We’re starting to get ahead of ourselves here, so let’s better resume to what makes the entirely new Yamaha FZ8 naked street bike a machine that US riders would want. To begin with, it is a whole new approach towards the naked middleweight class with its sexy Japanese lines and big (for the class) inline-four engine.
This model comes to replace the FZ6n on the European market and it truly manages to raise the stakes in its category with the 779cc liquid cooled 4-stroke, DOHC forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder mill. With a bore and stroke of 68.0 and 53.6mm translating into a 12.0: 1 compression ratio, this motor produces 106.2 hp at 10,000 rpm and no less than 78lbs•ft of torque at 8000 rpm.
As you may have noticed, the engine isn’t as high-revving as Yamaha got us used to, but they claim the 50% torque increase over the FZ6n’s motor was worth the horsepower sacrifice. Also, torque deals much better with the 465 lbs wet weight, helping at turning the FZ8 into the all-around street bike that Yamaha had in mind.
As long as you look at it as to a project of its own, not just a FZ1 with a smaller engine in it, the bike ca turn out being the appropriate one for you. In fact, it looks bigger that it actually is and much more expensive. It is reliable, but not user-friendly, not to mention there isn’t much wind protection involved, case in which you could easily go for the half-faired Fazer8.
The new Yamaha bike is built around a Deltabox frame and features 130mm of wheel travel both front and rear, it gets the larger 310mm discs up front (267mm at the rear) and optional ABS, so it’s as modern and updated as they get.
Other details riders would have to consider spin around the 32 inches high seat, accessories list and, of course, the other options out there.
Competition
The fact that Yamaha’s new FZ8 resembles its bigger naked sibling, the FZ1n doesn’t do the bike a favor when it comes to placing itself as a unique product on the highly competitive market, but does it a big favor when it comes to the models it would have normally competed against. Take the Kawasaki Z1000 for instance. This model should sort out its problems with the FZ1n, leaving the less powerful, but still heavy FZ8 to compete with the Kawasaki Z750, which was discontinued. Hmm, shouldn’t this make Yamaha think at their odds to turn the FZ8 into a success?
Still, the Aprilia Mana 850 ABS is an anemic competitor as it only benefits of 76.1 hp at 8000 rpm, but does address to the same category of European riders, so it should be considered too.
Also, the 2010 Yamaha FZ8 is the kind of bike going in between Triumph’s Street Triple and Speed Triple models although these last two shouldn’t worry much as the British styling and finesse as well as inline-triple power should maintain their current position on the market.
Exterior
Speaking of styling, we can’t understand why Yamaha teased the motorcycling public that much about their FZ8 as the bike looks pretty much like the FZ1n. Now don’t get us wrong; we like the angular headlight as well as the discrete cowl and instruments panel, but was it worth the while? Like on all FZ8 models, the inline-four engine is inclined forward and that also gives the unique shape of the gas tank, all making the bike look like its moving even when it’s not. Now that’s an achievement, but it isn’t new.
We like the thick fork arms and gold rims, but also the fact that the engine, tranny and exhaust as well as the frame and swingarm are all blacked-out, enhancing the mysterious look of the FZ8.
Yamaha quality build and attention to detail are everywhere and in the end we have to admit the bike does look slightly different, but it will need some time to mark its spot on the market. Colors available for the 2010 model year are White, Blue and Black, while various items from Yamaha’s accessories list (such as the seat cover, and sub cowling) should enhance the sporty look.
"Yamaha has concentrated on giving the FZ8 a strong bottom end to make it user-friendly and it shows as the bike is more than happy to be kept below 6,000rpm and responds to this use with a smooth and fluid delivery of power that makes relaxed riding a joy, but it doesn’t end there." – visordown
"You can get onto the edge of this at high motorway speeds, but generally the vibes then are noticed rather than outright annoying, and the rest of the time the engine is reasonably smooth. It’s also plenty quick enough for most riders on most roads, and for those who take a passenger regularly the engine is far more capable than a 600’s." – ashonbikes
"The suspension provides a plush, high-quality ride, though the rear shock feels overly soft when you push the handling hard, and two-up, the rear of the bike drops excessively. You can adjust the rear spring preload, but it’s rather fiddly. Otherwise the handling is a delight, combining eager agility with perfectly neutral steering." – telegraph
Price
With an MSRP starting at $11,200 (?8,190), this isn’t your ordinary entry-level naked motorcycle, but one addressing to experienced rider who are willing to pay the buck for what they consider being a rewarding machine.
Conclusion
All in all, Yamaha’s all-new 2010 FZ8 / ABS couldn’t have better credentials in a class mainly defined either by 600cc inline-fours or 800cc V-twins. This one has the best from both, so there’s much to expect from it. Only time and a test ride will tell more.
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Engine and Transmission
첫댓글 머플러가 좀 얄상하게 나왔으면 더 이뻤을듯한데요^^멋있네요^^
개인적으로 mt-03이 수입되었으면 합니다..;;;;
동감입니다.
내스타일이다...;;; 이런 ㅋㅋ
1n이랑 머가 다른건가요~
아... 좋다... 쇼바이크 스탈이 좋아요..
쇼 바이크 스타일이 아니라 ..네이키드 입니다..
8이 메리트가 있나요??
실제로 유럽시장에서는 800cc급이 인기가 있습니다....유럽사람들은 600cc 뭐가 좋지 이렇게 볼지도...
moto gp 800 cc ?
참 멋지게 나왔기는 한데.. 돈 조금 더 모아서 1n으로 가는것도 나쁘지 않을듯하네요ㅗ
1n에 비해 뭔가;; 머플러쪽이 너무 이상하네요 ㅡㅡ;ㅋ
다른건 몰라도 머플러는 제가 봐도 좀 아니네요...챔버 방식이면 이쁘게 나올텐데
오오 나 네이키드 완전 조아 ㅇ_ㅇ.. 왜냐구요~? 다리가 다으니까~아 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
네이키드면.정말.다이나요? ㅜㅜ (내 다리안다일까봐 걱정하는 1인)
ㅋㅋ 네 ~~ 일단 155이상부터는 알천 타고도 까치발 다아요 ㅋㅋ 네이키드도 충분히 다죠~ 대신 네이키드 좀 버겁다는거~어
정말 멋지다. 감사하고 담아 갑니다.