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Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 motorcycle review - Riding
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Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 (2006-current)

View all Yamaha FZ1 FAZERs for sale (10)

Detail Value
New price £7,199
Parker's used price range £3,850-6,520
Full used prices
Engine size 998cc
Power 150bhp
Top speed 160mph
Insurance group 15
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 5 rating is 4.5
Engine rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Equipment rating is 4 rating is 4
Quality & Reliability rating is 3 rating is 4.5
Value rating is 5 rating is 4.5

MCN overall verdict rating is 5

What you get with the Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 is the awesome 2002 R1 engine in a more practical but still high-spec chassis. The Japanese firm class the Yamaha Fazer 1000 as a sports motorcycle and they’re right – but it has the ability of a sports tourer and a city motorcycle, too – with more than a splash of musclebike / posing tool chucked in for nothing. One of the best premium, sporty all round motorcycles you can buy.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 is derived from the R1 which means the latest technology with proven reliability. Injection is quite sudden on the 2006 machines – it’s something you get used to or solve with a Power Commander and some dyno time - although it's much improved on 2007-on machines. A little more low and midrange power would be nice but the sensation of the top-end rush, amplified by the high bars, is astronomic.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000's quality suspension plus wide bars equals big fun. The Fazer’s hard to fault, flicking easily into corners and handing well as long as it’s on reasonable tyres. The lack of ground clearance means well ridden sports motorcycles will pull away but the Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000's still incredibly rapid. Excellent brakes and smooth over the bumps too.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 in this respect is arguably worse than the previous model. A less comfy seat and smaller tank range don’t help the Yamaha FZ1’s distance credentials. None the less it’s still a comfy, well equipped motorcycle. Loads of Yamaha official extras are available including hard panniers, crash protector bungs, immobiliser upgrade, fairing lowers and belly pan.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

A weak point of the old Yamaha Fazer 1000 and, while things are a little better on the new one, it’s a still a bit of a let down on a motorcycle that can handle so much year-round riding to see brackets and bolts furring up so soon. Reliability wise problems with the Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 are very rare – accident or theft damage is more likely.

Value

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

The Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 sits in between budget big motorcycles like Suzuki’s Bandit 1200 and Honda’s CBF1000 and the ‘fancy’ street motorcycles like the Benelli TNT. In the same price bracket Kawasaki’s Z1000 offers a more manic ride but less practicality, ditto Aprilia’s Tuono but with poor dealer back up too. Keenly priced, especially when discounted. Find Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 motorcycles here.

Insurance

Insurance group: 15

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Model History

2006: Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 launched.

Other Versions

Yamaha FZ1: Unfaired version also launched in 2006. No fairing, no grab handles, 5kg lighter and £400 cheaper.

Specifications

Top speed 160mph
1/4-mile acceleration 11 secs
Power 150bhp
Torque 78ftlb
Weight 199kg
Seat height 815mm
Fuel capacity 18 litres
Average fuel consumption 41mpg
Tank range 160 miles
Insurance group 15
Engine size 998cc
Engine specification 20v in-line four, 6 gears
Frame Aluminium twin spar
Front suspension adjustment Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension adjustment Preload, rebound
Front brakes Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake 245m disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 190/50 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

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Yamaha
FZ1 FAZER

16729 miles

£4,999

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Yamaha
FZ1 FAZER

17200 miles

£4,999

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Yamaha
FZ1 FAZER

15131 miles

£4,999

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Yamaha
FZ1 FAZER

44 miles

£6,995

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Yamaha
FZ1 FAZER

13282 miles

£4,895

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Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4.5(44 reviews)

  • fz1 so good

    magpiemale

    Average rating rating is 4

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    I bought the fazer 2 years ago and have found it good.I do not do soft panniers but have put a top-box on E52 and have a monster bag for the pillion seat for touring-ish rides.I took it to germany hanover and found the ride great no back aches,or others things wrong.Fuel is rubbish 120 miles on average on tap would of been better with 160 mpg,throttle response is good on over 6-7000 rev's but under that and the bike is a bit slowish then wham your into 3 figure speeds.So low down grunt or dyno to smooth the power or response more will be needed.Would I buy another? yes ! it washes up well I apply GT85 to the back wheel to keep it clean and use ACF50 for the suspension spring.

    28 October 2009

  • ULTRA RIDER

    Anonymous

    Average rating rating is 5

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    Fantastic Bike.Got the bike new in January.A credit to Yamaha, spot on!Went to France in March no problem loaded and 2up.Just rode solo from Plymouth to Split Croatia, non stop 1,500miles in 30 hours.You could knock four hours off for heavy rain and spray that forced me to stop in Austria.Toured Bosnia,Mostar valley, Sarajevo etc, AWSOME!!If you like this bike and are thinking of owning it, say no more.

