Yamaha FZS Review
Refreshing & Stytlish
Friday, March 15, 2013Overview of Yamaha FZS
From a seller’s point of view, it’s always good to have variety in your stock and we think Yamaha feels the same. That’s why after the huge success of FZ16, they took no time and rolled out another 150cc bike known as FZS. This bike is nothing more than a restyled version of FZ16 with minor alterations. However, this formula worked for Yamaha and similar to FZ16, this bike also got a warm reception in our Indian bike market. Standing head and shoulders above the bikes in 150cc segment, FZ series has revolutionized the biking scene in India in a short span of its launch. FZ16 bagged the prestigious Bike of the Year Award from UTVi / Autocar, Zigwheels and Business Standard Motoring and Viewer’s Choice award at UTVi & Autocar India Awards 2009. Based on FZ16 Yamaha India has launched the FZS which features an aerodynamic windshield and is available in two new shades. With the Triple Macho concept projecting the Muscular silhouette, muscular body parts and muscular chassis, FZS is an object de’ art on the street and reflects visual expression of performance.
Update: Yamaha India Launches updated FZ Series
Yamaha India has launched updated FZ series, which comes with host of new features like longer and wider pillion seat, new stylish grab bar, large and wide rear fender, new chain protector plus new shades have been introduced.
Fast Facts about Yamaha FZS
- The best looking bike in its class
- Powered by a 153cc engine
- Maximum power is 14 bhp at 7500 rpm
- Maximum torque is 14 Nm at 6000 rpm
- All the models of the FZ family will now have a kick start option
- Available in four shades: - Fearless Black, Glory Gold, Raging Red and Tempest Blue
Yamaha FZS Exterior
If you want to learn how to play with colours and graphics; learn it from Yamaha. They have smartly managed to differentiate their both bikes from each other. FZS is based on the same platform of FZ16 and looks strikingly different despite having identical dimensions and shape. The face of the bike has some noticeable changes. FZS sports a small but trendy tinted visor just above its modern headlight. This all makes a great difference to its looks and this bike looks more aggressive than FZ16.The recently launched revised version of FZS features new smoky graphics on its uplifted fuel tank. This bike comes in dual tone colours and can easily be identified. Moreover the bike has racy stripes on its rims which look cool. The dual layered, graphite finished exhaust is also different than FZ16 and goes well with its black coloured engine and alloy wheels. It features new wider rear seat and fender similar to FZ16. The bike looks exactly the carbon copy of FZ16 when seen from the back. New wider fender complements its fatty radial tyre and tail light.
Instrument Console of Yamaha FZS
The bike features the same instrument console of FZ16. It has a digital speedometer, odometer, trip meter and fuel gauge with LED indicators. There is nothing analogue on this instrument console. The illumination light is also orange in colour which could have been blue for a change.
Engine and Gearbox of Yamaha FZS
The brilliant single-cylinder, SOHC 150cc motor of FZ16 is used in this bike. It’s a four-stroke, air cooled engine which can churn out a maximum power output of 14 bhp at 7500 rpm. The maximum torque of 14 Nm can be achieved at 6000 rpm. This bike is also incorporated with a five-speed manual gearbox with one gear down and four gears up shift pattern.
- Powered by 153cc, air cooled, 4 stroke, SOHC engine
- Maximum power of 14 Bhp at 7500 rpm
- Maximum torque of 13.6 Nm at 6000 rpm
Acceleration and Performance
There is no difference in the performance of this extremely refined engine. It’s a very responsive and powerful engine with a strong low and mid-range. The bike suffers no turbo lag at any rpm and cruises easily in any gear. There are no vibrations and harshness in this engine. Even after crossing 6000rpm, the engine remains extremely silent. Moreover this 150cc engine is equipped with a top quality of gear box. You can’t complain about anything in the gear transitions. It’s very smooth and easy to shift gears. The only problem that you can notice is the absence of power at high speeds. The bike doesn't offer much after 6000rpm. However if you use it in city, there are no issues but once you open the throttle completely on highways, you will search for power which goes missing. Gear ratios are kept short so that you can utilize most of the power of this engine within no time. The bike is very enthusiastic initially as it scores a timing of 5 seconds in completing 0-60km/hr. Similar to FZ16, it can also reach a top speed of 115km/hr.
Yamaha FZS Mileage
Its low fuel efficiency may bother you as this bike can give you a mileage of around 35-40km/ltr in city conditions. If you take it on long runs then you may expect anything above 45km/ltr.
Comfort while Driving Yamaha FZS
Seating of FZS is similar to its sibling FZ16. The bike has rear-set foot pegs and wider new seat which makes it comfortable than before. The knees will automatically stick to its fuel tank offering nice hold of this bike. There is everything similar on this bike except for the handle bar which is positioned a bit lower than FZ16 which is hardly noticeable. This is done for more relaxed position while driving with perfect palm grip.
Storage Space and Safety Features
There is no storage space in this bike but it has some standard safety features.
Suspension and Braking
The bike features a very powerful and effective suspension system. It has telescopic forks at its front with a mono shock absorber at the back providing a wheel travel of 120mm. It’s a very comfortable bike and you can feel it as soon as you get on to it. If it’s about braking, FZS confirms you a very safe and enjoyable ride with its braking system. The bike sports a disc brake of 267mm at its front and a drum brake of 130mm at its back. This brake system works adequately and you can always sense the control on this bike.
Ride and Handling
Be it city’s traffic or highways, this bike is surely going to please you with its ride and handling. It offers you a very convenient and enjoyable ride. Its broad tyres and perfectly mated suspension keeps this bike grounded on high speeds and sharp corners. Its wheelbase of 1335mm and ground clearance of 160mm brings extra stability to this bike. The bike exactly follows your command and steers accurately. The riding stance also encourages you to drive it hard. The bike is capable enough to digest most of the potholes and it easily settles on uneven conditions.
Shades Available in Yamaha FZS
Yamaha FZS is available in four shades:
- Fearless Black
- Glory Gold
- Raging Red
- Tempest Blue
Verdict
FZS will cost you around INR 71K (ex-showroom-Delhi, may vary). This bike is costlier than FZ16 by two thousand rupees. It’s a smart tactic by Yamaha as this way, they are prompting those buyers who want to buy the regular FZ16 but due to less price difference they may opt for the expensive one with visor and different colour schemes. Till now this formula has worked for Yamaha. It would have been more successful if Yamaha would have offered this bike with a rear disc brake.