I bought a new one in 1987 back in my Navy days. Loved it, very fast, I cheated death a couple of times. Had it two years, put 13,000 mile on it then sold it when I couldn't afford the last speeding ticket. Now I'm 47, I started riding again and missed my Fazer. I found an '86 last year in excellent condition and bought it. It is just a fun as I remembered. I currently have three bikes and this is the one I won't sell. The bike is turning 30 years old this year but it feels like 1987 again when I hit the throttle. 0-60 in 3.02 seconds made it the fastest production bike built in '86.
*Great bikes. I think this one has 1987 red on 1986 bike (darker, more flake). Exhaust is A/M and front brake caliper was gold anodized on 1986 matching valve covers. Same engine runs the Yamaha R1 to this day. That unsprung mass of the huge back wheel gave it a flywheel effect that was unique and almost felt shaftie with your eyes closed.*
Maybe the fastest 700 but not the fastest , the V65 Magna was the fastest and was then beaten by the Vmax , and the Vmax is still the King of Cruisers and always will be imo
I owned two of these babies. My first one was in 1987 right after they came out. It was stolen 6 months later. Bought another one in spring of 2000. I wouldn't mind having a third one!
my buddy owned this bike back in our youth, he loaned it to me for the evening, What a perfect bike, so much power, it was comfortable and sporty, i didnt want to give it back.
Bought that bike new in 1985 in my senior year of high school. That was a fast bike having the same engine as the FZ 750 but obviously bored a bit smaller. Nonetheless I think at the time it was the fastest 700 ever produced or certainly close. Simple and nice review.
I had the Maximum X also and it was called the baby V Max and I had this the year after the baby V and the Fazer. Was the same engine as the maximum X with 5 valves per cylinder it was 87hp the maximum and the Fazer was 90hp they were my favorite except for the VMax Igor but they were the highest production bikes out at that time and on for awhile
*Maxim X shared or derived a significant number of drivetrain components off Fazer and was arguably the best of the late 1980s cruisers that killed most 1200s of the day.*
I am lucky enough to have one of these jewels, plus one Maxim-X bike. I've owned about 55 bikes in my long life and the Fazer is one of my favorites. It's fast, reliable, has very good ergonomics, smooth and just plain fun to ride. If you find a good one grab it and never sell it. Google the 5 valve Genesis motors and you will see a very nicely engineered motor. Put some modern tires on it, better brake pads and a Stage 1 jet kit, and you are good to go ~
That is the first sport bike i ever rode. A friend let me try his, he kept encouraging me to give it more throttle and i was mesmurized at the acceleration like nothing i had ever felt.
What a great bike and it looks like a brother or cousin of the Vmax. I really miss the Yamahas from the 1980s, you could get high performance without have to buy a tupperware torpedo.Today's Modern Sport bikes are great in their own right, just not for me.
I still got my 86 fzx700 :) same color too. Shes definetly gettin restored. Parts are pretty cheap for being an old bike makes happy to c these beautys running and looking lik a real bike :)
Bought one back in 1995 in Belgium where I live, imported from California. Unfortunately, had to sell my fun-to-drive baby V-max a couple of years later due to mechanical issues after a dyno jet kit gone wrong. Lookin' back, it was probably a good thing, cos I was young and took too many risks :-)
When it came out, I bought a ‘Cycle World’ issue in my local supermarket, with a cover photo and full story. I absolutely loved it, but never thought of owning one. When I was in my twenties and started to look out for a second-hand one. The first I came across, was nearly new in dark blue, but the guy wouldn’t budge on the price. A couple of months go by, and I bought a red-black one from an AA-mechanic, who had installed a matt black 4-in-1 exhaust, with an incredible high-pitched noise. Luckily, I found a complete exhaust set with the 4 parallel pipes which gives it its typical character; along with the rectangular head light. The back chrome end was gone and the licence plate was curved, to avoid being caught by road side cameras . The indicators on the back had been replaced by 2 bug eyes mounted on the side, which I kinda liked. The booklet was missing too, afterwards Yamaha was kind enough to send me one for its European counterpart, the FXZ 750, which had the black round rear view mirrors and silver cylinder covers instead of gold ones. Sweet times, indeed…
God I love the Fazer! I got mine for $600, and after a nice carb cleaning she screams like a banshee! You should find an old school set of 4 into 1 pipes and a Kerker can. The sound is absolutely unmatched. It may be pretty hard to find those parts though.
I owned one when I was in military i loved it very fast bike it would scare the shit out of sometimes had great memories with tjat bike bought it brand new for about 4200 out the door
I had a 86 I loved that bike 3 Rd gear came apart on mine. It looks good the only thing I would change is putting a kerker 4 into 1 exhaust you still can't beat the sound they made I was whooping 900s with mine my friend friends was quicker than mine and he was riding 15 mile wheelies before stunt riding was imagined. Awesome little bike for the time period.
