Yamaha FZ1 reviews

Although both motorcycles are labeled as sport touring, there are clear differences between these two excellent motorcycles. I reviewed all the comments in this site (very helpful), and after riding it this past weekend, the least I can do is give some feedback. I was concerned about the riding position and comfort, especially after cruising with my TDM for 6+ hours without any aches. I needed not to worry; the Fazer is comfortable enough for touring, maybe not the six straight hours, but definitely enough hours of fun and adrenaline. The handling is superb. Entering and leaving the curves behind is an easy task, maybe not for first timers, but a piece of cake for anyone who rides +500cc for more than a year. Although I still cannot feel the total thrust of the engine (brand new, still loosening it), I have no doubt I'm riding on top of the 150hp! Wow, speed and acceleration have a different concept for me now. After the first hour, I felt confident enough to have a passenger behind me. Again, the Fazer did not notice the extra weight and rode for nowhere fast! I'm glad with my decision, although I left good memories behind with the TDM. I'm excited to acquire new riding skills with this bike, and handling high speed tours, with comfort, confidence a sense of security. Go for it! Show less

I purchased this motorcycle from a local dealer on 8/24/10 and all I can say is "Wow, this is a great bike." I'm a bigger guy and it's fairly comfortable. Mine had an aftermarket seat when I got it and an MIIV aftermarket exaust which sounds great as far as performance. It's a 1000cc bike in a straight line. It's extremely fast in the turns. It could be better. It's a very good-looking bike and it's very smooth. It is well suited for sport touring. I will give this bike a 4 out of 5. It's overall a solid bike and I definitely recommend it. Show less

I also owned a Hayabusa and have sold it. Before that, I owned the previous generation FZ1 and I put over 40K miles on it. The Hayabusa was an impulse purchase, and while it was fun, the romance wore off. It was fast as a monkey on caffeine, but the handling could have been better and it handled very poorly in a cross wind. I only put 10K miles on it before I lost interest. I was tire kicking at a dealership and they told me they had last year's FZ1 with a substantial rebate. I said, "can I call my wife?" Sure. She said go for it. First, THIS FZ1 handles better than the older FZ1. In fact, it almost handles like a gixxer. And that is saying a lot. It is more nimble than one should expect, but still very stable on our pot-hole filled Oakland roads. I have a Givi top-box on order and will likely get a new seat. The old one was so much better. I rode to Los Angeles and then Vegas and back and my bum was fine (on the old FZ1). This one hurts within the hour. I'll probably get the slightly taller windscreen and then I'll be done with the mods. You can sit up, or you can lean forward. Both work. My wife has already been on the back. Life will be better for her when there is a backrest, which is part of the Givi luggage package. Show less

Okay...so it's not as ooh-ahh as the Duc or Aprilia....but you can sit on this bike for more than an hour and not have to be lifted off. The ergos are much more real-life and comfy for those of us over 18 and standing taller than a Pygmy. The Fizzy has heaps of power...especially with the upgrades I put on. The old Genesis engine still makes enough power to pull a mid 10 second quarter with my fat butt aboard. Stock it will pull the front wheel off in a couple gears, handles well in corners and the gearbox and brakes are dandy. Is it an R1 or Gixxer slayer?? No. But for a 48 year old who cannot fold himself up to fit on a repli-racer crotch-rocket any longer, this bike is more than enough fun. In fact it's a kick in the a$$. You won't regret buying this bike. Show less

