Yamaha FZ8N & FZ8S: First Look

Motoring Staff - 13/July/2010

Shizuoka, Japan - Yamaha has announce the arrival of two new motorcycles that will be joining its FZ sportsbike range - the FZ8N and FZ8S.

The FZ8-series is a high-performance all-rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports ride.

These dynamic new sports machines are built on a new 779cc engine and all-aluminium frame. The engine offers a balance of middleweight accessibility with big-bore power and instant power throughout the rev range.

The naked FZ8 is has a muscular and aggressive design that gives onlookers a hint of this bike's potential. Sitting between the entry level XJ6 series and big bore FZ1s, the FZ8 has a good mix of performance and quality craftsmanship designed for riders who appreciate an optimum blend of power, weight and size.

Meanwhile the semi-faired FZ8S, delivers sportsbike performance and handling, with the aerodynamics, wind and weather protection of a front cowl and screen.

Yamaha's engineers selected a 779cc engine displacement for the new FZ8-series. The engine is fuel injected, and uses both a throttle valve and an electronically controlled subthrottle valve to provide additional control over intake airflow volume. The cylinder bodies have a bore and stroke from 68.0x53.6mm. Readings on engine rpm and throttle opening are processed in real time by the engines ECU, which operates a new stepping motor to control the sub-throttle valves and optimise volumetric efficiency in each part of the rev range. This is one of the many design considerations aimed at boosting low-middle drive.

Another key to the FZ8-series motor's flexibility is found in the large-capacity 7.8 litre airbox, where the air funnels are two different lengths - cylinders 1 and 4 have 125mm intake funnels, where 2 and 3 are 150mm in length, producing an excellent spread of torque throughout the rev range.

The four-valve cylinder head configuration helps the FZ8-series engine produce in excess of 75kW at 10,000rpm, and 82.0Nm of torque at 8000rpm.
Use of an open deck cylinder, forged pistons and fracture split con rods are all tried and trusted features of Yamaha sports and supersports models designed to offer a smooth running and reliable engine.

It easily clears EU3 exhaust emission standards, using a short, side mounted muffler and a 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system with a honeycomb type catalytic converter fitted at the point where the header pipes meet. An oxygen sensor feeds real-time exhaust information back to the ECU, allowing the bike to constantly adjust its air/fuel mixture for optimum efficiency and clean emissions.

The FZ8-series also uses a CF aluminium die-cast swingarm, enhancing the effectiveness of the rear suspension.
Front-end suspension is a pair of upside-down forks, running 43mm inner tubes. Rear suspension is handled by a linked Monocross unit - the link being designed to provide soft, light suspension near the top of the stroke to deal with bumpy surfaces in comfort, but then to provide firmer cushioning as the shock is further compressed, for sharper handling during hard cornering.

Front brakes are twin four-piston monobloc calipers, gripping 310mm floating front discs. Being monobloc designs, the calipers suffer minimal distortion under hard braking, so the stopping force is linear, stable and controllable when the chips are down.

The wheels are five-spoke cast aluminium rims - the front tyre is a 120/70 ZR17, and the rear is a 180/55 ZR17. This gives both bikes outstanding ride feeling, grip and cornering performance, with access to the full range of sports rubber.

The riding position is sporty but comfortable, with a seat height of 815mm and a narrow tank which gives the rider easy ground access. Overall ride experience is compact and light, with generous room for manoeuvring.

Steering is handled by a 25 degree caster angle and 109mm of trail and an extended 33-degree left-to-right steering angle - making tight U-turns and peak-hour traffic busting much easier.

The FZ8 series has black side parts on the tank that provide comfortable knee grip. The headlight unit on the naked FZ8 adds an aggressive-looking detail.

The FZ8-series consists of two models - the naked FZ8N and the semi-faired FZ8S with a front cowl and screen. Both are available now in two colour schemes per model, priced at $12,990(RRP) for the naked 'N' model and $13,990(RRP) for rthe 'S' model.

Related Links
- Yamaha YZF-R1 (2006)
- Yamaha YZF-R1 (2004)
- Yamaha YZF-R6 (2003)
- Yamaha's new 200+bhp GP bike
- Yamaha looks to 2002 GP