Yamaha's Fazer becomes even more brutal
from Motorcycles (336 articles)
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Image Gallery ( 22 images )A newly designed slimline aluminium subframe incorporates the passenger footrest bracket mounts, further reducing weight and also ensuring that the clean lines of both models’ rear ends are maintained.
Just like the YZF-R1, and also the YZR-M1 MotoGP winning bikes, the new FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer utilise the slant-block 998 cc in-line four cylinder engine as a fully stressed member on the new aluminium frame.
Rigid mounts are used at a total of six positions, with two mounts on the rear of the cylinder head, and four mounts at the upper and lower crankcase and the rear of the engine.
This proven method, where the engine is ‘hung’ from the frame, makes for high levels of vertical rigidity, which is a key factor in achieving optimum handling performance, and especially for high levels of stability during braking.
Another feature – that was originally developed for the YZF-R1 – is the extra-long truss-type aluminium swingarm. At 624 mm long, the new swingarm is 45 mm longer and is also more rigid than the 2005 design. The new swingarm is manufactured using Yamaha’s exclusive ‘CF die-cast’ aluminium casting method which has enabled us to manufacture light and strong aluminium components.
The benefits of the long swingarm include a reduction in the negative effects of chain tension on driving force, and this type of swingarm is also associated with excellent handling and suspension characteristics.
The main focus of the design team was to create a new kind of high performance sports bike that offers new levels of driveability. With this goal in mind, the FZ1/FZ1 Fazer’s frame geometry was carefully chosen so that it will deliver what Yamaha describes as athletic handling performance. Furthermore, both models have been designed to deliver plenty of feedback for truly enjoyable handling in a wide range of situations, from urban commuting through to corner carving along country roads.
A key factor in ensuring that both the FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer deliver excellent real-world handling is the 51% front wheel weight distribution, and this has been made possible by shifting the engine forwards by 21 mm compared with the existing model. The caster angle has also been reduced to 25 degrees – one degree less than the 2005 FZS 1000, and front fork offset is now 25 mm – a full 10 mm less than the 2005 model, and 5 mm less than the R1. The 51% front wheel weight bias – combined with a compact 1,460 mm wheelbase, 25 degree caster angle, 25 mm fork offset and 109 mm trail – make for responsive and agile sports handling qualities.
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