Yamaha FZ-S

Atop mountain twisties with the new FZ-S… OverDrive (May ’09) gives an insight…

The FZ-S had Indian motorcycle journos bewitched at its launch in October 2008 and it proved more than game for knee scraping action wherever, whenever. Besides that, the FZ has also topped polls for the best looking Indian bike. To press home the advantage and add a new leaf to the FZ chapter, the Japanese bike maker has unveiled a premium FZ-S (aka FZ16) variant.

The FZ-S sports a small bikini fairing around its signature angular headlamp. The cowl is minimalist in design and follows the lines of the original stays holding the headlamp in the standard version, albeit a bit more stylishly. A small fibre glass visor atop shields the clock console. The ‘S’ version is available in two colour schemes – a sporty silver and red combo and black with yellow graphics. The pin striping on the wheels accentuates the graphic colour schemes. The FZ-S is priced at Rs. 67,000, ex-showroom, and for the premium of Rs. 2,000 all one gets is a cosmetic makeover.

On the scenic pathways of Nainital – OverDrive testers rode the FZ-S – the mountain roads being a corner carver’s delight – one corner leading to another and then another…

The FZ-S was in its element, says OverDrive (May ’09), being easy to throw into corners and exiting them spiffily. The short second gear is inconsequential in the city but quite a bother while powering out of corners. Being rev-laden, one can remain in second gear till the bike is steady again. On the FZ however the limiter cuts in at about 9000rpm. The FZ-S is fast round corners and OverDrive testers covered 35km in 30 minutes or so. Most of it being downhill, the bike’s braking and stability aspects were put to the acid test and the new FZ came through with flying colours indeed. The front felt resolutely planted and the grippy MRF rubber was confidence inspiring on tight turn-ins.

The stiff suspension set-up which is a grouse in the city, works wonders, aiding stability over bumpy corners and broken roads. At triple digit speeds, the monoshock suspension ensures that the rear is firmly planted.

Thus the FZ-S proved to be the perfect toll for the mountain twisties, rewarding the rider gratly with its sure-footed stance and handling, besides its nimble and responsive manner. The ‘S’ suffix has added a cosmetic dimension to the already alluring FZ signs off OverDrive (May ’09).