2019 Yamaha FZ Spied In India

Spy shots of the FZ, which is expected to launch in early 2019, reveal design changes

It’s been quite a while since Yamaha’s once-popular FZ range of 150cc bikes received a major overhaul. The FZ V2.0 entered the market back in September 2014 and received a rear disc brake variant in January this year. However, it looks like the Japanese manufacturer is preparing an all-new generation of the FZ, going by these spy images.

Based on the images, the new motorcycle seems to have been designed along the lines of the FZ25. The front fender looks more butch this time around and kind of resembles the one seen on the Bajaj Dominar 400. Even the front tyre looks a little meatier than before. It could be possible that the fender has been redesigned to accommodate a fatter front tyre. The headlight cluster looks a little sleeker and is likely to pack an LED headlight. The indicators and the tail lights have been carried over from the older version. The new FZ also features a digital instrument cluster with similar casing and screen as the unit found on the FZ25. The fuel tank looks a lot more muscular, while the tank extensions have been made to look beefier as well. There’s an engine cowl too, complementing the upper portion of the bodywork.

The ergonomics appear to be more laid back and comfy than before thanks to the new single-piece seat. It also gets a rounded one-piece grab rail instead of the split units seen on the current version. It’s likely that this particular test mule is the base variant. Expect the more premium FZ S to be equipped with split units, though. Other changes at the rear include fatter rubber along with a new tyre hugger, which looks a little different from the FZ25. The licence plate holder is shorter too. Sadly, the aggressive exhaust end can of the current gen bike as been given the boot for a more subtle and stubbier unit. The heat shield is also elegantly designed to go with the profile of the exhaust. The alloy wheels, on the other hand, seem to be the same as the current-gen FZ.

Although engine details are scarce, we expect the new-gen FZ to be packed with an air-cooled and fuel injected engine. The second-gen FZ, which debuted in 2014, received a 149cc motor in place of the older 153cc unit to comply with emission norms and offer better fuel efficiency. In the process, it lost some performance as well. The current FZ (which is the second-gen version) produces 13.2PS at 8000rpm and 12.8Nm at 6000rpm, compared to the first-gen model which churned out 14PS and 13.6Nm.

The suspension setup consists of telescopic front forks and rear monoshock like the current motorcycle. The test mule gets disc brake on both ends. Expect it to be equipped with a single-channel ABS to comply with the latest safety norms.

The 2019 FZ range is likely to be launched in early 2019. It will rival the likes of the Suzuki Gixxer, Honda CB Hornet 160R, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V as well as the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160.

Souce: www.team-bhp.com