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The Yamaha FZ8 series still has room for improvement. What can the FZ8 Tuning do better?
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In the small Yamaha FZ8 (front) all technical weaknesses of the series have been eliminated. Thanks to the special paint, it is also a real treat in terms of looks.
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The seating position is inactive on the series FZ8. The rider sits in the bike rather than on the bike.
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The accessory bench on the small Yamaha FZ8 looks a bit bulky, but it raises the seating position by about ten millimeters.
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A lot of detailed work went into the FZ8 conversion. Here the accessory engine control unit.
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Yamaha FZ8 Tuning: Short license plate holder with mini indicators.
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The small FZ8 relies on Michelin Pilot Power. The rubber improves the driving characteristics considerably.
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The series Yamaha is on Bridgestone BT 21 "BB".
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The after-market version is designed to be much tighter and gives the yam more stability.
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Much too weakly damped and equipped with a spring that is too soft: the standard shock absorber of the Yamaha FZ8 series.
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With the 40 millimeter wider accessory handlebar (LSL), the pilot has a much better grip on the load.
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The standard handlebar is very narrow.
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Klein also doped the FZ8 with another complete exhaust. The differences to the series are brutal due to the new exhaust and the control unit, especially at medium speeds. Disadvantage: The control unit is of course illegal, the exhaust without a catalytic converter is too.
Yamaha FZ8 tuning and series in comparison
Yamaha FZ8 tuning against series
Content of
In search of the finest material, we look at two different versions of identical origin: the base and upgrade of the Yamaha FZ8. What can the modified variant do better??
It has to be said so clearly: Most production bikes offer a lot of room for improvement. Especially the clear chassis weaknesses and the inactive seating position of the Yamaha F.Z8 spoil the performance of the mid-range bike. This makes it predestined for the new series in PS, which appear in loose succession, in which specialists eliminate the respective weak points in order to increase performance and driving pleasure. Sometimes we will test finished conversions, sometimes we will have bikes specifically modified or lend a hand ourselves in order to then compare them with the series counterpart.
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Yamaha FZ8 tuning and series in comparison
Yamaha FZ8 tuning against series
Jahn
In the small Yamaha FZ8 (front) all technical weaknesses of the series have been eliminated. Thanks to the special paint, it is also a real treat visually.
Therefore, the first tip, which also causes the lowest costs, is: get down with the series skins and put on suitable material. Yamaha dealer Dominik Klein (www.motorradklein.de) donated a set of Michelin Pilot Power to his conversion. It’s been around for ages, but it’s still full of music on the country road. Since the rubber will soon be replaced by its successor, it is currently available at a very affordable price. The Yam rides on these soles as if transformed: aim the line, pull through, done. Grip, feedback and handling are also top notch. You can easily forgive him for his slightly wobbly behavior when turning.
At this point it should be mentioned that we only list those data here where the series and conversion differ. Reason: The complete data box of the FZ8 is already in the large naked bike comparison. Second construction site on the Yamaha: the chassis. Much too softly tuned, there is always a lot of restlessness in the framework. That, too, sabotages a clean line and dilutes the feedback from the road. A fork conversion and a tighter shock absorber can help. This means that the yam rushes through the ground much more stable and gives a much fuller feeling.
Jahn
With the 40 millimeter wider accessory handlebar (LSL), the pilot has a much better grip on the load.
Japan has recognized the shortcoming and is bringing a revised version with an adjustable chassis in the spring. Hopefully the developers will also give the naked bike somewhat sharper brake pads on this occasion, because the previous pads bite down a little. Our wish to the tuner would also be a bit more powerful bit. The standard somewhat inactive seating position could also be improved. Because of the narrow handlebars and the comparatively low seat, the driver is more of a passenger than the master of the action. With the wider handlebar (plus 40 millimeters) and the seat ten millimeters higher, the pilot chases the tuning FZ8 around corners with much more commitment. Only the handlebar height could be a little lower – that would put a little more weight on the front and thus an even crisper feedback.
Klein also doped the FZ8 with another complete exhaust and a programmable control unit. The Yam punches like hell and suddenly thinks its driver is in a different displacement league – the differences to the series are particularly brutal at medium speeds. Disadvantage: The control unit is of course illegal, and so is the exhaust without a catalytic converter. In addition, the Yamaha roars deafeningly without a dB killer – ouch! On the plus side is the slightly higher ground clearance thanks to the narrower muffler.
