11 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Yamaha FZ-09

While the FZ-09 did pack in the necessary ingredients to be a hooligan, it quickly became apparent that it was not without its limitations. The FZ-09's first iteration, then, did a lot of things right, but crucial aspects like suspension and fueling let it down. An update came around in 2017, but was it enough to cure its issues altogether? That's what this piece focuses on. This, then, is what you should know before putting money down on a used Yamaha FZ-09.

 

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11 CP3 Engine 

Maximum Power: 115 hp

Yamaha has not necessarily been known for making triples, but when it did pull the trigger to make one, it did make it properly, courtesy of the legendary CP3 engine.

In any motorcycle, 115 horsepower is nothing to sniff at, but the way the FZ-09 makes power so effortlessly sets it apart. It is very easy to lift the front wheel, and those who like that type of thing will love how easy it is to pop a wheelie.

2014 Yamaha FZ-09 Engine Specs

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

10 An Original Hooligan 

Not only will it inspire you to do the odd wheelie (maybe unintentionally in some cases), but it will also inspire you to grab a fist full of throttle on your daily commute. It is not the first fun commuter bike, but it most certainly is the first bike developed with this kind of “hooligan” riding in mind. The FZ-09 is a born troublemaker in that sense.

9 Comfortable Ergonomics 

Like most naked bikes, it has an upright riding position, and even though the seat height is relatively low, it has plenty of moving room. It is something rather obviously designed to be ridden often and for a long time; the triple is also compact and does not get nearly as hot in traffic as other bikes this size.

2017 Yamaha FZ-09 Dimensions

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

8 Simple Design 

The first-generation FZ bikes made between 2014 and 2017 are by far the best looking. Yamaha got it right the first time but could not resist the temptation to fiddle. When it got to the second generation, the design was “modernized,” and now, with a few years of hindsight, we can say that it was made slightly less aesthetic.

 

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7 Update Brings Much-Needed Improvements 

Although the second generation, the bike that would later adopt the international MT name, might have gotten uglier, it also got a few very important updates.

Believe it or not, the original bike didn’t even have ABS, which is not ideal on a bike as unruly as the FZ. We say unruly because all that torque came with a snatchy throttle so that you would pop a few unexpected wheelies. This model fixed both of those issues, and it also got traction control.

2017 Yamaha FZ-09 Update Highlights

•  3-Level Traction Control 
•  New Color Options 
•  Re-positioned Instrument Panel 
•  Revised Front Fork 
•  New Subframe 

6 Affordable Fun 

Price When New: $8,999

In 2017, when Yamaha updated the FZ-09, it was a fairly affordable bike, coming in at $8,999 new. At the time, dealerships were also known to throw in a few freebies.

It is a very affordable machine when you consider its capability, but like any bike at this price point, you should be aware of a couple of compromises.

5 Budget Suspension 

Softly-Sprung Suspension Inspires Little Confidence

In a word, the suspension is just woeful. No matter how well you set it up, it would tend to be soft and spongy. There are aftermarket solutions, but they are not cheap.

Another reason why that front wheel comes up so easily actually points toward a chassis that can’t handle the power. As much as it is fun for some riders, it will get frustrating for those who want to do the odd track day or just go canyon calving.

2017 Yamaha FZ-09 Suspension, Brakes And Tires

(Specs sourced from MCN)

4 Not Beginner-Friendly 

No Rider Aids, And Snatchy Throttle Make It Tough To Ride

One might get fooled into thinking that because it is accessible in terms of price, it might be a suitable first bike, but one would be mistaken. The first-generation FZ, in particular, would be a poor choice as it doesn’t have any rider aids and has that snatchy throttle.

Hence, it will be a one-way ticket into the bushes for a first-time rider. The second generation does have a low-power map and rider aids, but we still wouldn’t recommend this as a first bike.

 

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3 Proven Reliability 

Owners' Reliability Rating: 4.5/5

The Yamaha FZ-09, then, isn’t perfect. No motorcycle is, but it is, in most respects, awesome. For us, the first-generation FZ is still the best. Raw, snatchy, but all sorts of fun.

It has also proven extremely reliable, like most Yamahas, and won’t disappoint you even if you buy used. New bikes are pretty affordable, though, and certainly should be considered as long as you like their design.

2 Used Examples Of The FZ-09 Are Abundant 

Used Price Range: $4,300-$8,000

If all of this sounds attractive to you, the good news is that plenty of examples of the Yamaha FZ-09 are available in the used market.

The caveat is that they're all in varying conditions, but it's not hard to spot some that have low mileage and have been taken care of on regular service schedules. Given that, a price of anywhere between $4,300 and $9,000 is quite reasonable for a bike that came out in 2013.

1 The FZ-09's Value Proposition Can't Be Ignored 

Given all that, the Yamaha FZ-09 stood firm in the face of competition from the likes of the Suzuki GSX-R600, the Honda CB1000R, and the Triumph Street Triple.

They all sport an inline 3-cylinder or an inline 4-cylinder engine configuration and have horsepower outputs in the same ballpark. That said, the FZ-09's torque output is second only to the Honda CB1000R's, which is impressive considering the latter's got an extra cylinder and about 100cc more. The FZ-09 also comes across as one of the lightest of the lot, giving it its hooligan status in the first place.

Overall, the FZ-09 made a valiant effort to provide thrills on a budget and came close to providing just that. If you're considering buying one today, it could make for a great project bike with which you could bridge the gap.

2017 Yamaha FZ-09 Vs Rivals

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs and MCN)

•  Source for features: Yamaha, MCN 
•  Source for technical specifications: MCN, Motorcycle Specs 
•  Source for used prices: Cycle Trader