Yamaha motorcycle reviews


Read Yamaha motorbike reviews. These have been written by owners of Yamaha for the benefit of fellow bikers. Read other Yamaha owners' personal opinions of Yamaha motorcycle ownership. You can also submit your own Yamaha review.

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Yamaha RXS 100cc 88/89 (F)
Overall Rating:
Review
Had my RX-S on the road for 2 days had it for about 2 mouths been restoring it and making it better now black with a red smoke stripe and a air brushed skull on it looking good. Done around 250 miles on it in 2 days love the ride kills all 125s picked it up for £60. Got 80 out of it think i can get a bit more out of it with a few little tweaks to gear box. dont like riding it in the rain. Will never sell it love it.
Submitted by
ThatBoiFish on 21/07/2009
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Yamaha QT 50cc 91/92 (J)
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Review
I bought my moped in 1992 when she was a year old having done 500 miles. I have only ridden her about twice a week mainly in the summer and she now has 7700 miles on the clock, has been regularly serviced and has NEVER let me down. The best little moped I have ever had the pleasure to have owned.
Submitted by
Boomer on 13/07/2009
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Yamaha XJ Diversion 600cc 93/94 (L)
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I have recently inherrited a xj 600 s Divvie the bike was my old mans from new and i have ust taken it of his hands. The Diversion is exceptionaly reliable so far i have found it durable and able to cope well at high speeds and in all weathers. It isvery confatable and hands well with pillion. I would certainly reccomend this bike for "first big bike" riders and those who want to enjoy riding and touring and not try t break the speed of light record. overall for 8/10 superb.
Submitted by
KNCW1 on 01/07/2009
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Yamaha XJ 600cc 96/97 (P)
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excellent conditions,full service history.very nice to ride
Submitted by
quale in Brighton, East Sussex on 29/06/2009
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Yamaha Aerox 50cc Sept '07 (57)
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I have This exact bike but with a custom paintjob and let me tell you, anyone who is sellin this bike with whatever mods over £1500 is a rip off, i got mine for 650 and spent 350 on making it quicker.

It now hits 70 and is wicked for your first bike
Submitted by
Foxym4541 on 24/06/2009
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Yamaha SR 125cc Sept '01 (51)
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I bought a '51 plate yamaha sr after completing my cbt on one. It is an excellent bike for first time riders, it has a great and comfortable seating position, the low seat allows all shapes of rider to get on with this bike. I regularly hit the 90 mpg mark, and it only costs me £6 to fill up! I think it definitely has the best looks out of the cg/gn/ybr etc line of 125cc bikes, and even though it is nothing special, i still get admiring glances as i go past! It also has rock solid reliability, starting first time whatever the weather and can really take some stick from an inexperienced rider.

The downsided to this bike are that if you go for an older drum brake model, they arent particularly good at stopping quikly, but more modern versions have a front disc brake which helps. Also don't expect lightning performance levels as it is only a 125, it will get up to 50 ok but anymore and it struggles. I got 65 out of mine one day, down a hill but it was screaming its poor head off. Also dual carraigeway/ motorway journeys can be a bit dicey as in normal riding conditions (on my bike) i seem to be averageing around the 53-54 mph mark, which is 1mph slower than lorries so you do become a bit of a mobile roadblock, but hey the small size will allow you to filter through easily when there is an inevitable traffic jam. That prety much somes up this bike, it is a great city/town commuter, it is small, agile and fast at getting up to the 30/40 speed limits in town. The bike doesnt really like the windy bumpy country roads, as the suspension really isnt designed for the sometimes intense compression that fast, tight radius corners can produce, and the rear shocks can get a bit overloaded if your a heavy bugger. Overall it is a fantastic learner bike and would definitely recommend it over any other 125.
Submitted by
DouggyMc in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire on 24/06/2009
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Yamaha FZ 600cc Apr '09 (09)
Overall Rating:
Review
YAMAHA FZ6 FAZER

THE SPORTS BIKE FOR ALL REASONS
When you’ve just passed your full bike test and taking your first steps into motorcycling, what would be better that to buy a machine that combines the attributes of a sports bike, the usability of a commuter bike and the comfort of a long distance tourer? But, where would you start looking for a motorcycle that has all these talents, in other words, where you find a motorcycle to suit everyone?

Yamaha have recently introduced a new model to their line-up. The new Fazer 600, whose lineage goes back to 1997 when the Fazer model was first introduced, is the first major model change in six years but it still maintains the same basic values that made its predecessor so successful in Europe. However, there can be no doubt that the FZ6 is an all-new model from the ground up.

