"There's a bit too much, I'll put it on anyway ..." (Rocco Siffredi -1964-....)
By Olivier Quinten - Motoplanete Exclusive
here's what the FZ1's engine seems to be telling you as it approaches 10,000 rpm!
1st contact:
It's amazing how different a motorcycle can be between the showroom podium and the (sometimes delightful) moment of riding it!
The companion I'm getting for a week is dressed in grey, but the frame keeps the blue hue I'd already noticed on the MT01.
The matt black engine, borrowed from the R1 and "deflated" to 150 hp, fills and even overflows the aluminum diamond-type frame. The beefy swingarm, 43 mm inverted fork and sporty Pirelli tires (190/50 ZR17) immediately set the tone...
And yet...
when you get on this bike, you'll feel right at home, with both feet flat on the ground, your body uncluttered by the sporty yet comfortable seat.in any case, far more comfortable than the folding seat that serves as a passenger support, and which, as soon as you hit the brakes, serves more as a rucksack than anything else. What's more, the poor passenger can't hold on to 
Braking is no laughing matter either: 320 mm double disc at the front with 4-piston caliper, and 245 mm single disc at the rear.
The instrument panel is in keeping with current standards: rev counter on the right with red zone at 12,000 rpm and digital "block" on the left, including meters, 2 trips, engine temperature, fuel gauge and reserve indicator! Depending on how nervous you are on the right-hand throttle, this indicator lights up between 120 and 180 km. This gives a fuel consumption of between 7.5 and 9 l/100km! A reasonable trip to the pump every 150 km will save you from pushing the machine's 194 kg.
okay, engine
The sound emitted at idle by the much-discussed short exhaust (I've got used to it, have you?) is very discreet. But at the slightest stimulus, it doesn't hesitate to raise its voice. The lap counter could be divided into four parts:
1. From 0 to 2,000 revs, nothing of course!
2. From 2,000 and up to 7,500 rpm, it pushes hard and fast. The engine doesn't hesitate for a moment, and injection is perfectly tuned. 
3. The next step is already easy to detect by ear. The sound of the 4/1 changes radically and the voice clears up! From 8,000 to 10.000 rpm, we enter a sportier riding style: the front end becomes light, light and the arms start to pull seriously, yet the bike remains impeccably sound and even during incisive riding, only the footrest lugs will be able to temporize and, above all, stop an angle that seems limitless as the bike reacts so well.
And what about the fourth quarter?
4. Well, no pun intended, but we've really entered the fourth dimension: the arms, already thought to be on the verge of coming apart, extend a few more centimetres, the helmet slaps and vision blurs. Clearly, the vitality of this boiler is such that I don't think I opened it all the way until I was in the fourth dimension!
The first negative point is rather contradictory: this bike is so easy to ride, has such healthy roadholding, and such a lively engine, that over the 900 or so kilometers of the test, I have to admit that when I dared to look at the speedometer, I was each time frightened by the figures reached! On the way back from a run in France on the departmental roads, and with no assistance other than the air deflected by the headlight, I was driving at an average speed of 160 km/h!
Also of note are the passenger seat, wind protection and center stand?
But, but, but the bike described in the last paragraph does exist! It's the Fazer!
I have a feeling I'll have to make eyes at Yamaha again to bring you a test of the FZ1's sister...
Would you be surprised if I told you that the XTX's return to reality was difficult? that's how envious I am of future FZ1 owners, many of whom will be humiliating quite a few sports bikes... and all for a price of 10,490 Euros. Life's good, isn't it?
see you soon
Oli the Belgian
(photos: manufacturer)
helmet
Gloves
jacket
braking
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France
Bikers' reviews Leave a review - 75 reviews
Rating : 4/5 Respond to IGNACE
the minuses
hard-to-reach keel
suspension not very comfortable
seat needs changing
bo7ge du cul sur de fortes accélérations
the plus
it's got a kick
brakes well
it's beautiful
it goes well
motorcycle for wise people Rating : 4/5 Respond to ma
in terms of comfort, roadholding and power (150hp), at the moment all the roadsters on the market can hold their own.
i can't wait to try out the new suzuki, as there's currently no engine on the others....... Rating : 5/5 Respond to chris
Compare like with like. Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
And your concern is? Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
Mine's in full gear, and it's a joy to ride.
