Yamaha FZ1 reviews

After four months and 3500 miles, I'm still in love with my FZ1, although I've begun to see some small faults. First, the good: About 500 miles or so ago (after an oil change) the engine quieted down to silky smoothness. Still the occasional rattle, but otherwise it sounds like a sewing machine. Really nice. This thing's still a beast, however, with really ridiculous power. Until I started driving for max mpg, I was doing my morning commute - average about 40 mph - and never leaving second gear. Just for giggles, sometimes I'd drive it at 40-50 in first just to hear the engine howl, and got no complaints from the bike. The FZ1 handles like a champ and is a blast in the twisties. I still find the factory seat to be very comfortable and have no plans to upgrade it. Other reviewers' comments on wrist pain are strange to me, 'cause the ergos on this thing don't put any weight on my wrists whatsoever. Now, the bad: After about 2000 miles, I began to see what they mean when folks complain about the twitchy throttle. I see it particularly when I drop power going around intersections; when the time comes to power back up, it takes a half second or so. This could conceivably be dangerous if you're not expecting it, as the power comes on fast and furious. I understand that this comes about due to environmental requirements imposed on the bike, and that Yamaha still hasn't cured this problem, but it's a problem nonetheless. I've gotten used to it and, in all honesty, kind of like the quirkiness of it, but others are not so enthusiastic. The tank is way too small, and you're lucky to get 130 miles out of it before the last fuel bar begins to blink. I commute almost 50 miles per day and have to refill every other trip. No big deal, but it's something to consider if you're looking at the FZ1 as a long distance cruiser. On the whole, this is a truly magnificent bike with more power and performance than any sane individual could ever want. Show less

Anyone who modifies this bike for performance has a death wish, I agree. I looked at the Bandit, the 919, and the FZ1. The Bandit was all engine, the 919 was excellent but low-tech, but the FZ1 has it almost perfect. I love the suspension, the brakes are excellent, and yes, the engine and tranny are noisy, but I'm hoping 20w-50 after break in will fix that. I love the dashboard, it has everything you could want. This bike is way too easy to ride fast. I wanted something modern for what is probably my last bike, having come from a '82 GL500. haven't bothered checking the mileage yet, but I will update after break in. I will order the Yamaha seat upgrade for sure. The fairing is perfectly sized, but the bars put too much weight on my wrists. I will just try to turn them up a bit and see if that helps. After I get a little more used to it, I might not have such a death grip on the bars, though. 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

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. Show less

I've put 2K miles on my bike since I bought it in December and it's been great. I ride it almost daily as a commuter and on the weekends I play around with the local crotch rocketers. I get beat in the hard twisties by the Duc'sters. I can literally ride figure 8's and what not around them in the parking lots while they are working back and forth just to back out of a parking spot. This bike is well balanced... I only have to put a foot down at a stop if I'm going to be there for more than a second. It's as fast as hell on the pipe and will pull the front up in 3rd and run away from the Ducs. My engine is really clattery and noisy but nothing seems to be broken yet. I'll be back with a longer test for durability. Fantastic bike for the money. Show less

I like this bike as much as my 05 BMW R12GS! I had an 03 FZ1, then the BMW and now, back to an 06 FZ1...that says something. Been riding over 25 yrs, had bunch of bikes in the past, but the Genesis motor, redesigned delta frame, Sumitomo brake calipers, decent suspension & comfort all in a utilitarian package has always been one of my favorite! You can't find anything like it with other brands...nice! Well done, Yamaha! Show less

To update my last first impression review...I will start by saying the gearbox is shifting much better now after an oil change. I would recommend anyone do this after a few hundred miles. The bikes power is ridiculous. I have actually lifted the front wheel by accident in 3rd gear! I replaced the junk seat with a corbin and now I can ride for hours. The rifle windshield I ordered was humongous and I had to return it. The base they give you is too flimsy and the shield flexes terribly. I went with the Givi windscreen and it does a great job. I got the largest bar risers that can be put on the bike without longer cables and there is still more weight on my wrists than I like. Bike consistently gets over 40 mpg. The tank capacity is pathetic at 4.75 gal. Bikes in this class generally have much larger tanks. I have finally realized this bike should not be in the same class as a V-Strom or Tiger...It is a sportbike. If you are shopping for comfort, get another bike. If performance and looks are more important, this might be for you. I was looking for comfort and thought this may be it, but now I am addicted to the power. Rev this thing over 7k in any gear and hold on tight!!! Show less

