Britain’s best-value used bikes for less than £4K

does so much, ‘Nothing else little’ so well, for so

The Yamaha FZ1-S and four alternatives

YAMAHA FZ1-S FAZER 2006-2015 150bhp 77lb·ft 199kg (dry) 815mm seat 18-litre tank

THERE ARE MANY reasons to commend the Fazer as one of the best-value used bikes under four grand, but the short version is we can’t think of many that do more, in as many scenarios, for less. I had two Fazers over two years and, for the money, it’s the bike I’d buy again.

The longer version goes like this: you get 150bhp from a retuned fuel-injected second-generation YZF-R1 motor, capable of delivering the goods either as a genteel Sunday fun bike with plenty of smooth midrange for lazy, rhythmic riding, or a manic top-end wheelie hooligan for a mad dash — all depending on how your mood takes you. I commuted on mine 60 miles a day, part town, part A-road; every ride was epic.

But if you want to put some big miles in, you get an all-day comfy semiupright, semi-sports-touring riding position with flat bars and a decent half-fairing, with options for luggage.

But you want some knee-down trackday fun; the Fazer has the sports steering geometry, die-cast aluminium frame and adjustable-suspension chops to ride it like you stole it in the fast group. Especially on sticky tyres.

And finally, mix in proven mechanical durability with no significant reliability issues, low running costs, easy maintenance and a raft of suspension, engine and general user upgrade options and it leaves a surprisingly small field of bikes with such a wide range of abilities for under £4000.

The FZ1 Fazer’s nearest rival is probably its softer, bouncier, gentler predecessor, the FZ1000S. And compared to newer, more expensive rivals, the FZ1 is styled and built like a proper motorbike, not a Transformer.

BRAKES The Fazer uses four-pot calipers on 320mm discs, which look similar to an R1’s (different part numbers) but used a different pad when new. A yearly scrub around the pistons keep them performing GEARBOX Fazer gearboxes are good but check the motor pulls in each gear, which should engage positively and easily, and without the drivetrain skipping or jumping out. If it does, it’s got worn dogs, selector forks, drum, etc SUSPENSION Acceptable as stock, with 43mm upside-down forks; compression adjustment in the left leg and rebound in the right; and a monoshock with adjustable rebound. Easily upgraded with a fork kit and shock overhaul by the usual Maxton/mct/k-tech suspects