Yamaha FZ Rave vs FZ-S Fi V3: All Differences Explained

Yamaha recently launched the FZ Rave, a 150cc sporty commuter, in India. The bike is priced at Rs 1,17,218 (ex-showroom, Delhi). This is not a completely new bike as it is based on an already-existing motorcycle from Yamaha’s FZ range, the FZ-S Fi Version 3.0. Here’s a comparison between the two, highlighting all the differences:

Colours

The Yamaha FZ Rave is available in two colour schemes: Matte Titan and Metallic Black, both priced the same. It looks funky compared to the more subdued tones on the FZ-S Fi V3, especially considering the red-coloured wheels. 

On the other hand, the Yamaha FZ-S Fi Version 3.0 is available in three colour schemes: Matte Grey, Matte Red and Dark Knight (costs Rs 917 more than the other colours). They all have chrome highlights on the fuel tank extensions, and the red colour scheme, in particular, gets greyed-out side panels as well as tank extensions. All in all, these colours look a bit more premium, and will appeal to more mature buyers.

Styling

The design of the bodywork on both bikes are exactly the same, except for one aspect. The FZ Rave has a robotic-looking headlamp, and it reminds us of a similar headlight design on the now discontinued Yamaha FZ-25. It has a projector headlamp and sleek indicators, both LED.

The FZ-S Fi V3’s vertically-stacked LED headlight, on the other hand, looks more insect-like. It doesn’t have projector fitment, and the indicators are also bulbs. That said, LED indicators are offered as an optional accessory here. 

Also, the exhaust heat shield is either finished in brushed metal or black in the V3, whereas it’s all-black in the FZ-Rave.

Features

Both these bikes are equipped with the same negative LCD instrument console that shows readouts of speedometer, tachometer, odometer, fuel gauge, clock, and telltale lights. Interestingly, the Yamaha FZ-S Fi Version 3.0 gets Bluetooth connectivity with Yamaha Motorcycle ConnectX as standard only in the Dark Knight variant, whereas it costs an extra Rs 3,000 for the other colour variants. This includes the Answer Back function, E-Lock, Locate My Bike, Riding History, Parking Record and Hazard lights. Here’s a detailed explanation: 

• The ‘Answer Back’ function blinks the indicators and beeps the bike’s horn to make you aware of your bike’s location, once activated via the app.

• The ‘E-lock’ feature can be used to lock your bike, and it can only be unlocked by pressing a specific preset combination of buttons on the switchgear. This adds an extra layer of security over and above the physical key.

• If you have parked your bike in a crowded parking lot, you can use the ‘Locate My Bike’ feature that blinks the bike’s indicators continuously for 10 seconds.

• With the ‘Riding History’, you can view individual trip details of every ride you complete.

• If you forget where you have parked your bike, the ‘Parking Record’ function shows you a route to the last parked location.

• Hazard lights are one of the most useful functions on the bike. With this, you can turn on all four of your indicators to increase visibility when you have pulled over to the side of the road.

None of these features are present on the FZ Rave, even as an option. It also misses out on the Eco indicator, which is standard on the FZ-S Fi V3. The Eco indicator lights up when you are riding with relaxed throttle inputs – indicating that the bike is running more efficiently, for the best possible mileage.  

Price

The Yamaha FZ Rave is priced at Rs 1,17,218, while the Yamaha FZ-S Fi V3’s prices start at Rs 1,12,693 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). Despite the Rs 4,525 price gap, these motorcycles share the same engine and hardware, offering similar performance and mileage. The key changes lie in the looks and in the features department. If you favour better illumination, and funky looks, then the FZ-Rave is a more appropriate choice. That said, we’ll still have to test the headlight’s efficacy to give a final verdict. On the other hand, if you like a more subtle look and find the connected features useful, then the FZ-S Fi V3 makes better sense. There’s also another variant under the FZ range, the FZ-S Fi V4. Here are all the differences between the FZ-S Fi V3 and V4.