys. (especially in mid May) Correct? Any factory subsidized finance rates available?

Q: How is the maintenance on the Tuono? I was seriously considering a Ducati, but after figuring out that I needed valve adjustments, oh, twice a year (plus the fact that there are wires hanging out all over the place on that bike), it was quickly off of my list. It seemed a lot more maintenance intencive than my 919, or the Yamaha. Is the Aprilia pretty bulletproof (other than that bleeding the rear brake I hear about)? Honesty before pride please! :happy:

[T06]

Seriously the Rotax is one bulletproof sob. T6 is the American T7 to the rest of the world, pleases don't ask. Service every 5000km, these things rock seriously.

[crwolf79]

OK, and one last question... I promise.

Q: This thing doesn't come with a rear seat??? Wow. I guess you guys are serious about not bringing the wife along for the fun.

Q: How much does a rear seat cost? Can you show me a picture of one with a rear seat.

[T06]

All of the above come as standard brand new. You even get a 15 & a 16t front cog.

[vito]

I'm giving another girl a ride on Thursday and I'll get a second report.


that's the ticket. get another girl, not another bike.:burnout:

[Ransom]

I'm having a similar dilema

Do i go for the Tuono or the KTM Super Duke, i have riden both and i'd actually say that the KTM is more of a mental bike.

been trying to decide for 2 months now :bangwall: :bangwall: :bangwall:

[crwolf79]

I'm having a similar dilema

Do i go for the Tuono or the KTM Super Duke, i have riden both and i'd actually say that the KTM is more of a mental bike.

been trying to decide for 2 months now :bangwall: :bangwall: :bangwall:

No comparison for me... the KTM looks pretty cool, if I were a 16 year old dirt biker. OK, sorry. Different strokes for different folks. For me, FZ1 and Tuono are the only ones I'm considering at this point. And unforutnately, they seem pretty darn similar, one with a nicer paint job and a $4,000 price tag.

Oh, I know that one's going to get a response.

[FredE]

one with a nicer paint job and a $4,000 price tag.


9 out of 10 trolls prefer the FZ1, so you should DEFINATELY get one.

[Mic]

You can try to put them side by side (FZ1 & Tuono) and then you will definatelly decide to go for the Tuono.Absolutely no comparison in quality.The brakes,the frame,the swingarm,the risers of the handlebar and all other details that makes an Aprilia and generally European bikes so special.

I had the same problem which to choose, FZ1 or Tuono,and did the above, a straight comparison!Here in Greece the price is exactly the same for the two.11700Euros or 9750USD.There wasn't any other question what to choose.

As for the 2-up riding.I did a 550 km or 350 miles day trip with my girlfriend and all well.No complaints.I guess she is deeply in love with me.:happy:

Go for it.

[DRADE]

No comparison for me... the KTM looks pretty cool, if I were a 16 year old dirt biker. OK, sorry. Different strokes for different folks. For me, FZ1 and Tuono are the only ones I'm considering at this point. And unforutnately, they seem pretty darn similar, one with a nicer paint job and a $4,000 price tag.

Oh, I know that one's going to get a response.

I've ridden all three bikes, but not hard, I haven't really tested them as there were limits to how fast I could rev the bike and how fast I could go.

The FZ1 is a nice, cool bike (if we are talking about the naked version) and with the usual easy-to-live-with characteristics of japanese bikes. And as usual these easy-to-live with bikes aren't as charismatic..... to be honest when you are going for a naked bike a V-twin makes alot more sense to me... you can't really use the top end speed of 4 cylinders and you don't get the nice delivery of power v-twins have or there charisma (especially the european v-twins).

The ktm is sooo easy to drive, not at all intimidating like the tuono may seem to some. I wheelied it a bit on the first 5 min (I wasn't allowed to try this on the tuono) it is true what they say in some mags that the superduke can turn a regular biker into a stunt god.. also its very easy to start going fast on the ktm, you get aquainted very quickly with the bike.
On the negative side: I think KTM parts are the most expensive of the three (at least they are here in Greece), reliability of ktm is the worst out of these three bikes and built quality is definetly the poorest. looks are mostly subjective and the difference isn't great. In greece the superduke is 2.290 euros or 2,945 USD more expensive than the tuono, a rather significant difference that isn't very logical from the consumers point of view.

