I first came across the Fazer 1000 when I read the launch test in BIKE magazine. It wasn't given the greatest write up as they seemed to be expecting something more agressive like the current Aprilia Tuono so I wasn't that interested in it being convinced that I needed a fairing to hide behind.
I first saw one in the flesh on St Albans' Hatfield Road and thought it looked pretty smart. At the time I had a Kawasaki ZX9 and the Fazer looked big and unsporty, but I loved that engine glinting in the sun and looking not unlike the CBX 6.
A year later, I was in Moore's motorcycles and just for the hell of it, I bagged a test ride on a black one. I'd become pretty fed up with the ZX9 over a couple of years and 30,000 miles because although fun when thrashed, the engine was a peaky nightmare and riding position was dreadful and it was the riding position of the Fazer that I wanted to experience.
What can I say. It blew me away. Here was a bike that was comfortable, fast, torquey and although a fair bit heavier than the ZX9, handled pretty well. And even without a fairing, there's wasn't much more windblast than the ZX. So I bought it on the spot.
Who'd have thought I'd still own it 12 years and 100,000 miles later. Why? Because nothing has yet beaten it for what it is and what it can do. Here's the full history.
2500 Bought second hand from Moore’s Motorcycles, St Albans. 2nd gear occasionally doesn't go home, but it's just like most Honda's in that respect. 4000 Scottoiler and Digital Gear indicator installed 5000 Engine occasionally shuts down for no reason. TPS is adjusted, never happens again 18000 My Fazer is featured in MCN 24000 Full service 24000 First Alpine trip. So much better than a ZX9 for touring. 30000 New chain and sprockets 35600 Cadwell Park trackday. First sign of 2nd gear trouble as it leaps out of gear and re-engages with almighty bang. 44000 Full service including valve check. Still jumping out of 2nd. 45000 Rear end is squatting and wallowing chasing a GSX-R. Something must be done. Buy an Ohlins rear shock and front springs and it's like a new bike. Expensive. Mandatory for a Fazer thou! 45000 Mallory Park trackday. Laps half the fast group in 10 laps (really. It did!). Still jumping out of 2nd 46000 Mirror snaps off. Fixed with a nut and screw 49000 Brands Hatch trackday. Getting faster. Jumping out of gear getting ever worse 57000 2nd gear goes west. on the day I lose my job. Oh smashing. Broken bike and no money. But at least it gives me time to fix it. I take the sump off and 2nd gear is stripped of teeth for a third of its circumference. It isn't as simple as a broken dog. Lot's of metal all over the place. Replace entire engine unit with £600 second hand unit from breakers in Aberdeen. It takes a week, but it's a great feeling when it starts again for the first time. 61000 Fork seals blow 62000 Forks pitted. Rechromed by Philpotts in Luton 63000 Find the FOCCers forum. What's this Ivan bloke. What? £110 for more power? Bought a kit and Ivanised it myself in 2 hours. And it's a new machine yet again. 65000 Battery replaced 67000 New chain and sprockets 70000 Radiator goes west. Replaced with 2nd hand from breakers 75000 Seat has split near the tank. Find a cheap one in East Germany on eBay
77000 Givi screen bought. Wish I’d bought it 70000 miles ago 78000 Swivelling bike on centrestand is not good. Breaks in half. Replaced with 2nd hand from breakers 78000 Second Alpine trip. 81000 Battery replaced 82000 Third trip to the Alps, France, Germany, Italy, Austria etc. 7 Countries, 900 miles in 18 hours and a police chase on the way home. 84000 EXUP valve now so rattly it’s annoying. Still operating perfectly, though. All allen bolts sheer whilst looking at them, they're so rotten. £45 second hand downpipes and £12 silencer purchased and fitted. Must get the old one refurbed 90000 Miles! Wow. This old girl is still going!!! Can I get it to 100,000? 91500 Fork seals blow. 92000 And blow again. NS Front fork seal replaced. Round off allen socket in fork base. 94000 Pull throttle cable snaps on the way home. In the dark. And rain. 99700 Rear caliper pins have now worn the locating holes oval. Buy 2nd hand from breakers 100000! It hit 99999 in the last 100 yards to work, so I go out at lunchtime and clock up that last mile. While I take a few photos of the moment, I feel quite emotional.