A minor fault is the rattling in the engine, apparently due to the cups containing the valve clearance adjustment discs.
No breakdowns to date, average fuel consumption 6l/100.
Pilot road 2 tire.
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Fazer58
And I must say I'm really happy with it (this one is also full with 1 tooth less kN and ems perf shock absorber)
The naked version is compulsory if you want to keep your license :/ Rating : 5/5 Respond to enzwill
I wanted to know how did you get your money back for the rotor?
Thanks in advance Rating : 5/5 Respond to Redman75
My dealer put together a file which was then approved by Yamaha France, but refused by Yamaha Japan. I was entitled to this file because I am a good, not to say very good, Yamaha customer. All my repairs had also been carried out by the same mechanic. And the bike is relatively well maintained (as proof, I still ride it and it has passed the 80,000km mark). Check with your dealer.
Bonne route
Motardement Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
I'm just about to take the plunge.
Going from my 99 cb500 to this 2011 fz1, and reading all this test, I can't wait to get it.
Bonne balade !
Alain Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
Just a rattling noise, possibly due to the buckets that close the valve adjustment pads (play in the cylinder head?) It's been doing that since I bought it Rating : 5/5 Respond to SPMC58
As for my tires, I'm originally from Brittany, so it's normal that in the mountains, the outsides wear out faster. My tread is uniform over the whole surface, and I only change them when I'm on a witness (they're also worn on the outside).
After all, if some people don't get the right one, or aren't happy with it, it happens, and on every bike. A bike can't be perfect for everyone, everyone has their own criteria.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm very happy with it, despite the points raised in my review.
For those looking for a new toy, give it a try, you might just have found your pearl.
I can't wait for Yamaha to update this model... Rating : 5/5 Respond to Yffic Narbonne
ohlala help... all this for a bike that doesn't offer much in the way of sensations either. Rating : 1/5 Respond to feu
I had the opportunity to try out this bike for a whole day when it first came out, and I have very fond memories of it.
One criticism: the exhaust silencer is really horrible (having said that, the one on the FZ8 is even worse, that's consoling, isn't it?).
Your article is very well written.
Some journalists should take inspiration from it.
A Cross Plane engine ?? ...but of course YES !!!! ...what are they waiting for at Yamaha ???
Bonne route !
Harry Rating : 5/5 Respond to Harry Seldon
I can't wait for Yam to bring out a modernized model with an engine derived from today's YZFs. Rating : 3/5 Respond to max
It's the only bike I've ever had any fun on. Even my Bandit 600 or the FJR I had were more fun to ride...
You're not talking about that damned injection cut-off when you go back on the throttle... astonishing, since it's a problem for which Yam has never been able to find a solution, except from 2008 onwards, but for dolts like me who bought the 2006 and 2007 models, we had to cope with this unmanageable bike.
A pain in the ass after 100 km, a totally hollow engine at the bottom, with the cavalry only arriving at 7/8,000 rpm. Truck-like fuel consumption with a ridiculously large fuel tank.
My greatest pleasure with this FZ1 was when I sold it... we must not have had the same one! Rating : 2/5 Respond to did
Of course, there are imperfections, like the lack of range, the tight turning radius, the absence of a center stand on the N version and, above all, the lack of a handle for the passenger.
But underneath it all, there's some crazy stuff. Even with 100hp, it's a real pleasure to drive. Wearing Michelin Pilot Road 2 or Road 3, it holds very well, and it's terrible.
It rubs a little (the footbraces) when you titillate a little (a lot), but you get used to it.
Above all, it's very, very stable in curves. I often fly the plane (without my hands), even when cornering. The bike keeps its trajectory, and I love it.
So if you're looking for a good, sporty roadster, give it a try. You won't be disappointed, and you'll love the way it sounds, even from the factory. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Nioume
Problems with shaking at 70 and 50 km/h when braking. Yam changed my discs, brake pads and front rim, and it's still going on, but Yam doesn't want to hear any more about it. For them, you have to "ignore vibrations when braking", but I'm not going to ignore their bullshit. Long live YAM!
