FZ1 Fazer GT: an unprecedented sports bike
A review of the new configuration of the famous sports naked is presented by an independent Japanese expert, free rider, Asakura Keisuke. He loves motorcycles: both riding them and talking about them, and he himself is not averse to having a hand in improving and refining them. Recently he prefers European-made motorcycles.
The FZ1 Fazer GT motorcycle is a new variation model of the FZ1 naked sports series, which is highly rated for sporty mobility. The three main differences of the new model are the presence of a full fairing, a high windshield and a helmet holder. This modification has the main goal of increasing the convenience and practicality of the bike.
One of the features of the FZ1 series is its high sportiness and aggressive styling in the spirit of a “street fighter”, but since it is based on the radical appearance and engine from the YZF-R1, it is not so easy to imagine. The very high degree of completeness of the control function of the FZ1 series and outstanding maneuverability have given rise to a new and original character of the motorcycle. The FZ1 series has always boasted an outstanding ride quality.
The abbreviation GT indicates that the motorcycle is equipped with a full set of fairings. The body is painted in a color that makes the motorcycle look like the Yamaha Taurer FJR1300. The high windshield is only available on the GT trim. Compared to the standard model, it is increased not only in height, but also in width, which significantly improves the wind protection characteristics of the rider. A helmet holder with a key lock is installed on the left side of the tail fairing. The engine is based on the YZF-R1 motorcycle released in 2004, 4-cylinder, 5-valve DOHC water-cooled, and modified for a naked motorcycle. The Japanese domestic market version has its own parameters for the compression ratio, crankshaft and other internal engine parts, as well as intake duct diameter, muffler and computer settings.
Distinctive features of the Yamaha FZ1 Fazer GT
The most pronounced distinctive feature of the FZ1 Fazer GT in the form of a complete set of fairings is supplied by the manufacturer of accessories and optional spare parts for Yamaha equipment, Y's Gear. The windshield and helmet holder are also made by Y's Gear, and the FZ1 Fazer GT motorcycle itself, when sold, is initially equipped with options from the dealer. All spare parts can be purchased at specialized Yamaha stores, and adding the additional optional GT prefix to the main model name FZ1 Fazer is not at all difficult. However, there is a point here that deserves special mention.
The FZ1 Fazer has an MSRP excluding taxes of 1,000,000 yen ($12,070). And in the FZ1 Fazer GT configuration, the recommended price is 1,080,000 yen (13,035 US dollars) excluding taxes. However, additional optional parts and parts to turn a simple Fazer into a Fazer GT can only be purchased for 130,000 yen ($1,570) excluding taxes. Thus, the price of a ready-made FZ1 Fazer GT initially comes with a discount of more than 50,000 yen or $600. This is quite a significant number. In addition, the body color of the FZ1 Fazer GT motorcycle has an original, unique color that is not found on the plain FZ1 Fazer, thereby enhancing the premium feel.
A catalyst is installed in the tail section of the muffler, which reduces the impact on the environment. The overall length of the bulge system is shortened, and due to the absence of a combustion chamber, it weighs less. The muffler itself is made in the form of a pentagon. The front brake calipers have outstanding performance in terms of brake pressure control and high braking force. Monoblock calipers "MOS". The diameter of the double brake disc is 320 mm. The rear brakes are equipped with a conventional single brake disc. The small disc diameter and small caliper are aimed at reducing the weight of the brake system, which has a positive effect on the overall weight reduction of the spring part.
The hardware is the same as the plain FZ1 Fazer and all the ride characteristics are exactly the same. In general, the FZ1 series consists of the naked FZ1 itself, a “semi-naked”, so to speak, that is, having a partial set of FZ1 Fazer fairings, and, finally, having a full set of FZ1 Fazer GT fairings. I think there is no need to talk here about the charms and convenience of a complete set of fairings.
The FZ1 series itself is very popular. Where it shines is in cornering in particular. A motorcycle on which you can make turns easily and with pleasure. “Too good” - this is said about the FZ1 series.
The modern model debuted as an export version in 2006, and has been produced without any changes for more than 5 years. The model has been sold to the Japanese domestic market since 2008, and it is not to say that the model year of the motorcycle is already outdated.
Therefore, the question of the appearance of a version with a full set of FZ1 Fazer GT fairings was postponed to the future. The weight of a motorcycle equipped with a full set of fairings increases. I thought that the added weight would hamper its excellent cornering abilities, and I was disheartened by this in advance. This conclusion turned out to be nothing more than an unfounded fear. The FZ1 Fazer GT gave a feeling of excellent handling ability.
You enter the turn in full confidence that everything will work out, and even if this is your first course, you can challenge the turn. Even if you “put” the bike at its very peak, it will follow the trajectory that the rider chooses. For those riders who may be as worried about this as I was, I can confidently say that there is nothing to worry about. The FZ1 chassis hasn't gained any weight.
The front fork is a fully adjustable rack-mount fork. The diameter of the inner pipe is 43 mm. The special design allows you to adjust the stiffness on the right and left side separately; a shock absorber operating on pressure is installed on the left, and a shock absorber operating on compression is installed on the right. The adjustable rear suspension arm is made of aluminum, in accordance with proven design solutions from Yamaha. Its length is 629 mm, and at worst, it suppresses the influence of chain tension on the movement of the motorcycle, but at best, it simply neutralizes it. The handlebar cup is located high, which creates a more relaxed riding position for the rider. The handlebar brace is quite wide, the angle between the handlebars is small, and this makes it easier to hold the bike.