Yamaha’s new FZ6 Fazer is a cracking all-rounder being easy and forgiving on the less-experienced rider but providing enough pace and thrills for the keen sports-orientated biker. The new Fazer 600, does it all, whether you’re hacking through the city streets, riding down the back lanes or cruising along the motorways. But how does in manage to be a bike for all people?
Yamaha have packed the Fazer with the latest in supersport technology. It’s the result of a great deal of development work carried out by some of the most talented engineers in the industry. Product planners gave them carte blanche freeing them up from any restrictions. The project team led by Yutaka Kubo, took their new prodigy out onto the roads of Italy, Germany and France to hone its ride and handling to perfection. Many thousands of valuable miles were covered across Europe so that they could reach their goal of producing a motorcycle that would combine ‘supersport’ performance and excitement with the relaxed riding style along with the character of a street sport bike. They believed that the next-generation Yamaha Fazer should be bike that’s not only fast when its engine is revved but also quick when riding through bends, without having too much traction on the rear wheel. To enable the Fazer to do all One priority was to redefine ‘High Performance’ in a completely-new context and focusing on a rider friendly high technology solution seemed to be the right approach to take, rather then the ‘more technology is better’ approach often used by some manufacturers.

The Yamaha F6 Fazer is propelled by a liquid cooled 600cc four-stroke, in-line four-cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine which offers smooth and progressive power delivery. With 72kW (98hp) at 12,000rpm available there’s plenty of power on tap with maximum torque of 63.1Nm arriving at 10,000rpm. A liner-less direct plated cylinder eliminates different heat expansion rates of the cylinder block and improves heat dissipation which achieves an optimum rigidity and great accuracy in cylinder shape. If you combine this with the improved piston ring design and you gain reduced piston motion resistance and lower oil consumption.

Yamaha’s fuel injection system offers an exceptional response to throttle changes and improved fuel economy. The air-cleaner duct has been designed to include the latest acoustics analysis technology so that it gives a pleasing intake sound. The throttle pulley functions progressively with regard to the degree of accelerator opening to give superb control, from idling into low speeds contributing to the excellent mid-speed range acceleration.

Yamaha’s Air Induction System re-burns un-combusted fuel as a first step in the exhaust to clean emissions. The exhaust gas then undergoes further cleaning of toxic elements through a catalytic converter positioned near the end of the exhaust pipe. This means that the new Fazer manages to clear EU-2 emission standards by some considerable margin. In addition to its efficiency in cleaning emissions this up-swept exhaust system produces a great sound.

Yamaha have produced the Fazer’s frame using their exclusive ‘CF Die Cast Technology’. It’s the first time that the company has used this system to build a die-cast aluminium frame for a production machine of this class. It enables Yamaha to give the Fazer’s frame an ideal combination of light weight and strong rigidity. Weight distribution sees the front wheel sharing 51% of the bike’s weight.

The 43mm telescopic front fork is the same size as on the larger capacity Fazer 1000 resulting in first-class shock-absorption qualities and good front wheel road-contact feeling. The Monocross rear suspension includes an optimised damper valve and oil passages design which has given it a function that’s equivalent to link-equipped suspension.

To allow for light and nimble handling Yamaha have altered the Fazer’s centre of gravity and new geometry has enabled them to move the riding position. Compared to the previous model, the hip point has been moved forward by 8mm. By improving fuel tank and cowling design Yamaha have been able to give the new FZ6 Fazer greater manoeuvrability in tight traffic and urban riding as there is now an impressive 35-degree handlebar turning angle.

The six-speed transmission is a pleasure to use offering fast precise gear-changes. Braking is provided by 298mm double-discs at the front and a single 245mm disc at the rear. The braking system provides excellent feel and more than enough stopping power for a machine with this amount of performance. Front and rear tyre sizes are 120/70 ZR17 and 180/55 ZR17 respectively.

The Fazer’s twin headlights, which follow the family image of the R-Series, provide an excellent spread of light and are powerful enough for fast riding at night.
The windscreen is designed to provide the rider with good wind protection and to produce the minimum amount of turbulence and wind noise. The screen surrounds the body cowl and on its centre portion, the cowl has two U-shaped visors that are positioned to create an escape for the air flow which minimises the swirl back against the rider. The overlapping effect of the visor and cowl parts gives an appealing, smooth and streamlined appearance. Yamaha’s new colour application techniques maximise the shine effect of the metallic flake on parts, including the front fender and the upper portion of the cowling along with the seat cowl. This new technique actually produces a beautiful near-mirror-like shine and a sense of depth to the paintwork.

