Further to my review below - fitted new enginge sprocket and problem of noise and vibration immediately sorted. Smooth and quiet like it should have been. Yamaha paid for the sprocket eventually!
Had it no for 4 years and it's been fully ivanised, wp rear race shock k-tec front fork cartridges wp springs, 3 up on rear sprocket, renthal superbike bars, braided hoses, vesrah pads, Corsa III tyres, fully debadged apart from tuning fork logos on tank, black hugger, renthal race grips - totally wicked bike which often gets the pick ahead of my tricked up R&T Suzi GSXR 1000 K5 when out for a fast road ride.
Amazing bike and totally recommended!
Power, Handling (now sorted) Brakes, Comfort
er.. er..er..fuel consumption?
Reviewing a 2003 model.
see above for mods
Owned for 4 years.
Had my fazer 1000 for a year its a good all rounder not many sports bike riders get past me on the welsh hills.made a few mods to the bike put 1 tooth bigger sprocket on the back to get rid of noisey chain.changed the rear link arms makes the back off the bike 25 mm higer makes it steer much faster and and stopes the bike hitting the floor on fast round abouts.maxton set the bike up for my weight.its does every thing from scratch to tour.NEVER will i have a R1 again.Had bike dyno jetted and after burn pipes remover making a nice 130 at the bach wheel
You can find a link to the best Fazer site on the web at http://www.HitEnter.Co.Uk along with loads of advice on European touring. This bike is the best on the market bar none. It does it all. 10,000 miles since March 2003 and flawless. Amazingly, it is only just feeling like it is run in. It just gets faster and faster. Had 172 on the clock down in France, no probs. This is one quick motorcycle!!
I just think that if you are considering about buying a naked bike...Well there just isn't any other bike that delivers such a power and ease of ride as Yamaha FZS 1000. The only minus I can find is the sound of the bike since there is no sound at all... But that is about to chance next summer when two Devil's shotgun type of mufflers are installed...Yeah!!!
Traded in an FJR1300 for a new Fazer 1000 in August 2003. The main reason was the transmission noise produced by the fjr which was amplified, I think, by the absence of rubber engine mounts being a stressed member mounting. I was a bit worried about the reports of chain noise on this and other sites. With 800 miles up (only) I can say that there is no chain noise other than the low moaning sound which all bikes have. One of the many things that pleases me is the quietness of the engine and transmission. Perhaps they fave modified the chain guide on 2003 bikes but this one is perfect. I can't fault any aspect of this bike at all. I am only sorry I didn't get one sooner.
The Can was an incredible fit and went on in minutes without the need for any gasket goo at all as the precision of the fit was amazing. Outrageous quality. The bike ran a little fluffy with the baffle in but sounded a lot nicer. Still can't hear it when on the road though - so - out came the old Black n Decker after all, using a 3mm drill to take out the rivet which hoold the baffle in place. Be carefull NOT to damag the threaded bit that the Rivet passes through as this is used with the supplied Bolt when you want to replace th baffle at any time. Baffle is a tight fit but was out in 10 mins.
NOW THEN - that's better - sounds fuggin' great, not offensive and they had obviously set the End Can up on stock settings WITHOUT the baffle in place. Performance was bak in place and seems to be deffo up in the Mid and Top end of the rev range - could be the lovely noise tricking me but who the hell cares. TOP END CAN - totally recommended.
I have also set up the suspenders using MCN's recommended settings plus a bit more for my bulkness - handling sorted.
I have now got Yamaha tDewalere to order up and fit a new front sprocket as I can only think that the either the gear hobbing ois wrong or the centre splines have been broached out of square. I have said that I'll pay for it if it doesn't cur e the problem. As to the aforementioned " they all do that" BOLLOX. I went back to the Dealers and blagged a ride on their demo bike (200 miles more than mine) and funnily , it diddn't have the horrible chain noise. Before you ask I've tried all sorts with chain tensio etc etc but to no avail.
You may be thinking that the Chain issue has absorbed all my thoughts since I got the bike. This is not the case as I have had some great ride outs and it is easily the best bike I've ever owned (last was a 1000 Exup RU). It's just really bloody annoying that a new bike has a horrible noise at all but it is unacceptable that that noise is at the 40-60 mph range when in traffic - ie a lot of the the time in the UK.
