Getting My Hands on the FZ-07
So, back around 2017, I was itching for a different kind of ride. I’d been on bikes before, but wanted something fun, you know? Something not too crazy heavy, easy to handle around town, but still had some pep. Heard a lot about the Yamaha FZ-07, seemed like it fit the bill.
Started looking around. Checked out a few dealerships, browsed online listings. Took a while, patience is key, right? Finally found a nice 2017 model. Wasn’t brand spanking new, but low miles and looked clean. Made the deal, got the paperwork sorted. Felt good finally having the key in my hand.
First Impressions and Getting Used to It
Getting it home was the first step. Felt pretty light pushing it around the garage, which was nice. The first few rides were mostly just getting a feel for it. What really jumped out was the engine. Twist the throttle, and boom, it just wants to go. Really responsive down low, made zipping through traffic pretty fun.
Handling felt sharp too. Easy to lean into corners, felt flickable. Didn’t feel like I was fighting the bike at all. Sat pretty upright, which was comfy enough for the shorter rides I was doing initially. The brakes worked fine, stopped me when I needed to stop, simple as that.
- Engine pull was instant.
- Felt light and easy to manage.
- Seat was okay for around town.
Living With the Bike – The Day-to-Day
Over time, I settled in with the FZ-07. It just became my go-to bike. Didn’t really do any major mods. Kept it simple. Changed the oil myself, lubed the chain, checked the tire pressure – the usual stuff. It wasn’t complicated to keep running, which I appreciated. No fancy tools needed, just basic garage stuff.
Reliability was solid. Never really gave me any trouble. Started up every time, ran smooth. Took it on some longer weekend trips eventually. Highway riding wasn’t its strongest point, got a bit windy without much protection, but it managed. It really shined on twisty back roads though. That’s where the fun engine and light handling really came together.
It wasn’t perfect, mind you. The stock seat got a bit hard after an hour or so. The suspension was okay for smooth roads, but could feel a bit basic on rougher pavement. Nothing major, just things you notice when you spend more time on it.
Looking Back
Overall, that 2017 FZ-07 was a great bike for me at the time. Super fun engine, easy to handle, reliable. It did exactly what I wanted it to do: be an uncomplicated, enjoyable ride. Didn’t break the bank, either to buy or to run. Just a solid, fun machine. Good memories with that one.
