2013 Yamaha FZ-9 3cylinder

[Kevin B in Illinois]

I am really taken by the new Yamaha FZ-9 street bike. After reading about it and seeing that the weight is down 45 pounds from the previous FZ-8 and that the engine is now a 3 cylinder plus the more upright standard riding position, and they've lowered the price $900 from the previous model. Sheeeesh ,, this may be a future bike in the garage. Light , sporty, standard riding position and enjoyable engine sound. HMMMMM...I find this one to be intriguing.

Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[David (N. Alabama)]

I do get a kick out of all the journalists acting like this is Yamaha's first foray into 3 cyclinder engines. My first bike was a Yamaha triple.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

My younger brother had a XS850 Midnight Special. I remember riding it and the sound it made was something that was pure music to your ears. Great riding bike and he wishes he still had it. The XS750 and XS850 were great bikes. I also find it interesting to read the articles on the bike. Seems I may need to also increase the garage space. Currently only have my garage which is 36 ft by 48 ft. Been thinking of building another garage next spring. You can never have too much garage space.


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[biggersm]

I do get a kick out of all the journalists acting like this is Yamaha's first foray into 3 cyclinder engines. My first bike was a Yamaha triple.

I too was surprised to find out recently from the motorcycle journalist world that the BMW K1600GTL was the first in line six motorcycle dedicated to touring.

I had a friend that owned a XS 650 upright twin. It might sound funny but it was kind of fun kick starting that bike. I like the sound and feel of it too. One day three of us were riding though the area now known as Joshua Tree National Park (back then it was called a Monument) when my friend on the XS 650 slipped out on sand (common accident in the desert) and lucky for everyone I the other friend with me could ride so we bent some things around and my friend that was with me rode it back while the other friend bleed all over me and my bike. I found out later that blood on a hot muffler can be a challenge to remove.

Just a little Yamaha Special humor. I was doing my emergency room time while becoming an EMT and some guy came in all scraped up. I tried my best for some small talk and realizing our common motorcycling interest I asked what type of bike he had, he stated "A Yamaha 850 Special...at least it used to be Special"

I'm not trying to indicate the Yamaha Specials were dangerous but certainly emphasizing that sand on pavement is.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I too was surprised to find out recently from the motorcycle journalist world that the BMW K1600GTL was the first in line six motorcycle dedicated to touring.

I had a friend that owned a XS 650 upright twin. It might sound funny but it was kind of fun kick starting that bike. I like the sound and feel of it too.

Yamaha must have sold a lot of those XS650 bikes. That is a very popular motor today for custom bikes.

[Kevin B in Illinois]

I have one of those XS650's in the garage. They are sweet sounding and yes , if you read The Horse Backstreet Choppers magazine, They feature at least one of those per issue. Nice bike , I purchased it from a former student that needed some funds when a new baby was on the way. Starts on the first kick. It's a 1979 XS650 (Black and Chrome)


Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President

[k7nutN7nut]

Funny you should chat about the XS650...I never had one...running, but I have an exhaust to one still...don't know what to do with it?

[biggersm]

I know the feeling about having extra parts for a bike you used to own...for example:

Anyone want a genuine, Northern California Voyagers, blue (looks great on a Year 2000 XII) bradded steel hydraulic clutch line for a Voyager XII? Didn't think so; besides I don't have the gaskets any more.

Even less likely; does anyone own a Suzuki Intruder 1500 and expect to replace the rear pads anytime soon?

All I ask is to recover cost for shipping if anyone is interested.