    31 August 2009

  • FZ1

    jocasaja

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    finally gave up sportsbikes - needed more comfort - this yamaha is just so much fun - taken the aftermarket screen off as it looks much better without - will use it for the annual tour though. Only negative is the seat - numb bum after 1/2 an hour. May have it modded with memory foam or gel insert or even buy a corbin replacement.

    09 August 2009

  • Perfection is nearly here

    deimens

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    What can I say? I graduated from a FZS600 Fazer after spending a week dancing on the gear lever in Germany. The bike is unbelieveable value for money. The finish is good and a regular rinse after winter riding keeps the worst of the corrosion at bay. The handle bars are wide, perfectly placed and look really good. It handles unbelievably well for something that is a "sports tourer". I was chasing a ZX6r in France in May on a twisty road with 90mph bends (and pegs scraping) and it barely broke a sweat. The only thing that might have helped would have been a stickier front but the PR2 did fine. The brakes are excellent, mine has ABS but I rarely need to use it. The seat isn’t very comfy for over 90mins but an airhawk seat has seen to that, a scottoiler has taken care of the chain which does take a thrashing with that engine. The side stand is hard to set down with racing boots on but I just kick the base of it down. I have had no problems with mine. I run a zumo and a EXO2 heated vest of the batter y with no issues. Handguards from ascerbis are the only other mods I could think of. Important but don’t panic!!!!!! The welding on the frame on the sides above the clutch is a not perfect. I dropped mine(2007) at 2mph and it cracked the weld. Yamaha replaced it on goodwill warranty but the replacement frame is a revised item so newer models should have no issues. One last thing. This is a great bike but it is not a learner bike or something for people returning to biking. If you F*** up or are hamfisted it will spit you off. If you have bought one and it intimidates you do some advanced training or bikesafe. Dont blame the bike. The bike is only as good as the rider and will do what you want if you ask nicely.

    02 August 2009

  • Perfection is nearly here

    deimens

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    What can I say? I graduated from a FZS600 Fazer after spending a week dancing on the gear lever in Germany. The bike is unbelieveable value for money. The finish is good and a regular rinse after winter riding keeps the worst of the corrosion at bay. The handle bars are wide, perfectly placed and look really good. It handles unbelievably well for something that is a "sports tourer". I was chasing a ZX6r in France in May on a twisty road with 90mph bends (and pegs scraping) and it barely broke a sweat. The only thing that might have helped would have been a stickier front but the PR2 did fine. The brakes are excellent, mine has ABS but I rarely need to use it. The seat isn’t very comfy for over 90mins but an airhawk seat has seen to that, a scottoiler has taken care of the chain which does take a thrashing with that engine. The side stand is hard to set down with racing boots on but I just kick the base of it down. I have had no problems with mine. I run a zumo and a EXO2 heated vest of the batter y with no issues. Handguards from ascerbis are the only other mods I could think of. Important but don’t panic!!!!!! The welding on the frame on the sides above the clutch is a not perfect. I dropped mine(2007) at 2mph and it cracked the weld. Yamaha replaced it on goodwill warranty but the replacement frame is a revised item so newer models should have no issues. One last thing. This is a great bike but it is not a learner bike or something for people returning to biking. If you F*** up or are hamfisted it will spit you off. If you have bought one and it intimidates you do some advanced training or bikesafe. Dont blame the bike. The bike is only as good as the rider and will do what you want if you ask nicely.

    02 August 2009

  • Ouch!

    KimLondon

    UK

    Average rating rating is 4

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    I took a brand-new FZ1 Fazer (faired version) out for a test ride and it rained. Let me tell you - all that power in the wet is terrifying. Didn't enjoy it much and took it back. Decided to get an FZ6 instead. But... I borrowed an '07 naked FZ1 for a day last week and had a real ball of a time. I mean, bloody hell - the power!!?!?! There's been a lot of complaining about the fuelling being jerky but you just need to keep a few revs going and use the clutch and it's smooth as you like. But then I'm used to Yamaha fuel injection so maybe it wasn't such an issue for me. You do need to ride it though. I mean, it's clutch is a bit heavy, the throttle is stiff and the gear change is clunky but keep all the actions positive and it's a joy to ride. Town riding is amazingly fluid as there's all that power at the back wheel and the wide bars and centralised weight make slow-speed maneuvering really easy. Actually, I find that where on my FZ6 I have to plan, change down and rev to exploit a gap on the FZ1 you just open the throttle and -BAM!- you are where you want to be. It is a bit like a pit bull terrier though. If you show it who is boss while treating it with appropriate respect then it will behave as you want. However, if you aren't 100% in control it won't flatter you, and if you dick about it will bite back in a most angry way. So, would I own one? Yeah, maybe in a couple of years, but I recon I'll stick to a 600cc for a while yet. And the fuel economy is shameful. Yamaha, how on earth can you justify such appalling MPG rates? Must do better, really.