Had an 86 VMax 1200 back in 87. Bought it off an airline pilot who thought he knew what he was buying but ended up terrifying himself. As much as I loved the VMax it too much for city streets. Was hard to go out for relaxing ride. Always felt the irresistible urge to do something stupid. Looking back I think the Fazer was the perfect bike.
These bikes are awesome. I have a 2005 vmax, it's funny how many lies there are about the vmax performance. These fazers were almost quicker up to 100mph. For trashing town I'd ride a fazer.
I am 62 years young and was a dirt track / flat tracker in my youth. retiring and going to start riding again. these bikes were from my era. How do they cruise on the highway?
Mike Kirk I am sure you will enjoy the cruise with this sweet old lady. I have 2 bikes, a Supermoto and this baby girl. Different girls, but this one is for sure the one that you treat the way you would treat a mature lady. Ride safe sir.
get the last version of this bike which was the 2015 Yamaha FZ-1 ; which is a 998cc version of the 5-valve genesis motor and is 150hp, about twice the power of the FZ-700. The FZ-9 is similar in power to the FZ-700
The vmax is a powerful bike but you are right! The older yamahas with the water coold xj 's are quicker in the quarter mile but the vmax has the top end for sure.
How much? I had a 1987 FZ700 with this motor and loved it. I got it up to 135mph and chickened out (it still had more power). This is a great "Mini Vmax"!
I know this video is 12 years old..... I disagree that it runs like a new one. This bike looks absolutely amazing, anyone would be lucky to have one in this great a shape. However, when you revved that a little, it sounds like it is running on 3 cylinders on idle and at low RPM. That bike is supposed to sound very smooth and peppy throughout the entire RPM range. I'm a mechanic who owns one of these currently. I hope you figured whatever that issue was out. These bikes are amazing for the time they were built and yours is damn near museum quality!
No idea what you think you heard but that bike ran perfectly. It had aftermarket mufflers on it which made it sound different but thanks for your concern.
@@droberts6579 if you say so. I've installed a whole lot of exhausts, and none of them made the engine firing sound like it was missing. Cheers to you though!
6'6".... Not easy to find a performance minded bike to fit your frame. Maybe a vmax with foreword controls. I love the sound and look of the Harley's. I've yet to see one that runs good even highly modified. The vtwin motor is like a diesel engine. Torquey but not a screamer.
I just found one of these this week on our local craigslist. Guy wants $2500 for it. What you think? How do these do on the highway for short trips (1-3 hours)?
I bought a new one in 1987 back in my Navy days. Loved it, very fast, I cheated death a couple of times. Had it two years, put 13,000 mile on it then sold it when I couldn't afford the last speeding ticket. Now I'm 47, I started riding again and missed my Fazer. I found an '86 last year in excellent condition and bought it. It is just a fun as I remembered. I currently have three bikes and this is the one I won't sell. The bike is turning 30 years old this year but it feels like 1987 again when I hit the throttle. 0-60 in 3.02 seconds made it the fastest production bike built in '86.
I owned 2 of them back in the day. Great bike and awsome find, but no where near the fastest bike in 86.
@Eboni Tucker Maybe he meant the fastest 700cc production motorcycle
*Great bikes. I think this one has 1987 red on 1986 bike (darker, more flake). Exhaust is A/M and front brake caliper was gold anodized on 1986 matching valve covers. Same engine runs the Yamaha R1 to this day. That unsprung mass of the huge back wheel gave it a flywheel effect that was unique and almost felt shaftie with your eyes closed.*
Maybe the fastest 700 but not the fastest , the V65 Magna was the fastest and was then beaten by the Vmax , and the Vmax is still the King of Cruisers and always will be imo
Cool thanks for sharing this
I owned two of these babies. My first one was in 1987 right after they came out. It was stolen 6 months later. Bought another one in spring of 2000. I wouldn't mind having a third one!
my buddy owned this bike back in our youth, he loaned it to me for the evening, What a perfect bike, so much power, it was comfortable and sporty, i didnt want to give it back.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.bought one new in 1987 and sold it in 95. The only bike i truly miss!
The '86 Fazer 700 was the first truly high-performance motorcycle I ever rode. I've always loved that bike.
*They still sell them in Europe with the 750cc mill. They're expensive, too.*
Always wanted one of these. Baby V-Max is what we called them back in the day. Ended up buying a FZR 750 and sold it in '91. Miss it bad.
Bought that bike new in 1985 in my senior year of high school. That was a fast bike having the same engine as the FZ 750 but obviously bored a bit smaller. Nonetheless I think at the time it was the fastest 700 ever produced or certainly close. Simple and nice review.
