Faults:

High oil consumption. The use of synthetic oil can cause premature wear on the valve guides.

The system optimizes exhaust pressure, but the cables wear out and cause jerking or a loss of power if the valve sticks.

If it has been sitting idle for a long time, the carburetor needles stick and require synchronization and a deep cleaning.

Rust in the fuel tank.

Minor electrical system faults (regulator/rectifier).

General Comments:

The FZR has a commanding personality often lacking in modern sports bikes.

If you find one in good condition (like the one I owned) and have it tuned up by a professional, you’ll be surprised by how versatile and fun this classic 1000cc bike is. It is rewarding to ride and handles well enough to be enjoyed in the corners.

With fairly relaxed geometry (by modern standards) and a long wheelbase, the FZR tends to enter corners by leaning rather than dropping in sharply like a modern sports bike. It requires a firm pull on the handlebars to respond correctly, and the brakes are beginning to show their age, offering little power and poor feel.

The engine produces a modest 145 hp. However, its four 38mm Mikuni carburetors ensure flawless fuel delivery, while the inline-four engine is flexible and docile, offering good mid-range response. On the road, it has more than enough power to be fun, though the gearbox is somewhat clunky.

FZR's engine is not subjected to excessive stress, so it does not suffer from major failures and is highly reliable. However, as the bike has been on the road for many years, components such as the electrical system, bearings, suspension, and exhaust require updating or servicing.

Given that it is a bike built in the 90s, it obviously lacks ABS, traction control, or even the widespread use of digital displays. Instead, it features a large, attractive analog tachometer, a separate speedometer, and a temperature gauge. It is equipped with a fuel shut-off valve and an EXUP valve…

Finally, I’d like to add a few words about handling and braking.

It came with the standard suspension, which was acceptable, though the fork’s rebound and damping weren't entirely precise. A few months after buying it, I decided to treat the bike to a Maxton fork and an Öhlins shock absorber (the difference is huge). Those components are still on the bike—and were on it when I sold it—after all these years, requiring only occasional servicing.

The bike itself is extraordinarily versatile: I’ve taken it on track days, used it for commuting, and toured Germany and Europe both solo and with a passenger; once the luggage is off, it handles beautifully on Alpine curves. It remains comfortable for the duration of a full tank of fuel, with no complaints from either the rider or the passenger.

Comfortable, fast, and with good handling—it does use a fair amount of fuel, but it’s a great bike that will keep pace with most others on the road.

Faults:

Nothing at all. It was trouble free.

General Comments:

My favourite motorcycle, after owning numerous other makes. Comfy, styling, speed & good handling.

Faults:

Typical - clutch slave cylinder, front and rear brake master cylinder kits, fork seals.

General Comments:

I had an '88 FZR1000 Genesis around 1990-1995. Loved that bike. Rock solid and hard charging. Fit me great back then (6'4" 210lbs). Rode it like I wasn't afraid of it. That was back during my college years, and other than changing the oil, not much was done to this bike. Prior bike was an '85 FZ 750, which was also fantastic and got me hooked on Yamahas. Never had a single issue with that bike in five, hard years.

Fast forward 22 years and I got the itch again, finding a beautiful one-owner, low mile '87 FZR1000 at a dealership in DFW. The bike came from PA and was bounced around by a couple of dealers before I got it, where it was serviced by a former pro Yamaha mechanic. So she was ready to go. It took a week or so to get used to the bike again but, man, I love it. Takes me back and screams just like I remember. Having a costly blast sourcing some of the typical wear parts, many coming from Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan. In love all over again. Outside of the '89 and '91 exup paint schemes, the '87-88s are my favorite.

Just this week I was lucky enough to recently purchase a '97 YZF1000 from the original owner (also in PA) and am looking forward to spending some saddle time on that bike and reviewing it here. I consider that the last iteration of the FZR1000.

In fairness to you guys who have ridden newer bikes (as compared to my 31-year old FZR), I haven't owned a street bike since my '88 model. So I have nothing to compare my '87 to (nothing modern). So while I have no doubt there are dozens of newer makes/models that would destroy my FZR, I'll never know and am cool with that.