To sum up - a fantastic but very slightly flawed genius of a bike.
Bought a 2003 Model in June as I fellt it was the best balance between Performance, Comfort being 6'4" and Gorgeous Looks - well the Silver one anyway.
Annoyed by nasty front sprocket chain noise (which was between 3-5000 rpm on any kind of load, and dissappeared when throttled off) straight away so much so I took it back as it was a bit worrying. The noise was coming from the front sprocket area and I was told "they all do that" by the sales guy at Riverside MC's Northampton. I expressed mucho concern that I'd never ever had a bike make that noise before, especially a new one. I was persuaded to put some miles on and to see if the noise got "run in". I took the front sprocket side cover off at home just to check that it wasn't loose. Nope all OK.
Went back to the shop to buy a few bits and bobs and got the sales guy (a racer in his spare time) to try my bike. He could not find the problem maybe cos of the 130 lb weight difference and nor could another slightly built mechanic at a different bike dealer.
I resigned myself to putting on some miles and seeing if the problem dissappeared. In the meantime I fitted a Black NWS £75.00 Hugger (which includes a low level crap flap)- excellent fit with all bit required and even loctite and relacement S/S allen fastners.
The Exhaust needed some attention - it was either the Black n Decker or the more sensible option of a End Can. I went fo a Titanium REMUS Revolution can £330 ish, which is a lot of money but the Can is E marked street legal BUT has removable & replaceble inner baffle AND was developed to run on stock carburation settings. The Can was an incredible fit and went on in minutes without the need for any gasket goo at all as the precision of the fit was amazing. Outrageous quality. The bike ran a little fluffy with the baffle in but sounded a lot nicer. Still can't hear it when on the road though - so - out came the old Black n Decker after all, using a 3mm drill to take out the rivet which hoold the baffle in place. Be carefull NOT to damag the threaded bit that the Rivet passes through as this is used with the supplied Bolt when you want to replace th baffle at any time. Baffle is a tight fit but was out in 10 mins.
NOW THEN - that's better - sounds fuggin' great, not offensive and they had obviously set the End Can up on stock settings WITHOUT the baffle in place. Performance was bak in place and seems to be deffo up in the Mid and Top end of the rev range - could be the lovely noise tricking me but who the hell cares. TOP END CAN - totally recommended.
I have also set up the suspenders using MCN's recommended settings plus a bit more for my bulkness - handling sorted.
I have now got Yamaha tDewalere to order up and fit a new front sprocket as I can only think that the either the gear hobbing ois wrong or the centre splines have been broached out of square. I have said that I'll pay for it if it doesn't cur e the problem. As to the aforementioned " they all do that" BOLLOX. I went back to the Dealers and blagged a ride on their demo bike (200 miles more than mine) and funnily , it diddn't have the horrible chain noise. Before you ask I've tried all sorts with chain tensio etc etc but to no avail.
You may be thinking that the Chain issue has absorbed all my thoughts since I got the bike. This is not the case as I have had some great ride outs and it is easily the best bike I've ever owned (last was a 1000 Exup RU). It's just really bloody annoying that a new bike has a horrible noise at all but it is unacceptable that that noise is at the 40-60 mph range when in traffic - ie a lot of the the time in the UK.
To sum up - a fantastic but very slightly flawed geneius of a bike.
Bought it 13 March. £6349 inc aftermarket heated grips. Now done 6,500 miles. Metzelers lasted 5,000, but it never felt stable so switched to 010 front and 020 rear. Much better, but it still didn't handle well, so when MCN published suspension settings I gave them a go. Absolutely astounding now. Don't know what the prob is with chain slap, I have adjusted mine by a micron once in all this time, and the bike has done trips round France, 1200 miles last week around Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lake District, North Wales and Pembrokeshire, and given no probs at all (it gets ridden to work and back through central Bristol every day in all weathers too? Only gripe is the clutch. I cannot get slick gear changes no matter what I do?? Try my website for a blinding Fazer maintainance link!
