FZ6-->FZ1-->FZ10

Long time Yamaha rider dating back to a 1995 Yamaha Seca II, then a 1996 YZF600R in Australia, onward to a 2003 FJR-1300, then an FZ6 in 2010, moved up to a FZ1 Retro in 2011 and after 5 1/2 years was itching for something newer and fresher. I loved the FZ1's looks but was just tiring of the feeling of a bloated machine with a fairly soft midrange, you really had to rev it to feel the kick in the pants of its potential.   I live in a semi-rural part of TX with the closest Yamaha/Suzuki dealer 23 miles away, all the other makers were 50+ miles away necessitating a trip to the big cities.   Have had good experiences at the mom/pop Yamaha dealer for the last 13 years, so last Thursday I dropped in to check out what they had. They had a Armor Gray FZ10 on the floor, along with an FZ09, and they said both were prepped and were ready for a test ride. Yes, please! Off we went for a 5 or 6 mile spin, me first on the FZ09 which was really punchy compared to my FZ1, then we swapped bikes and I got on the FZ10. Holy cow, that glorious cross plane engine song and a bike that had what seemed to be unlimited potential to go faster and faster, I looked down and saw I was doing 82mph, oops, better slow down.  Took my FZ1 in today, horse traded back and forth, and I rode home on the FZ10.  This will be a fun toy for sure.  It is unfortunate that most dealers aren't able/unwilling to allow test rides but the ability to test it first sold me on it.  Look forward to many miles of FZ10 joy.  Been riding for 40 years, and 65 yo is not too old to enjoy these types of machines.  Other folks can have the cruisers but I want a sport bike to tool around the countryside.