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.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.
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.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.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.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.
