Yamaha Goes Retro With The New FZ-X

Months of rumours and speculations later, Yamaha has finally launched the much-awaited FZ-X, the retro-styled sibling to the ageing FZ Fi Version 3.0.

What's The Price? Who Are Its Rivals?

The Yamaha FZ-X has been priced at Rs 1,16,800 for the standard variant, while the Bluetooth-connected variant retails at Rs 1,19,800. This makes the retro siblings Rs 12,000 pricier than the standard FZ. Yamaha will commence deliveries in June itself. Additionally, the first 200 customers who book the new FZ-X will get a custom Yamaha G-Shock watch as well. 

While there’s certainly no retro-styled motorcycle in the segment to compete with the FZ-X, it locks horns with the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, TVS Apache RTR 160 and the Suzuki Gixxer.

How Many Variants Are There?

The Yamaha FZ-X will be offered in standard trim and a SmartConnect trim which offers bluetooth connectivity as standard.

What's New?

While a bunch of foreign markets enjoy the Yamaha XSR 155, the Indian wing of the brand has given its own spin to the retro roadster. Yamaha has pulled out all the stops to make the FZ-X stand out from the standard FZ.

For starters, it gets a round LED headlight with LED DRL and tail light. In addition, the Yamaha FZ-X comes with a new instrument console equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, depending on the variant. Once connected to your phone, you can use the app to check vehicle battery status and fuel consumption while the console displays call and SMS alerts. The FZ-X even gets a mobile charger as standard fitment.

Yamaha India has focused on rider comfort, opting for a roomy saddle instead of a bench seat. Paired with the tall handlebar and the neutral-set footpegs, the Yamaha FZ-X seems like a perfect commuter. However, at 139kg, it is 4kg heavier than the standard FZ v3. The bike also sports block-pattern tyres, fork gaiters, and a mudguard brace for a rugged appeal.

What's Unchanged?

Underneath the retro garb, the Yamaha FZ-X is no different from the FZ version 3.0. It shares the same single-cylinder, air-cooled 149cc SOHC engine developing 12.4PS at 7,250rpm and 13.3Nm at 5,500rpm. This engine is cradled in the same single-cradle chassis suspended onto a telescopic fork and a 7-step adjustable monoshock. Even the 282mm/220mm disc setup has been carried over from the FZ. It sports a single-channel ABS.

ZigSays

The Yamaha FZ-X is a fresh alternative to the current crop of motorcycles from the segment. Though performance may not really be its strength, the bike certainly makes up for it with features and retro-styling that the competition doesn’t offer. However, the Yamaha FZ-X seems a half-hearted attempt at creating a feasible and more economical alternative to the XSR 155 for the Indian market. But if you can overlook that, the Yamaha FZ-X seems like an interesting proposition.