Yamaha FZ6 600 FAZER S2 2010 — Specifications

When Yamaha is onto a good thing, the Iwata manufacturer doesn't blow it all up. The FZ6 Fazer, a catalog mainstay for years, gets a surgical treatment with this S2 evolution rather than a heart transplant. The 600 cc inline four-cylinder, directly derived from the R6, retains its 98 hp at 12,000 rpm and 63.2 Nm of torque at 10,000 rpm. Nothing to be ashamed of against a Suzuki GSF 650 Bandit or a Honda CBF 600, even if the character remains firmly biased toward the upper end of the rev range. The engine hasn't changed one bit, but Yamaha has reworked the fuel injection mapping and designed a new exhaust system with revised internal components. On paper, it's subtle. In practice, it's the kind of detail that can smooth out a throttle response that was sometimes a bit abrupt in the midrange.

The real work on this S2 generation focuses on the bodywork and peripheral chassis. The fairing headpiece has been redesigned: raised side panels that no longer hide the radiator, a rethought windscreen, and most importantly a dashboard borrowed from the FZ1. Gone is the old round gauge with a tachometer that was hard to read mid-corner, replaced by more legible and modern instrumentation. The monoblock brake calipers, reminiscent of those on the former R1, clamp down on two 298 mm front discs. Braking gains in precision, even if it's still far from the bite of a radial setup. On the chassis side, the hexagonal cast and extruded aluminum swingarm is the most significant modification. It aims to sharpen rigidity without adding weight. The result: the 207 kg wet weight remains contained for a versatile all-rounder fitted with 120/70 and 180/55 tires.

Yamaha also listened to the complaints of passengers, long treated like luggage on the original FZ6. The rear footpegs are no longer welded to the frame but attached with a standard bolt arrangement, positioned lower and fitted with rubber padding. In case of a crash or breakage, you replace instead of weld. The seat has been rethought with different foam and covering. Over a 200-kilometer ride, the comfort improvement should be noticeable for both rider and passenger. With a seat height of 795 mm and a 19.4-liter tank, the Fazer S2 remains an accessible machine that allows for long stretches without stopping for fuel every hour.

The market positioning of this FZ6 S2 is clever. At 7,799 euros, it sits against the Kawasaki ER-6f and Suzuki GSF 650 while offering a sportier temperament thanks to its supersport-derived engine. Yamaha also chose to keep the older Fazer in the lineup, restricted to 78 hp, to cover the segment of A2 license holders or those looking for a docile roadster without the edginess of the S2 model. Two versions of the same platform, two distinct customer bases. The formula works. For the daily rider who wants a machine capable of crossing the city on Monday, eating up the highway on Friday evening, and having fun on a back road on Sunday, the Fazer S2 ticks pretty much all the boxes. It doesn't claim to rival a Triumph Street Triple on the pure fun front, but it compensates with a versatility and ease of handling that few 600s can boast.