Yamaha FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer (2006-2016) - Review & Buying Guide

In 2006 the Yamaha FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer models arrived to much expectation. And rightly so. For years fans of naked bikes had been asking for Yamaha to build an R1-powered option and the existing FZS1000 Fazer, which was loved by many, was now starting to feel decidedly long in the tooth and squishy. Boasting a modern (2004-based) R1 engine, sporty chassis and fresh look, these two new models should have hit the showrooms to much acclaim. But they didn’t as Yamaha not only got the fuelling wrong, they also skimped when it came to the shock. Cursed by a nasty snatchy throttle response (which was very unlike a Yamaha model) and with a pogo of a shock, the public’s appetite for this new breed of budget-friendly naked and practical do-it-all from Yamaha dried up. Yamaha attempted to fix the issue with a hasty ECU upgrade but the FZ1 models never really recovered and despite selling reasonably well, they failed to captured the public’s love in the same way as some of their rivals did. This all said and done, nowadays they are well worth investigating in. With their issues now well documented and multiple solutions out there to sort them, a used FZ1 model makes a lot of sense. Tempted? Read on so you don’t get caught out...

Pros & Cons

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Price

Brand new the FZ1 would have set you back £7199 while the FZ1 Fazer was a touch more at £7599 in 2006. That seems remarkable value for money when you look at modern middleweight prices but it was nearly 20 years ago and times have certainly changed... Nowadays a very high-mileage FZ1 Fazer can be had for around £2000 but it will have been used as a hack and really you want a bike with 20,000-30,000 miles on its clocks rather than over 50,000 mile so you need to spend closer to £3000-£3500. The engine is reliable and this mileage means the chassis’ components won’t be too worn out. The naked FZ1 generally covers less miles (understandably) than the FZ1 Fazer so with this budget you are looking at a high-teens miles FZ1. The most you realistically need to pay is £4500 as that will secure you a tidy mid-teens FZ1 Fazer or FZ1 from a dealer. Bikes over this budget aren’t worth buying as you will only devalue them by riding them!

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Engine & Performance

Powered by a 2004 YZF-R1-derived engine, the FZ1 models are hardly lacking in performance despite a milder tune seeing them produce 22bhp less than the sportsbike. A really delightful motor with a strong reliability record and wonderfully gutsy mid-range, if Yamaha had just got the fuelling right sales would have been far rosier. But they didn’t (updated 2010-onwards bikes are better, look for an all-black exhaust) and that was always the FZ1s’ issue. Happily, due to Yamaha’s consistence with its build quality, you can actually download a generic new fuel map into a fuelling module and sort the issues (the fuel is cut too much when the throttle is closed, leading to a jerk when it is opened again). Some owners also raise the rev limit but while the R1 engine can take it, it’s not a great idea for a few extra bhp at the very top end...

In terms of reliability, all should be good. The valve-clearances need checking every 24,000 miles, the occasional stick coil can fail and the clutch pack might need replacing but generally both FZ1 models’ motors are very, very robust. Some owners lower the FZ1’s gearing as you don’t really need a 150mph top-end on a naked bike, which is a fair point...

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The FZ1 models don’t use an R1 chassis, instead they have a die-cast unit that although strong and sportier than before, isn’t a full-on sportsbike chassis. That said, just like the R1, the FZ1s run forks with the damping functions split between the legs (compression on the left, rebound on the right). While these all function well, the shock is the weak link in the chassis system and as it only has rebound damping and preload to alter, there isn’t much you can do to stop its lack of damping and overly firm spring combining to make it feel like a pogo stick. Which is a real shame because it ruins the ride quality. Happily a simply shock swap for a quality aftermarket unit and maybe a fork rebuild if you have the cash and the FZ1s are transformed.

With sorted suspension you can really appreciate the FZ1 models for what they are. With a lovely blend of sporty handling yet still security, they brake, turn and fire through bends very impressively. Tipping the scales at 204kg dry (so roughly 222kg wet) they aren’t the most agile machines but what they lack slightly in instant turn-in they make up for with stability. But you need to keep an eye on a few areas...

The four-piston front brake calipers are quite prone to seized pistons (more common the FZ1 Fazer as it gets subjected to filthy weather, upgrade them with stainless steel pistons) and you need to check the suspension linkages and head/wheel bearings for play on older or high-mileage bikes. Other than this, it is general wear and tear items.

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Comfort & Economy

The FZ1 is a naked bike and is therefore obviously compromised by a lack of wind protection. You can add a small screen but if wind blast bothers you, buy an FZ1 Fazer instead. Both bikes have the same relaxed riding position but the FZ1 Fazer’s half-fairing makes it a much easier bike to cover miles on. In fact, a lot of owners use them as sports tourers. If you want to make it even more relaxed and practical, there are tall screen options alongside comfort seats, full-fairings, panniers etc.

Economy has never been the FZ1 models’ strong point and mpg figures in the 40s are pretty much standard so expect roughly 47mpg and you won’t be disappointed. That’s not horrific but it could be better as the inline four is hardly being stressed at road speeds. An ECU remap does help improve the motor’s economy slightly but not by much.

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Equipment

ABS was an option on the FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer although it became standard fitment later in the models’ life. Other than this, the FZ1 models never had any technical treats.

When it comes to optional extras, there is quite a list. Owners of the FZ1 often swap the bars for chunkier alternatives (ensure the brake and throttle lines aren’t compromised) and fitting braided brake lines, uprated suspension, tail tidies and a loud pipe are all common. If the bike has an aftermarket pipe, check it has had its fuelling modified to suit through an ECU remap or fuelling module.

Owners of the FZ1 tend to go down the practical more than performance route and while exhausts and tail tidies are common, so are top boxes, luggage, heated grips, full fairings and tall screens. Just be wary of any electrical additions as some gear indicators can create electrical issues and power sockets/heated items can put extra strain on the generator.

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Rivals

The FZ1 tends to go up against the older breed of semi-super nakeds such as the Triumph Speed Triple 1050, Kawasaki Z1000, Suzuki SV1000 or Honda CB1000R while the FZ1 Fazer is against the commuter such as the Suzuki Bandit 1200 (or its derivatives), Honda Blackbird or Kawasaki Z1000SX.

Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (2005-2007) | Price: £3000-£5000

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Power/Torque

131bhp / 78lb-ft

Weight

189kg

Suzuki GSX1250FA (2010-2016) | Price: £2000-£5000

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Power/Torque

96.5bhp / 79lb-ft

Weight

257kg

Kawasaki Z1000SX (2014-2016) | Price: £3000-£5500

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Power/Torque

140bhp / 82lb-ft

Weight

230kg

2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Verdict

While the FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer were generally maligned in their day, with the benefit of hindsight they are viewed in a much more favourable light. If you are after a cheap naked bike with stacks of grunt, the FZ1 ticks all the right boxes and it doesn’t take much to make it even better (quality shock, fuel map, maybe a fork rebuild). And the FZ1 Fazer is a similar story with bags of potential easily unlocked and a low price tag for a daily commuter or a practical bike for covering miles on that still has a bit of a sting in its tail. Thanks to Yamaha’s high build quality, faults are few and far between and you can pick up a real beauty for around £4000. That’s a lot of bike for a very reasonable outlay.

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2006 Yamaha FZ1 & FZ1 Fazer - Technical Specification

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