2014 Yamaha FZ-09Best Cult Following of 2014 – Yamaha FZ-09Typically each year among the plethora of new machines hyped by the manufacturers, there is a standout—a machine that fires up the imagination a bit more than the others.
In 2014, that bike is Yamaha’s FZ-09 and it’s easy to see why it became a cult classic before it had even been launched.The spec sheet tells us that it’s incredibly light (414 pounds wet), powerful (65 ft/lbs of torque), and comes with supermoto-style derived ergonomics that will clearly make it a hoot to ride.The clincher of course is the price — just $7990 will buy you a most definite e-ticket ride, and despite the entry level price, Yamaha has managed to put together a package with high-quality detail touches that make the FZ-09 feel like so much more.I attended the launch in San Francisco and spent two days thrashing the daylights out of the FZ-09; that droning inline triple delivered at least as much as I was hoping for. Wheelies, stoppies, and other hooligan-like behavior had myself and a couple of Yamaha staffers laughing like the teenagers we most definitely are not, and at the end of the launch I couldn’t help but deem the FZ-09 an unequivocal, resounding success.I’m no fashionista, and just because I like something, there’s no guarantee others will share my opinion. But it seems that with the FZ-09 they most certainly did, and the motorcycle has been a runaway success for Yamaha. This bike has become an instant cult classic and deservedly so.About Ultimate MotorCycling 2014 President’s Picks:As President of Ultimate MotorCycling, I am a fortunate individual. Not only do I get to ride a huge variety of machines, I am also privileged to be a part of this fascinating industry that so intensely fuels our passions.As 2014 draws into its last quarter a picture has emerged of various developments that have happened in the past year. Don Williams, our Magazine Editor, has already published his Top Ten Motorcycle Picks and somewhat naturally I agreed with him. When Ron Lieback, our Website Editor, challenged me to come up with picks of my own, I naturally gravitated more towards the industry happenings, although I do have some machinery opinions as well.I find myself interested in those manufacturers who have the best feeling for the current motorcycle buyer; those who are trying to listen to market demand and not just thrust their latest whizz-bang machine at us; those who are trying to encourage new and returning riders to the fold; those who are trying to make the pie bigger.So this is what I’ve come up with. It goes without saying that these are my personal picks and you may or may not agree with me; of course you may feel I’ve left something out. Respectful discussion is very healthy and I’d love to hear everyone’s opinion—good, bad or ugly. Thanks for reading and being a part of the Ultimate MotorCycling family!To read the others, visit 2014 President’s Picks.
Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory + Steve ’Stavros’ Parrish
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello everyone and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly podcast—Motos and Friends. My name is Arthur Coldwells.
Our first segment features the new Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. Senior Editor Nic de Sena brings us his report on the flagship version of Aprilia’s upright middleweight machine. He gives us insight into whether it’s worth spending the extra money on the Factory version, and also of course, whether this sporting Aprilia is really the motorcycle for you.
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The next guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—one of the most iconic sportbikes ever. Check it out in person at your local Suzuki dealer now, or visit suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In this segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with (arguably) one of the most interesting Suzuki race riders of all time. the iconic RG500 alongside teammate double World Champion Barry Sheene. The two were almost as famous for their exploits off-track, as for their success on it. Those were the days! Steve also raced the Isle of Man TT for about ten years where he won 13 Silver Replicas, and got a podium finish. His insight into that particular brand of mayhem are fascinating.
But there’s waaay more to Steve Parrish than his motorcycle racing. He is also the most successful Semi-Truck racer ever, and, little known piece of useless trivia—he’s my birthday twin: 24th February. He is a natural entertainer and you can’t miss his recounting of the world’s most entertaining—and arguably terrifying—double-decker bus ride ever. If any of you were actually on that hell-ride then we’d love to hear from you!