Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer

[crofty1984]

I'm considering a 600 Fazer, I was wondering if anyone had experience with them?
Mainly I'm looking for something about 1,500 quid, with enough poke to be fun (for reference, my other bikes have 25 and 50 horsepower each). The tube type frame appeals.
I may do a couple of track days. I know it won't be perfect for that, but I'm sure it's do the job.

[stupidbutkeen]

I had one as a 1st big bike, I loved that bike, was quick,reliable and stable enough when pushing it.

[jackthelad1984]

I run one as a daily ride. Bought it a few years ago to commute on and keep the miles off my cbr I had at the time, and also to try and tempt the other half on the back but that hasnt worked, yet!
I paid £780 from 1 lady owner,low miles, full dealer service history, freshly serviced and mot'd. Standard other than a rentec rack. The only thing I have had to do is replace the rotten downpipes with stainless, was a pig of a job as the studs are made of cheese and snap so time consuming!
Cant fault the bike for what I use it for, quick enough to enjoy, reliable, comfy etc.Nicer to ride than the much newer Bandit 650 I had before. Can be had pretty cheap and can rack up the miles no problem, had a few friends that have had higher mileage ones with no issues.

[Jazoli]

Yep I had one as my daily commuter a few years back and did 20,000 happy miles on it, they are a great bike, they have st headlights (mk1 boxeye) and quick to rust mild steel downpipes, apart from that they don't go wrong and are a great all rounder.

This was my old one

Edited by Jazoli on Monday 30th January 18:20

[CaptainSlow]

I had one, I regret selling it. Was a lovely blue Foxeye model (much better than the box eye). I put Delkavic stainless headers on it.

Saw one on a track day last year.

Shouldn't have sold it, I need a commuter now.

[quoteunquote_sir_]

Very good bikes, the old Fazers, if a bit long in the tooth these days. Couriers love them because they are as tough as old boots. It's a cliche but they are excellent good first big bikes. Depending on your riding style you might find that you get quicker than the bike quite soon into any track day, it's not the ideal track tool but you should still have fun. Thundercat is another one to consider but with a full fairing so a bit nicer for long distance riding.

[marksbike]

Very good bikes, i had 98 which i brought as a stop gap bike and ended up keeping it for 6 years!!
Cam chains, front sprocket nut are the main expensive things to look out for that i can think of.

Buy a good one, you wont regret it.

[Andy XRV]

I ran one as a commuter for a couple of years and mechanically it was faultless. In the end though I got bored of going up and down the gearbox so I bought the Fazer 1000 which I still use. Much better bike and far easier to ride in traffic. Down side it's a bit more juicy for anyone on a budget.

[PTF]

Ran two of these over 2 yrs each. Both over winter.

The engine paint will fall off. If you find one where it hasn't then it's been utterly babied. If you find one with all black engine and no silver showing on the fins then someone has painted it.

Keep an eye on the oil level or the camchain will make lots of noise. Had this on one of mine where i neglected to check the oil for....cough....a while.

The headlights are utterly useless. You can make both headlights come on at once, but it makes little difference.

Suspension is a bit baggy. They dive a lot under braking.

They can be amazing on fuel. I once saw 250 miles out of my squared eye model. The later foxeye model has a few litres bigger fuel tank, so possible to see even more miles on those. You have to take it very easy to see that MPG, but it's possible.

Good bikes.

[RemaL]

stupidbutkeen said:

I had one as a 1st big bike, I loved that bike, was quick,reliable and stable enough when pushing it.

My first bike as well. Commuted 2 year with it. never let me down and still kept going after 2 off's. Cracking bike and was quick enough. Good MPG not that I checked but I know I did not have to fill u as after as i'm going now.

great bike with no issues at all

[EvoBarry]

Still got mine, had it 5+ years, currently on 51k miles, used daily and all year round for commuting and various other events during the year. Its an 02 fozeye model so the headlamps are decent.

Comfy
Reliable
Big tank/range
55mpg+ average (230miles per tank)
Good mirrors
Good brakes (need to keep on top of cleaning them though, blue spots well known for liking to seize up if neglected)

I have a Givi Monokey rack/box too, which is sooo useful.

It's a superb machine, friendly to ride, all day comfort, stable and predictable handling, enough go to keep things interesting and pretty bullet proof as the reviews say. Mines had the inevitable Delkavic stainless headers, braided lines and brake rebuilds (but spread over 40K= miles) Also it has broken the speedo drive at the wheel twice, plastic item that randomly fails - £25 OEM replacement, takes minutes to replace, no biggy.

If you can find a genuine one you won't regret it IMO, brilliant machines.

ps: I also have a K8 1000 and KTM SMT990 but I often take the Fazer out as it's just so friendly I sometimes don't want the hassle of the tempting power of the big bikes..

[Fleegle]

I bought one new in 2000. A great bike, comfortable enough to take the other half on for sub 200 mile trips

They are not very durable though. It came second when pitted against an oak bollard

[crofty1984]

Thanks for the replies all, I appreciate it. I know I have quite a few of these threads, but I'm trying to do the best research I can before spending my money and I trust you guys! Think I'll get looking for one. I remember being used to my cruiser (Yamaha XJ700X Maxim X) and sitting on my mate's Fazer and thinking how light it was.

I've got a Bonneville 750 and a BSA 250 Starfire so thought I'd like something modern that I don't have to worry about. That was the thinking when I bought a fked ZZR600, but now that's gone I'm hoping I have better luck this time around! I'm going to pay the money to get one in the best condition I can. My other thought was a Triumph Daytona 650, but I'm pushed for garage space so want somethng fairly narrow and while I'm sure it's a great bike, I'm not sure at the moment I can afford to spend another £1000. I've just had to shell out £650 in vet's bills on a poorly snake.

I like the fact that it's a tube-type frame too. You'll probably think I'm being stupid, but once I've got the classics finished, I quite fancy adding a classic style GP fairing (think CR750, TZ racer type) and building a bit of a special. Cafe racer and bobber has been done to death. Hoping it would be more "custom Fazer inspired by old race bikes" than "MR2rrari"

[HybridTheory]

What is it with the lights as the old bill told me the other day my front left was out (as I'm sitting on the bike ) anyway when I press the pass lever it works ! Is this meant to happen !

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

HybridTheory said:

What is it with the lights as the old bill told me the other day my front left was out (as I'm sitting on the bike ) anyway when I press the pass lever it works ! Is this meant to happen !

I cant remember if both dipped lights came on...I think they did.

The bulbs might be dual filament so your pass lever activates the high beam. Take the bulb out and look.

[marksbike]

As standard only 1 light comes on for dipped beam, the other head light only works on high beam, however there is a very easy mod to wire in the other light so you get both headlights on for dipped beam.

[HybridTheory]

Thanks for that weirdly it doesn’t seem to work on high beam but does come on when you press the pass switch !

[the cueball]

boxeye fazers only have 1 light on dipped beam, both on full beam.