I just rode the tuono yesterday to decide if its the bike for me.......and yes I'm getting one! I can't say I have tested these bikes extensively, actually my test rides were rather poor considering I couldn't ride them hard or in all circumsatances (b-roads, city driving and the highway) ... However the tuono seemed very playful, a bit like the KTM but it definetly needs more experience, oh my god am I going to have fun on it.... the build quality is impressive. the looks are gorgeous in real life, rather poor in the pics. I actually bad-mouthed the tuono in the begining... you need to see it in real life and the longer you look the more you will like it. I loved the feeling of the tuono, the thump, the sound etc.... and at ony 400 euros or 525 $ more expensive than the FZ1 its pretty clear where I am heading...

if you are not very experienced get the FZ1, if you want a capable all rounder (travel with the missus etc, luggage etc) get the FZ1 with the fairing. If 4000$ matter alot and thats the difference in the states between the fz1 and the tuono get the FZ1.

If you want an amazing bike that you will fool around with all the time and that you will greatly enjoy get the KTM.

If you want an amazing bike that you will fool around with all the time, has the most exclusive looks, will keep you excited for a long time (something the FZ 1 definetly won't do as well) and from what I hear fine reliability get the tuono.

[TUONOAPE]

At 6'3" you'll probably be more comfortable on the tuono. Apart from that, everything everyone else said :plus:

[splatty]

At 6'3" you'll probably be more comfortable on the tuono. Apart from that, everything everyone else said :plus:

:plus:

I'm 6'3' and it is as comfortable as hell.

Last review I read on the FZ1 said that its throttle response is appaling ????

[JC4]

I went through the same choices. I also ruled out S3 & the Ducati due to passenger space. That left me with Tuono or FZ1. No Tuono's in my area, so I couldn't even look at one. I found an FZ1, but couldn't test-ride it. In person the FZ didn't do it for me, not that looks are everything.

Then I read all the reviews for both bikes. I hate buying off of reviews, but I ordered a Tuono. Reasons: Looks(it's different, and I like different). I favor twins to 4's for around town stuff. I owned a Falco a few years back, and loved the Rotex engine. I suspect the Tuono should be the sharper handling bike, and other than a weak rear shock, my Falco was an excellent corner carver. I think the Tuono will be more fun(for me) than the FZ.

A friend just bought an FZ1. I haven't had a chance to ride it yet, but so far he likes it a lot. The engine is weak below 5k compared to his cbr1000rr, but not horrible. He hasn't had any of the off-idle glitches noted in nearly every review. He's happy with the handling. Very easy bike to learn, and go quickly. He likes the exhaust note, and even likes the looks of the stock can.

I still think Tuono is the choice for me. I'll ride his FZ back to back some day this summer. I'm sure it's a fun bike, but I'm expecting more out of my T7.

My Black T should be here later this week. I can't wait. I received the stock cans, and rear seat UPS yesterday. How long can I stare at a rear-seat? :)

[Micah 4:4]

Hi!

I saw this is an old thread, but thought someone else searching, as I do, might enjoy some more recent thoughts:

In one year, I had a used 919, FZ6 and new 2010 FZ1. None of them really satisfied me, for different reasons, thought the FZ1 came very close. I had the charcoal/black gloss version, which looks a little strange.

I got a Mivv SS can for it - nice! I got a Zero Gravity medium windshield for it - nice! However, I guess it was still very buffety-windy and cold on my legs on cold nights. The suspension was stiff, and with the short wheelbase, it hobby-horsed on the dumb expansion joints many Calif. highways have.

I got stopped by a cop on the way to leave it on consignment - he didn't ticket me, and said "Smart Man" about my selling it... as he got onto his BMW bike! I felt vindicated, yet missed having a bike.

I went to a San Diego dealer to look at a Tuono. They had none to ride, but I found a nice, white, used 2006 VFR. It was great on the highway, and the aftermarket Remus pipes and ZG windscreen were great. But, it was heavy and kind of lopsided for regular streets. I had to restuff the Sargent seat, and the dealer hadn't checked the oil; it was filthy and almost empty!

