YAMAHA FZ-FI(2017)
20,000 KM Long Term Ownership Review
A nimble traffic carver, an easy-going sports machine powered with a compact yet punchy engine, the YAMAHA FZ is the Japanese answer to entry level streetfighter segment. The bike has a masculine and aggressive look and provides you the good street & on-road presence. Good low-end punch from the fuel-injected motor makes it easy to keep up with traffic, although the powerplant does feel a bit underpowered when compared to its rivals but it scores highly on the refinement level (and yeah, it’s a Yamaha for crying out loud!).
It’s not a performance-oriented bike nor is it a boring ass commuter it fits in between perfectly in a stellar manner. wise this street boy has an incredible value for money, the yam set me back 97,000 INR (on road, that’s right ON ROAD). With Fuel Injection being a highlighted feature of the motorcycle alongside the Yamaha Blue core tech which arguably does its job well when it comes to saving fuel on a daily basis (given a balance in power and performance handling and braking), this bike is sure to be your companion for a good amount of time.
The First One Always holds a special place in the Heart
Everyone remembers getting their first bike. The one special moment every young boy cherishes or dreams to have one day. But the weeks long planning and research that went behind it would never be forgotten that easily. A first bike would always be a special one. No matter the size or displacement, it always took a big piece of their heart. It’s the first step towards their adventure filled motorcycling life, a life that allows them to be reborn into a cradle of two wheels that would sway to the sweet note of the exhaust.
The Year was 2018. The time to decide my first saddle arrived. I did some research about them. Just enough to give a solid impression of myself. The ones that caught my eye was from the land of the rising sun. It was a rather confusing time trying to make a decision, on one side the sharp sporty yet laid back looks of the Yamaha FZ-fi V2. were drawing, but its personality was really the thing to write back home.
The comfortable riding posture of the bike supported my body and urged to keep on the throttle and never get off the saddle. It isn’t exactly commuter-ish as the wide handle bar and slightly rear-set footpegs result in a sporty and comfortable riding position, but it takes rider comfort as its first priority rather than making it a sport bike experience that you get from MT-15 or the YZF R15. It’s the tiny details that work towards good ergonomics and convenience in this moto. It comes with a light action clutch, and slick shifting, one-down, four-up shifted gearbox that operates via a toe-shift lever.
It has enough power (Emphasizing on “enough”) to take you to the office or for a weekend ride that is if top speed isn’t your deal. the 149cc fuel-injected motor makes it easy to keep up with your riding buddies on their 300cc’s (DOES NOT APPLY during full sends). Well-spaced ratios are part of the package, with the exhaust emitting a soft, still grunt-y enough note that makes a distinct sound in this rather common sport segment.
LOVES BEING LEANED ONTO CORNERS.
One of the highlights of the FZ FI is its handling dynamics. Fun and practical would be the terms I would use to describe this corner carver. It’s extremely light which makes it easily flickable, stable through turns and planted on the straights. It gives you a sense of confidence and proves it capability enough to keep you satisfied onto to the next turn. The FZ does well to feel light, kerb weight now done a couple of kilos to 132kg The V2.0's now split riding saddle feels broad and comfy. its comfortable rear seat that was appreciated by most of my pillions who were used to a wide scooter seating or a narrow RC 200 “pillion” seat
BEEFY FRONT SHOCKERS GIVE YOU BETTER OVERALL SUSPENSION WHILE THE REAR MONO-SHOCK ABSORBER PROVIDES YOU THE BETTER CG (CENTRE OF GRAVITY)
No matter how much you puff them up to show them as an opulent dish, the ordinary motorbike rider only cares about how economical a 150cc engine is. How much money does maintenance cost, specifically? And what actually prevents them from simply purchasing a scooter?
Regarding the economy numbers, the business makes understandably optimistic claims, but the Blue core technology allows you to go up to 50 km/l on this blue boy if you ride responsibly within the 65 km/hr limit, which is also shown by the ECO mode riding lighting.
Unfortunately riding sanely becomes rather difficult when you have this amusement park of a bike. Its just so light and easy to ride and gives you the confidence and really just the need for speed. Mind you though its only just a 150 and tends to remind you that when you reach its potential in no time. Riding in the city gave an average of 42 Km/L, but as the vehicle nears its service time the economy drops to around 35-38 Km/L depending on how you ride.
Riding single or plus one, the suspension gives an even performance regardless of you keep it on road or take it off tarmac. The seat is firm but comfortable. There is enough space for the rider to move around on the saddle but would do rather better with some aftermarket cushioning as it tends to cause butt pain on longer rides.
There is one department however where the FZ loses out. Torque and the lack of power, which shows on the hairpins where the bike seems to struggle to make the climb and needs you to shift down quite often.
A bike that can be leaned as much should also have sufficient grunt so that the rider doesn’t have to shift down mid corner to be able to make a climb. On the highway, the bike shows a different personality altogether as the smaller 149cc engine shows its limitation quite early. In order to maintain momentum at highway speeds, the engine must be cranked vigorously, frequently dropping a gear. The bike faces a significant challenge when it comes to exceeding 100 kph, and it takes its own sweet time to get there.
Not the bike to set your pulse racing on the highways but the FZ proves to be more practical and economical than any of its rival competitors.
Although, the hard suspension setup gives it a stiff nature and character proving helpful while going corner hunting but on the dilapidated roads of Bangalore it takes a hit. Hard braking becomes almost necessary when facing certain speed breakers due to the stiff setup.
Quality of cycle parts are top of the class as Yamaha hasn’t compromised on the build. It tracks a straight-line even under braking with the brakes returning good feel. The lack of ABS and a rear disc does cause rather early braking situations in traffic and even on full throttle, but makes it up for its engine refinement which puts a wide eye grin on your face.
TO CONCLUDE
The instrument cluster is broad, as well as easier to see, all digital and including a fuel gauge, but Yamaha could have also included a gear indicator (as seen on the R15) and a side stand warning would have done me good and saved me from a lot of embarrassing moments.
Sweetest handling 150cc motorcycle
The Yamaha FZ-FI is truly a unique motorcycle from the Japanese bike maker.
It brought with itself the purity of a street-fighter. Now even after the inclusion of FI, the top-end power being sort of dissipated and almost non-existent, it manages to be a great city bike and durable for highway cruising.