NEW FZ1 AND FZ1 FAZER ROAD TESTS!! 07 February 2006

een verzameling testrapporten
Gebruikersavatar
Jos J. Heiloo
50 kW
Berichten: 49
Lid geworden op: di 02 nov, 2004 0:06
Locatie: Purmerend
Contacteer:

NEW FZ1 AND FZ1 FAZER ROAD TESTS!! 07 February 2006

Bericht door Jos J. Heiloo »

Bron http://www.5-ways.co.uk/newsstory.asp?id=263

NEW FZ1 AND FZ1 FAZER ROAD TESTS!! 07 February 2006

FZ1 road test in South Africa

The Yamaha FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer Press Launch
Yamaha recently gathered the world’s press in South Africa for the much anticipated press launch of the newly updated Yamaha FZ1. Freelance journalist Rob Hoyles was amongst these journalists here, in his words, this is his report.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If there’s one thing that’s sure to put paid to any chances of admiring of the breathtaking scenery along South Africa’s spectacular coastline, it’s a seriously fast motorcycle and a road that never seems to point in one direction for a moment longer than it takes to change gear.
Not that I’m complaining. Swapping the dour, sub-zero, overcast Midlands for azure blue skies, perfectly surfaced roads, a strong possibility of sunstroke and the chance to be among the first in the world to test a new bike, is hardly an invitation that takes too much consideration.

The fast motorcycle in question is Yamaha’s latest addition to its extensive range of two-wheelers; the naked 150bhp FZ-1 and its fully-faired brother, the FZ-1 Fazer.

The replacement for the popular FZS1000 Fazer, the new machine boasts specifications that were once the sole preserve of out-and-out sports bikes.
The chassis has been brought bang up to date, using the same CF die-casting techniques employed in the production of the YZF-R1 and R6, with a re-tuned version of the latest R1 engine acting as a stressed member to improve rigidity. Upside-down forks also grace the new machine along with R1-style, five-spoke wheels to reduce unsprung weight and, ultimately, improve handling.

So, it would appear that Yamaha have finally realised the existence of a new breed of rider that hankers after a sports bike but doesn’t want the radical riding position and expense that goes with it. Essentially, they’ve realised the need for well-engineered, large capacity naked bikes that handle, rather than just sticking a proven motor into a budget chassis and have finally done something about it.

But what does it go like? Unsurprisingly, the combination of more power and less weight equals faster motorcycle. The new FZ-1 and FZ-1 Fazer both boast 150bhp and weigh in at 198kg and 204kg respectively, which adds up to a power increase of 7bhp and a considerable weight loss from the outgoing model’s 208kg.

Put into layman’s terms, the naked bike is over one-and-half stones lighter, the faired version just over half-a-stone lighter. Right, that’s the techy part out of the way, onto the riding.

Out on the roads, the bike can be ridden leisurely, relying on the torquey motor which pulls cleanly from around 3,000rpm upwards, or if you prefer, thrashed to a redline slightly north of 11,000rpm with arm-wrenching results.

Technical Specifications The first part of our route took us along a road where corner meets corner, and threatening sheer drops fall to the sea and rock faces beckon should you put a wheel wrong. Happily the bike’s handling errs towards neutrality rather than being flighty and it responds well to the riders inputs. Ground clearance has definitely been improved too, and while there’s not as much lean angle available as an R1, you still need to be pressing on a fair bit to deck anything out – including the chunky exhaust silencer.
From there the roads open out and this is where the benefit of the faired version comes in. The wind protection is good allowing a full exploration of the bike’s performance in the higher gears. The naked version isn’t terrible per se but, understandably speeds in excess of 100mph for any length of time really aren’t that comfortable.

Back into the mountains on the naked FZ-1 and the lack of a fairing doesn’t count for anything at these lower speeds, merrily grazing the pegs through sinuous hairpin passes. If anything, the un-faired machine feels slightly more involving when the going gets twisty, despite the fact that there is no difference in chassis layout other than the obvious extra weight and visual aspect of a fairing - funny how the mind works.

Both bikes offer slightly different riding experiences. The naked bike feels more aggressive and more involving while the faired bike offers similar handling and performance characteristics in a slightly more refined package. Which one you go for depends on what you want from a bike. If long distance tours are your bag then the choice is obvious, if it’s street kudos you’re after then the same applies.

Overall, the new Yamaha FZ-1 and FZ-1 Fazer offer yet more choice in a time when there are more options than ever before in the motorcycle market.

The new FZ1 will be available from February priced at £7,199 on the road, the FZ1 Fazer will be available in March priced at £7,599 on the road.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The article text is by Rob Hoyles, freelance journalist - also writes articles for Motorcycle Racer magazine, various lifestyle publications and the Press Association
Plaats reactie