anyone own/owned a fz1 fazer?

Pretty set on getting one for my next bike as i test rode one today (along with the new mt07 and mt09) just wondered if anyone on the forum owns or have owned one and how they held up over a decent length of time

I think Radar may be your man for that one alley   

Radar for sure!

Did 10,000 miles on mine in just under 4 years. It was a 2007 FZ1S

Fast, Comfortable, great brakes, good handling, a little tall for me. Loved it, eats MT09 and MT 07 for breakfast. I have test ridden both of those recently

My Fazer review

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MT09

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MT07

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Excellent and thank you Tony   

I just love this forum and it's membership. It's got to be the warmest fuzzy feeling forum around [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Fazer8 that I'm now running (and rode to BC last year) is basically the same bike as the FZ1, but with a sleeved-down engine (and no EXUP) and budget suspension.

It's definitely a keeper, now I've fitted a FZ1 rear shock - the original was a bit too bouncy for my liking - a straight swap.  I've also blinged it up a bit with a Scorpion can to replace the heavy, ugly OEM item (and it sounds much nicer, too), Renthal bars (similar shape to the originals, but save a bit of weight) and a few practical touches like an MRA Vario screen, which keeps a bit more of the weather off though it's just as noisy, R&G bungs, centre stand, fender-extender and radiator grille.  I found a lot of this stuff on ebay - I think some sellers don't realise that the bits they are selling would fit the FZ1 as well, so you are often the only bidder. Oh, and the inevitable Givi topbox carrier - something I can't live without on an all-rounder like this.

I've now done around 10,000 miles, using it all year round, and it seems to be standing up well, with the odd squirt of ACF50 on the fasteners.  The only real niggle I have is the tank - its size (it's 2 litres smaller than the FZ6 that this bike replaced) and the plastic trim bits around the front, that prevent me using a magnetic tank bag and have annoying nooks and crannies that collect dirt and dead insects - definitely a case of form over function.  I did buy a Bagster tank cover on ebay in preparation for the now-cancelled trip to the 'Ring - I've not fitted it yet, as I think they are ugly things, but despite that I may put it on anyway to keep the bugs at bay.

The good bits are comfort (500 ache-free miles in a day - in the depths of winter), enough performance for me (didn't disgrace itself at Cadwell a while back), 55 mpg (160 miles to reserve), decent gearchange, smooth fuelling etc. - and that solid Yamaha quality.

I guess with the FZ1 you would trade off economy for the extra performance.

It's worth bearing in mind that the 8 has never been very popular, so prices (new and secondhand) are low.  That's particularly true now that Yamaha have brought out the MT-09 which is getting rave reviews.  So you can definitely get a lot of bike for your money.

cheers chaps, exactly what I was wanting to know ... I rode the MT07 first and really loved it (had the akropovic aftermarket cans with the baffles removed on it which addressed the sewing machine soundtrack) but then when I got on the MT09 I really couldn't get along with it. Didn't like the engine and for some reason even though the MT07 felt lighter it still felt more planted than the 09. Then got on the FZ1 Fazer and it was perfect, best parts of a sports bike with none of the crippling drawbacks.