Yamaha FZ1 1000 FAZER 2013 — Specifications

What do you do with an R1 engine when you want to ride every day without breaking your back? Yamaha answered that question back in 2006 with the Yamaha FZ1 1000 Fazer, and the 2013 model year represents the culmination of that philosophy. Beneath the front fairing, inherited and refined over successive generations, lies a 998 cc inline four-cylinder engine directly derived from the 2004-2005 YZF-R1. The engine was recalibrated for road use, but the numbers speak for themselves: 150 horsepower at 11,000 rpm and 105.9 Nm of torque available from 8,000 rpm. Enough to pull through any gear in the six-speed gearbox with an authority that few semi-faired roadsters can claim. Compared to the older FZS 1000, fuel injection replaced the bank of carburetors, resulting in a much crisper throttle response and better fuel economy on long rides.

The chassis is no slouch either. The die-cast aluminum frame borrows an architecture that Yamaha has mastered since the FZ6, but in a reinforced version built to handle the engine's 150 horsepower. The inverted telehydraulic fork provides 130 mm of travel up front, paired with a rear monoshock offering the same stroke. Braking relies on two 320 mm discs gripped by four-piston calipers, complemented by a single 245 mm disc at the rear. The wheels fitted with 120/70-17 and 190/50-17 tires deliver solid grip, whether on dry roads or in less favorable conditions. The bike tips the scales at 220 kg wet with an 18-liter tank, placing it in the upper-middle range of its class but still reasonable for a sport-touring machine of this displacement.

The design of the 2013 Yamaha FZ1 1000 Fazer retains that aggressive flair typical of Yamaha's big-bore machines. The front fairing, part bubble windscreen, part fly screen, provides decent chest protection without turning the bike into an ocean liner. The unconventionally shaped exhaust catches the eye at first glance but contributes to the machine's visual personality. The seat height of 815 mm suits medium to tall riders, although the knee spread remains a sticking point for shorter pilots. In that regard, the Naked version proves more welcoming and livelier in urban traffic. The Fazer, on the other hand, prioritizes comfort on highways and open roads.

Against the competition, the price of a new Yamaha FZ1 1000 Fazer came in at 11,699 euros, a figure that placed it in direct competition with the Suzuki Bandit 1250 S and the Kawasaki Z1000 SX. The Bandit played the low-end torque card with its 1,255 cc engine, while the Z1000 SX banked on onboard electronics. The Fazer instead relied on the mechanical pedigree of its inline four with five valves per cylinder and an 11.5:1 compression ratio, allowing it to flirt with a 250 km/h top speed. Today, a used Yamaha FZ1 1000 Fazer represents one of the best deals on the market for anyone seeking a versatile sport-touring roadster with a tamed supersport engine. The 2006 and 2007 model years can be found at very affordable prices, while the 2013 versions hold a stronger resale value thanks to their superior finish.

This machine is built for the rider who wants a spirited inline four without the extreme riding position of a full sportbike. Whether you're a weekend tourer, a daily commuter, or someone who enjoys blasting through mountain roads with friends, the Fazer 1000 delivers everywhere with an unfailing mechanical generosity. Its only real shortcoming is its bulk, feeling a touch clumsy through tight switchbacks compared to lighter rivals. But when the road opens up and the four-cylinder climbs into its powerband, you quickly understand why Yamaha kept the flame of this lineage burning for nearly a decade.