New Release: Yamaha FZ

The FZ8-series is based on the idea of a high performance all rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports experience.

Yamaha say both bikes offer serious sports bike looks, outstanding handling and a flexible, powerful, torquey engine that encourages riders to explore it's full potential. The new bikes are built on a new 779cc engine and all aluminium frame. The engine offers a balance of middleweight accessibility with big-bore power and instant grunt throughout the rev range.

The naked FZ8 is a machine with attitude. Muscular, aggressive design gives onlookers a hint of this bike's serious intentions. Sitting between the entry level XJ6 series and big bore FZ1, the FZ8 is an expression of pure performance. With the semi-faired FZ8S, the emphasis is firmly on getting out there and enjoying the roads.

The new FZ8-series engine is fuel injected, and uses both a throttle valve and an electronically controlled sub throttle valve to provide additional control over intake airflow volume. Another key to the FZ8-series motor's flexibility is found in the large capacity 7.8- litre airbox, where the air funnels are two different lengths - cylinders 1 and 4 have 125mm long intake funnels, where 2 and 3 are 150mm in length, producing an excellent spread of torque throughout the rev range. The four-valve cylinder head configuration helps the FZ8-series engine produce in excess of 100bhp at 10,000rpm, and a generous 82.0Nm of torque at 8000rpm.

The FZ8-series uses an all new aluminium frame. Front-end suspension is a pair of upside-down forks, running 43mm inner tubes. Rear suspension is handled by a linked Monocross unit - the link being designed to provide soft, light suspension near the top of the stroke to deal with bumpy surfaces in comfort.

The FZ8-series consists of two models - the naked FZ8N and the semi-faired FZ8S with a front cowl and screen. Both are available now in two colour schemes per model, priced at $12,990 for the naked 'N' model and $13,990 for the 's' model.

Source: JUST BIKES, September 2010, Collectors Issue #255