Owned one for two summers unbelievable power! Fun!
Beautiful bike! Rode one back in the day and was shocked at how fast it was.
That bike is smoking HOT!!! I had a maxim X, Yamaha built some great bikes in the eighties. I love it. thanks for the vid.
I had the Maximum X also and it was called the baby V Max and I had this the year after the baby V and the Fazer. Was the same engine as the maximum X with 5 valves per cylinder it was 87hp the maximum and the Fazer was 90hp they were my favorite except for the VMax Igor but they were the highest production bikes out at that time and on for awhile
*Maxim X shared or derived a significant number of drivetrain components off Fazer and was arguably the best of the late 1980s cruisers that killed most 1200s of the day.*
Identical to the bike that took my crushed my leg and took my foot off in September of 1994...and I still miss that bike. Great acceleration!
Such a fun bike. I have an 87
I just bought one for $300 with only 2,000 miles original and I'm just getting the carbs done. can't wait to ride.
Beautiful! This is actually my favourite bike when it comes to design... its just so badass looking :)
I am lucky enough to have one of these jewels, plus one Maxim-X bike. I've owned about 55 bikes in my long life and the Fazer is one of my favorites. It's fast, reliable, has very good ergonomics, smooth and just plain fun to ride. If you find a good one grab it and never sell it. Google the 5 valve Genesis motors and you will see a very nicely engineered motor. Put some modern tires on it, better brake pads and a Stage 1 jet kit, and you are good to go ~
Sounds like you need to keep your eye out for a Radian, to fill out the collection. ;)
Love the Maxxim bikes, my first was a 1982 Maxxim 550, I really miss that bike. You're a lucky guy to have a couple of them.
I owned one brand new for about 3-4 years. Loved that bike! We did camping trips together and she was a good looker that had some poop for a 700.
That is the first sport bike i ever rode. A friend let me try his, he kept encouraging me to give it more throttle and i was mesmurized at the acceleration like nothing i had ever felt.
Wonderfully
Beautiful. You did great work. What a bike. Awesome.
What a great bike and it looks like a brother or cousin of the Vmax. I really miss the Yamahas from the 1980s, you could get high performance without have to buy a tupperware torpedo.Today's Modern Sport bikes are great in their own right, just not for me.
She's lovely! Hope you keep her.
I still got my 86 fzx700 :) same color too. Shes definetly gettin restored. Parts are pretty cheap for being an old bike makes happy to c these beautys running and looking lik a real bike :)
Damn that's nice. I currently have an old early 80's 650 Maxim. I think this is what I'm gonna keep my eyes out for my next bike.
Bought one back in 1995 in Belgium where I live, imported from California. Unfortunately, had to sell my fun-to-drive baby V-max a couple of years later due to mechanical issues after a dyno jet kit gone wrong. Lookin' back, it was probably a good thing, cos I was young and took too many risks :-)
When it came out, I bought a ‘Cycle World’ issue in my local supermarket, with a cover photo and full story. I absolutely loved it, but never thought of owning one. When I was in my twenties and started to look out for a second-hand one. The first I came across, was nearly new in dark blue, but the guy wouldn’t budge on the price. A couple of months go by, and I bought a red-black one from an AA-mechanic, who had installed a matt black 4-in-1 exhaust, with an incredible high-pitched noise. Luckily, I found a complete exhaust set with the 4 parallel pipes which gives it its typical character; along with the rectangular head light. The back chrome end was gone and the licence plate was curved, to avoid being caught by road side cameras . The indicators on the back had been replaced by 2 bug eyes mounted on the side, which I kinda liked. The booklet was missing too, afterwards Yamaha was kind enough to send me one for its European counterpart, the FXZ 750, which had the black round rear view mirrors and silver cylinder covers instead of gold ones. Sweet times, indeed…
God I love the Fazer! I got mine for $600, and after a nice carb cleaning she screams like a banshee! You should find an old school set of 4 into 1 pipes and a Kerker can. The sound is absolutely unmatched. It may be pretty hard to find those parts though.
I had a yoshimura 4 into one on mine. What a sound.
I owned one when I was in military i loved it very fast bike it would scare the shit out of sometimes had great memories with tjat bike bought it brand new for about 4200 out the door
I had a 86 I loved that bike 3 Rd gear came apart on mine. It looks good the only thing I would change is putting a kerker 4 into 1 exhaust you still can't beat the sound they made I was whooping 900s with mine my friend friends was quicker than mine and he was riding 15 mile wheelies before stunt riding was imagined. Awesome little bike for the time period.