I live in London England. I commute and get around town by motorbike, and I also like a good burn at the weekend. This bike really does kick arse. Yamaha have got so much right about this bike. It is a pleasure to ride around town, even in fairly heavy traffic. It just feels so comfortable stable and secure, even on pretty crap roads. It is really agile, nimble and well balanced. The best bike I have ridden round town, and that includes a lot of bikes. On the open road, what a buzz! What an engine. It will do whatever you want, and whatever you want to do, suits the bike. It is an animal if you want it to be, it is a refined and controlled sports tourer if you want it to be. You can even ride very sedately and with the smooth engine it can really pull that off too. It seems that however you want to ride the bike, it suits being ridden in that way. Round town or on the open road, this bike has style and character, and it feels good! I think this is already a modern classic model and I can't recommend it highly enough. The suspension could possibly do with a small amount of adustment from standard. I'm not sure what yet. I guess I am just trying to imagine a better version of perfection. I can agree with others that the seat is hard, and after just a couple of hours, you can start to get a numb arse, but that's to be tolerated, and anyone'e tolerance will increase/arse will toughen up with time. Show less

Hello fellow riders, I have always wanted this bike since the first review I read from the european market. I got myself a great deal on a used 2001 with 13,000 and change on the clock. It came with two jackets, two helmets, extra brake pads, flush mount signals(if i want to install them) some extra fluids and some minor mods. I have spent most of my riding career on vintage sport tourers, i.e. Yamaha FJ's and XJ's, Honda V65's, a 1993 Kawasaki Concours and a 1996 Triumph Sprint. Ergonomically, my 1983 XJ 900 Seca has been the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I also found it very fun to ride, as it was way ahead of it's time in design. The bike handled amazingly well for it's day, it cornered and stopped well and had great acceleration and torque for a 100hp bike, especially considering it was shaft drive. I was expecting a little more performance from this bike simply from the technological advances in recent years, what I wasn't expecting was the hair scorching acceration of this bike. This bike is amazing. Coming from vintage bikes to this bike was like being transported into the future via a time machine. This bike amazes me in every category. What a nimble little rocket this thing is. I am enjoying every minute on this trusty steed. The kicker is how cheap it is to maintain this bike. Over 20,000 miles before you have to pull the valve covers. Brilliant. Ride fast, but ride safe. Will Show less

Great, great, great bike! First off, its not an R1 or GSXR1000 so don't compare it to these monsters. The one thing it is, is the best all around bike you can buy today. The engine is great! Very smooth with linear acceleration. It is totally manageable as you can feel the power building between 3k-5k, comes alive at 5k-8k, and you better HOLD ON if you have a wrist full of throttle above 8k because she is pullin' hard. I have owned my bike for 3 years and she still surprises me from time to time. You can't go wrong with this ride. Show less

O.K. here we are 5 years and 27,000 miles later and now for the REAL truth! WOW, Still! Yes, I am stll in love with this awesome machine. More into the Sport and Sport Touring now. I have several long didtance trips, 2200, 1700, and even an 1100 miler with the wife. I have replaced tires twice, soon to get the third set. The drive chain once(20K). Iridium Spark Plugs. Best MPG is 50.3 and worst is 44.1, riding two-up with 60 lbs of baggage and gear, at 70-75 mph. Of course regular service and 3-4k oil changes(synthetic) and air filter cleaning(K&N). At 24K valve check(all 20) no adjustment needed:) Original brake pads still on(F&R). Nothing has ever gone wrong or needed repairs! Without a doubt the most reliable bike I have ever owned!:) Still a hoot to ride in the twisties, it does anything you ask of it and delivers all and more and wtih flair and plenty of power to spare! It addapts to any style of ride and road conditions. WOW! Show less

The best bike you could ever want for all around use. Insurance is cheap! Way, way, way cheaper than the R1. Comfortable riding with high bars. For the money it's your best friend. I laugh when people try to compare the FZ1 to the race version R1. Apples and oranges to say the least. Show less

Well well, if your butt hurts like mine does on long hauls then you can get away with shoe gel packs in your jean pants. For a little pocket change take those silicone shoe inserts and either pack them in your back pockets and or bungee cord them to your seat. Either way works like a charm. Can't say enough about the FZ1 Yamaha. I mean 87 mph in first gear!! Bang second and the front tire starts skimming the pavement. What a bike way more power than you can use on the street. The most fun bike I have ever had. Show less