And it continues 101400 New Air filter 102000 EXUP pull cable snapped. Replaced with Wemoto 'Slinky Glide' pattern part 110,997 Flew through it's 9th MOT. Gave it an oil change as a reward.
So that's the truth about my Fazer ownership. All maintenance before the the gearbox crunched itself to death was done by dealers (Moore's Motorcycles and Flitwick Motorcycles, thank you!) and everything since has been done by me, and that's one of the great things about Fazer ownership, they're very easy to work on.
However, I feel pretty guilty because although oil, filters, pads, carb balancing, TPS, suspension etc have been maintained at the recommended intervals, I still haven't check the shims in over 43,000 miles. Thing is, I never thought I'd still have it 5 years later, and I'm ashamed to say that I never considered it to be worth much after the new engine went in, so I couldn't see the point of booking it in for £500 service. I presume they must have been checked at some time, but it still goes like a rocket. This is also why this post is called The Truth. It's a guilty truth that I haven't treated it well.
I'm fairly sure the 2nd gear problem was there from new and it's a shame those 100,000 miles haven't been on the one unit, but I'm amazed that things like the discs are still well within service limits, the suspension linkages are still like new, the electrics and alarm are fine and so on. It's pretty scratched and 12 winters have knocked seven colours out of the finish on the engine, but it really is a remarkable bike and I'd happily take mine round the world even at this age.
I'd ride knowing that it would be comfortable, fast, economical and perfectly able to cope with anything I wanted to do with it, be it track day, commute or tour, and I'd ride knowing that I could fix it if it broke down and with the knowledge that this is the greatest bike ever built.
Hi,
I am wondering if someone can help.I am going to replace my airfilter with K&N on my fazer 600 2001
.I had the fuel tank off today but was unsure what to do next.I am a novice,so any help would be much appreciated
Just bought a 2001 fazer 600 after being away from riding for four years!
I bought it as a commuter bike and I am quite impressed with it, not sure about the handlebar height though, I have ordered a renthal 758 handlebar so hope it's better.
Nice to be back on a bike, my last bike was a ZX9R ninja
I've tried to find info on these without much success, so has anyone used, or are using, SBS Ceramic pads on the rear?
Any feedback would be appreciated, as i've just bought a new rear disc and can't decide what pads to use.
I'm not a great fan of organic because of dust issues, and won't use sintered again after they ate my last disc, albeit under stressful conditions!
So, what d'ya know?
I would like to chrome the end cam covers, can you tell me ?
Are there gaskets behind that will need replacing
Is anything likely to jump out if I take them all off
Cheers
Sorry to suddenly arrive on the forum but I'm a freelance journalist working for MCN and I'm writing a buying guide on Fazers (1000 and 600 old and new versions, not the 800, sorry). I'm trying to chase up a few owners to appear in MCN. Nothing too serious, just a photo of yourself (head shot, can be taken on an iPhone) to appear in MCN and two minute chat on the phone about what it is like to own your Fazer, any issues, things to watch out for when buying etc. If you could pleae PM me with you phone number if you are interested I'll bell you back. I'm after one owner of each model (FZ1, FZS1000, FZ6 and FZS600) as I'm pretty limited in space.
Hi
This is my 3rd Fazer, and it's a keeper..one with black engine..finally
So that's why I decided to change a few things, as I did to all my bikes in the past.
Forks+brakes - R1 03 w/ Ohlins springs
Radial brake pump
Yokes - custom made
28mm Tuono bars
Ohlins rear shock
Dynojet, PiperX
Leo Vince
Carbon tail part
All plastic covers covered with carbon fibre
Carbon R1 front fender
Corbin seat
Multigauge
Smoke tail light w/signals
Original rack
WP steering damper
Braided lines
Titax levers
Rizoma fluid res.
Bagster cover
This winter I'll fit Akrapovic full system I just bought from a friend+ new silencer and rejet again. Also front fairing will be covered in carbon and I hope to get around to fit the belly I have for year now!