Had an 86 VMax 1200 back in 87. Bought it off an airline pilot who thought he knew what he was buying but ended up terrifying himself. As much as I loved the VMax it too much for city streets. Was hard to go out for relaxing ride. Always felt the irresistible urge to do something stupid. Looking back I think the Fazer was the perfect bike.
Baby VMAX
very nice. found 1 round 10 years ago when i was 15 bought it not running never got it goin and sold it
I miss that bike, very special
I have a maxim-x too! I just got back from a weekend trip and shot some great footage with my go pro.
These bikes are awesome. I have a 2005 vmax, it's funny how many lies there are about the vmax performance. These fazers were almost quicker up to 100mph. For trashing town I'd ride a fazer.
all I have now is a 1998 1200 bandit. It keeps me smilling
That’s young compared to some old harleys on here.
Beautiful machine
The back one is from a cooler combo pack, its a sandwitch cooler, the front is a zip up drink holder, I just needed some where to put my cap,
I am 62 years young and was a dirt track / flat tracker in my youth. retiring and going to start riding again. these bikes were from my era. How do they cruise on the highway?
Mike Kirk I am sure you will enjoy the cruise with this sweet old lady. I have 2 bikes, a Supermoto and this baby girl. Different girls, but this one is for sure the one that you treat the way you would treat a mature lady. Ride safe sir.
get the last version of this bike which was the 2015 Yamaha FZ-1 ; which is a 998cc version of the 5-valve genesis motor and is 150hp, about twice the power of the FZ-700. The FZ-9 is similar in power to the FZ-700
And my maxim x has 105,000 miles on it. original motor. runs great!
pretty.... I'm looking for one just like it
I've got parts
Prettiest bike I ever owned
Me too
very fast little bike
that a beautiful bike.
The vmax is a powerful bike but you are right! The older yamahas with the water coold xj 's are quicker in the quarter mile but the vmax has the top end for sure.
I had the 87 and it was great.
How much? I had a 1987 FZ700 with this motor and loved it. I got it up to 135mph and chickened out (it still had more power). This is a great "Mini Vmax"!
Nice bike.
I know this video is 12 years old..... I disagree that it runs like a new one. This bike looks absolutely amazing, anyone would be lucky to have one in this great a shape. However, when you revved that a little, it sounds like it is running on 3 cylinders on idle and at low RPM. That bike is supposed to sound very smooth and peppy throughout the entire RPM range. I'm a mechanic who owns one of these currently. I hope you figured whatever that issue was out. These bikes are amazing for the time they were built and yours is damn near museum quality!
No idea what you think you heard but that bike ran perfectly. It had aftermarket mufflers on it which made it sound different but thanks for your concern.
@@droberts6579 if you say so. I've installed a whole lot of exhausts, and none of them made the engine firing sound like it was missing. Cheers to you though!
@@jasonsanders114 cell phone audio makes it sound funny. I have no idea why I'm even responding to any of this.
I am 6 ft 6, bike was too small for me to ride. The guy I sold it to was about 5 ft 7
The baby Vmax !
nice video, thanks
Small front tire is squirrly for cruising @mike kirk
At high speed's it was for sure.
Seen a guy good a tricks on this boy could drive..
Why would you sell such a beautiful bike?
I lost my license years ago on Mine. I couldn't ride it so I sold it. They still look amazing.
I gotta know where you got the front fork bag and the tail bag, I need those for mine
Bad ass bike. =)
6'6".... Not easy to find a performance minded bike to fit your frame. Maybe a vmax with foreword controls. I love the sound and look of the Harley's. I've yet to see one that runs good even highly modified. The vtwin motor is like a diesel engine. Torquey but not a screamer.
Have looked at these so often but never taken the plunge. Maybe next time..
They are definitely one of a kind. I wish I still had it.
Nice !!
impec... ;)
@mhammo15 . sorry , I sold it , thanks
How tall are you, im 6'1 should i not even think of going to look at the one for sale in my area?
Please where is the fuel Tap?
How much, did you still saled.
I found a yellow one in sandusky michigan for 4k with 5000 miles on it.
I just found one of these this week on our local craigslist. Guy wants $2500 for it. What you think? How do these do on the highway for short trips (1-3 hours)?
Mike Kirk If it's in good shape, grab that up! These are hard to find.
OK dude where did you get the exhaust? Needing a new/refurb exhaust for my fazer.
I had a yoshimura 4 into one on mine. Incredible sound. The pipe's for these are fz750 pipe's. We got the 750 here in Canada.
Hi. Do you still have this bike and would you be interested in selling it?
Hey do u happen to know the torque specs for the rear sprocket nuts? Ty
No I sure don't.
I'm looking for this motorcycle
I believe there are a few still out there.
You want to sell it?
@quinnjim
More like vmax senior.
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