BREAKING: Yamaha FZ Blue Flex Launched At Rs 1.24 Lakh: E85 Fuel Compatible

Quick News Highlights:

• Shares the same platform and underpinnings as the Yamaha FZ-Rave

• Costs just Rs 400 more than the FZ-Rave

• Becomes India's first mass-market 150cc flex-fuel motorcycle

Yamaha has launched the new FZ Blue Flex in India. Based on the same platform as the FZ-Rave, the new motorcycle gets a flex-fuel-compatible engine that can run on ethanol-blended fuels ranging from E20 to E85. It is aimed at buyers looking for a practical 150cc commuter while also supporting India's growing ethanol fuel infrastructure.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Yamaha FZ Blue Flex has been launched at Rs 1,24,240 (ex-showroom, Delhi). That's just Rs 400 more than the standard FZ-Rave, which is priced at Rs 1,23,840 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Available Colours

The Yamaha FZ Blue Flex is available in just one colour option:

• Metallic Black

While we would've liked to see more colour choices, the Metallic Black paint scheme suits the bike's muscular styling quite well.

Numbers That Matter

• Engine: 149cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected

• Fuel compatibility: E20 to E85

• Power: 11.7PS

• Torque: 12.8Nm

• Gearbox: 5-speed

• Fuel tank capacity: 12 litres

• Kerb weight: 139kg

• Ground clearance: 135mm

• Seat Height: 790mm

Engine And Performance

The Yamaha FZ Blue Flex is powered by the same 149cc air-cooled, fuel-injected engine as the Yamaha FZ-Rave, but it has been modified to run on ethanol-blended fuels from E20 to E85. The engine produces 11.7PS and 12.8Nm, which is 0.7PS and 0.5Nm lower than the standard FZ-Rave's output of 12.4PS and 13.3Nm.

The bike continues to use a 5-speed gearbox. Apart from the flex-fuel compatibility, there are no major mechanical changes, although it gets a smaller 12-litre fuel tank (1 litre less), weighs 3kg more at 139kg kerb, and has a lower ground clearance of 135mm (30mm less).

What You Should Know

• India's first mass-market 150cc flex-fuel motorcycle

• Engine can run on ethanol-blended fuels from E20 to E85

• Shares its platform and cycle parts with the FZ-Rave

• Makes slightly less power and torque than the FZ-Rave

• Costs only Rs 400 more than the standard bike

Features And Hardware

The FZ Blue Flex gets all-LED lighting (same setup as the FZ-Rave), an LCD instrument console, single-channel ABS and a single-piece seat. It also features faux air vents on the fuel tank and an engine cowl, giving it the same sporty appearance as the FZ-Rave.

One thing that's unchanged is the feature list, as the bike doesn't get any additional equipment over the standard FZ-Rave. 

Underpinnings

The Yamaha FZ Blue Flex continues to use a telescopic fork and a monoshock setup. It rides on 17-inch allies alloy wheels with disc brakes at both ends.

With its 139kg kerb weight and 135mm ground clearance, the motorcycle should continue to offer easy handling for everyday city commuting, although the lower ground clearance may require a bit more caution over larger speed breakers.

BikeDekho Says

The Yamaha FZ Blue Flex is essentially an FZ-Rave that's been updated to run on ethanol-blended fuels of up to E85. While it makes slightly less power and torque than the standard bike, it offers buyers the flexibility to use higher ethanol blends as India's biofuel infrastructure continues to expand.

We had previously tested the Yamaha FZ-X in city conditions and recorded a real-world fuel efficiency of 55.1kmpl. Since the FZ-Rave shares the same engine platform, we expect it to return a similar figure on regular petrol. However, how the FZ Blue Flex performs in terms of fuel efficiency while running on higher ethanol blends is something we'll only be able to comment on once we get to ride it.