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Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer

Make Model	Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer
Year	2002
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Capacity	599 cc / 36.5 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	62 x 49.6 mm
Compression Ratio	12.0:1
Cooling System	Liquid cooled
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	Mineral, 10W/40
Induction	4x 38mm Mikuni BDSR carburetors
Ignition	TCI (transistor controlled Ignition)
Starting	Electric
Max Power	95 hp / 69.3 kW @ 11500 rpm (83.8hp @ 11.000rpm)
Max Power Rear Tyre	83.8 hp / 62.4 kW @ 11.000rpm
Max Torque	61.2 Nm / 45.8 lb-ft @ 9500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Steel, Double cradle frame
Front Suspension	41mm adjustable. forks preload adjustable
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Monoshock: adjustable preload
Front Brakes	2x 298mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 245mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre	110/70-17
Rear Tyre	160/60-17
Dimensions	Length 2080 mm / 81.8 in Width 710 mm / 27.9 in Height 1180 mm / 46.4 in
Wheelbase	1415 mm / 55.7 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Dry Weight	189 kg / 416.6 lbs
Wet Weight	205 kg / 452 lbs
Fuel Capacity	22 Litres / 5.8 US gal
Braking 60 - 0 / 100 - 0	13.1 m / 38.3 m
Standing ¼ Mile	11.4 sec /191.6 km/h
Top Speed	226 km/h

"Yamaha's Fazer looked like a straightforward budget offering when it first

M. appeared in 1997. Styled like the Japanese-market Fazer 400, the Fazer 600 used a re-tuned version of the Thundercat engine, in a steel-tube frame.

But the high-performance front brake calipers - shared with the Rl superbike - and aluminium monoshock rear suspension hinted at sportier performance than the likes of Suzuki's Bandit 600, the budget 600 market leader at the time.

On the road, the Fazer is an excellent performer. The 599cc engine is fitted with smaller carburettors than on the Thundercat, providing the Fazer with superior low-down and mid-range torque for effortless, fast progress. The maximum speed of around 232km/h (145mph) quickly appears, but it is the friendly, easy delivery of the power that most impresses.

The basic but capable chassis blends remarkable sporting prowess with the comfort and usability of a long-distance machine, while the brakes provide the best performance in its class, by a long chalk. Power, feel and progression are all present, and the Fazer's low weight makes the brakes even more impressive.

Unlike the Bandit or Hornet, the Fazer comes only as a half-faired model. The small twin headlight unit provides impressive wind- and weather-protection, although its styling wasn't initially to everyone's taste, and the headlights performed rather poorly at night.

For 2000, the Fazer received a minor update, in the shape of a larger-capacity fuel tank, up 2 liters (0.4 gaT) to 20 liters (4.4 gaT), while the dash received a new digital clock and the forks gained preload adjusters. The extra tank capacity further improved the already impressive range, making the Fazer even more user-friendly.

In 2002, the Fazer saw a more significant revision. A new fairing, based around the FZS1000 Fazer 1000 design updated its styling and markedly improved headlight performance. The tank also received another capacity increase to 22 liters (4.8 gal): easily enough for 320km (200 miles) between fill-ups.

The Yamaha FZS600 Fazer is one of the most successful and well-regarded middleweight motorcycles of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Produced from 1998 to 2004, it offered a compelling blend of sportbike-derived performance, everyday usability, and relative affordability. The 2002 model marked a significant visual and practical update, introducing the distinctive “Foxeye” fairing that aligned it more closely with its bigger sibling, the FZS1000 Fazer.

Background and Development
Yamaha unveiled the FZS600 at the 1997 Paris Auto Show, positioning it as a versatile street bike rather than a pure sports machine. It borrowed heavily from existing Yamaha components: the engine was a detuned version of the liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve inline-four from the YZF600R Thundercat, retuned for stronger mid-range power, while the front brakes used 298 mm discs and four-piston “blue-spot” callipers from the YZF-R1.

