Yamaha 600 Fazer FZS motorcycle test

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Launched almost 3 years ago, the Fazer 600 immediately made a
real tobacco in a market previously dominated by the Bandit 600. Since then, the Fazer
prances in the top trio of motorcycle sales in France and has even been at the top of
sales in 1999, until deserving its website, of excellent quality, in its image.

The Bandit had initiated the fashion for big roadsters, based on engines
from sportswomen in the ranges concerned. The Bandit inherited the legendary engine
of the GSX-R, the Fazer inherits the engine of the Thundercat with the undeniable advantage of arriving
3 years after the Bandit. In short, Yamaha engineers have analyzed the Bandit and have
builds a motorbike with the objective of taking back all its qualities and doing more
better.

When you see the Fazer for the first time, you like it or you don’t,
but one does not remain indifferent in front of its angular and aggressive line. She does not
in tenderness. Three years ago, I didn’t like it at all. Today i got there
done, and I appreciate its billhooked curves. Matter of taste you will tell me…

I had already tried the Fazer when it first came out and found
unacceptable faults in my opinion in terms of comfort, and in particular for the passenger.
Yamaha had revised its copy the following year by correcting these defects. It is therefore
with a real pleasure that I take in hand the 2001 version. Could I be tempted and
be unfaithful to my Bandit ?

By getting on it, I immediately appreciate a saddle that is lower than the
Bandit 600. The feet are flat, even solo. The less than one meter seventy
will appreciate. The counters are readable, sport typed (with a red zone at 13,000
laps) and have a double partial totalizer. Height of luxury, there is a gauge
gasoline with a reserve witness. The icing on the cake, almost an anecdote, this
are the fluorescent green colors of the night counters: legible and with the most beautiful effect.

Starting up, the exhaust makes a shrill, angry sound. The motorbike
takes care of itself. We immediately have the impression of having already driven it
and that immediately gives you confidence. The driving position is more curled up,
feet higher, a little more on the front than on the Bandit but it is not
unpleasant, not tiring, just different from the straighter position of the Bandit.

First turns of the wheel and here apart all alone in solo. The duo confirms it
afterwards. There is more torque, and from low revs. The result in town or
on departmental is immediate: we juggle less with the selector, especially in duo,
where with the Bandit, it is necessary to go up in the towers to start again
suitably the cannons hidden under the hood. The Fazer takes off fast and hard. From
suddenly, it becomes necessary to dose more to the acceleration but also to the
braking. The brakes come directly from the braking of the R1, the hypersport model
from Yamaha and a model of its kind in terms of efficiency. There is really nothing to say:
it’s terribly effective, even brutal if you don’t expect it, especially on the road
wet. On the other hand, it immediately gives an immense feeling of security..
Personally, I like it when it brakes hard and hard. You just have to know how to dose! In
On the other hand, the rear brake is just a retarder. As much on the Bandit,
I balance the two, starting from the back then finishing strong on the front.
Here, we forget the rear brake of the Fazer, even crushing it violently. Any
risk of locking the rear wheel! This changes compared to the braking of the Bandit which
sorely lacking in bite.

In town, the Fazer is particularly manoeuvrable and a U-turn is done
with two fingers without forcing, without imbalance and at once without danger. The radius of
turning is shorter, the bike lighter: it’s very easy.

This sense of security is found on the road, or even at high speeds.
prohibited by law, the Fazer is always safe, fitting easily
without forcing and without surprises, even in fast curves. The bubble is effective despite its
size and constitutes a true semi-fairing. It therefore protects very well by
compared to a Bandit 600 N equipped with a nose screen, but worse than a Bandit 600 S,
especially in its 2000 version, which is an example of effective and successful protection,
especially at a brisk pace. The Fazer sits exactly in between the two in terms of
protection.

At night, the security decreases a bit with medium lighting
effective compared to the two lenticular optics of the multireflector type of the
Bandit 600S. On this side, the Bandit is doing better and more efficient; it must be said that
in my opinion, the Bandit S is probably the model that has the most night lighting
efficient in the roadster category. Conversely, the Fazer is the only roadster to
have a warning. And in the Paris region, it’s a security element
essential which should be original on all motorcycles. I appreciate a new
times.

This dream panorama is spoiled a bit in terms of comfort. For the pilot, the
angular tank is unpleasant to squeeze between the legs. The saddle is firm and
the hard suspensions. In this I prefer the new Bandit 600 S; my passenger too
and for other reasons: feet too high, forcing you to be more
curled up than on the Bandit and a small, little rear grab handle
practical and "hurting the hand".

Ultimately, this bike gives such a feeling of security
that one would almost be tempted to give it to a beginner. It will be my only real downside.
This bike is far too powerful for a beginner. We are already hesitant to advise
a Bandit to a beginner (other models, less expensive, are more suitable, than this
either at Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki or others). The advantage of the Bandit is to be a little
ON / OFF up to 8000 turns. It is only there that she gives the best of herself. From
suddenly, a beginner can take it in hand gently for the first few kilometers and not
start typing in as you go. With the Fazer, there is no button
ON / OFF. That’s all, right now … and it’s even worse after the 8000 laps mark.
You like playful and powerful roadsters, this is for you.

In terms of the amount of insurance, finally, the Fazer is slightly more
dear than the Bandit, without this being significant.

In short, the Fazer is a powerful and efficient motorcycle at all
levels. Easy to handle, it is really fun to drive. In terms
aftermarket, it is an excellent motorcycle, with a proven engine base: in short, without
worry. It even holds the reliability record within the Yamaha range. We him
mainly criticize reduced protection for long journeys and comfort
in duet behind compared to the Bandit. Finally, his power forbids him to put it
in all hands, especially those of novice bikers. But with hardly more
4000 francs difference compared to a faired Bandit 600, it constitutes a
real alternative for all the others. Especially with the promos for the month of March, where
it can be seen at 44.990F. Afterwards, it’s also a matter of taste…

Datasheet
| Your reactions on the motorcycle forum |
The reference site on the model: the
Fazermen

Thanks to the Murit dealer in Chatillon
and to Philippe for the loan of this Fazer.

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