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2003 Yamaha FZ1 Sport Touring reviews

4.3 (1 reviews)
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Reliability
4.0
Overall quality
5.0
Performance
4.0
Comfort
4.0

Top 10 Sport Touring

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27 ratings and reviews

Voted most helpful review

Reviewed on August 12, 2020

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

4.3
Bought New in 2004 and have 25K up through 2020. Have done many 14 hour days - would do 24 but can not stay awake that long - have gently put the pegs on the pavement @ 90 mph in the rain - no issues - great handling - took 3 years to adjust the suspension - lots of settings - all manual - to many... read more
Bought New in 2004 and have 25K up through 2020. Have done many 14 hour days - would do 24 but can not stay awake that long - have gently put the pegs on the pavement @ 90 mph in the rain - no issues - great handling - took 3 years to adjust the suspension - lots of settings - all manual - to many different surfaces and tire combinations to ever get it "right" - Original tires were dangerous. Major dislike, engine buzz on highway (rpm too high), engine has no working effort on piston pins unless accelerating - partially corrected with 16/39 gearing changes to reduce rpm in top gear, but transmission in my 1967 RD250 6 speed had it correct - pure magic - FZ1 builders should have honored those who did it correct in 67 with 5th & 6th as double overdrive, 1st as a creeper gear (Fz 1st gear would be a good 2nd gear, and the Fz 6th gear would be better 4th gear, and with the flat torque curve in this motor - they should have changed it up from the R1 - can you tell the gear choice is a little off and that I miss the 1st creeper gear and the double overdrive - my 73 Z1 had a better stock gear box with only 5 gears - but that motor was built so it had more rpm (13K) than the FZ1. Overall, I wanted to replace my custom 1973 Z1 - and this 2003 FZ1 has done the trick for 16 years and I still do not want to part from it - it just ticks too many boxes. Now that I'm 65, I still plan to ride it for another 16 years, and from all expectations, this bike will still be good for another 25K in 2036. Should you buy one - Yes, BUT only if you know how to control your speed and enjoy the ride - be safe.
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Reviewed on July 9, 2007

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
Great power across the board, with handling to match. Comfortable riding position for city/Hwy/touring/cruising. Next best thing to a full sport bike. Reviews in Motorcyclist & Cycle World will confirm my review for 2003-FZ-1. Reminds me of Triumph, BSA, XLCH, Norton, of past with addition of... read more
Great power across the board, with handling to match. Comfortable riding position for city/Hwy/touring/cruising. Next best thing to a full sport bike. Reviews in Motorcyclist & Cycle World will confirm my review for 2003-FZ-1. Reminds me of Triumph, BSA, XLCH, Norton, of past with addition of more power, handling, and Hi-Tech.
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Reviewed on May 20, 2006

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
Work in Norfolk Va. and Own home in north west PA. Make the run on weekends. 864mi round trip. Leave Friday afternoon back Sunday. Wanted an R1 but since I turned 50 in January and the R1 laydown riding would have been a bit much. FZ 1 Great Bike. Other bikes owned FJ1100, 1968 sportster, 1979... read more
Work in Norfolk Va. and Own home in north west PA. Make the run on weekends. 864mi round trip. Leave Friday afternoon back Sunday. Wanted an R1 but since I turned 50 in January and the R1 laydown riding would have been a bit much. FZ 1 Great Bike. Other bikes owned FJ1100, 1968 sportster, 1979 Honda 750F, 1973 KAW h2, CX 500 honda. Shadow 750, 1983 GS1100ES. I like the FZ1 the best by far.
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Reviewed on February 7, 2005

