i’m thinking of getting one, probably a nekkid one!
what are they like for every day use? all year riding, anything to watch out for on them, known weak points etc?
thinking about 06-07 models.
you want to talk to Redrat, although i think his one is slightly older.
he has fazer thou. half faired. dunno if its the same bike. I aint a yam yam boi
I had an 08 FZ1 for a year and commuted into London on it everyday.
Bit of a handful and brutally quick. I test drove an FZ8 and swapped my FZ1 for that as you can throw the Fazer 8 around much more in the corners without *****ng yourserlf mid corner if you grab too much throttle!
Front brakes are brilliant, I didnt have any problems with mine just keeps you on your toes whenever you ride it.
I had 08 FZ1, great bike but a bit too big and heavy
for me as a commuter.
Also a bit thirsty, but then again I fitted a powercommander
and Akra pipe which made it go superbly and got rid of the
flat spot at about 3k, made it really smooth pulling away
but I often just got 35 mpg.
It was the best bike I’ve ever used for taking a pillion round
the IOM 
I’m now on SV650 for commuting and R6 for fun, no more
pillions required as MetalRed has her own bikes, apparently
that all came about due to the FZ1 trip to IOM.
I’ve got an 08 one and I used it for commuting all year round for 3 years as well as taking it on tours of Germany and Scotland and Sunday bimbles. It’s great fun, very quick and I find it to handle well. It’s also relatively easy to clean and keep in good shape (especially when using through the winter). I’ve had no reliability issues at all (touch wood). Work recently moved from Islington to Docklands adding a fair few miles to my commute so I’ve bought myself a 125 scooter to take the brunt of my commuting miles now at 115mpg rather than the 40mpg I get from the FZ1.
If my memory serves me correctly you want to get a 2008 model or later because I think there was some issue with the throttle in the 06/07 models that got them bad reviews and it was fixed (or at least improved) for the 08 one.
I love my 2010 FZ1-n…Cracking bikes and really do everything…I’v toured, tracked, commuted and use for the twisties and love it…I also ride with the mrs on the back…Went down to Brighton on Sunday and she likes it…
There are several things I have done to enhanced the riding experience…Chain sprocket +/- teeth, ventura luggage rack system, powerbronze screen, speedo healer, belly pan, R&G tail tidy, baglux tank cover and tank bag, wired in TomTom Urban Rider, Dr Bike heated grips, r&g crash bungs, FZ1 radiator cover, got the suspension set up correctly for me and I use BT-023’s…26000 miles in 2 and a half years…
The only negative about the bike is the tank range which is a no biggie really…I get 100-110 before the light comes on and then you have 30 miles… When on a rideout you need to stop and stretch/go to toilet by then anyway so i don’t find it an issue.
Let me know if you need anything else…
Neil
cheers for the replies guys
i have heard earlier models could be jerky and low revs, can be fixed with a good map i’m told?
i love the look of them, they look brutal, most likely only bits i would put on one will be flyscreen, pipe, good bloody tyres!
after 2 years of trying to be semi- sensible on my little hornet, it will be fun to get back on a 1000 again, i dont have a big commute to do but i do ride in all weathers and temps, i am wondering how easy the FZ might catch me out on an early cold morning…sure i be fine i’m experienced enough not to be too stupid.
will have a look at the 08 models or maybe a sorted 06-07 model, see what the money is saying, i still aint rode one yet!