Yamaha took the wraps off the XSR 155 in 2019. And although the motorcycle was introduced in Thailand, the neo-retro styled motorcycle created an unusual fascination among Indians. The amount of feedback was so enormous, we were convinced the MT15-based XSR 155 was going to be launched soon.
But Yamaha had other plans. And those plans have now become a reality with the launch of the FZX in India. So here, we list down all the specs, features, and pricing of the motorcycle to tell you all that you need to know about the new Yamaha FZX.
Styling
The Yamaha FZX is based on the FZ S although with styling inspiration from the XSR 155. The shape of the fuel-tank with the strip of metal running down to the seat and the round headlamp are all reminiscent of the XSR series. And we are not complaining.
This styling has brought a fresh and rugged appeal to the brawny FZ series. Yamaha has also fitted the FZX with fork gaiters, aluminum brackets for the headlamp and on the front fender, a redesigned exhaust canister, and a simple yet somewhat retro-looking grabrail. It also gets a single-piece seat with a tuck and roll design usually found on classic motorcycles.
Colours
Yamaha is offering the FZX a choice of three colour options. There is Matte Black, a refreshingly bright Matt Copper paint, and the Metallic Blue scheme that features a number graphic on the tank and a tan-brown seat.
Features
The Yamaha FZX takes the list of features on the FZS a notch higher. While it comes with a full-LED headlamp and tail lamp, the FZX also comes with a fully-digital instrument cluster that is slightly different than the one on the FZS. The unit not only has a different shape and layout but also gets Bluetooth connectivity as an option.
Once connected to the motorcycle, the Y-Connect app offers a tonne of information like fuel consumption check, battery, and oil change reminder, and last parked location. It also notifies the rider about any malfunction in the motorcycle. The FZX also comes with a USB charger fitted below the instrument cluster, ABS and a side stand engine cut-off function.
Engine
Underneath the frame that it shares with the FZS, the Yamaha FZX also borrows the same 149cc, single-cylinder engine from the former. This engine is capable of producing 12.2bhp at 7,250rpm and 13.6Nm at 5,500rpm. It comes paired with a five-speed gearbox.
Suspension and braking
The hardware on the FZX isn’t any different from the FZS and comes with telescopic forks at the front and a seven-step adjustable mono-shock at the rear. Meanwhile, braking is looked after by a 282mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc for the rear accompanied by single-channel ABS. However, the FZX rides on block pattern tyres that complete its rugged appeal.
Pricing
Yamaha has priced the FZX at Rs 1.16 lakh for the base version and Rs 1.19 lakh for the Bluetooth-equipped model. Now, the FZX demands a premium of nearly Rs 9,000 over the base version of the FZS that retails at Rs 1.08 lakh but makes up for the higher price with its refreshed styling and extra features.
Why not the XSR 155?
Well, this a question most of you might be asking- Why has Yamaha chosen to launch the FZX instead of the XSR 155 even though it had such a tremendous response. In our opinion, there could be two possible reasons.
Firstly, Yamaha would not be able to price the XSR 155 competitively. Although it is based on the MT-15, the XSR is positioned as a premium product globally, and that would mean that it would have to be priced higher than the MT-15 that costs Rs 1.40 lakh.
And the second reason is the brand recognition that the FZ series has in India. The FZ range has been the highest-selling model for Yamaha for a good number of years so it made sense to go with a tried and tested name rather than introducing a completely new one like the XSR.
