2010 Yamaha FZ1 Preview

Introduction

The fact is that Yamaha has barely finished bringing the 2009 FZ1 up to date with all of the ideas that they had regarding it. So no more than a year ago, we witnessed the introduction of what Yamaha likes to call their “ultimate street brawler,” a machine powered by a 998cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four; DOHC, 20 valves engine, pretty much the same one that you’ll find on the previous YZF-R1 generation. Fuel injection has seen its way on the FZ1 ever since 2006, but the big news a year ago was the aluminum frame designed specially for the bike that turned out a little more versatile that we ever expected it to be.

2010 Yamaha FZ1

Yamaha calls this a supersport motorcycle and with 150 hp at 11,000 rpm and 106.0 Nm at 8,000 rpm, we won’t bother contradicting them, especially being aware of the blast that this thing can be in the hands of riders who have long exceeded the ghost rider phase of their riding trajectory and feel like riding a comfortable and still very powerful motorcycle that can prove both efficient when commuting and relaxing when touring with the always present comfort of knowing that the front wheel is touching the ground only because you want it to.

The 2010 Yamaha FZ1 comes to perfect its reputation with better throttle response in the low to mid-rpm range as a result of the revised ECU mapping. This should make power delivery more linear and, overall, the bike more predictable and user-friendly. Still, the FZ1 isn’t what I would call a starter’s bike because of its R1 genes.

History

Competition

2006 Suzuki GSF1200S Bandit

Although not yet a 2010 model year, the Suzuki Bandit 1250S is FZ1’s fiercest competitor. That’s mainly because of the 1255cc inline-four engine designed for torque, which allows riders get a rush each and every time they open up the throttle regardless of the gear they’re in. The Suzuki’s seat is more comfortable than that of the Yamaha, but the riding position doesn’t differ much from one bike to another. This thing can also be said when talking about wind protection.

I’ve come to find that riders with a much more serious background go for the biggest Bandit (mostly because Suzuki also offers an ABS model) out there, while those seeking pure performance are FZ1 buyers, but that’s certainly not a rule, just something I noticed.

With the 2010 GSX1250FA, Suzuki offers a much sportier approach towards the same biking idea and drifts slightly away from the FZ1, which has also flirted with a full fairing in the past years.

The 2010 Z1000 is a half-fairing away from turning into a redoubtable opponent for the Yamaha FZ1 and Suzuki Bandit 1250S, but Kawasaki concentrates on turning this model into the meanest Japanese streetfighter out there and this positions the bike next to the naked FZ1 on the European market.

Speaking of European bikes, the Ducati Multistrada can be the choice of those who aren’t that much into performance, but definitely into comfort, refinement and even feel the need to leave the asphalt behind from time to time.

Exterior

2010 Yamaha FZ1

But one thing’s for sure: the 2010 Yamaha FZ1 would rather choose the track than get its tires dirty and the bike’s entire bodywork shows it. It does look like “an upright R1,” meaning that it appears as an aggressive two-wheeler from whatever side you’re watching it. You get that sharp FZ1 nose, but the bike’s face is actually dominated by the big headlights and decently-sized screen. Nothing has been redesigned for 2010, so the seat is as sporty as ever (not necessarily an advantage if we consider that people do ride hundreds of miles per day on these things) and the 4.75 gallons fuel tank is as curvey as always.

2010 Yamaha FZ1

We like how the radiator and all the blacked-out mechanical parts look on the FZ1, but also the FZ6-style frame housing the source of all fun and excitement. That is mainly because of the Raven and Candy Red colors available for 2010 and the fact that these are furthermore stood out by the gold wheels and fork arms. Am I wrong in saying that this is the first time Yamaha doesn’t offer a Blue color for the FZ1?

Price

I may be, but 2010 is definitely the first year when Yamaha will sell it for more than $10 grand. MSRP starts at $10,290, to be more precise, and the FZ1 will hit dealerships in February.

Conclusion

The Yamaha FZ1 was originally designed to suit the high demands of riders who would rather take a supersports motorcycle across the state, but simply couldn’t comply with the aggressive riding position and the 2010 model year is all about that, only that at the level from which the motorcycle industry is now situated.

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SPECIFICATIONS

Engine and Transmission

2010 Yamaha FZ1

Type: 998cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder; DOHC, 20 valves
Bore x Stroke: 77 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel injection
Ignition: Digital TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition with 32-bit ECU
Transmission: 6-speed w/multiplate clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain

Chassis and Dimensions

2010 Yamaha FZ1

Suspension/Front: 43mm fork; fully adjustable, 5.1-in travel
Suspension/Rear: Single shock; adjustable preload and rebound damping, 5.1-in travel
Brakes/Front: Dual 320mm floating discs w/4-piston calipers
Brakes/Rear: 245mm disc w/single-piston caliper
Tires/Front: 120/70-ZR17
Tires/Rear: 190/50-ZR17
Length: 84.3 in
Width: 30.3 in
Height: 47.4 in
Seat Height: 32.1 in
Wheelbase: 57.5 in
Ground Clearance: 5.5 in
Rake (Caster Angle): 25.0°
Trail: 4.3 in
Fuel Capacity: 4.76 gal
Fuel Economy: 35 mpg
Wet Weight: 487 lb

Other

Warranty: 1 Year (Limited Factory Warranty)

Features & Benefits

2010 Yamaha FZ1

New for 2010:

2010 Yamaha FZ1