2005 Yamaha FZ1 Sport Bike reviews

It's an awesome ride wirh plenty of power. It handles great! It's a comfortable ride with minimum fatigue on long rides! This was my third one of these bikes (01, 03, 05). I cried when Yamaha messed up this platform in 2006! Show less

Bought new in 06, for commuting to new job at a remote location. Had to ride 90 per day with a bad back, able to do it for two years, until surgery to replace toasted lower disks. Minor tweaks for fuel and exhuast slip-on (M4 Carbon and Ivan's jet kit), crash bars (SWMoto-tech). Luggage rack has been most useful (Rev-it). 125 HP on the rear wheel dyno, 120 on the as in seat meathod. Slight lag off line without high rev's, will drop greaing by 1 tooth at small sproket soon to save clutch, and to shot the holeshot without more drama. Old lady has gear now and is back in action looking safe and hot while she screams in her hat and grabs my belt. Show less

This is my first street bike. Bought it used with 4800 km on it. It's like new. Road motocross 20 years ago and didn't want a bike that made you feel like you were riding a couch. I am not disappointed, this is a fun bike. Reminds me of my motocross days because of the way it feels and the way it likes to be revved. Just when you think it's starting to rev out that's when it really start to pull. I have not rode in 20 years but it did not take long to feel comfortable. Have not taken it on rides longer than two hours at a time so do not know how comfortable it would be on a really long ride but so far so good. Great handling, lots of power and super braking. If you don't have fun on this bike check your pulse. Show less

I love this bike. I had a different bike for about 8 months when I saw this bike and kept reading about it over and over again. I drove my bike to the dealership and left with a 05 FZ1. When I left, the dealer told me to be easy because it will feel different than my old one. Well he was so right. Off the gate this thing was screaming, "Go, go, go! I had to pull over and get my head on straight. Once I composed myself, it was a beautiful ride home from the dealer. It had no miles on it so it has all been me. Show less

I love my bike so much I bought it a Valentine's Day card. No really, the 2005 FZ-1 is the perfect bike. I keep up with most pure sportbikes and have a better turning radius. It can be controlled like a dirt bike via the upright riding position. It has been my only transportation for the last 3.5 years. Show less

I just got back into bikes after 30 years without. I started with a 1996 BMW R1100R, too much vibration, a 6 speed tranny would have been great. Then I went to a 2000 BMW K1200RS, way too heavy, it ran very hot and I just made a mistake, I wasn't tall enough either. Next came a F 650 CS BMW, I actually liked that bike and rode it longer than the last 2. Then I fell for a 2006 Suzuki SV 650, great little hot rod but too small for trips and too light, it followed the groves on the freeway. Finally I have the right bike! A 2005 Yamaha FZ-1. I got it with 900 miles on it! This is the best riding bike I have ever ridden and I have rode a lot! I can ride all day and not feel beat up, it's very handsome and if you twist the throttle it goes into WARP SPEED!! How does Yamaha make a bike that is so docile yet turns into what seems like a drag bike? I am a happy owner! Show less

Purchased in Dec 04, I've ridden from Vegas all over the Southwest, as fas as El Paso, to the coast @ San Luis Obispo. This motorycle is why I ride. Smooth, fast and easy to manage. I have owned 2 VFR's and an 86 FJ 1200. It reminds me a lot of my FJ. Smooth and powerful. Room for a passenger. Fast enough to shame the unknowing and smooth enough to ride all day. Show less

I have been through a Vulcan, Goldwing, FJ1200, and the mighty Vmax and in my opinion none of them compare to the all around great performance of the FZ1. I am totally satisfied with the styling, accelleration, smoothness and comfort of this motorcycle. Show less

The Yamaha FZ1 makes a fine touring machine for the secondary hiways and biways of the Pacific Northwest. Adding only a rear GIVI box and all else stock I just finished a week long venture through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana which covered some 2200 miles on mostly secondary roads. My 2005 FZ1 ran flawlessly and without a wimper. It handled itself like a sport bike, yet bore me with the comfort of a touring machine. Around 4000 rpm at 60 mph I got about 50 mpg on 87 regular gas. The stock seat was day long tolerable and vibration levels were so low they disappeared in the breeze. I was much more road weary when I toured on my ST1300 last year. I also reached the highest speed I ever attained on any motorcycle I have owned on a long straight hiway near Riley, Oregon-137 mph! I highly reccomend the 2005 Yamaha with its near perfect balance of street abilities to any rider who is seriously interested in motorcycling. Show less

I just bought this bike and after the first 36 miles all I can say is, "SWEET"! The FZ1 is perfect for "mature" riders who want all the pluses of a sportbike without the cramped posture. Power is EVERYWHERE in the rpm band, and even during the break-in period keeping revs generally below 6000, acceleration is exhilarating to say the least. Handling is superb, and the suspension tracks over road imperfections without being upset. Reading reviews might give one the impression a larger aftermarket windshield is mandatory, but this is by no means the case. With the nose splitting the air ahead, even the tiny stock screen does an amazing job--at 90 mph I felt air pressure on my shoulders only, and I'm not a small person. The high-mount bars may be just a bit too high for those who want to explore the upper speed range, but they're perfect for all-'round use. I'm transitioning from a Triumph Rocket III which has OODLES of raw power, but a practical riding comparison between it and the FZ1, the Yamaha leaves like a BULLET and as speed builds (quickly), it remains composed and stable, without turbulent wind buffeting. It's a relatively light machine, and this contributes to excellent cornering response, yet detracts nothing when running fast out in the open. The half-fairing is actually superior in handling crosswind gusts over the fully-faired bikes I've ridden. For riders over 40 who like to RIDE, know what performance riding is all about, and secretly crave a sportbike but for the ergonomics, I HIGHLY endorse and recommend the Yamaha FZ1. Show less