Since the original model was launched in 1998 the Fazer family has been a mainstay of Yamaha’s range, a model that many (actually 250,000 to date) took their first steps into ‘big’ bikes on and one whose popularity over the years has soared.
But recently the Fazer’s waters have become muddied. First was the introduction of the less than new rider friendly R6-engined FZ6 range then a few years ago Yamaha unveiled the XJ6 models, budget conscious bikes with the emphasis on new riders, traditionally the Fazer’s stomping ground. Why buy an FZ6 when the XJ6 was both cheaper and better? With the introduction of the new FZ8 range Yamaha has clarified the situation - start riding on the XJ6, progress to the FZ8 when your are more experienced and finish on the FZ1 when you really want your brains fried. But is this a route worth taking?
Thankfully the new FZ8 and Fazer8 owe much more to the FZ1 range than the FZ6. The chassis, swingarm and even majority of the engine’s components are identical between the two models. Both use a 2008 R1’s bottom end and gearbox but the new FZ8 has a lighter crank to allow the engine to spin up faster, a reduced bore to give it the 779cc capacity and a new four-valve head design rather than the FZ1’s five-valve.
To keep its costs down the FZ8’s inverted forks aren’t adjustable and the shock only gets spring preload to fiddle with, but it does have four piston calipers and an impressive claimed 105bhp and 61ft.lb to keep you amused, something it does very well.
Since the original model was launched in 1998 the Fazer family has been a mainstay of Yamaha’s range, a model that many (actually 250,000 to date) took their first steps into ‘big’ bikes on and one whose popularity over the years has soared.
But recently the Fazer’s waters have become muddied. First was the introduction of the less than new rider friendly R6-engined FZ6 range then a few years ago Yamaha unveiled the XJ6 models, budget conscious bikes with the emphasis on new riders, traditionally the Fazer’s stomping ground. Why buy an FZ6 when the XJ6 was both cheaper and better? With the introduction of the new FZ8 range Yamaha has clarified the situation - start riding on the XJ6, progress to the FZ8 when your are more experienced and finish on the FZ1 when you really want your brains fried. But is this a route worth taking?
Thankfully the new FZ8 and Fazer8 owe much more to the FZ1 range than the FZ6. The chassis, swingarm and even majority of the engine’s components are identical between the two models. Both use a 2008 R1’s bottom end and gearbox but the new FZ8 has a lighter crank to allow the engine to spin up faster, a reduced bore to give it the 779cc capacity and a new four-valve head design rather than the FZ1’s five-valve.
To keep its costs down the FZ8’s inverted forks aren’t adjustable and the shock only gets spring preload to fiddle with, but it does have four piston calipers and an impressive claimed 105bhp and 61ft.lb to keep you amused, something it does very well.
Price: FZ8 £7,799; Fazer8 £8,799
Front suspension: RWU forks
Adjustment: none
Rear suspension: Monoshock
Adjustment: spring preload
Front brakes: 2 x 310mm discs, four piston calipers
Rear brake: 267mm disc, one piston caliper
Wet weight: 215kg
Seat height: 815mm
Fuel capacity: 17-litres
Colour options: white, blue, black
Engine: 779cc, 16-valve inline four
Power: 105bhp @ 10,000rpm
Torque: 61ft.lb @ 8,000rpm
Bore & Stroke: 68 x 53.6mm
Compression ratio: 12.0:1
Top speed: 145mph (est)
