Yamaha FZ-X: All You Need To Know
Can Yamaha make a dent in the competitive neo-retro segment ruled by Royal Enfield?
Can Yamaha make a dent in the competitive neo-retro segment ruled by Royal Enfield?
The past couple of years has witnessed a growing interest in the neo-retro segment. You have manufacturers like Honda, Jawa and Benelli all fighting for a sizable chunk of market share which is currently ruled by Royal Enfield. Yamaha wants in on the action too and has introduced its very own neo-retro roadster in India, the Yamaha FZ-X. And here’s what you need to know about it...
Yamaha’s First Neo-retro Offering
The FZ-X is Yamaha’s first neo-retro offering in India. We were under the impression earlier that Yamaha would style the bike around the popular XSR 155 sold overseas. But that's far from the case. Intead, the bike maker decided to take a different approach.
The FZ-X features retro-style bodywork with a classic teardrop-shaped fuel tank and an offset tank cap. It also gets a tuck-and-roll seat and easy-to-reach handlebars for a comfortable upright riding posture. Rounding things off is a circular LED headlamp. The tail lamp is LED as well. The fork seals are gaitered to prevent dust and grime and offer a rugged look.
Features Galore?
It's pretty heavy on features too. You have the new fully digital instrument console synced to Yamaha's Y-Connect app through Bluetooth. It allows users to access the bike's mileage, get call and SMS alerts, malfunction alerts, view the last parked location along with your mobile battery status. What has been given a miss is turn-by-turn navigation.
Other than this, Yamaha also offers a USB charging port just below the instrument cluster and a side-stand engine cut-off feature.
Based on the FZS-FI V3 Platform
It's not news that the FZ-X is based on the FZ-S Fi, but what exactly has been carried over? First is the 149cc air-cooled fuel-injected 2-valve engine which makes the same 12.4PS at 7,250rpm and 13.3Nm at 5,500rpm as the standard FZ. The 5-speed transmission is the same too. What has been altered is the exhaust note.
Minor Hardware Changes
Next up is the hardware. It uses the same diamond-type frame with a telescopic fork and a monoshock. The brakes have been carried over from the FZ as well -- a 282mm front and 220mm rear disc with Bosch single-channel ABS as standard. Same goes for the 17-inch alloy wheel design.
Although, you would notice that the FZ-X makes use of meaty block pattern rubber rather than road-biased tyres. The front MRF Mogrip Meteor tyre measures in at 100/80 while the fatter MRF RevZ rubber at the rear is rated at 140/60.
In fact, the seat is 20mm (810mm) taller than the one in the FZ-S Fi. It also weighs 3kg heavier (139kg) than its streetfighter sibling.
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Price And Positioning
The Yamaha FZ-X gets a starting price of Rs 1,16,800 for the base variant. The slightly more premium variant with smartphone connectivity will set you back by Rs 1,19,800 (both ex-showroom Delhi). This makes it the most affordable 150cc retro bike in the country. The next cheapest retro bike, the Bullet 350, costs Rs 1.60 lakh (on-road Delhi).
We believe Yamaha has played its cards right in terms of pricing, which should help it make a dent in a segment ruled by Royal Enfield.
Yamaha FZ X User Reviews
- overall very good experience with yamaha with this price range.Bike look is awesome also sitting position is very comfortable, great breaking system, great riding experience also very good mileage on highway. If anyone want to try, go for it. It comfortably fit every height person also about build quality is very strong like other 350 cc bikes but onle 2 colour option if anybody wants other colours than regret.Read More20 17
- best review sefty is too goodBest bike, best safety, best driving experience, bike is very good and break also best, badiya bike hai, le lo or use karke dekho mileage bhi achi deti hai, best bike hai, budget me bhi hai or badiya lagti hai, looks bhi badiya lagta hai or maine khud ne khareedi hai tab badiya lagti hai dur ke safar ke liye badiya hai.Read More2 3
- Best bike in all aspectsBest bike in all aspects like safety, riding comfort, mileage, look, reliability, upright poster, road visibility, city commuting, pickup. One negative is feels under power on highways at the time of overtake. Still it is a good choice if your focus is on mileage, engine refinement, low maintenance and upright poster. Yamaha needs to enhance its power for more selling.Read More5 5
- simply beastToo good, must buy, suspensions are good, comfortable. If you love riding, you can glide on this bike. It is really amazing. For city ride, it has good controls. Breaks are accurate. Riding posture is also good as I am 6ft 1inch, I can sit for very long. Seats are comfortable, easily can carried pillion rider for 200km ride.Read More2 2
- My experienceThis is a good and mast bike hai. Apko agar lena hai to app lo isme koi problem nahi hai. Isme jada tar safety ka bhi dhyan diya gaya hai to app aram se buy kar sakte ho. Ye bike or ye bike ka mujhe sabse best part iska headlight laga jo ring ki tarah hai matlab royal enfield ki jaisa feel karaya hai ok thanks.Read More5 9