Fazer 1000
 

Took one for a test ride today, so much power it's a bit bonkers. My only concern was coming off the power when turning and it starts to fall into the turn quite quickly, not because of engine braking (there is none). Does anyone know anything about them/it/anyone with one? I am probably going to Europe in June and want a sports tourer but no acres of plastic etc. It's comfortable at the ton and offers probably as much or more wind protection than the SV and is far more comfortable.

They're crackin'. I'd love one but without a garage it'd cost loads.
The bike mags rave about them and it's right up there on the RiDE power list.

Re: Fazer 1000
 

Scooby, Is the Fazer 1000 made by Yamaha? If so its called a FZ1 over here. I rode one at Daytona BikeWeek motorcycle Demo's, not on the speedway track. But in an escorted tour around city and highway roads. I found this bike to be very comfortable and very fast. The bike comes with a sportshield/half fairing, like the SVS and also has a centerstand. I remember the gearbox shifted very smooth and neutral was real easy to find. I don't remember having noticed any engine vibration, regardless of speed. The bike has everything you could possible want, with the exception of fuel injection. I personally love this bike, but the insurance will be very expensive. A little over twice what the SV costs, depending on your age of course. Also the bike will do the ton with ease and a lot more. So if your throttle hand is heavy, be prepared for speeding tickets.
Cheers, Richard

I had one for 5 months as a courtesy bike late 2003 into 2004. It's a really good reliable bike. It never once let me down during the winter.

I took my partner on it on a 250 mile round trip and her only real complaint (apart from the December cold) was the height of the pillion pegs gave her a little knee ache after an hour. I cant say i had any complaints, it is really comfortable and the ride height is nice and upright. A little high for me but if youre 6ft then it would suit a treat.

As you say there is no engine breaking to speak of, unless you're really reving the engine to keep the speed up. But being a torqued up R1 engine it is a monster accelerator and wheely bike. Brakes are top notch, cant beat them. Suspension is a little soft but adjustable.

My next bike would be a toss up between the Fazer thou and a VFR800 for a long distance commuter/tourer.

Fantastic bike in my view.

Really good on fuel, apparently - one mag was getting 57mpg on the motorway :shock: They put this down to an efficient FI system and the fact that the engine was hardly working at all at those speeds.

They need a little looking after if you're going to ride all winter, but what bike doesn't?

Another member of the Fazer fan club here.

If I could choose any bike right now it would be a Fazer 1000, in blue of course.
Does everything I would ever need from a bike with loads of power.

Well I just got an insurance quote which I can afford and I can afford the bike (2nd hand 02 in black with 4600m) but the dealer offered me £1600 for my SV. It is an 03 with 14000m and I still owe £2700 on it so that is not going to happen. It has scrapes from being dropped a couple times at slow speed but the cost of fairing plus sidepanel is £250 and he was knocking £900 off book price of £2500 for 'the work that needs doing'. He obviously doesn't need to sell me a bike then...

Sorry Jabba but it's got carbs like the original R1.

Here's a bike test from 2001 http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcyam/01fazer.html

That will be why the fueling is so good then.
No doubt Yamaha will be forced by the EU to bugger it up shortly with fuel injection like they had to with the new Fazer 600.

That didn't happen to be Carrick Yamaha in Leith did it? A work colleague priced a Fazer 600 from them and they wouldn't budge from the list price. He ended up going west to Hamilton or somewhere like that and bought one there. He took it for repair to Carrick after he was hit by a van and said their service was s**t, they took weeks to fix some fairly minor damage, 'forgot' to fix some fairly major damage and didn't even provide a courtesy bike. Definately wouldn't go there!

MK