Motorcycle specifications YamahaFZR 1000 EXUP 1990

1986, Suzuki unleashes a second missile on the road, this time in the 1100cc class. Yamaha, who had already been robbed of the limelight by the GSX-R 750 the previous year, had no intention of letting it count for anything. Taking another year to prepare its retaliation, the tuning fork brand unveiled an astonishing FZR 1000 in 1987. Amazing, because while retaining the techniques inaugurated on the FZ 750, Yamaha was able to give its new model all the aesthetic aggressiveness that the FZ lacked against the Suzuki GSX-R 750.

on the program: 989cc Genesis engine with 20-valve cylinder head and 45° forward-tilted cylinder bank (lower center of gravity and vertical intake ducts for better cylinder filling)....), Deltabox-type aluminum perimeter frame, integral fairing with 2 round headlamps. This FZR is a direct competitor to the Suzuki GSX-R in terms of sportiness, while remaining a skilful alternative to the Honda CBR 1000 F and Kawasaki ZX-10 Tomcat sports bikes.

the Genesis engine develops 135 hp at 10,000 rpm, 5 more than the big GSX-R, which benefits from a few cubic centimetres more. It's brighter at the top and also more flexible, thanks in particular to the 20-valve cylinder head. This first version immediately demonstrated good reliability (apart from the recurrent weakness of a gearbox output bearing). The GSX-R 1100, on the other hand, takes the prize for the meanest engine, and its thuggish character will ensure that it, too, has a very successful career. The 100-hp version of the FZR, though less tumultuous at the top of the rev counter, retains its strong character and big torque.

the chassis, while no more innovative than the Suzuki's, is at least on a par. The Deltabox, which will become one of the blue's trademarks, is highly efficient, rigid yet light. Yamaha has equipped its top-of-the-range sports bike with top-quality suspension and a state-of-the-art braking system for the time (310 mm double front discs clamped by 4-piston calipers). Nevertheless, braking remained tricky during sporty driving, due to the machine's respectable weight (197 kg unladen).

1989 saw the release of the 1000's biggest evolution. The engine gained only 13cc, but above all the now famous EXaust Ultimate Powervalve or EXUP. This exhaust valve varies the flow of exhaust gases to optimize mid-range torque, while maintaining maximum power at the high end of the rev counter. As a result, the FZR gains 10 hp at the same maximum rpm (10,000 rpm) and a more consistent torque curve. As for the Deltabox frame, it has been upgraded for greater rigidity. The cross-section of the longitudinal members has been enlarged. The big sports bike also gets new brake discs and calipers, for greater progressiveness and bite, a 17" rear wheel (18" for the first version) and larger-section tires. On the downside, these modifications increase the weight of the beast by a good dozen kilos (209 kg unladen).

and, like its competitor Suzuki, Yamaha is constantly improving its top-of-the-range model. 1991 saw a number of modifications, including a new Deltabox-type chassis and an upside-down UPSD fork, designed to improve front-end rigidity and precision. Another visible feature of this vintage is the abandonment of the double round headlamp for a trapezoidal headlamp similar to that of the FZR 600 of the time. The line loses much of its aggressiveness and contrasts somewhat with the new high-tech elements, such as the inverted fork hidden behind the front fender, which is larger than its predecessor (to protect the spinnaker seals).

and as the old saying goes, the fool never changes his mind, Yamaha took up the idea of dual optics as early as 1993. TheYZF 750 R, released the same year, took a major step forward, both in terms of sportiness and looks. Yamaha therefore logically chose to offer its FZR models (the 1000, but also the 600, which evolved considerably that same year) a common style for this highly promising new model. The 1000 also gets new front brakes. The discs return to a size of 310 mm, but are fitted with 6-piston calipers (as on the Suzuki GSX-R 1100).

sales of this model ended in 1995 in France, after 13,659 units sold in that country alone. Replaced first by a much more road/sports-oriented YZF 1000 ThunderAce, its true descendant was the YZF 1000 R1 presented in 1998. Today, far removed from modern ultrasports, this FZR 1000, along with the GSX-R 1100, are still the best representatives of the big production sports bikes of the early 90s. A time when you had to put up with a respectable weight if you wanted to enjoy a hairy sedan.

Tanthallas - Photos: Manufacturer