Fazer 600 common problems
Discussion
Camchain tensioner went on mine at about 35k. Started off "tick, tick" and gradually got worse.
Paint falls off the engine. Suspension will be soft.
Great on fuel. I once got 240 miles out of a tank and it was the earlier 1998 model with the smaller tank.
Indicator switch stopped working, but some alcohol on a cotton bud sorted that out in about 10 secs - the contacts were just furry.
I've had 2 of them. Great bikes.
Paint falls off the engine. Suspension will be soft.
Great on fuel. I once got 240 miles out of a tank and it was the earlier 1998 model with the smaller tank.
Indicator switch stopped working, but some alcohol on a cotton bud sorted that out in about 10 secs - the contacts were just furry.
I've had 2 of them. Great bikes.
cpl_payne said:
The most common problem is buying one as a stop-gap/first bike/banger and then getting stuck with it forever because it's fantastic value for money.
Lol this is my fear. I have a zx10r which is my normal bike, but when I go out with the other half its gets really uncomfortable as her idea of biking is pootiling about looking for the next tea and cake stop lol so my intention is to get a nice little comfortable bike I go out on with with her and then the 10 when I fancy somthing more spirited. cpl_payne said:
The most common problem is buying one as a stop-gap/first bike/banger and then getting stuck with it forever because it's fantastic value for money.
I did that 6 years ago and still have mine, great bikes and do a bit of everything really well.adding on to common problems, sprocket nuts can come loose and fall off which then chews up the output shaft. There is an updated thicker one available from Yamaha.
Head lights are poor on the box eyed one, but you can wire them up so both come on.
Buy one, you wont be disappointed.
kwaka jack said:
Lol this is my fear. I have a zx10r which is my normal bike, but when I go out with the other half its gets really uncomfortable as her idea of biking is pootiling about looking for the next tea and cake stop lol so my intention is to get a nice little comfortable bike I go out on with with her and then the 10 when I fancy somthing more spirited.
If you're thinking it will slow you down you might be in for a disappointment. It doesn't exactly encourage you going everywhere at breakneck speeds but it can still hustle (though I'm sure it will feel very tame after zx10r). Having never ridden a 1000cc sportsbike I have no personal frame of reference, but I've never felt it lacking in power (then again I am not 18 anymore so I tend to stick to speed limit... more or less). It's quite comfortable, smooth, has good fuel economy and I love the brakes on it.marksbike said:
cpl_payne said:
The most common problem is buying one as a stop-gap/first bike/banger and then getting stuck with it forever because it's fantastic value for money.
I did that 6 years ago and still have mine, great bikes and do a bit of everything really well.adding on to common problems, sprocket nuts can come loose and fall off which then chews up the output shaft. There is an updated thicker one available from Yamaha.
Head lights are poor on the box eyed one, but you can wire them up so both come on.
Buy one, you wont be disappointed.
Yep great bikes. Things to check though:-
Original downpipes are probably rotten. Check down below around the 4 into 1 section.
Stainless replacement system & can from Motad - £230.
Rear brake often seizes, due to poor design that doesn't stand up to weather well. Many swap it for a Fazer 1000 blue spot caliper.
£50-80 on ebay.
As mentioned, original front sprocket nut was bit small. Service note to replace it, but many weren't. Mine did nigh on 30K on original sprocket/chain and was fine - needed a blow torch to loosen it! Others have had theirs come off an cause all kinds of damage though.
Proper size replacement is about £5 on ebay.
They're common first bikes so check for usual crash/drop damage. Fairing cracks (around indicators), bent bars, skews fairing brackets, fork out of alignment etc.
That said, Yamaha still do new cowlings for £200 fully painted.
At this age the rear shock could be shagged by now. Not really serviceable. Basic Hagon replacement is £300. Better Nitron or Wilbers ones are more.
If you can find the latter Foxeye 2002-2003 models, they have bigger tank, better lights, better styling, better mirrors. Well worth it.
Aside from that, the engine is rock solid and if looked after will last yonks. Just check the usual stuff as you would any bike this age.
Got a 2003 Fazer 3 years ago with 13K on it. Just passed 34k now. In that time, service wise I've just swapped fork seals, chain/sprocket, downpipes, rear shock, rear brake caliper, sprocket carrier bearing, clutch cable and Meta alarm box (internal battery died). Crashed a few times, so fairing, mirrors and crash bars/bobbins, handlebars have been replaced but that's another story...
Original downpipes are probably rotten. Check down below around the 4 into 1 section.
Stainless replacement system & can from Motad - £230.
Rear brake often seizes, due to poor design that doesn't stand up to weather well. Many swap it for a Fazer 1000 blue spot caliper.
£50-80 on ebay.
As mentioned, original front sprocket nut was bit small. Service note to replace it, but many weren't. Mine did nigh on 30K on original sprocket/chain and was fine - needed a blow torch to loosen it! Others have had theirs come off an cause all kinds of damage though.
Proper size replacement is about £5 on ebay.
They're common first bikes so check for usual crash/drop damage. Fairing cracks (around indicators), bent bars, skews fairing brackets, fork out of alignment etc.
That said, Yamaha still do new cowlings for £200 fully painted.
At this age the rear shock could be shagged by now. Not really serviceable. Basic Hagon replacement is £300. Better Nitron or Wilbers ones are more.
If you can find the latter Foxeye 2002-2003 models, they have bigger tank, better lights, better styling, better mirrors. Well worth it.
Aside from that, the engine is rock solid and if looked after will last yonks. Just check the usual stuff as you would any bike this age.
Got a 2003 Fazer 3 years ago with 13K on it. Just passed 34k now. In that time, service wise I've just swapped fork seals, chain/sprocket, downpipes, rear shock, rear brake caliper, sprocket carrier bearing, clutch cable and Meta alarm box (internal battery died). Crashed a few times, so fairing, mirrors and crash bars/bobbins, handlebars have been replaced but that's another story...
Well got the bike home today, got caught out in some rain which made things a little interesting.the bike is absolutely spotless but I like my cleaning so I will be improving on it over the winter. The Bike ran really well. Considering I've never ridden a 600 before I enjoyed it but it certainly won't be stealing my heart from the zx10.I'd miss the huge surge of power you get from just going near the throttle. The MOT's show the bike has only done 2000 miles in 4 years so I'm happy with that. Only thing I think needs looking at is the clutch it's right at the end of letting the lever out.
Edited by kwaka jack on Friday 4th September 18:05
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