Yamaha FZ-X Launched In India: Price, Specs, And Other Details Revealed

The FZ-X is Yamaha’s first neo-retro offering and the most affordable of its kind in India

The Yamaha FZ-X is based on the proven Yamaha FZ-S Fi/FZ-Fi platform. It shares its engine and underpinnings with the streetfighter. Base variant costs Rs 12,100 more than the FZ-S Fi.

Yamaha has launched its first neo-retro roadster in India, the Yamaha FZ-X, at Rs 1,16,800 for the base variant and Rs 1,19,800 for the model with smartphone connectivity (both ex-showroom Delhi), making it the most affordable retro bike here. The standard variant is Rs 12,100 dearer than the FZ-S Fi without connectivity whereas the one with connectivity is Rs 11,600 pricier than the FZ-S FI with Bluetooth. Yamaha has managed to price it competitively since it’s based on the Yamaha FZ-S Fi/ Yamaha FZ-Fi platform.

Consequently, it shares its most crucial components with the streetfighter. The 149cc air-cooled fuel-injected 2-valve engine makes the same power and torque as the naked: 12.4PS at 7,250rpm and 13.3Nm at 5,500rpm. The motor is mated to the same 5-speed transmission as the streetfighter, but the exhaust note has been tuned differently to suit the motorcycle. We wish Yamaha had also tweaked the engine with at least better torque output to complement its retro flair.

The bike’s foundations are also similar. It uses the same diamond-type frame, linked to a telescopic front fork and a rear monoshock. Even the 17-inch alloy wheel design is similar, but the wheels are wrapped with meaty block pattern rubber. The front tyre is MRF Mogrip Meteor (100/80-17), whereas the rear employs a 140/60-17 MRF RevZ rubber. For a more rugged look, the fork seals are gaitered to prevent dust and grime ingress. These coupled with the fairly generous 165mm ground clearance should make the bike fun to ride on light trails. Like the FZ, the FZ-X also uses the same 282mm front and 220mm rear disc with Bosch single-channel ABS as standard.

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At 810mm, the seat is 20mm taller than the one in the FZ-S Fi. While the FZ-S weighs 137kg kerb, the Yamaha FZ-X tips the scales at 139kg. The latter also features a more retro-style bodywork with a classic teardrop-shaped fuel tank (with an offset tank cap), a tuck-and-roll seat, and easy-to-reach handlebars for a more upright riding stance. The round LED headlamp goes well with the retro theme, and in contrast, you have the new fully digital instrument cluster with smartphone compatibility via the Yamaha Y-Connect app. Using this, you can check your bike's mileage, access call and SMS alerts, last parked location, malfunction alert, and mobile battery status. Sadly, turn-by-turn navigation is absent. Yamaha offers a USB charging port just below the instrument cluster and a side-stand engine cut-off feature. The tail lamp is LED as well. 

The first 200 customers who book the bike online will get a custom Yamaha Casio G-Shock watch for free. Bookings are now open and deliveries will commence this month itself. The motorcycle is available in three colours: Metallic Blue, Matt Copper, and Matt Black. Yamaha also offers LED indicators, seat cover, chromed-out rearview mirror, engine guard, and tank pad as official accessories.

Yamaha seems to have taken a different approach by launching a retro offering based on the already existing FZ, instead of introducing the more powerful and capable Yamaha XSR155. Moreover, the 149cc isn’t exactly known for its performance, in fact, the motor makes just 0.6PS more than the Bajaj Pulsar 125.! However, The FZ-X offers Yamaha the distinction of being the only retro bike in the 150cc segment. The next most affordable retro motorcycle is the Royal Enfield Bullet 350, which costs an eye-watering Rs 1.60 lakh (on-road Delhi). So Yamaha has the potential to make an impact in a segment below the Bullet 350 by offering an affordable retro motorcycle for riders who appreciate all things old-school. Will Yamaha be able to emulate Royal Enfield’s success in this space? Only time will tell.