# Yamaha FZ1
The **Yamaha FZ1** is a 1,000 cc naked sport motorcycle built by [Yamaha Motor Company](https://www.edgepedia.org/yamaha-motor-company) around a detuned engine from the YZF-R1 superbike, sold from 2006 to 2015 in two body styles: the unfaired FZ1 and the half-faired FZ1 Fazer.[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) • [2](https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/fz1-fazer/) It was the second generation of the Fazer 1000 line, which had begun in 2001 with the FZS1000 Fazer, a bike that shoehorned an early, carburetted R1 engine into a fairly basic steel-tube frame.[3](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-vs-fazer)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Production | 2006 to 2015; launched in Europe in 2006, with Japanese domestic specifications sold from 2008[2](https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/fz1-fazer/) • [4](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/jp/news/2010/0204/fz1.html) |
| Engine | 998 cc liquid-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-four derived from the 2005 YZF-R1, with compression reduced from 12.4:1 to 11.5:1 and intake camshafts with increased lift[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) • [5](https://ridermagazine.com/2006-yamaha-fz1-road-test/) |
| Fueling | Carburettors replaced by fuel injection with the R1's 45 mm throttle bodies; exhaust is a 4-into-2-into-1 stainless system with three-way catalytic converter and Yamaha's EXUP exhaust valve[5](https://ridermagazine.com/2006-yamaha-fz1-road-test/) • [1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) |
| Chassis | Cast-aluminum twin-spar frame (replacing the first generation's tubular steel) that uses the engine as a stressed member[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) |
| Body styles | Naked FZ1 and half-faired FZ1 Fazer share the same chassis and engine; only the cosmetics differ[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) |
| Known weak points | A rear shock that goes soft and abrupt low-speed throttle response from the fuel injection[6](https://www.morebikes.co.uk/bike-reviews/270076/is-the-yamaha-fz1-worth-a-second-look/) |
| Output in class tests | In a 2012 comparison the FZ1 was 25 hp stronger than the Honda CB1000R, while the then-new Kawasaki Z1000 made 142 hp[7](https://www.motoplus.nl/artikel/vergelijkingstest-zware-japanse-nakeds/) |
## Background and concept
Yamaha introduced the FZS1000 Fazer in 2001 as one of the first bikes to take a superbike engine and repackage it for the street, before the super naked class really took off.[3](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-vs-fazer) • [6](https://www.morebikes.co.uk/bike-reviews/270076/is-the-yamaha-fz1-worth-a-second-look/) The recipe, as Visordown described it for the second generation, was simple: put a re-tuned R1 motor in a modern but less sport-focused chassis, soften the suspension a touch, fit sensible handlebars, and add a practical yet sporty half fairing on the Fazer version.[3](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-vs-fazer)
The second-generation bike arrived in 2006. Yamaha's own product history lists the FZ1 with a release year of 2006,[8](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/stories/history/products/index_ajax/index_ajax.html) and a 2010 press release for new color editions confirms the FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer went on sale in Europe in 2006, with Japanese domestic specifications sold from 2008.[4](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/jp/news/2010/0204/fz1.html) Yamaha described the pair as 1,000 cc sports models with a powerful yet easy-to-handle engine and a rigid frame, suited to everything from city riding to touring.[4](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/jp/news/2010/0204/fz1.html)
## Engine and chassis
**Engine.** The 2006 FZ1 shares its crankcase and cylinder head castings with the 2005 YZF-R1. Compression was lowered slightly to 11.5:1, the intake camshafts gained lift to help breathing, and the small carburettors of the first-generation bike gave way to fuel injection.[5](https://ridermagazine.com/2006-yamaha-fz1-road-test/) Cycle World's test notes the engine inhales through the R1's 45 mm throttle bodies and exhales through a 4-into-2-into-1 stainless-steel exhaust with a three-way catalytic converter and Yamaha's EXUP backpressure-control valve.[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) Rider Magazine found the resulting engine very flexible: it idles along in first gear in traffic without bucking and will lug down to 30 mph in sixth gear.[5](https://ridermagazine.com/2006-yamaha-fz1-road-test/)
**Chassis.** The previous tubular-steel frame was replaced by a cast-aluminum twin-spar design that, in typical YZF-R1 fashion, uses the engine as a stressed member.[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1) Both body styles share this chassis and engine; only the cosmetics differ between the naked FZ1 and the FZ1 Fazer.[1](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1)
## Character and criticism
The FZ1's power delivery rewards revs. Owner reviews collected by MCN describe a bike that needs to be revved to around 7,000 rpm to come alive, with modest low-end power, acceptable midrange, and a strong top end, and praise its versatility for track days, sport touring, and commuting.[2](https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/fz1-fazer/) The Fazer version also works as a pillion bike.[9](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/living-2006-yamaha-fz1-fazer)
