The latest offering from Yamaha – the FZ25 – is a bigger brother to the brand’s 150cc FZ street-naked. It carries over a similar muscular theme in its design, while looking even more butch and beefy, which is surely going to do well with premium bike buyers in India.
Engine
Like all motorcycles that the FZ25 will take on (read KTM Duke 200, TVS Apache RTR 200 and upcoming Bajaj NS200), one of the main talking points is its engine. The FZ25 uses a 249cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine that comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. The motor makes 20.9hp and 20Nm and comes with Yamaha’s Blue Core technology, which optimises the engine’s functions to maximise performance and fuel economy. Although the FZ25’s power outputs may not sound impressive, its claimed fuel economy figure of 43kpl – that Yamaha promises – sure does.
Frame and suspension
Similar to the FZS, the FZ25 uses a diamond chassis. It’s suspended on 41mm telescopic front forks while the rear gets a swingarm-mounted monoshock.
It runs on a 100/80-17M/C 52P front tyre and a 140/70-17M/C 66S rear tyre. The stopping power for the bike comes from a 282mm disc in the front and a 220mm disc at the rear.
The FZ25 is a slightly bigger bike than the FZS, while its 160mm ground clearance is identical to that of the FZ. Its seating position, however, is more aggressive and forward set than that of its smaller sibling.
Equipment
The FZ25 comes with an all-digital instrument cluster and also gets an all-LED lighting setup. For its asking price of ₹1.19 lakh, essential equipment like ABS is surprisingly missing. However, Yamaha maintains that it has the required tech and will introduce it on the FZ25 when ABS will be made compulsory on motorcycles sold in India.
Price
Its price puts it bang in between the TVS Apache RTR 200 (₹93,725) and the KTM Duke 200 (₹1,44,000). However, it doesn’t impress as much as its immediate rivals on paper in terms of performance or features, and feels a touch pricey. Moreover, its performance on the roads is yet to be seen. So, keep watching this space for more updates.