What's more, for a 1000cc, it's soft. If you're bridled, you'll be disappointed; if you're unbridled, you'll have to wait until you get up into the revs to get the 150hp...
Too on/off for me, I'm going to sell it and look elsewhere.
1st and last time I buy a yam, too disgusted! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Djoul31
3-day test ride (750 km) conclusive, apart from lazy gearbox under foot...hesitant spring at times...difficulties in neutral with engine at 97°, apart from that in rpm not so impressive. and a bit heavy
the superduke 990 is easier to handle, especially when stopping. No rear diodes and from 180 km/h the 200 km/h wall is hard, too much wind in the chives, my old vmax passed the wall without problems
NO CONTENT !!! sorry Rating : 5/5 Respond to giannimax
it handles much better than my old R1
on the other hand, I solved most of the throttle jerking by tightening the accelerator cable and leaving very little play, then I put in two powers, now it's a big-engine bike
once hot, the pot makes the drone
long traget put the balls
gazzzzzz Rating : 5/5 Respond to speed 303
12 months to find the scoops, still no seat cover for the carene version, no KN air filter or other similar brand! too bad!
if you wanted to modify the injection settings, no power commander available!
so you can buy a basic bike but not have fun upgrading it!
LACK OF SERIOUSNESS NO!!!! Rating : 5/5 Respond to adess01
I've just gone through the 38 or so comments on the FZ1 and I'm pretty happy to see that apparently the only problem with this bike is aesthetics. "I don't argue, but I do say that I like it. The pot, while original, blends in superbly with the FZ1's unusual design.
Does it bother you in the photos? Go see it and try it out. And a word of advice: forget your checkbook, or you'll walk away with it!
What's allucinating is that, at 215kg (quite full), it's... light! And frankly, that's from a guy who drives a Virago 535
There have also been a few criticisms of the hardness of the controls, but I haven't noticed anything
As for the engine, I can't say for sure. Coming from a 535 (30hp), it certainly pushes, and the rectus is hard to erase after testing :). But what I can say is that, coming from a 535, this bike, though attractive, scared me a little! But no. As well as being "light", it's perfectly possible to ride it in a leisurely fashion (yes, you have to have some too...), and that, for me, is good news
The only real regret is the center stand and perhaps the absence of a grab handle at the rear. Madame's a bit of a sourpuss, but if I can manage to tame 210kg of power, I'll probably be able to reassure my beauty's 65 inches!
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Nhood75
short and stocky, magnificent rocker panel, homogeneous whole, there's nothing to throw away
The bike is agile and surefooted, yet not very lively when changing corners
Although the engine has lost a third of its power, it remains interesting (without more) up to 8,000 rpm
Pleasant riding position in town and on small roads; bearable at legal speeds on motorways (ZZZzzzz...)
A saddle that's too hard and a suspension that's too dry will quickly ravage the posteriors of both rider and passenger (a post-balade massage session is in order)
It's in the "Moto Passion" register, for Sunday bikers like myself... Rating : 5/5 Respond to Mandrak
A gearbox output sprocket later and the hollow fills in a little.
I'm waiting for the KN
As for the pot: you either love it or you leave it. LeoVince and Cracrapovitch do acceptable stuff with adjustable baffles
So it's a pleasure, m'sieurdame, I'm going to have one. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Bdp
I ordered it in yellow against my 2004 YZF R1
It's a real pleasure... Rating : 5/5 Respond to Tiebin
But it still looks good. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Mr. mojo
Then ba voila my next bike!!! I'm selling my Z750 for this beautiful yellow yam! So yeah the pot shocks me too, changing it might be hard because of the valve, but we'll see. I still prefer it to the FZ6's 2 pot which makes the rear end heavier. In short, as soon as my Z is gone, I'll sign the order form and wait until MARCH !!!!
Eric Rating : 5/5 Respond to Rickorn
Reading Oli le Belge's new MT-01 test ride, it seems that changing the muffler is highly profitable! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Cfromneuch