Yamaha FZR600

There are two types of FZR600's, pre and post Dec '93. They're completely different animals.

Launched in Feb 89', the Genesis had the slanted engine of the FZ750 and thou Genesis, but with four valves, not five. It had a Deltabox frame, 38mm forks, monoshock, 2-pot calipers, naff-all weight and killer steering.

For five years FZR's were unchanged. By 93' it was underpowered, under-suspended, under-braked and under tired. Still a hoot…

The '94 FZR (called the YZF600 in the USA) got new frame, wheels (tires), bodywork, engine & suspension. The only similarities to the old FZR were the name and the motor's angle. The new FZR lacked the old bike's sparkling naughtiness and though it put Yamaha back at the top, it was only temporary. The ZX-6 and re-vamped CBR6 saw to that.

Two years later the FZR finally bowed out, superceded by the YZF600 Thundercat.

The FZR was considered by many to be the best 600 available when it was introduced in 1989. There have been no major revisions to the FZR's design with the exception of substituting a single headlight in the '91 and '92 years and adding 4 pot brake calipers, a spin on type oil filter and a bit wider rear tire after '89.

The key features of the FZR600 is the Deltabox frame. Although made of heavy steel, it is a frame design that evenly distributes the weight of the bike giving it incredible handling characteristics, now heavily copied by every other sportbike manufacturer. Some FZR600's, and all those sold in California, USA, have an EXUP valve. The EXUP maintains high back pressure at low RPM's and opens fully at high RPM's yielding excellent midrange and no loss of top end, most exhaust tuners find the Yamaha EXUP valve design “hard to beat.” Therefor it is recommended to only add a full exhaust system on a 49 state FZR600 as it requires you to lose the EXUP valve (just get a good slip-on).

The only problem with the stock FZR for performance riding is the under dampened rear shock and soft fork springs. Ohlins and FOX both made replacements but only Penske still makes shocks for the rear, used or new they all make a world of difference and Race Tech springs for the front are the preferred choice.

The FZR is an excellent machine that will run circles around inexpensive Ninja's, Katana's, and the like. The popularity of this bike makes it easy to find parts and used ones between $2000-$4000. Reliablity is excellent under normal riding, but the weak Yamaha clutch and tranny does not take kindly to abuse, repair work should you destroy yours is aprox. $1000.

Yamaha produced the FZR600 from 1989 thru 1999.

• 1989-90 FZR600
• 1991-92 FZR600 Wiring diagram for'91 (generic)
• 1993 FZR600
• 1994 FZR600R
• 1995 FZR600R Wiring Diagrams for US & UK models
• 1996 FZR600
• 1997 FZR600 Yamaha service manual download
• 1998 FZR600 Owners Manual
• 1999 FZR600 Owners Manual

Wheels|Brakes|Clutch

HOW-TO: R6 Control Swap
HOW-TO: YZF600 Tank Swap
HOW-TO: R6 Digital Gauge Swap
HOW-TO: Daytona Digital Tach Gauge Install
HOW-TO: R6 Rear Shock Swap
HOW-TO: R6 Voltage Regulator Conversion
HOW-TO: Suzuki Rear Rim Swap

Float height on 3HE model FZR 600's is 22 - 24 mm

HOW-TO: Oil Change
HOW-TO: Fork Seal Replacement
HOW-TO: Front Suspension Tuning
HOW-TO: Bleeding a dry brake system in 5 minutes!
HOW-TO: Clutch Replacement/Shift Kit Install

FZR600:

YZF600 (US model):

Primary reduction ratio: 1.708

Secondary reduction ratio: 3.0

:!:IF you decide on 25mm axles, consult a bearing specialist house FIRST, as the front wheel load is now running on a 25% reduced surface and therefore may be over stressed.