FZ1 invented the modern hyper-naked
Template setter
Before the 2001 FZ1, litre-class nakeds were Suzuki Bandit 1200 (air-cooled, 96bhp) and Honda CB1000 Big-1 (gone by 1996). The FZ1 took the R1's 998cc liquid-cooled inline-four and put it in a streetfighter chassis — 143bhp naked. Honda CB1000R, Suzuki GSX-S1000, Kawasaki Z1000, KTM Super Duke all followed the same template through the 2010s. The FZ1 was first.
Gen-1 → Gen-2 (2006)
Alloy frame, +7bhp
Gen-1 FZS1000 (2001-2005): tubular steel frame, carbed (briefly), 143bhp. Gen-2 FZ1 (2006-2015): aluminium frame, fuel injection, 150bhp. Gen-2 was sharper, lighter (199kg dry vs 208kg), more focused. Gen-2 is the buy if you can find one — but Gen-1 is the cheaper used market entry.
Why it ended
MT-10 replacement, 2016
Yamaha killed FZ1 in 2015 to launch the MT-10 with the CP4 cross-plane crankshaft inline-four. Different engine entirely (R1 crossplane, not the older R1 platform), modern electronics (cornering ABS, traction, ride modes, IMU), and aggressive 'MT' styling. MT-10 is sharper but loses the FZ1's friendlier road manner.
Real cost trajectory
+13% real
£7,799 FZ1 Gen-2 in 2006 (£13,100 today) → £14,800 MT-10 in 2026. Slight real-terms increase. The MT-10 has more electronics, better suspension, sharper engine, but is heavier and more expensive. Used market in 2026: FZ1 Gen-1 £2.5-4k, Gen-2 £3.5-5.5k for clean low-mile.
Rider aids count (2001 → 2026)
0 → 12+
FZ1 Gen-1 had nothing — analogue dials only. Gen-2 added FI but no ABS, no electronics. 2026 MT-10 has cornering ABS, traction control, anti-wheelie, ride modes, IMU, quickshifter, full TFT, cruise control. The shift on rider aids is the single biggest 30-year delta in motorcycling.
Cheapest way in
£2.5k
A clean FZ1 Gen-1 (2001-2005). 143bhp R1-derived inline-four, steel-tube frame, naked or half-faired. The cheapest way to a 140bhp Yamaha. Pay attention to reg/rec, fork seals, and throttle position sensor (early bikes). Front-end is soft as stock — budget £400 for fork respring.
vs MT-10 in 2026
Engine character
FZ1 is the R1 platform inline-four with conventional 180° crank — smooth, classic four-cylinder character. MT-10 is the CP4 cross-plane crankshaft — V-twin-like character with four-cylinder smoothness. Same role, very different feel. MT-10 is sharper and more electronic; FZ1 is rawer and more analogue.