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
Quite outstanding in every way, smiles after each ride!! One ride and you will know what everyone is glowing about here. Pro's: power, suspension (terrific compromise between sport and cruise comfort), ergos (great bike for tall folks) Cons: resale value (alas, all Asian imports suffer from... read more
Quite outstanding in every way, smiles after each ride!! One ride and you will know what everyone is glowing about here. Pro's: power, suspension (terrific compromise between sport and cruise comfort), ergos (great bike for tall folks) Cons: resale value (alas, all Asian imports suffer from this). Should have bought a used one.
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Reviewed on August 2, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
I've ridden bikes for more than 35 years and I've had the pleasure of owning many bikes. I've had up to six at one time. The FZ-1 is a great standard. It is the only bike I really need. I find that I jump on the FZ much more often than I do on my 800 Interceptor or my Honda Valkyrie... read more
I've ridden bikes for more than 35 years and I've had the pleasure of owning many bikes. I've had up to six at one time. The FZ-1 is a great standard. It is the only bike I really need. I find that I jump on the FZ much more often than I do on my 800 Interceptor or my Honda Valkyrie Interstate. It is comfortable, fast, and lots of fun to play on. Most kids on sportbikes don't have a clue what it is. I have taken on a 954RR a ZX 9 and a GSXR 750 and left them in the dust. The 954 should have beaten me but I think it was a novice rider(why he was on a 954 I'll never know) The two things that I don't like about the bike would be the leg room is cramped (but I'm 6'4" tall) and I've had to replace the clutch plates already. I've had faster bikes, I've had more comfortable bikes and I've had bikes with better turning ability, but overall in the real world this is a very capable daily driver.
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Reviewed on August 2, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
I can own any bike I want, and have several, but the best bike Ive ever owned is the FZ-1. It is fast. It is all day comfortable. It is easy to handle in town. It can do highways no problem. Add a taller windscreen and hard bags from Givi or corbin, and you have a great sport tourer. It is two... read more
I can own any bike I want, and have several, but the best bike Ive ever owned is the FZ-1. It is fast. It is all day comfortable. It is easy to handle in town. It can do highways no problem. Add a taller windscreen and hard bags from Givi or corbin, and you have a great sport tourer. It is two bikes in one. Under 6000 RPM, its an easy to ride daily bike. From 7000 to 12000, it is a real performer. Just when I think I've driven the bike to its limit, I realize I'm only in third gear and have three gears left. I've owned a Gold Wings, ST 1300, BWM 1150 RT, Yamaha FJR, Harleys, Honda cruisers, and Yamaha cruisers, and a VFR. The FZ-1 is the only bike to actually make me laugh inside my helmet. An R-1 may be faster, but try riding it for longer than an hour.
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Reviewed on June 4, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
Reading some of the other reviews I was a little intimidated by this bike although I really wanted it and liked the looks. I purchased my blue Fazer and she sat as I rode my honda nighthawk 750 (another good bike). I finally took the Fazer out yesterday and all concern vanished, she handles like a... read more
Reading some of the other reviews I was a little intimidated by this bike although I really wanted it and liked the looks. I purchased my blue Fazer and she sat as I rode my honda nighthawk 750 (another good bike). I finally took the Fazer out yesterday and all concern vanished, she handles like a dream, smooth power and acceleration, light and responsive handling. I just want all newbie's to know that although she is a rocket she is very very docile if YOU want her to be. Just don't rev her up and you'll be fine. I've read comments about problems about slow speed cornering but it must be rider inexperience because I've had no such problems. Practice your MSF technique's and all will be well. This bike is a big jump up from my nighthawk but I can handle her with ease, the key is CONTROL, learn to handle her, learn to control your right hand, don't shy away from this bike if you want it, just take it easy and ride safely!! Have fun!
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Reviewed on March 11, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
I've put over 30K miles on this bike for the last 18 months and I'm always delighted to get back on it. Sure, you can have more power on a R1 or a Busa but you'll pay 2 to 3K more. And they won't be as comfortable around town or across the country. This bike has everything the average rider (read... read more
I've put over 30K miles on this bike for the last 18 months and I'm always delighted to get back on it. Sure, you can have more power on a R1 or a Busa but you'll pay 2 to 3K more. And they won't be as comfortable around town or across the country. This bike has everything the average rider (read most of us) can handle or can ask for. Highly recommended.
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Reviewed on February 29, 2004

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
I took this bike on what would have normally been about a five-hour journey from Ft. Worth to Midland, TX, and did it in four. It is an awesome ride, you can sit up, or lean down, whatever you want. It's great to be able to lean down when those west Texas winds are blowing. For what it is, the bike... read more
I took this bike on what would have normally been about a five-hour journey from Ft. Worth to Midland, TX, and did it in four. It is an awesome ride, you can sit up, or lean down, whatever you want. It's great to be able to lean down when those west Texas winds are blowing. For what it is, the bike is light and incredibly strong, lots of passing power. It's basically a do anything bike, and I would have no problem taking this thing cross-country if time and money permitted me to do so.
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Reviewed on October 10, 2003

Motorcycle reviewed 2003 Yamaha FZ1 view listing

5.0
I have owned 12 motorcycles and this is the best handling and most comfortable bike I have owned. I ride in the twisties with guys that all have race bikes, and I have no problem keeping up. Bike handles great and has PLENTY of power. Wonder if they will put the new R1 engine in the next generation... read more
I have owned 12 motorcycles and this is the best handling and most comfortable bike I have owned. I ride in the twisties with guys that all have race bikes, and I have no problem keeping up. Bike handles great and has PLENTY of power. Wonder if they will put the new R1 engine in the next generation FZ?---Whew I have to disagree with the guy who says this bike is good for a new rider. If you are a responsible person with great self control maybe, otherwise start with a different bike.
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