PLOPFIZZ1

General info

When I first bought my bike it was stock with the exception of a Dunlop decal on the front fork. Engine was only 3500 miles old, and all the parts looked new, save for some slight body damage. I paid $3,000 and got a helmet a cover and a pretty good deal I thought. I always like the looks of a fizer, looking alot like an anorexic '89-'90 YZR 500 - Angular lines, table-top tank and tail section and ductwork all over the place distracting you from some of the realy curvey body work - but enough of the superficial crap. So far as an "UJM" it is very capable, although I haven't yet been able to figure out a way to strap a jumbo pack of Pampers and gallon of milk to it yet. It's gets ridden constantly from March to September and I have been very glad with it's performance.

Minor irritations would include sometimes groggy starting (fixed with hotter plugs), sometimes seemingly too rich carburation (fixed with leaning out carbneedles), rear tire destruction (some things never change!), and the fact that I still cannot do a wheelie or stoppie.

Performance

Very sharp and direct feeling bike made only sharper by adding a few good parts to it. I've been using Dunlop Sportmax GP's (sport touring) and they worked quite well, but they slid a little during cornering. This year I tried a Metzeler me1, Mez1 combo and am pleased with thier performance.

. Power is very responsive on my bike, I usualy see the 4,000-7,000rpm torque which is quite good to distance yourself from other objects, if I realy feel like grinning I use the rest of the rpm range which is to say the 7000-12,000rpm powerband. I have found that there is a nice surge of power @ 11,000rpm, which I didn't know was even there-it's good till 12,00 then it's definitely time to shift.

Aftermarket parts

If I could buy a new bike right now, it would be a V-Max, but since I'm virtualy penniles, I'll upgrade the bike I've got with a few choice parts.

- Brakes: Steel braided lines (2 off the master) -excellent improvement ($150)
- Front Suspension: Progressive suspension springs -well worth the ($80)
- Tires: Metzeler me1 140, mez1 110- Ultra sticky and last almost as long as the Dunlops. The mez1 front is the biggest improvement. It just keeps on leaning over. I bought (4) used, and they had tons of tread for 100 bucks. Incredible.
- Air Filter: K&N airbox filter - ($50)
- Sprokets: I went down one tooth in the front to add some zip to the bottom end as the bike is plenty powerfull in the top end.
- Exhaust: Yep, I'm guilty of enjoying the sound of a stock pipe, I'd like to get a Nice carbon fibre-looking Vance and Hines Pipe but GEEZ they're loud! I would like something a bit quieter.
- Carbs: Factory jet kit, moved the powerband significantly up the range.
- Spark Plugs: I'm running one setter hotter (CR8) and this has significantly improved carburation glitches & the engine still runs cool. - each one will run about ($8)