In addition to the technical changes mentioned, the tuner also made the FZ8 look attractive: special paintwork, mini-indicators, short license plate holder. Fittingly, the name: Pride – in German: pride. For complete nobility, the small Yamaha only lacks an ABS. The series has one. And is also a little proud of it. Nevertheless, she cannot keep up with her converted sister in terms of points. With 156 points it collects a whopping 16 points more than the production version. It’s logical that it clearly delivers the better kick.
problem | solution | costs |
Vehicle turns imprecisely and awkwardly. In addition, the pilot always has to correct the line a little when he is inclined. In addition, the FZ8 gives little feedback from the road and provides little grip. | Fit other tires. In our example, the Michelin Pilot Power fundamentally improves driving behavior. | around 220 euros plus assembly |
There is a lot of movement in the load. Even on flat stretches, the Yamaha hardly comes to rest. | Revise or replace spring elements. | 914 euros |
The seating position on the Yamaha is quite inactive. Low seat, narrow handlebars: this is insufficient to direct the yam. | Mount a higher seat cushion and another, wider handlebar. | 415 euros |
Clear performance hangers at medium speeds. | Change engine control, possibly mount another exhaust. | Warning: illegal! 1830 euros |
Naked bike
BMW F 800 R, Kawasaki Z 800, MV Agusta Brutale 800 and Yamaha FZ8 in the test
Middle class motorcycles with 800 cc
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Measured values and driving performance
Jahn
In the small Yamaha FZ8 (front), all technical weaknesses of the series have been eliminated. Thanks to the special paint, it is also a real treat visually.
archive
Performance diagram of the Yamaha FZ8 series and conversion.
It is easy to see: the kink in performance and torque on the production bike (red line) at medium speeds. The small FZ8 with a different exhaust and coordinated accessory engine control generates considerably more power there. The difference in driving is huge, so we mistakenly assumed a shorter secondary gear ratio at first. The green line marks power and torque without, the blue one with dB-Eater. We determined the performance with the exhaust insert, without yelling the Yam bestial!
Acceleration** | Draft** | Top speed * | ||||
0-100 km / h | 0-150 km / h | 0-200 km / h | 50-100 km / h | 100-150 km / h | ||
Yamaha FZ8 series | 3.8 s | 7.2 s | 15.2 s | 5.9 s | 6.8 s | 218 km / h |
Yamaha FZ8 conversion with db-eater | 3.7 s | 7.0 s | 14.9 s | 5.5 s | 6.0 s | 218 km / h |
* Manufacturer information; ** PS readings
Naked bike
BMW F 800 R, Kawasaki Z 800, MV Agusta Brutale 800 and Yamaha FZ8 in the test
Middle class motorcycles with 800 cc
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PS data
Jahn
With the 40 millimeter wider accessory handlebar (LSL), the pilot has a much better grip on the load.
Yamaha FZ8 series
Drive:
78 kW (106 hp) at 10000 rpm *, 82 Nm at 8500 rpm *
Landing gear:
Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in the spring base
Wheels and brakes:
First tires: Bridgestone BT 21 “BB”, ABS
Measurements and weight:
Seat / handlebar height: 805/1005 mm, handlebar width: 695 mm, 213 kg with a full tank, v./h .: 51.1 / 48.9% rear wheel power in the last gear 69.1 kW (94 PS) at 208 km / h
Consumption:
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 7.0 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 17.0 liters, range: 242 km
Base price:
8495 euros (plus additional costs)
Yamaha FZ8 conversion
Drive:
79.5 kW (108 PS) at 10000 rpm *, 82 Nm at 8500 rpm * (each with dB-Eater)
Landing gear:
Central spring strut with deflection, adjustable in spring base and rebound
Wheels and brakes:
First tires: Michelin Pilot Power, no ABS
Measurements and weight:
Seat / handlebar height: 815/1010 mm, handlebar width: 735 mm, 206.5 kg with a full tank, v./h .: 51.5 / 48.5% rear wheel power in the last gear 74.3 kW (101 PS) at 196 km /H
Consumption:
Fuel type: Super unleaded. Average test consumption: 7.3 liters / 100 km, tank capacity 17.0 liters, range: 232 km
Base price:
10500 euros (special offer, including additional costs)
Naked bike
BMW F 800 R, Kawasaki Z 800, MV Agusta Brutale 800 and Yamaha FZ8 in the test
Middle class motorcycles with 800 cc
read more
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