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YAMAHA FZR1000 (1991 - 1994) Review

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Owners' rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
4

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £120
Power: 145 bhp
Seat height: Low (30.1 in / 765 mm)
Weight: High (520 lbs / 236 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The FZR has a stack of personality that is often lacking in modern sportsbikes. Get a good one and have it set up by a professional and you will be surprised just how flexible and fun this old litre bike is. It’s rewarding to ride, handles well enough to be enjoyed in the bends and, most importantly, delivers a taste of 1991.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

With fairly lazy (by modern standards) geometry and a long wheelbase, the FZR tends to roll into bends rather than drop on its side like a modern sportsbike. It needs a hefty old pull on the bars to get it to comply and the brakes are certainly starting to show their age, producing limited power and not much feel.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Compared to Yamaha’s latest litre bike, the YZF-R1, the FZR makes a slightly paltry 145bhp. But the four 38mm Mikuni carbs deliver glitch-free fuelling while the inline four motor is both flexible and friendly with a good stack of midrange. On the road, it has more than enough power to amuse but the gearbox is a bit clunky.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The FZR’s motor is far from stressed, so isn’t that likely to be unreliable. However you are talking a bike that is now entering its 27th year on the road, so items such as the electrics, bearings, suspension and exhaust system may well be requiring updating or refreshing.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Back in the day an FZR would cost you £6794, which is roughly £14,334 nowadays when you take into account inflation. On MCN Bikes for Sale you can buy a used FZR for in the region of £4000, which isn’t bad value for a cool litre bike with a bit of history behind it.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The FZR was built in the 1990s, well before ABS, traction control or even the widespread use of digital clocks. Instead you get a lovely big analogue rev counter and separate speedo as well as a temperature gauge. There is a fuel switch to turn the petrol’s flow on and off and an EXUP valve…

Specs
Engine size 1002cc
Engine type Liquid-cooled, 20v, inline four
Frame type Deltabox
Fuel capacity 19 litres
Seat height 765mm
Bike weight 236kg
Front suspension 43mm, inverted forks adjustable for preload
Rear suspension Single rear shock, adjustable preload and rebound
Front brake 2 x 320mm discs with four-piston calipers
Rear brake 267mm single disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size 130/60 x 17
Rear tyre size 170/60 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption -
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £120
New price -
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term -

Top speed & performance
Max power 145 bhp
Max torque 79 ft-lb
Top speed 145 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

1987: The FZR1000 Genesis is launched

1989: The FZR1000 EXUP replaces the Genesis and is a 90% new bike with an EXUP valve and Deltabox frame

1991: The FZR1000RU arrives with inverted forks and a projector headlight

1994: The FZR1000 gains a ‘foxeye’ headlight and 6-piston front calipers

1996: The Thunderace replaces the FZR in Yamaha’s model range

Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA FZR1000 (1991 - 1994)

1 owner has reviewed their YAMAHA FZR1000 (1991 - 1994) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your YAMAHA FZR1000 (1991 - 1994)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Value vs rivals: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £120
5 out of 5 Great bike buy one while you still can
20 July 2021 by MartinO

Version: FZR1000RU

Year: 1991

Annual servicing cost: £120

Comfy fast and handles, a bit thirsty but a great bike which will stay with most bikes on the road.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Had the standard suspension that was 4 out of 5 ok but fork rebound and damping were a bit off, after a few months decided to treat the bike to maxton fork work and an ohlins shock (makes a big difference), these are still on the bike after the 24 years having had occasional servicing. The bike itself is remarkably adept at anything have done trackdays, commuting, toured UK and Europe solo and two up and once the luggage is off plays in the sweeping bends of the alps like a puppy. Comfy for as long as a tank of fuel lasts without complaint from rider or pillion.

Engine 5 out of 5

Pulls from tickover to flat out without a hitch (over 60 in first) and road overtakes can be done in in any gear, a stonking engine. Still feels modern even by today's standards (last time it was on a dyno for a carb tweek was still making 127bhp at the rear wheel) . If anything it too civilised as it just provides pull everywhere even after 30 years so all you have to concentrate on is your line through the bend.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Would be five but the exup valve needs regular attention and greasing to keep it tip top. Other than regular servicing and attention to the chassis parts its fault free in 65000 miles still fairly corrosion resistant.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Valve clearances can cost more but only necessary after 24000 miles other than that its just oil and filter and occasional fluid changes

Equipment 4 out of 5

Has a throttle and brakes what more do you need. However special mention has to go to the exup valve producing midrange and the electric fuel switch which when you feel the stutter is easy to switch over even with thick winter gloves and far better than the newer fuel light (which you can easily miss and think how long has that been on).

Buying experience: Bought privately from a mate back in '98 for £4K

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