Premiere: Yamaha FZ8 and Fazer8

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Premiere: Yamaha FZ8 and Fazer8
Yamaha

Premiere: Yamaha FZ8 and Fazer8

Yamaha’s new middle class in the test

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The grayed out FZ6 is retiring, the FZ1 is too special in many respects. That is why the FZ is now also available with 800 cm3. PS was allowed to sit up once and was really impressed by the rollercoaster ride.

The Fazer8 puts the sport genes aside and emphasizes the leisurely touring comfort.

PS always had its problems with the FZ series. The small FZ6 caused little enthusiasm with its weak engine. The same applies to the large FZ1, which with the remodeled R1 engine also disappoints when it comes to pulling through and simply does not spread any desire below 7000 rpm. And now an FZ8? So the mixture of hardship and misery? Clearly: no! The engine in particular, the basis of which comes from the FZ1 and which, among other things, was equipped with a different cylinder head and longer intake funnels, is thankfully not part of this FZ tradition. The 8 Series takes on the gas cleanly, glides from pushing over to pulling operation with almost no load changes and transports the load usefully forwards from 3000 rpm. The four-cylinder does its thing really well between 4500 and 8000 rpm, that is exactly in the range that is so much fun on country roads. There is constant pressure here not to identify a performance gap. The slight vibrations that set in at the upper end of this fun mode, where the maximum torque is applied, can be easily put away. And then it goes on in the rev range, right into the attack region, in which there is still enough power lurking to take up the really wild ride. That should be 106 hp? Feels like more. At 12,000 rpm it finally ends, the limiter cuts off all further ambitions. Already 500 revs earlier, the approaching end can be felt due to the decreasing power. But overall that is exactly the character that a motorcycle like this needs.


Yamaha

Yamaha FZ8 (left) and Fazer8.

Grabbed by the horns, the active seating position on the naked FZ supports sporting ambitions. The brake is also up to this. The four pistons on each side decelerate reliably and confidently without the very brisk bite. The ABS was not installed on the first ride around Marseille (in Germany the ABS is mandatory on the 8 series) – so there is still a need for clarification in the corresponding PS comparison test.

But let’s give in now?
We want! The handling is great. The FZ8, which weighs 216 kilograms, can be easily angled and guided around the bend nicely using the front wheel. She has become an agile hopper, she throws herself great from one corner into the next. The 180 rear tire is just right for this. The Yamaha also guides you precisely to the desired corner exit. There is no need for driving finesse, and so it conveys the flair of a real toy, there is something for every type of driver. The stability is also right. At no moment does she seem nervous. Here’s something about the tires: Even with corrections with the brake lever in an inclined position, the FZ does not stand upright. The standard Bridgestone BT 021 harmonizes perfectly with the 8 series. Sporty attributes are also provided by the seat, which is quite crisp and allows dedicated buttock use without beating the bottom too early on long trips.

Let’s get to the chassis: In the loose waving mode, the shock absorber does a decent job, only giving a hint that a too violent gait will embarrass the soft damping a bit on a bumpy surface. The same applies to the front, which ducks down quite quickly with brutal braking, but otherwise responds well and is sufficiently damped. The FZ8 enthusiast has to accept that, because apart from the preload, the damping leaves him no choice. But how appropriate the tuning of the naked 8 Series is, a switch to the Fazer8 with the half shell shows. According to the Yamaha managers, it should have the same dampers at the presentation, but the four kilogram heavier motorcycle looks significantly softer on the fork and especially on the rear, which is why the Fazer8 is noticeably more restless in the load at a similar pace has to cope with. In addition, the other driver takes away a lot of the active driving feeling that makes the naked woman appear so lively. The Fazer8 must therefore be seen more as the everyday variant with excursion qualities compared to the more aggressive naked figure.

CONCLUSION:
Successful serve! The FZ8 in particular enriches the segment in the upper mid-range segment with an attractive naked bike with a sporty character. The engine is the big plus. The price of 8500 euros is completely okay. For a surcharge of 300 euros there is the Fazer8 with half-shell as a more touristy variant. In any case, both models look good on the Yamaha model range.

Technical specifications


Yamaha

The FZ1 engine, down to 779 cm³, has left its very special character behind and impresses with its homogeneous power output.

DRIVE:
Four-cylinder in-line engine, 4 valves / cylinder, 78 kW (106 PS) at 10,000 rpm, 82 Nm at 8,000 rpm, 779 cm3, bore / stroke: 68.0 / 53.6 mm, compression: 12: 1, ignition – / injection system, 35 mm throttle valves, mechanically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch, 6-speed gearbox, G-Kat

LANDING GEAR:
Light alloy bridge frame, steering head angle: 65 degrees, caster: 109 mm, wheelbase: 1460 mm, inner fork tube diameter: 43 mm, spring travel from / h .: 130/130 mm

WHEELS and BRAKES:
Light alloy cast wheels, 3.5 x 17"/5.50 x 17", Front tires: 120/70 ZR 17, rear: 180/55 ZR 17, 310 mm double disc brakes with four-piston fixed calipers at the front, 267 mm single disc brakes with single-piston floating calipers at the rear

WEIGHT (fueled including ABS): 216/220 kg *,
Tank capacity: 17 liters super (of which reserve: n / a)

BASIC PRICE: 8495/8795 Euro (plus utilities)

* Factory specification

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