1999 Yamaha Fazer

Parts bin special, ugly, too common – just some of the accolades that have been heaped upon the Fazer! So, who is going to buy it? Me for one (and a few thousand others). So what do you get for your money? a detuned Thundercat engine producing 85-95 hp giving plenty of go. Brakes from the R1 giving plenty of stop. All held together by a capable chassis with a comfortable riding position and saddle that’s good for many hours on the go. Starting to sound any better?

As a 6’2’’ newby who wobbled through my DAS 6 months ago and then immersed myself in numerous reviews looking for that magical first bike, my eyes are drawn to the scorching race reps and Italian exotica until reality comes crashing in. No, I don’t want to strap myself to a missile and whilst dodging all the traffic/idiots/gatsos, achieve warp 9 and then end up as a bonnet ornament. Nor do I wish to sell my house to insure it and then still have to sell a kidney to cover the excess. Reality is cruel and there is a lot of it about.

So back in the real world away from the specially prepared bikes for expenses paid journos where do you go? Bandit – too old and heavy. Hornet – too dinky and no tank range. SV 650 – cute but lacks power. Yes – it’s the Fazer for me with none of the downsides affecting the other bikes and a few more upsides.

On the road it has bags of go for me (hitting 90 in second with my backside sliding back on the seat and the traffic left way behind is go enough for now thanks). Brakes that give you loads of feedback and bring you to a stop within distances you wouldn’t believe.

The suspension seems capable enough but I have not tested it to any extent with my modest lean angles. That said, I’m still content to bumble through the stunning North Yorkshire countryside taking advantage of the upright riding position, comfy saddle, and useful protection given by the fairing. Overall it feels like I’m being guided by a capable mentor looking to expand but not push my limits.

That’s the fun part covered, what about the daily commute. Visibility is good and the bars narrow enough to get through most gaps. The useful bungee hooks allow me to easily and safely attach a tailpack. The clutch is light enough to feather at low speed and all the gears have enough roll on to humiliate the Max Power brigade (obligatory) and avoid partially sighted drivers. Tank range is more than adequate.

Why doesn’t everyone have a Fazer? It’s still summer and come winter I expect the legendary Yamaha finish to leave me with a pile of rust in the garage. First to second comes with a clunk usually associated with agricultural machinery and you need a torch to see if the headlights are on. Finally, and lets be honest, it’s not that pretty (Yamaha have sorted this though with the 2002 model).

I can see why people move on to bigger (and better?) things – caught myself pricing Milles yesterday. But for now the underwear bill is manageable, I’m learning lots and, whatever I do on the Fazer, getting off it grinning like the village idiot. The Fazer may be a parts bin special on paper but in real life it is a package that is far greater than the sum of its parts.