Two criticisms followed the model from launch. The rear shock was a traditional weak point of the line, going soft easily, which mattered most for riders carrying a passenger one day and riding hard corners the next.[10](https://www.singaporebikes.com/topic/6188-fazer1000-vs-fz1-comparison-review/) The other was fueling: Visordown called the FZ1 Fazer's chronic on/off throttle fuel-injection glitch a major bugbear, and noted that the naked FZ1 shared the trait.[11](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-v-ducati-monster) MoreBikes describes the same problem as too-brutal throttle response that made the FZ1 fairly unpleasant at low speed.[6](https://www.morebikes.co.uk/bike-reviews/270076/is-the-yamaha-fz1-worth-a-second-look/) The naked bike's lack of fairing also carries a fuel-consumption penalty compared with the faired version.[3](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-vs-fazer)
## Place in the naked-bike class
The FZ1 competed against the Japanese power nakeds of its era. In a Dutch comparison of the Honda CB1000R, Kawasaki Z1000, Suzuki B-King, and FZ1, the FZ1 was 25 hp stronger than the CB1000R, while even the new Z1000 made only 142 hp.[7](https://www.motoplus.nl/artikel/vergelijkingstest-zware-japanse-nakeds/) In riding terms, a Spanish test found the Yamaha more effective than the Honda when riding fast, approaching the [Kawasaki Z1000](https://www.edgepedia.org/kawasaki-z1000)'s turn-in solidity, corner-entry precision, and exit rigor, though not as quick and agile as the CB1000R on narrow, twisty sections.[12](https://www.formulamoto.es/honda/honda-cb1000-r-vs-kawasaki/12406.html) German testers noted a practical advantage: the FZ1 needs inspection only every 10,000 km, against 6,000 km for the CB1000R and Z1000.[13](https://www.motorradonline.de/naked-bike/honda-cb-1000-r-kawasaki-z-1000-se-und-yamaha-fz1-im-test-drei-japanische-naked-bikes-im-vergleich/)
The bike is also heavy for its naked-bike category, and later assessments position it as a versatile machine for sport riders rather than a lightweight streetfighter.[14](https://motoryk.com/bikes/yamaha/fz1)
## References
1. [Yamaha FZ1, Cycle World, April 2006](https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/2006/4/1/yamaha-fz1)
2. [Yamaha FZ1 Fazer (2006–2015) Review, MCN](https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/fz1-fazer/)
3. [Road Test: Yamaha FZ1 vs. Fazer, Visordown](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-vs-fazer)
4. [FZ1 / FZ1 Fazer new color press release, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (2010)](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/jp/news/2010/0204/fz1.html)
5. [2006 Yamaha FZ1 Road Test Review, Rider Magazine](https://ridermagazine.com/2006-yamaha-fz1-road-test/)
6. [Is the Yamaha FZ1 worth a second look?, MoreBikes](https://www.morebikes.co.uk/bike-reviews/270076/is-the-yamaha-fz1-worth-a-second-look/)
7. [Vergelijkingstest zware Japanse nakeds, MotoPlus](https://www.motoplus.nl/artikel/vergelijkingstest-zware-japanse-nakeds/)
8. [Products History, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.](https://global.yamaha-motor.com/stories/history/products/index_ajax/index_ajax.html)
9. [Living with a 2006 Yamaha FZ1 Fazer, Visordown](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/living-2006-yamaha-fz1-fazer)
10. [Fazer1000 vs FZ1 Comparison Review, SingaporeBikes](https://www.singaporebikes.com/topic/6188-fazer1000-vs-fz1-comparison-review/)
11. [Road Test: Yamaha FZ1 v. Ducati Monster, Visordown](https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/road-test-yamaha-fz1-v-ducati-monster)
12. [Honda CB1000R vs. Kawasaki Z1000 vs. Yamaha FZ1, Formulamoto](https://www.formulamoto.es/honda/honda-cb1000-r-vs-kawasaki/12406.html)
13. [Honda CB 1000 R, Kawasaki Z 1000 SE, Yamaha FZ1 im Test, MOTORRADonline](https://www.motorradonline.de/naked-bike/honda-cb-1000-r-kawasaki-z-1000-se-und-yamaha-fz1-im-test-drei-japanische-naked-bikes-im-vergleich/)
14. [Yamaha FZ1 Review, Motoryk](https://motoryk.com/bikes/yamaha/fz1)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Motorcycles › Motorcycle manufacturers and marques › American and Asian manufacturers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license