The first-generation models (1998–2001) featured a somewhat boxy fairing with rectangular headlights. For 2002, Yamaha introduced a major restyle under the model code 5RT. The new front fairing adopted a sharper “Foxeye” headlight design similar to the FZS1000, along with a more sculpted fuel tank and updated instrument panel. Exhaust downpipes switched to stainless steel (improving corrosion resistance compared with earlier steel versions), and the fuel tank grew to 22 litres. Production continued into 2003, with sales stretching into 2004 before European emissions regulations (Euro 2) forced its discontinuation. It was succeeded by the FZ6 Fazer.

Engine and Performance
At the heart of the 2002 FZS600 is a 599 cc liquid-cooled inline-four with a bore and stroke of 62.0 × 49.6 mm and a 12.0:1 compression ratio. Claimed output is 95 hp (approximately 69–71 kW) at 11,500 rpm and 61 Nm (45 lb-ft) of torque at around 9,500 rpm. Fuel is delivered via four Mikuni carburettors.

The engine is smooth and flexible, with usable mid-range that makes it well suited to real-world riding. It is happy to cruise at motorway speeds without excessive vibration and responds willingly when the revs climb, reflecting its SuperSport origins. Top speed is typically quoted in the 130–140 mph (210–225 km/h) range depending on conditions and gearing, with acceleration figures around 0–60 mph in roughly 3.4–3.8 seconds. Real-world fuel economy is strong for the class—often in the mid-to-high 40s mpg (Imperial), with careful riding pushing into the 50s—giving a practical range of 140–180 miles from the 22-litre tank.

Transmission is a six-speed gearbox with chain final drive. The clutch is a conventional wet multi-plate unit. The gearbox is functional though some owners describe the shift action as a little clunky by modern standards.

Chassis, Handling and Braking
The Fazer uses a steel double-cradle frame. Front suspension is a 41 mm telescopic fork with 120 mm of travel (preload adjustable on later models); the rear is a rising-rate monoshock, also with preload adjustment and 120 mm of travel. The geometry is relatively sporty (approximately 24° rake and 88 mm trail) with a 1,415 mm wheelbase, delivering stable yet agile handling.

Braking is a highlight: dual 298 mm front discs gripped by four-piston callipers (derived from the R1) provide strong, progressive stopping power, backed by a 245 mm rear disc with a two-piston caliper. Tyres are typically 110/70 or 110/60-ZR17 front and 160/60-ZR17 rear.

Seat height is a relatively accessible 790 mm (31.1 in), and the upright riding position with a modest fairing makes the bike comfortable for commuting, touring and spirited road riding. Dry weight is around 189–193 kg depending on exact specification, with kerb weight commonly cited near 205–214 kg.

Ownership Considerations
The FZS600 earned a strong reputation for reliability and low running costs. It became one of Europe’s best-selling middleweights in its era. Common points of attention include soft suspension that can benefit from aftermarket upgrades or progressive springs for heavier riders or more aggressive use, and a known weak front sprocket nut that should be checked and properly torqued. Earlier models were more prone to exhaust corrosion; the 2002-on stainless headers improved matters. Parts availability remains reasonable, and the bike is still popular on the used market as an affordable, capable all-rounder.

Pros include strong mid-range performance, excellent brakes, comfortable ergonomics, good fuel range, and proven durability. Cons centre on the relatively soft stock suspension, the carburetted engine’s age in a fuel-injected world, and the need for careful inspection of older examples for corrosion or wear.

Legacy
The 2002 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer represents a high point of the original Fazer formula—practical enough for daily use, entertaining enough for weekend rides, and robust enough to clock high mileages with proper care. While modern middleweights offer more technology, the Foxeye Fazer remains a charming, capable machine that continues to attract riders looking for honest performance without complexity or excessive cost. For many, it still punches well above its weight as a do-it-all motorcycle.