Yamaha FZS

Overview

Yamaha FZ16 can be credited for re-establishing Yamaha in India. Ever since its launch, this 150cc bike is one of the most popular bikes in its segment. Standing head and shoulders above the bikes in 150cc segment, FZ16 has revolutionized the biking scene in India in a short span of its launch.

It has bagged the prestigious Bike of the Year Award from UTVi/Autocar, Zigwheels and Business Standard Motoring and Viewer's Choice award at UTVi and Autocar India Awards 2009. It is the best looking bike in its segment and now along with the new FZ, the company has also launched the upgraded model of FZS, known as Yamaha FZS Version 2.0 Fi.

It is powered by a 149cc engine which develops maximum power of 12.9 Bhp and maximum torque of 12.8 Nm. The company has introduced BLUE CORE technology to improve the mileage of the bike plus they have introduced new shades for both FZ and FZS.

Design and Style

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

The bike features the same updated instrument console of FZ Version 2.0. 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

The brilliant single-cylinder, SOHC 149cc motor of FZ16 Version 2.0 is used in this bike. It's a four-stroke, air cooled engine which can churn out a maximum power output of 12.9 bhp at 8000 rpm. The maximum torque of 12.8 Nm is 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.

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 149cc 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.

Mileage

Its low fuel efficiency used to bother the riders but as per the company claims, the FZS Version 2.0 Fi is equipped with BLUE CORE technology which has improved the mileage with no reduction in the overall performance. The high performance engine of this bike can give you a mileage of around 35-40 kmpl in daily usage while on highways; it can give you a fuel efficiency of around 45-50 kmpl.

Comfort while Driving

Seating of FZS Version 2.0 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.

Suspension and Brakes

Yamaha FZS Version 2.0 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 1334mm 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

Yamaha FZS is available in five shades: Lightning Cyan, Opal White, Matt Green, Knight Red, and Hurricane Gray

Verdict

FZS will cost you around INR 78,250 (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.

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