Well, a few weeks later, that same dealer (after apologizing & giving me a T-shirt for the oil thing), said he had 2 used Tuonos (Tuonii?).

By the time I got there, they'd sold the 2 Tuoni, but... had a used 2008 with only 1900 miles. It was beautifully red & white!

I started it up and whoah! The previous owner had hollowed out the stock pipes... Harley-ville! (not entirely a bad thing).

I took it for about a 15 minute ride & was very impressed.

I had an adviser with me: Andreas. Andreas is a machinist, who has built 3 motorcycles based on Ferrari engines, yes, the car engines. He just finished a Siamese CBX V-12 with his own custom frame, and is working on an H-16 powered bike.

OK, well, I trust Andreas' advice. He had just talked me OUT of an MV Brutale, which he'd found had had its cases split, probably for racing it. He raved about this Tuono, though. That, coupled with my own riding impressions convinced me to buy the bike.

I do want to tweak a few things: Being a naked bike, there is lots of wind, which will be a problem in the winter. But, at least the tiny nose-fairing smooths out the wind incredibly. This is very pleasant on warmer days, such as the 103+ days I've ridden it so far.

So, as to FZ1 vs Tuono, I give the nod to the Tuono so far. I did stare a long time at a white FZ1 at another cycle store. But as someone said above, the well-made bits and overall quality of the Tuono, plus its great highway manners compared to the FZ1, have me sticking with the Aprilia.

Oh, the Tuono is on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=4252874613121&set=a.1488328141187.69511.1623471530&type=1&theater

[TUONOAPE]

wow 6 years ago now! Re FZ1 v tuono, while my T will always have a special memory for me as it was such an awesome bike and did what it was designed to do so well, unfortunately, it let me down too many times (yes, it had it all - clutch slave, yellow connector, alternator, coli packs etc). I finally sold it at around 15000k's from memory. My bro bought an FZ1 at the same time, has still got it with over 50000k's on it and never had a single problem.

But good news for you Micah, is hopefully all those issues I had will hopefully have been sorted on yours and you can enjoy one of the best bikes every made IMHO.

[Suzukidp]

I just sold my red and gold 2008 FZ1 with 30k miles on it for a 2007 Tuono. I did a rear shock conversion on the FZ to a 2008 R1 and had both high and low speed dampening on it. What a difference it made. I am an intermediate rider and never rode the FZ two up much. I wrecked my GSXR 750 and my knees didn't like being compressed as much so I made the move to a 2002 FZ1 Then upgraded to the 2008. I typically do 3 track days a year and usually hit the GA, Carolina mountains each year. I had tricked out the FZ with right tires, Yoshi, dropped the front tooth and raised the rear to give it more of the bottom end, mid range extra it lacked. I had to change the pegs because I dragged the pegs half way down before making the change on the track. I really loved the bike because most of my time was riding the backrounds around Tampa Bay Florida. I have; run against a Tuono for quite awhile and the FZ has much more power and have blown by the T many times on the FZ, it couldn't compete with the FZ1 from 90 on. But when one of our group got hurt and wanted to sell the Tuono. I rode it twice and the guys said, wow, we were surprised you were hitting the corners so hard on a bike you didn't own and that you didn't know. I said, wow, I thought I was being extra careful and didn't feel like I was pushing. One of the guys rides a new 675 Speed triple and said you NEVER blow by me to take a corner and you did today. Something is different. And that difference was the bike. I am 63 and it is a tighter riding position but decided that I wanted to do this and rest the knee when I needed to. I have a few hundred miles on it. Just put on a set of 003 bridgestones and headed to Jenning Fl track on the 22nd and am really looking forward to it. All that to say, that for long rides, it is hard to beat the FZ. But for the twisties, the FZ is a bike you have to push to get the Sport tourer out of it. The touno just falls in. I think that swap I made to the R1 shock gave my FZ a better feel than the stock Tuono. But I am in the hunt for that right now. So if you have an upgrade for my 2007 Tuono. Please reach out to me. I will probably own another FZ as I get older but for now I am glad I made the move. I love the feel and response. I am still getting used to all the buffeting being on a real naked bike. If you really like the twisties, you can't compare the two. The T is definately a step up.