Yamaha FZ-S V2.0 Long Term Review 1

First Impressions

The FZ series of motorcycles has been a steady seller for Yamaha primarily because of those big-bike looks. When the FZ-16 first hit the Indian roads in 2008, there was nothing with such a muscular profile and stout wheels which made it one of the favourite urban motorcycles. The FZ-S version 2.0 repeats the recipe and this time with fuel injection added to its repertoire to ward off attacks from the Gixxers and Hornets.

You have to give it to the FZ-S for looking solid in the first glance. I like the way it looks - the hunched shoulder-like tank contours around the hunkered down face-like headlamp. The beefy front forks and wide upright handlebar along with the fat tyres complete the muscular first impression. The wide contoured tank thins out towards the seat allowing you to grip the tank sans effort.

The riding position is comfortable and leans forward slightly. It takes about five minutes to find your sweet spot on the seat. Yes, the seat is firm but comfortable – firmer than the Gixxer but almost as comfortable, at least for my 45-minute commute to office. There is enough space for the rider to move around on the seat but the same cannot be said for the pillion.

Speaking about urban commuting, along with the ability to get off the blocks in a jiffy, you also need to be able to change directions quickly. While we wouldn’t advise unindicated and sudden manoeuvres, we still need flickability which the FZ-S has in abundance. The chunky rubber soles in the front as well as in the back provide grip in abundance. The MRF ZVTS in the rear and the Zapper FY in the front are one of the best tyres offered in the segment in terms of grip and agility.

As compared to the carburetted FZ, the engine response of the fuel injected V2.0 lags by a moment when you twist the wrist. It is pronounced in lower revs and tapers down as you rev higher, but is still there. For an urban commuter, where sudden bursts of acceleration are standard prescription, the lag takes away a bit from the otherwise smooth and linear power delivery of the motorcycle.

The FZ-S seems like a good package as I think about the first impressions it has on me. It will certainly be interesting to see how this motorcycle pans out in its journey with us over the long term.

Photography by Kapil Angane