Yamaha FZ1/FZS1000 (2006-current)

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.

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.

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.

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.....

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.

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!!!

The 2008 Fazer FZ1-S is a real world bike with amazing power, comfort and rideability. Even with hard luggage fitted it can still keep up with sports bikes and can even outpace some lesser so-called superbikes. The almost upright riding position puts only minimal weight on wrists and the tank range of about 160 miles is just about right when it comes to needing a break. Fuelling is spot on (all sorted from the 2006 models) and the brakes have feel and bite as befits a 150bhp missile. This bike is awesome!!!

Hi, I purchased mine after I ditched my beloved CB1300, so the Yam has had to win me over; I wanted a change and I am glad to say I like it. The FZ1 Fazer is a great bike - a sports bike with flat bars in the best way to think of it, not an all-rounder that has been made sporty. This means you get a great chassis, very responive engine and masses of usable power. You immediately know this thing has the R1 engine at it heart and it really does define the bike - just push the starter button and it snarls in to life. I am used to a plush ride with the Honda - it has taken 1000 miles for the bikle to be completely run - in and in that time it has turned from a jerky tough thing in to s sweet and eztremely lively performer. Some minor snatched still occur low down, but it is now negligible. I have just come back from a 1600 mile solo your around Scotland and I have to say that this is perfect for these beautiful roads: 45mpg average and some highly illegal speeds! It really comes in to its when using it's awesome midrange - or you can just go for the throat and rev it out if you can find a long enough road. About to go two up touring to France, so I will report back on this in August. Yet to see how it fares over winter. So far, so good: Great fun!

LOOKS GREAT , it can pull my fat arse!! picks up well on 6000+ rpm....good brakes feels agile for a 200 kilo bike. 2 THUMBS UP!!!

Traded in a GSXR 1000K4 for a Silver FZ1, and I'm so pleased I did. Fantastic engine,(although I'm still running it in),superb comfort,the thing is so easy to ride. My bike was sold as a pre registered 2006 machine,but it's on a 57 plate,which is a little confusing as I didn't think you could display a number plate making the vehicle appear newer than it actually is. The point I'm trying to make is about the fuelling, which is spot on, with not a hint of snatchiness(unlike my Gixxer, which was horrible and snatchy at low revs) The ride is superb, finish is excellent, clocks comprehensive and easy to read...and the best bit, it only cost 5k. SUPERB.