I've had my Fazer1000 since October '01. The moment I read the early reviews on this bike, I just knew it was the one. To date, I've had no reliability issues at all. After jetting & installing aftermarket suspension, rearsets, handlebars, wheels, and screen, I've ended up with a tailor-made ultimate all-rounder that fits me like a glove! This bike's here to stay as there's nothing in the market that can beat the Fazer's combination of power and comfort. :)
Thank you Yamaha for the gift of flight without those aching wrists. Had my Fazer a year now. Use it for everything (well almost)Work, touring even the odd track day. Plenty of adjustment on the suspension to play with to suit all roads. Got a Quill race can, dinojet kit and K&N air filter, goes like shit and weelies like a right looney. BRILLIANT BIKE.
Bought my 1000 Fazer in August 2002 (£6,499) after many years of motorcycle ownership, everything from 70s Nortons and Triumphs (and an H2A Quaker, try gittin that round a bend quick!!!!) right up to date with my last bikes VFR800 & RSV Mille (the latter Ive still got). Well, the Fazer is a cracker, its very comfortable, plenty of power. I dont think the suspension is as bad as some would make out, although the standard setting at the rear is soft compared to any modern sports bike and is a little disconcerting two up at speed on hard bends but its a damn site better than some Ive had including the 1200 Bandit. The chain slaps a bit and seems to require adjusting more often to keep it as quiet as possible but that only takes a couple of mins, so no problem. Theres a bit of a vibration rattle from the fairing at about 3,500 RPM that disappears within a couple of hundred revs. The Yamaha does a pretty good job of trying to be all things to all men and will leave you in need of surgery to remove the grin. A brilliant out of the box streetfighter that can tour, scratch, deal with city traffic and can be ridden for long distances without making your wrists and neck ache. I LOVE IT. I think its probably my favourite bike so far.
The performance on this bike is outstanding. To have a comfortable riding position and the power of an R1. This is a bike you can sit on all day with the pillion in total comfort to. One slight problem that I have found is the chain has a slackness to it which can be annoying. However if your looking for the best all rounder, this baby is the complete package.
Having put a few more miles on the clock I have now noticed that the tappetts are starting to rattle a little, especialy on the left hand side. I have also had to have the front pipes replaced under warranty as the middle left pipe went blue. Apparently when they took it off the inner skin had split.
I still have had no reply from Yamaha Uk regarding the slapping chain. So much for their after sales service. Still love it though!
I have had the fazer since 1st Sept 2001. I love it, it does everything I want it to. However, the only gripe, is the fact that the chain slaps and makes a noise. I have written to Yamaha UK but as yet had no reply. I would like to hear from anyone who has one. [Log in to view email]
Owned for 1 month.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed December 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Bought mone for less than 5750 new in 03 as a good value buy but I didn't realise how good!. My other half can use the seat without terminal botty ache or leg cramps, No backache , good screen PLENTY power & Good brakes even 2 up. I set the suspension up via the MCN suggestions and the handling improved 100% immediately. I only wish that I'd bought one before - Sportbike speed with Roadster comfort - good one Yamaha well done!
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed December 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
Bought mone for less than 5750 new in 03 as a good value buy but I didn't realise how good!. My other half can use the seat without terminal botty ache or leg cramps, No backache , good screen PLENTY power & Good brakes even 2 up. I set the suspension up via the MCN suggestions and the handling improved 100% immediately. I only wish that I'd bought one before - Sportbike speed with Roadster comfort - good one Yamaha well done!
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed November 2003.
Performance
Reliability
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-
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
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You can find a link to the best Fazer site on the web at http://www.HitEnter.Co.Uk along with loads of advice on European touring. This bike is the best on the market bar none. It does it all. 10,000 miles since March 2003 and flawless. Amazingly, it is only just feeling like it is run in. It just gets faster and faster. Had 172 on the clock down in France, no probs. This is one quick motorcycle!!
this bike is excellent great power good brakes ok handling.standard metzeler mez4's are useless and chain slap gets me down.but overall im well pleased.
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed May 2003.
Performance
Reliability
Parts Availability
Overall Value for Money
This baby has everything a grown up biker needs. As close as you can get at 6ft4, to a R1 without an osteopath. Sit there open her up, throw her aroud and she'll still be gagging for more. Wheelies like a mad wheelie thing and gives the hard core sports boys a slap as you overtake them. Ive just had it for 6 weeks and I've been down the doctors and everything, still cant get the smile off my face though.... :-) John-Teesside.
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