The dash is equipped with a liquid crystal meter panel and an integrated tachometer and speedometer positioned right in the centre of the dashboard. The whole design is simple and easy to read at speed.

At £5,299 including on the road charges, the all-new FZ6 Fazer is set to become a best-seller for Yamaha. It really does offer something for all riders. Yamaha also make a ‘naked’ version without the faring priced at £4,699.
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 10/06/2009
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Yamaha FZ 1000cc Sept '05 (55)
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Review
YAMAHA FZ1 REVIEW

YAMAHA UNFAZED

* What’s It all About?
There’s no gentle way of putting this. Yamaha’s FZ1 is an out and out hooligan’s bike but is no less loveable for it. In an age where scalpel-sharp styling and sleek fairings represent the state of the art, the FZ1 takes a more back to basics approach. Or so it would at first seem.

With no fairing, flat handlebars and no pillion accommodation, the Yamaha FZ1 at first looks like a bit of a throwback but dig a little deeper and you’ll soon realise that it’s built on some phenomenal underpinnings. This is, to all intents and purposes, a naked YZF R1 hypersports bike, albeit with a slightly detuned engine. Still, 150bhp is nothing to sniff at…

* What Does It Cost?
Here’s where things get a little complicated. In the basic form as we examine it here, the FZ1 costs £7,199. That’s straightforward enough. However, Yamaha will also sell you a version with revised handlebars, a pillion seat and a ‘bikini’ fairing that they dub the FZ1 Fazer. This retails for £7,599 and represents an eminently more practical proposition. Alternatively you can go even further and Yamaha can supply a factory high screen (£69.99), fairing panels (£399) and colour-coded hard luggage panniers (£550) that turn the FZ1 into a sort of hardcore touring bike. If getting to the destination is just as important as the arriving, this version of the FZ1 may well appeal.

* How Does It Handle?
Whereas old Fazer models made do with a tube perimeter frame, the latest Yamaha FZ1 features a proper supersports style cast aluminium beam frame. This increase in chassis rigidity means the bike is far more capable of handling big power, serious cornering and savage braking. So Yamaha have done the right thing and endowed it with all of the above.

Stiffness in the vertical plane (the one that handles all the acceleration and braking impacts) has been increased by 470 per cent. This means that it’s well up to the task of handling a braking system that’s seen service on the YZF-R1 and which features a huge 320mm front disc.
All the power comes in a stream between 8,000 and 12,000rpm and the chassis is well up to the task. The naked frame encourages the rider to adopt a lower position than normal and this can make the front end feel a little ‘pointy’ but it’s something a decent rider will soon get to grips with. One benefit of having no fairing is that speeds in excess of 100mph become virtually impossible, the wind pressure building up on your head and shoulders to such an extent that you’d need to be built like Iron Mike to attempt to get anywhere near this bike’s top end. The faired Fazer will reach about 160mph while the naked Yamaha FZ1 has an entirely theoretical 150mph maximum.

* Verdict
If you like the idea of old-school styling married to cutting edge technology and eye-watering capability, the Yamaha FZ1 could be just your ticket. It’s a big ask given this bike’s mischievous personality but just try to behave halfway sensibly on thing, OK?
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 10/06/2009
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Yamaha MT-03 660cc Sept '08 (58)
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Review
Yamaha MT-03 Launch Review

Being original isn’t easy. Particularly in the world of two-wheelers where not only are manufacturers tasked with creating a machine to meet the practical needs of their target market, they also need to satisfy these often fickle potential buyers that their bike will set them aside as an individual, reflect their personality and, most importantly, leave them grinning from ear to ear after ride.

It’s a difficult task and none more so than in the small capacity market where, up until very recently, choices were limited to downright mediocre bikes built to a budget that clearly didn’t stretch to styling or charisma.

Yamaha’s 660cc, single-cylinder MT-03 is a bike that’s very difficult to pigeonhole.

It’s an ‘urban supermoto’. No, er, hang on… it’s a town bike. Well, actually it’s neither. This futuristic-looking machine combines the best of both worlds. It’s more practical and comfortable than a Supermoto, as versatile as any town bike and, on the mountain switchbacks and hairpins we encountered on our test route, more fun than either.

