Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Old men and their toys

Or, it's spring and an old man's fancy turns to thoughts of new motorcycles, part too.

Picked up a 2017 Yamaha FZ07 sport bike today and if it can be described in three words, those would be FUN FUN FUN. 689cc vertical twin, 400 pounds wet, 75 hp and flat torque curve around 50 ft/lbs throughout the rpm range. Not so powerful to get me in trouble but plenty of go for the highway and local canyons, plus this thing handles like a dream. It has a more upright seating position than a super sport with those low clip on handlebars but it's not up straight, it's really just perfect for me. With the light weight and sport bike geometry it is just as maneuverable and nimble as I could want.

Had a Honda CB500X, an "adventure bike" and while it was a great re-learner, it just never felt that sure footed on the highway. When you leaned into a 45 mph (posted) corner it would say to me, "uh, maybe you better obey that speed limit". This new one says, "are you kiddin' me?!" Really, I have no death wish and don't try to see how fast I can bomb around corners but this thing is rock solid. From the dealership I immediately headed out to our local twisty run, Idaho 21 for those in the area, and it tracked those corners with an assurance the Honda just never had. Plus it has lots more get up and go than the old one - twist the throttle anywhere from 3500 rpm on up in any gear and it pulls away strong. It reminds me more than anything of my old Norton 750 Commando but more powerful and about 100 times more refined.

We might get old but we're never too old to play with new toys...



Me giving my verdict on the new motorcycle. The color coordination wasn't by accident, I figured I had to get a red and black bike since I already had the red and black jacket. It's no different than buying a new rifle because you already have a box of ammo for it...





Glamour shots.










This odometer reading didn't last long at all.