And if we continue the thought, then naturally the degree of wind protection from the installed full set of fairings is of interest. This is not to say that the incomplete kit installed on the FZ1 Fazer does not protect the rider well from oncoming air flow, so there was no clear impression that the degree of wind protection was increased. However, a decrease in wind pressure on the lower part of the body is clearly felt. The tests took place during a period of cold frosty weather, and in general the sensations were not pleasant. I would like to add that at the same time, the presence of a high windshield not only helped, but actually saved me while driving. There was almost no wind pressure felt on the chest, and the direction of the oncoming flow went above the level of the head. If the rider is not particularly large, then by bending slightly, he can hide behind the “wall of air” created by the screen. If a rider loves high speeds and spends a lot of time riding fast, then installing a high windshield can significantly reduce fatigue.
I would also like to touch on the mobility ability of the motorcycle. As mentioned above, this FZ1 series initially appeared as a model aimed exclusively at the overseas market. Appearing somewhat late on the Japanese domestic market, this model had its differences from the original version, and in particular, the engines of both models were very different from each other.
The switch on the right handle only has a button to start and stop the engine. The switch on the left handle has a push-button turn signal switch, a headlight switch from low to high beam, a headlamp switch, a horn button, and a hazard warning light button. The instrument panel has an analogue tachometer and a multifunctional LCD screen. Thanks to the presence of a rheostat, the brightness of the instrument panel illumination can be changed depending on the time of day.
The maximum power produced by the foreign version of the motorcycle was 150 hp, while the engine of the domestic Japanese version produced only 94 hp. In reality 50 hp. – this is a reduction of 1/3 of the power. If so, you might think that the domestic Japanese version is rather “slow”. So, it's not like that. Speaking in digital terms, the domestic Japanese model with a reduced maximum power and an established speed cutoff will allow parameters to be fixed in an area that does not exceed the level of capability of the export model. However, in terms of sensations, these are different things. The FZ1 engine runs really smooth. Pay attention to the export model, you can identify its high-speed character, and classify it as a type in which high power is not very noticeable. The domestic Japanese model delivers about the same power feel, and the 50 horsepower difference is barely noticeable.
We can say that the model is very well refined. It has been modified according to Japanese domestic standards and complies with Japanese rules and regulations.
There is a clear difference in engine power at high speeds, and it seems that the cut-off occurs too quickly. In general, as for the cutoff, it has already been verified that the engine rotates smoothly, and outside the boundaries of the driving course along a closed trajectory, I consider the conversation on this topic pointless.
Objectively speaking, the new model has few external changes. Yamaha is positioning this bike as a “dealer option” and the parts used are also optional, making it very easy to “build” a Fazer in GT trim. However, this is not the only appeal of the GT. The FZ1 series itself has excellent ride ability and I felt that if any bike deserved to be sporty, it was the naked bike with its high level handling responsiveness. But I somehow didn’t think that this could influence high consumer qualities.
The exceptional ride quality of the motorcycle in its agility helps you taste a pleasant ride not only on smooth winding roads, but also on everyday trips and long journeys. Having ridden the FZ1 Fazer GT, it was as if I had received a message from Yamaha with the following content: “So this is how the FZ1 turns out to be fun!”
The rear seat can be unlocked using the main key, although the space underneath is quite small and little will fit there other than a set of necessary tools and rolled-up documents that can be shoved deep into the space on the rear side. As a useful maintenance part, the motorcycle's main stand is provided as standard. It is stable both in the working position and in the folded state. The volume of the fuel tank is 18 liters. This is quite enough for long distance trips.
Technical characteristics of Yamaha FZ1 Fazer GT Engine: 4-stroke with direct injection, 4-cylinder 5-valve DOHC water-cooled, displacement 998 cc Piston diameter * stroke, mm: 77.0 * 53.6 Maximum power: 94 hp (69 kW)/9,000 rpm Maximum torque: 80 Nm (8.2 kgf-m)/7,500 rpm Fuel supply type: fuel injection Transmission: constant direct 6-speed with reverse Dimensions length*width*height, mm : 2140*770*1205 Wheelbase, mm: 1640 Tank volume: 18 liters Unloaded weight of the motorcycle: 225 kg Front wheel brake system: double hydraulic disc Brake system for the rear wheel: single hydraulic disc Front wheel size: 120/70ZR 17M/ C(58W) Rear wheel size: 190/50ZR 17M/C(73W) Japan price: 1,134,000 yen ($13,685) including taxes.
Bike features
Here are the characteristic features of the Yamaha FZ1 (FZS 1000):
- This is the flagship model of the line;
- the motor was borrowed from the YZF-R1;
- The acceleration dynamics will impress many.
This motorcycle is convenient for daily use, because the seating position is relaxed. However, this is not so much an advantage of a particular model as a property of the class as a whole. Typically, sports motorcycles suffer from problems with ride comfort. But it’s worth considering that this bike may not be very convenient when riding with a passenger due to its not very large dimensions.
Chassis and brakes
Both suspensions have 130mm of travel, which is quite a lot for a naked bike. As a result, the bike turns out to be balanced in terms of ride softness and handling, which cannot be said about many of its brothers. On both suspensions, all adjustments are possible, which also adds flexibility.
This model has disc brakes, which is, of course, good. At the front there is a pair of 320 mm discs with four-piston calipers, while at the rear there is a 245 mm disc along with a single-piston caliper.
Dimensions and weight
The seat height here is 815 mm, which makes the bike suitable only for people of tall and average height. Even without fuel, the weight of the motorcycle exceeds 200 kg, but the tank volume is significant - 18 liters. The average fuel consumption per hundred kilometers for the FZ1 will be about 6 liters, so the capacity of the local gas tank is quite enough for a full trip. But don’t forget that this bike is more designed for short trips on business than for long walks away from civilization.
