My FZ-S Review: Updated after 3000 km. Review on Yamaha FZ-S

First of all thanks for MS members. I am using MS for some 2 years.I have been keeping an eye on the reviews of bike in 150+ for about two months in MS. I have subscribed to updates of many bikes. Finally I bought the Yamaha FZ-S two weeks back. Here is my first review for that.

Since the bike is a fresh one(ran only some 710 kms) and yet to complete first service, not much I can say about the bike's performance. As per the manual, I tried my best always to keep its heart rev below 4500 rpm. The highest speed I noticed in the speedo is 56 on one overtake.

The bike have good acceleration is what impressed me. Initial pickup is good. But I think in overtakes this bike won't help you much. You need to strain its 153 cc heart more to beat more and for that more blood should circulate. That is when the FZ tend to get a bit thirsty. I noticed my FZ-S not as thirsty like said in many reviews courtesy to my riding. I suppose my FZ with its brand new 153 cc engine in factory condition is returning a mileage of around 42. I m satisfied with that. The reason for very bad mileage reported by many is because the nature of the bike. When you sit on the bike and ride alone, it feels like a big bike. Initially throttle response is very good. In fact, its better than some bigger displacement bikes like the Pulsar 200 and can even come closer to a ZMA. There it ends.

It will not pull you all the way to 3 digit mark with ease as the Pulsar 200 or ZMA, even though the bike gives you a fake impression that it can do it with ease. It will do but takes a good amount of time at the expense of extra fuel. Result : Mileage will take a dip. But the bike's ride quality is amazing. Ride won't be enjoyable for the pillion on long rides. Bike's handle gives you superior control of your machine. Tyres are also very good as expected. The rear brakes are not so good if used alone. But the front 267mm KBX disc brakes are too good to stop the machine. If applied together, bike will stop where you would want. On some occasions I applied the front discs alone. I m surprised that bike doesn't skid at all. The front shocks are too good absorb the back force. I had experience not so good(not so devastating also) in braking Pulsar 200 and a ZMA on application of front disc brakes alone at speeds below 60. Bike's build quality is superb.

I usually miss to switch of the turn indicators as buzzer is not a standard fitment. I m thinking whether I should fit one or not. I have used a Honda Dio for long and its turn indicators remind to switch it off, if need to enjoy ride further. Also the self start is not precise. I have noticed even the HH Splendour NXGs take off with a single press. In morning it takes me 3 to 5 press with choke on to give its heart life. But I haven't experienced any problem in traffic yet. I think its battery power(5A) is too low for a self start only bike and its not MF either. Even Unicorns have a more powerful battery(7A).

Anyway I am happy now that I made a right choice in acquiring a good bike that have reasonable power, good throttle response, good braking, good balance, good control, good ride quality, good build quality and reasonable mileage if ridden within its limits. I am not making a statement that Yamaha FZ is the best bike in its class. Every bike has its on pros and cons. Some say Unis are too good, Some are Pulsar fans, Some say Suzuki GS150R is better and some say HHs are very good, but for an average Indian, he should finalize one. So my humble advice is "Be Proud on what you possess. Don't try show you got the best bike in a useless road race(Oops!!! I think its in the blood of bikers to race, even I did couple of times. but I hate it) as you are risking your life and the hopes of your dear ones. Use Helmet always and other gears also if possible. They are not luxurious items but life saving ones. Service your bike well. Care it well."

I will be updating about its performance above 4500 rpm after first service. I m thinking of completing that in next week and take the bike for a long ride once again to home in 1 month. But this time I hope I can open the throttle more.

UPDATE AFTER 3000 KM

Hi guys, thanks for reading and rating my review. Nowadays I don't have too much time to spend for private browsing. Anyway I decided to update this review as some of our friends asked for updates. I thought I should do it as a my moral duty, for this site helped me a lot in my bike pick. So here it is :-

Now my FZ-S's second service is over and the odo reads some 3200+ KM. To be frank, the bike served me well upto this time. It gave me attention on road, It gave me thrill on opening the throttle with mileage what people will say as below average for a bike of this capacity(40-42 on good ride), 35 on more enjoyable ride with twisting the accelarator. The service was also good. I think they serviced it well, though I noticed a drop in mileage after 1st service. May be the factory settings was too good even for a new engine. Anyway we can't expect high standards of workmanship like in the Yamaha factory. I used to feed my FZ-S mostly with premium brand petrols. Only twice, with some 4 litres, I feeded it with ordinary fuel from Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum. Both that occurred by accident as once I gave my bike to my cousin without mentioning to fill it with premium and on other occassion due to carelessness of filling staff as she unnoticed my voice asking for speed petrol. I used all the premium brands available here in Kerala like Power from HP, Xtra Premium from IOC, Speed from BP.Shell fuel is not available here :(.

I can't explain more about performance, or mileage on using premium petrol, but I thought its good for engine. As I once replied in comments its pretty hard for this bike take speed after 60-65. Till then, you will like you are riding a bigger capacity bike. And bike is no fool proof in vibration department. Minor vibrations develops on footpegs, not noticable on handle. Performance of the bike upto 5000 rpm is very good. above that upto 6000 is good. above 6000 rpm you won't like the bike's performance(sorry I don't like). Never noticed rpm above 6000. my top speed is 80 and I noticed as a pillion, my cousin going past 90 once. That time mileage was a about 35. Now rain started, its a big problem maintaining the open chain. So I bought chain cleaner and chain lube of Wurth(as per advice of Yamaha Service Center). Tried only once. I think its good. I haven't tried motul as many says it is also good. Wurth is some 200 bucks costlier than motul. The bike's stopping power is too good, but use both(more back, less front disk.) The big fat tyre provides very good grip and confidence on cornering, but prone to puncture more. In 3 months my bike's tyre punctured twice and it cost me 175 Rs each time to repair. So be careful. Also check pressure regularly atleast in 3 week. Better don't fill it with nitrogen as it will lower mileage when giving you the luxury of improved ride comfort. I once tried. Refilled with compressed after second puncture. Then what... Ha drive safe, always wear helmet while riding your bike, try to use as much biking gears as possible on rides above 60. I hope my update will help more people out there looking for Yamaha FZ

UPDATE AFTER 10000 KM

My FZ completed carrying me for 10000 KM last month. No real complaints yet. Braking especially front disc is as good as new. FE is 36-38. Pickup very good.