This my 1st review, since i purchased the fazer in 03. I have the 2000 model with the square head lights that has the the thundercat engine. Puchased this when it had 1500 miles on it and it has clocked 92,000 miles. Its my 1st proper bike. i cummute 80 miles a day and the bike is used througout the year including the winters. So lets start.
Looks: They say the 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. Some people say the new BMW's look beautiful, some say they are plain ugly. The fazer looks weird from certain angles & chunky from certian. So its a matter of perpective.
Engine: We all know that the detuned thundercat engine, is on of the best out there, so will not go into much detail. On the M25, i traffic, 1 can do 30 miles in 6th gear & there is no bucking from the engine as its smooth. Once you open the throttle, the power comes on smooth nothing like the sports bike, where u can have ur head taken off. The engine revs nicely taking the bike onto 135 miles without any problem. Between 5500 to 6500 rpm, there seems to be a bit of vibration from the engine but if your out of that zone, the engine is smooth.
Full Consumption: i get about 50 mpg but this is steady at 50 to 60 mph.
Comfort: Its got that upright right position which is so important when u do long distance and u don't end up with a bad back or hurting knees on the other side of the trip. Its ideal!!
Equipment: Its a very nicely laid out dash, with the RPM meter as the main dial, speedo, you have a clock, trip meter and its easy to read. Nothing fancy just nice & basic.
Tyres: i have the bridgestone touring, & get 20,000 miles out of it on the rear. i know some of you won't believe this, but thats to my driving, style. no hard take offs, no hard braking [only when required], steady driving at 50 to 60 mph.
Realibility: My bike still has everything orginal on the engine, including the clutch plates. Its recommened that servicing is done every 6000 miles, but i get it done once a year ie 20,000 miles. The engine does not seem to mind this. It has never failed me till date.
I have changed the rear brake caliper as its seized, but this was at 80,000 miles, i have changed the sproket and chain 3 times, that was partly due to my carelessness. Other changes are front and rear brake pads, spark plugs and oil filters, which are general maintance. it has some rusted bolts and a bit here and there, but thats acceptable consider the age and usage i have done. The thing you should care for is the downpipe as the quality is very poor. the bolts holding them to the manifold rust and one of them has broken so had to order new one at 45 GBP including the gaskets.
Verdict: If you want a bike thats very very reliable, cheap [as there are so many] to run, maintain, have fun, commute, have a track day, keep up with the sports bike and have a good back and knees this is the bike you want. But make sure its got the thundercat engine.
When i decide to buy another one, it will be the YAMAHA FZS600S, its the best every all rounder. its a shame that Yamaha had to kill it.