The Yamaha FZ-1 is completely redesigned for 2006 to be lighter, faster and sexier than the last version, which had a reputation as an "old man's R1." The R1 assembly line was raided to source a new engine for the new FZ-1, one with a claimed 148 hp (at the crank) and that was virtually identical to the R1 mill except for different camshafts that offer more midrange torque. The look is sportier than the previous year's and does resemble the R1 (in the same way that the super-hot girl's so-so friend who you always have to buy a drink for resembles the hottie), and while you won't be asked to park at the back of the lot during bike night, don't expect to pull in many 18-year-old curb monkeys with this ride. Their loss, though, as the FZ-1 offers decidedly better passenger accommodations than the R1.
On the road, I can tell you this much: The FZ-1 will courageously stay upright in even the fiercest downpour despite my best attempts to crash on my first press launch. When the rain finally stopped, the FZ-1 proved to be a formidable corner carver thanks to a new, lighter and stiffer cast-aluminum frame (a first for this model). In the lower revs, the bike has a smooth, consistent powerband that will make city dwellers happy. Once the power rises past 8000 rpm, things start feeling very R1-like; though tall gearing makes the bike less wheelie-prone than we might like, the top-end rush is still a hoot. One sour note was the light switchlike fuel injection, which, when combined with significant engine braking made for some serious excitement on wet, unfamiliar roads!
The 2006 Yamaha FZ-1 is a solid choice for the gentleman hooligan who wants to buy a liter bike without the torture rack riding position or ticket-magnet profile of an R1. At $9099, it's a lot less then an R1 (less than even the R6), which will leave you with plenty of spare change for some aftermarket sprockets to sort out the gearing and even maybe some rain gear, too!