Race bike driving report: Yamaha-Klein FZ1

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Race bike driving report: Yamaha-Klein FZ1

Race bike driving report: Yamaha-Klein FZ1 (with video)

The Yamaha FZ1 from the tuner

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Dominik Klein took the R1 engine of the Yamaha FZ1, which was throttled for the country road, to his chest and breathed fire into it. The result: endless power and long arms for the pilot.

Using the motor of the YZF-R1 in a slightly modified form in the FZ1 power-naked bike was certainly a good, and inexpensive, idea from Yamaha’s point of view. In practice, however, the superbike engine, which is tuned for more torque and less power, falls short of expectations, especially in the middle speed range relevant to rural roads. Only in engine speed regions beyond the 9000 rpm mark does the production vehicle really spurt forwards.

Seen in this way, Dominik Klein’s tuner GP conversion this year, a Yamaha FZ1-RR, was consistent. In contrast to Yamaha, the motorcycle expert saw the potential of a real racer behind the everyday concept of the FZ.

UIn order to expose this, the Saarland dealer went to great lengths: He completely dismantled the tamed superbike engine, revised connecting rods, pistons, valve seats and ducts, exchanged the inlet and outlet valve springs for stronger counterparts from the R1, reworked the camshafts, installed KIT head and foot seals and increased the compression to 13.3: 1.

In the periphery, almost no part remained in series production. A Powercommander III in conjunction with the enlarged airbox, a DNA air filter, R1 intake funnels and a Dynojet ignition module with an increased rev limiter ensures more peak performance. An OVER titanium system with an Akrapovic muffler takes care of the exhaust gas disposal, a large cooler protects the strengthened engine from heat collapse.

On the chassis side, Klein also opted for a mix of YZF-R1 and accessories. The fork of the FZ1-RR comes from the spare parts shelf of the superbike sister RN12 and, thanks to other springs and new damper pistons, offers tighter damping and a larger adjustment range. At the back there is also a tightened Ohlins strut. The Yamaha expert increased the lean angle of his bare race bike by raising the rear by four centimeters and the front by 1.5 centimeters.


The shift pattern of the FZ1 can only be reversed by means of a redirection. Fork bridges and footrest system are anodized green.

As gimmicks with visual and technical benefits, Klein installed a green anodized, individually manufactured footrest system, as well as a triple clamped fork bridge, which is also a custom-made product.

In order to decelerate his naked race bike appropriately, the tuner completely replaced the standard brake system of the FZ1. The brake pump and calipers come from a 2004 YZF-R1, the discs from France Equipement, the sintered pads from SBS. PVM magnesium forged wheels, adjustable handlebar stubs from BKG, a Tellert automatic gearshift and programmable traction control from GripOne round off the FZ1 race track conversion.

Time to check out the bare race bike. The first thing you notice when you step on is the ergonomics of the FZ1-RR. The combination of high pegs placed far back and clip-on handlebars puts the pilot in a sporty, but not uncomfortable sitting position.

The pit lights turn green, the Yamaha sprints energetically. After a few meters it is clear that Klein’s FZ1 conversion has little or nothing in common with the well-behaved production motorcycle. The engine pushes the naked bike, which weighs 185 kilograms, vigorously from 6000 rpm, allows itself a little breather at 9000 rpm, and shortly afterwards burns off like a thoroughbred superbike. The PS test bench of the small FZ1-RR attests 183 PS, thus making it the strongest naked bike of the Tuner GP. The maximum speed, which has been increased to 13,500 rpm, and the well-coordinated Tellert automatic gearshift underline the super sporty claim of the FZ1 drive.

The handling of the black naked racer is even more impressive than the engine. Light-footed and eager to turn, he literally pulls his pilot into the curve, follows every line request, no matter how tight, and stays on course even when accelerating at the exit of the curve.

The brakes potpourri is also convincing. The small racer can be compressed precisely and with little hand strength. Even on the bumps at the end of the Parabolika, the FZ1-RR doesn’t let itself be disturbed, the tightly tuned fork filters away all bumps. The brake pressure point remains stable even after many hard laps – just like the rear wheel, which is kept on course by the well-functioning TSS anti-hopping clutch. In view of this idea, from the perspective of the race fan, Yamaha should perhaps reconsider its FZ1 concept.

Technical specifications


Drawing: archive

The performance diagram of the small Yamaha FZ1.

Weight: 185 kg
Front / back: 53.1 / 46.9%
power: 183 hp
price: about 24,000 euros

The engine of the small FZ1-RR puts you in a good mood, especially in the five-digit speed range. The small drop in torque at 9000 rpm is hardly a problem on the racetrack.

executive Director


Managing Director Dominik Klein.

Dominik Klein
Motorrad Klein GmbH Pachtener Strasse 32 66763 Dillingen
Tel .: 0 68 31/7 31 40
www.yamaha-klein.de

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