2006 YAMAHA FZ1 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The weld that holds the different sections of the frame of the motorcycle has a crack. The weld from the manufacture is defective. The crack is in parallel and in the middle of the weld. It is clearly visible on both sides of the bike just below the gas tank. The crack can cause the bike to fall apart during riding putting the rider and nearby traffic in mortal danger.

DUE TO MANUFACTURER DESIGN THE MAGNETS ON THE STATOR FLY WHEEL BECAME COMPROMISED. THE RESULT IS A FAILED CHARGING SYSTEM. POSSIBLE INTERNAL MOTOR DAMAGE AS WELL. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I SMELLED THE COMPONENTS BURNING UP AND MY SEAT BECAME VERY HOT. *TR

WHILE TURNING LEFT THROUGH A CITY INTERSECTION THE ENGINE DIED FORCING ME TO PUSH MOTORCYCLE THROUGH REMAINDER OF TURN TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH APPROACHING TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH THE MILEAGE/TIME ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY, A SMALL AMOUNT OF RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH YAMAHA FZ1, FZ8, & 2004-2006 YAMAHA R1 (SAME ENGINE CONFIGURATION). ALSO THE MANUFACTURER HAS RELEASED A REDESIGNED COMPONENT TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 YAMAHA FZ1. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE FELT UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME OF THE MOTORCYCLE HAD FOLDED AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT SAW THAT THE FRAME HAD FAILED AND FRACTURED IN HALF. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS DECIDING ON A COURSE OF ACTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

FRAME CRACKED ALONG FACTORY WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE INSIDE/OUTSIDE VERTICAL AND LOWER HORIZONTAL. THE MOTORCYCLE HAS NEVER BEEN DROPPED OR CRASHED AND PASSED MARYLAND STATE SAFETY INSPECTION YESTERDAY. WHEN WASHING THE BIKE TODAY, I NOTICED A LINEAR CRACK THAT RAN VERTICALLY ALONG THE WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRAME BELOW THE TANK. NO WRECKS, EXCESSIVE STRESS OR TEMPERATURE CHANGE PRECEDED CRACK. THE BIKE HAD ONLY MADE A 3 MILE TRIP FROM THE INSPECTION STATION TO MY HOME WHEN I NOTICED THE CRACK. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND IT IS AN OUTRAGE THAT THESE FRAMES WEREN'T RECALLED FOR SAFETY.