After having cruisers for a many years I made it over to the sport side of things. Now I am older and do like the comfort that most cruisers offer, but after yopu make it to the dragon you can understand why I now ride a more sport touring machine. No trailer queen here! I really was looking at a ZRX but decided that a decent fairing and centerstand was well worth it. My last bike had a centerstand and it is a rather nice feature. In stock form the FZ1 is a really great bike, but add a Corbin seat and a better windscreen (Givi,ZG,etc) and you've got a bike you can really put the miles on. Great performance with great handling from the factory. If you have it hammered down, grab on to the bars tight cause you're in for a great rush. That stout tubular frame really holds things together. I really like the torque, for the most part downshifting is just optional. Can be a little buzzy, nothing major at all, and the enginge heat is noticable. I was considering a newer FZ6, but found a really great deal on an 01 with extremely low miles. Show less

First, let me say that I've only been riding for a year, and have only ridden my only bike, a 1981 Honda CB750K. I can't compare my 2006 FZ1 with anything else, 'cause I haven't ridden anything else. Full disclosure over, let me say that I don't see how a motorcycle could get any better than a gen2 FZ1. It's extremely fast, though very gentle and easy to control. Not really a beginner's bike, although it's a great one to learn on once you have the basics down and feel you have enough discipline to control your throttle hand. (Frankly, I've always ridden near the speed limit but, since I bought my FZ1 a month or so ago, have found myself typically exceeding the limit - sometimes by a pretty wide margin.) I use this bike for pretty much everything: I commute about fifty miles every day (20 to work, and 30 back home when I don't have to be anywhere on time and can take the twisty back roads run errands; take day trips on weekends; whatever. This bike is perfect for all occasions. It's comfortable enough to put a couple of hundred miles on without a painful backside, and the riding posture is aggressive without putting too much weight on my wrists or back. Needless to say, I no longer hold up traffic when the light turns green. I guess the most endearing thing about this bike is its user-friendliness. I wasn't sure that moving up to a liter bike was such a good idea, and spent much of the night before delivery with images of making unintentional wheelies and stoppies all the way home. Nothing of the sort. This beast's a gentleman and handles as sweetly as anything I could imagine. Acceleration is gentle, and braking is firm but not grabby. The gearing is set up perfectly for the typical urban rider in that you won't pull wheelies in first, and you won't be the last one home in sixth. The transmission is extremely smooth and all controls are exactly where you'd want them. Best of all, it's even got a fuel gauge (a tremendous improvement over the CB750's petcock) and a digital clock. The thing turns on a dime and is very light and responsive in turns. It's behaved itself flawlessly and kept itself under control so far. However, when I take it up over 5000 rpm, I can feel 'er coiling up and getting ready to fly. Sounds silly, but it's as if it understands that I'm still a beginning rider, but is telling me that it's ready to open up and scream when I feel I'm ready to go there. Honestly, I love this bike and can't imagine anything better. For those who live in Northern Virginia, you'll understand what I mean when I say that I actually look forward to my commutes since I bought this FZ1. Show less

A recent review suggests this bike is Made for Touring, Not for Racing. Simply put...stupid statement! This bike gets up about as fast as your best 600/750cc out there. It is a step down from the 1000 cc true sport bikes; however, with a few minor mods this thing can turn into a rivaling force on any race track, putting a lot of smaller class sport bikes to shame. As an owner of a 04 R-1 and a 06 FZ1, I feel I can make this claim with confidence (I have spent some extended time on tracks in my day). The FZ1 is truly an amazing bike, by far the best do it all bike on the market. I have put over 10k miles on my Fazer, seen a few days at the track as well, and can honestly say this bike is so much more well rounded than my R-1. I'm considering selling it, as I believe this bike can quench any motorcycling desire. In short, if you want a bike that can do pretty much anything from long twisty tours through the country to nearly breaking the sound barrier on pavement (with a few mods), this bike is for you! It has a pretty comfy riding position (it could use a gel-seat), and plenty of punch as it is stock. Show less