All you need is the FZS600 Fazer

So I have the FZS 600S, 2000 yr model since 2003 and purchased with 1,500 miles on from Ebay. Last week just completed 100,000 miles and still going strong. I use the bike to commute 80 miles a day come Rain, Wind, Snow and sometimes even the Sun.. So let me give you my take on this. PS My bike is completely standard.

Looks: From some angles it looks weird and from its chunky & from some looks very nice. So that’s subjective
Comfort: You sit low in the saddle which is well padded, so your bums don’t numb. That make the centre of gravity low and you can plant both your feet on the ground even if your 5’ 6” and I am 5’ 8”. Handle bars are high so your elbows don’t take the weight of your body, none of this bums up hands down position. They are not wide which helps if you filter through traffic. Controls are well placed and easy access. The pillion rider sits slightly higher than the rider and there is a decent grab bar.
Dashboard: It has the standard Speed and RPM meter, plus 2 trip meters and a clock and it’s well lit. Surprisingly the Thundercat [from which this bike is derived and it’s a sports tourer] does not have a clock.
Headlights: They are not that great, but have seen stuff on the net about modification, but I haven’t bothered as it does affect me.
Brakes: They are absolutely fantastic, nothing comes close if you compare similar bikes. I changed the rear brake calliper @ 80,000 miles as it sized. The cost of the original was £ 300 + but managed to get a reconditioned one at £ 150.00. Front callipers are still original.
Engine: What can say? It’s the BEST!!! What’s really great about it is that you can cruise @ 30 mph in the 6th gear without the bike, stuttering or bucking, it’s very very smooth. It helps in traffic and once it clears you can just open the throttle and the power comes nice and smooth. Even from a standstill start, the power delivery is very smooth, predictable, none of the sports bike surge, so even if you want to, you won’t kill yourself. The best use of the power is between 50 & 80 miles, that’s where the power band is, but the bike can effortlessly reach 135mph, no vibration, very stable. mine still does. Apart from changing the spark plugs, the engine is untouched, even the clutch plates on my bike are still original. But that depends on how use the bike. I drive like a Nun, 55 mph, so I get 75 to 80 mpg. [look at the petrol price] I use the Bridgestone BT touring tyre and get 20,000 miles from the rear. Some may laugh, but you don’t buy a Fazer to drive like a GP rider, it’s all about comfort and practicality but can still give some of the 600cc sports bike a run for their money.
The manual says ‘service every 6,000 miles’. I do that once a year, so that’s approximately 15,000 to 20,000 miles but the bike’s never complained.
@ 85,000 miles changed the radiator as one the pipe outlet broke. Got a new one @ £ 100.00. Also had the head light assembly changed. That was my fault, I tried to change the bulb and the clip on the bulb holder broke. The bulb constantly vibrated and we could not fasten it to get the correct focus. That’s a MOT failure. Price for the original is £ 350.00, got one on ebay £ 139.00
The first thing you MUST & HAVE to do when you buy a Fazer is, change the downpipes. The originals are made for thin gauge mild steel with very very poor paint and corrode very fast. You get a SS 304 grade 3mm thick pipes from £ 169.00. trust me, I learnt the hard way.
Apart from the regular maintenance, ie brake pads, plugs, oil, tyres, wheel bearings etc haven’t spent more than what’s mentioned above.

If want a ultra-reliable, safe, fast, smooth comfy bike. This this one to go for…..but make sure it’s the one with the thundercat derived engine. When my bike dies on me, the next one is a FZS 600S Fazer.