    18 July 2009

  • FZ1FAZER

    ianatchison123

    Average rating rating is 5

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    Absolutely brilliant bike.I was delayed initially because of the comments by the "experts" about the snatching but I never experienced it.The rear pegs are a bit high for the pillion.

    15 July 2009

  • 2 years on....BUY ONE!!

    Mr. Luck

    woth

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    I love my fz1, it's fast, torquey and flick-able.....even if it does seem to do 100 miles to reserve around town (if im lucky).... I had a mysterious problem with it juddering and stalling at 1500-4000 rpm, big pull aways were the only cure for not stalling infront of oncoming traffic, after much investigation by various larger dealers coming up with ludicrious conclusions, CARBONTEC in Kenley surrey went to town on it, and i mean they did a bang up job, fine tooth comb jobby......after 4 new coils were fitted and the problem is now sorted and i love it all over again! Those guys took proper care of a customer and after 16,000 miles in 2 years im looking at chopping it in for a new one, thought about a GS or a tourer but after trying them i realised the FZ1 may be an aging design but if you want a big bike that can do everything from touring to commuting to just blasting down A roads, theres nothing quite like 132bhp at the wheel......oh and the Yamaha touring screen did nothing for me as a 6 footer, the Givi touring screen is the way to go.....

    16 June 2009

  • Fz1 Fazer

    GarbageGuy

    Average rating rating is 5

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    I've had my 07 FZ1s for a few months now and reading the FZ1OA forums, I decided to remove both cats from the exhaust, it revs easier has a boost in the revs about 4500rpm where there is usualy a dip for emissions tests and on my first tank full of fuel hasnt gone onto reserve yet at 120 miles, it usualy goes on about 95-105, so thats a bonus :) Very nice bike,loads of pull in top gear, I rode my mates 1200N tweaked Bandit, mine felt a lot more powerfull, I was expecting more from the bandit.

    03 June 2009

  • fazer fun

    johnyork

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    LOVE MY FAZER, GOOD IN TOWN,GOOD FOR TOURING,AND GOOD ON THE BACK ROADS,PLUS MY LASS SAYS ITS GOOD FOR THE PILLION,AND STILL LOOKS COOL WITH HARD GIVI LUGGAGE,ITS QUIK TOO!!!

    08 May 2009

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chriswren

chriswren says

Does the job

OK, this is my fist big bike and I've now done 2000 miles on here and everything seems to be fine.  I initially liked the idea of the Jackle&Hyde image so that I could pootle around town when I wanted to and give it a thrash if I was in the mood.  Now that I have had the bike a while, I wouldn't mind if the power came on a little earlier as it isn't exactly quick off the lights.

I did have to fiddle with the standard suspention settings as I'm a big lump and it was all a bit squiddy but now it seems much better. 

The seat is a little hard for long distances and I do like to stretch my legs after about an hour, which is OK cause it also needs plenty of fuel, I'm getting between 35 to 40 mpg (more often 35 than 40).  The bike doesn't feel cramped and the position with the wide bars is good.

I've read other reviews that have commented on the position of the pegs and the stand, admit I did notice this when I first got it but 2000 miles in this has been long forgotten.

Swapped out the stock exhust for a Akky slipon which sounds better but looks great.

Great bike and does what it says on the tin but I now want a Fireblade

PS: 2009 model has no fueling issues and is smooth through the rev range.

 

24 July 2009 11:57

flashdave

flashdavesays

Superbike Killer

If tuned correctly (very easy to do), can easily keep up with if not outdo the latest so called superbikes. This years Supersport 1000's are around 205kg and boasting 180-185 bhp. Well after a full exhaust system, PCIII, Airbox mod and a decent map on the PCIII my 06 FZ1 is kicking out about 155 rwbhp or 180-185 at the crank. So theoretically it has better power to weight ratio than the latest sport thou's especially after my 8kg weight reduction. Off the line my mate on his 06 blade cant get away from me. Handling is amazing, without even customising the suspension i can get pegs down, knees down or even both at the same time with ease and i've only been riding on the country roads for fun for 2 months. (45,000 miles commuting history). Stunning bike but in my opinion HAS to have at least SOME basic mods to make it a proper contender, mods make a monster difference to this bike. Like chalk and cheese. If you want help modding or even want to talk about this bike feel free to email me on dave_from_mars@yahoo.com

02 June 2009 23:02

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