2010 FZ8

[X1rider]

Naked model probably won't be available here, but the 1/2 fairing unit will. This begs the question though; What becomes of the FZ1? 200cc isn't a lot to separate a model that is very close in appearance. An FZ11 or FZ12 in a year? Hmmmm.

http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/fz8/

[Zerosum]

That sounds REALLY cool, as long as they de-tune the thing for midrange power at the expense of peak power.  As I understand it, that's been the complaint with the FZ-6 and FZ-1: Yamaha slapped Rx engines into them and didn't really change the characteristics of the engine to reflect the new bike's role.

[phoenix]

a Wee Strom owner is openly discussing giving up power?  

[Rincewind]

We've been discussing this bike since last November --> http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,46996.0.html

 

[chornbe]

That sounds REALLY cool, as long as they de-tune the thing for midrange power at the expense of peak power.  As I understand it, that's been the complaint with the FZ-6 and FZ-1: Yamaha slapped Rx engines into them and didn't really change the characteristics of the engine to reflect the new bike's role.

Uhm... not exactly.

The FZ6 engine was the *much* earlier engine. It was not a current engine. And it's way down on power from the R6 flavors. Likewise the FZ1, and as I understand it, the FZ1 (gen-1) *was* tuned differently. A jet kit and tweaking of the exup valve really wakes up the low-end responsiveness.

That's what I've come to understand.

The FZ6 I owned was spritely and fun, but not nearly on a par with the 3-year old R6 I tooled around on for a while.

[Zerosum]

a Wee Strom owner is openly discussing giving up power?  

Giving up peaky, top-end power?  Absolutely.  Let the spec-sheet loose a few rated HP and give me usable low and midrange power anyday.  That's the only way I like inline fours, when they're big and tuned like the ZRX or Bandit 1250s.  When Yamaha made the FZ-1 more peaky back in '06, I thought that was exactly the wrong direction to take the bike.

I've always wanted to ride a Gen-1 FZ-1.  That bike feels great to sit on.  Very much like my V-Strom, actually.

[chornbe]

I've always wanted to ride a Gen-1 FZ-1.  That bike feels great to sit on.  Very much like my V-Strom, actually.

The gen-1 with jet kit will please you, I'm sure.

[DogBoy]

Uhm... not exactly.

The FZ6 engine was the *much* earlier engine. It was not a current engine. And it's way down on power from the R6 flavors. Likewise the FZ1, and as I understand it, the FZ1 (gen-1) *was* tuned differently. A jet kit and tweaking of the exup valve really wakes up the low-end responsiveness.

That's what I've come to understand.

The FZ6 I owned was spritely and fun, but not nearly on a par with the 3-year old R6 I tooled around on for a while.

The FZ-6 was introduced around 2004. It used an engine based on the R6 of that era so it was a current engine.

[chornbe]

The FZ-6 was introduced around 2004. It used an engine based on the R6 of that era so it was a current engine.

Right, it got a detuned version of the '03 R6 engine (under 100 ponies), but it didn't get the incremental updates that the R6 got for the remaining run. It kept that same mill. It's a few generations behind now. In '07 it got some freshening of the fuel injection tuning, but the engine remained the same.

[nanbil]

That sounds REALLY cool, as long as they de-tune the thing for midrange power at the expense of peak power.  As I understand it, that's been the complaint with the FZ-6 and FZ-1: Yamaha slapped Rx engines into them and didn't really change the characteristics of the engine to reflect the new bike's role.

I believe that this is a new engine built from the group up for this bike, not a retuned R1 or R6 engine.  We can only hope that Yamaha will put the crossplane crankshaft in this thing.  

[Mr Sunshine]

 We can only hope that Yamaha will put the crossplane crankshaft in this thing.  

Why?  Its not needed.

[nanbil]

Why?  Its not needed.

My understanding, and I may be wrong, is that the cross-plane crank makes the engine feel more like a twin—more power gets to the ground early in the power delivery of the motor–than a traditional I-4.  I'm not sure how this is different than typical torque numbers, but then I haven't ridden a cross-plane R1.  If this is the case, then I would say it is needed as I much prefer the power delivery of a twin over that of most I-4 engines.    

[Dave the slave]

My understanding, and I may be wrong, is that the cross-plane crank makes the engine feel more like a twin—more power gets to the ground early in the power delivery of the motor–than a traditional I-4.  I'm not sure how this is different than typical torque numbers, but then I haven't ridden a cross-plane R1.  If this is the case, then I would say it is needed as I much prefer the power delivery of a twin over that of most I-4 engines.    

I got a few laps on a cross-plane 2009 R1 last fall...  It's very strange since I've owned both an R1 and RC51.  It was like an RC51 on LOTS of roids.  The cross-plane feels like it works to me, lots of low down drive and a torquey feeling.  

A cross plane 800cc bike would be really cool... and a cross plane 600cc would be SICK!  Anyway, I hope it IS cross-plane... but I doubt it.

[Schneegz]

From MCN:

Division manager for motorcycles of Yamaha Motor Europe Arno Sunnotel told MCN at the show: "This is an all-new engine with the emphasis on torque and sharp handling. Full information on the FZ8 and Fazer8 will be released on March 12."

No word on US availability, but my guess is we'll get the faired version.

[chornbe]

Man, that is pretty.  

[stromgal]

If they brought the half-faired version here, I'd be very interested in a demo ride... wonder what it will weigh?

I test-rode an '03 FZ1 at the same time I tested the Strom, and it was just too buzzy.

[Rincewind]

Too bad they dropped the undertail exhaust.  That was a nice looking feature on the FZ6.    

[kevrider]

Too bad they dropped the undertail exhaust.  That was a nice looking feature on the FZ6.    

not to me.  

this new bike a hot, though.  looking forward to the xplane FZ12.  

[McHack]

Too bad they dropped the undertail exhaust.  That was a nice looking feature on the FZ6.    

Meh,  I'm really interested in a rump roaster for a street bike.

[Schneegz]

this new bike a hot, though.  looking forward to the xplane FZ12.  

I don't know if they'll go with a cross-plane crank, but I bet this is the last year for the FZ-1.  I bet they'll introduce an FZ-12 by the end of this year, or early next year.

[Jeff]

I'm sure the fairing is great and all, but as a fan of nakey bikes, I much prefer the unfaired version.

Jeff

[nanbil]

I don't know if they'll go with a cross-plane crank, but I bet this is the last year for the FZ-1.

I'm not sure why Yamaha would do this.  The Cross-plane engine from the R1 would be a natural for a new (2011) FZ-1; the motor is already being manufactured so Yamaha saves both development and retooling money.