The single-cylinder motor that I expected to cause vibration-induced pins and needles after more than an hour in the saddle performs faultlessly with only the very lightest of buzzing through the footrests at speed.

It’s also very smooth. Single-cylinder machines tend to be a little lumpy – not so with the Yamaha MT-03. Smooth delivery in virtually any gear means that even the most inexperienced of throttle hands will seldom be punished with the embarrassment of stalling or the indignation of kangaroo-ing down the road in the wrong gear.

And there’s plenty of torque on tap too. It’s fairly low geared which not only makes for rapid acceleration away from the lights, it also allows higher gears to be used in slower corners, the motor grunting its way out smoothly all the way up to a top speed of just over 100mph – impressive stuff for such a simple engine.

And it’s no one-trick pony. The chassis and suspension set-up is near on perfect. The front forks feel controlled and the innovative, horizontally mounted rear shock gives a plush ride without any wallowing when pushed hard. It’s nimble in town and almost idiot-proof under hard braking into misjudged corners – even running hot into unfamiliar s-bends hard on the brakes fails to upset the bike’s balance.

It’s a reassuring bike to ride in every sense of the word. The low seat makes it less daunting for smaller riders, it forgives the odd mistake, it’s comfortable, it’s well screwed together and whether you’re crossing the capital or blasting down B-roads, it’ll take it all in its stride.

While you can’t please all the people all of the time, it seems that this new Yamaha should please most of the people, most of the time; particularly those living in congested towns and cities that want something that’s as fun and funky as it is functional.

The new Yamaha MT-03 is price around £4,800.
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 08/06/2009
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Yamaha TDM 900cc Sept '05 (55)
Overall Rating:
Review
YAMAHA TDM900 ABS REVIEW

AVOID GETTING LOCKED UP

* What’s It all About?
The clue is in the name. The Yamaha TDM900 ABS’s big improvement is an anti-lock braking system designed to take the stress out of high-speed deceleration. Yes, it’s true that a very skilled rider can occasionally better the performance of an anti-lock system using sensitivity and feel alone, but for most of us, most of the time, the ABS wins hands down when somebody decides to turn right across your path. It works well with a big all-rounder like the TDM900, and if you haven’t tried ABS since the days Honda experimented with rather rudimentary systems on the CBR, it’s well worth taking a look. Tacking 3kg onto the weight of the non-ABS version that’s still offered, a TDM with uprated brakes looks a decent addition.

* What Does It Cost?
Although the weight differential isn’t that great, some riders may well baulk at the price premium. Whereas the non-ABS bike costs £5,999, Yamaha ask a heady £6,499 for the TDM900 with anti-lock. That’s not far off the £6,699 that Yamaha ask of their 1000cc Fazer, a bike that’s quicker, more powerful and which to many has sharper styling. Recompense comes in the TDM’s lower insurance rating and more modest appetite for tyres and brakes. Even the £5,299 Fazer 600 generates 11bhp more than the TDM900 ABS. In short, you’ve got to appreciate the more relaxed riding qualities and more mature approach of the TDM if you’re going to fork out six and a half grand.

* How Does It Handle?
If pure sports bikes do nothing for you, the Yamaha TDM is a welcome alternative. Especially good for those with a decent inside leg measurement, the TDM900 is a big twin that’s great at mopping up the miles, but which projects a less geriatric image than a full-on touring bike. You’ll tell that two big cylinders are doing the work at idle, the lumpy tickover sending vibrations through the grips, but the low down torque is what this bike is all about. Regularly ride it above 90mph and you’ll find it a little breathless, but if you enjoy effortless point and squirt riding, the TDM900 is brilliant. The ABS system works well enough, but it is possible to feel it in action, a staccato pulsing coming back through the lever and pedal. The screen works better than its compact dimensions would suggest and comfort is generally pretty good, although the seat may be a little narrow for the more generously upholstered posterior. Handling is composed and tidy at sane speeds, but push really hard and you’ll realise that this is no sportster.

* Verdict
If riding at ten-tenths no longer appeals, the Yamaha TDM900 ABS makes a very accommodating partner. It’s a big hearted bike, although the fitment of anti-lock saddles it with a commensurately big sticker price. To some, the peace of mind will be well worth the premium. All-weather ability and an untemperamental nature make the TDM surprisingly endearing. A decent 200-mile range and relaxed cruising ability are standout features.
Submitted by
UKBikerBoy on 08/06/2009
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