Read what the motorcycle press has to say about their experiences on the new 2011 FZ8. Excerpts used by permission from these magazines and websites.
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2011 Yamaha FZ8
". . .the FZ8 is so sweet to get off the line that it could be the grounds for a marketing campaign itself! A feathery-light clutch pull, slick shifting action and spot-on fuel mapping combine with impressively low vibes for a super-fluid feel when casually cruising through town or droning on the freeway at midrange revs.”
". . .the FZ8 is an excellent step-up machine that bridges the gap between entry-level and more-expensive-to-purchase-and-insure-liter-class-and-larger models."
"The 779cc FZ8 slots in nicely between its FZ siblings in both displacement and price, while also blending handling agility with very smooth and versatile power delivery. The result is a bike that convincingly captures the middle ground. And, at an MSRP of $8490, it may also become the logical choice for value-minded buyers in the class."
"Smooth throttle response, little drive-line lash, nimble handling and ample steering lock add up to excellent low-speed maneuverability and a very pleasant city riding experience." |
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Back in Black
"Clutch pull is light, the transmission shifts smoothly and the gear ratios are perfect for a naked sportbike. The brakes are very strong without feeling abrupt."
"The FZ8 has no rough edges. There is enough power to excite but not so much it'll evacuate your bowels. The stainless steel 4-2-1 exhaust has a mild, pleasant sound. It's very maneuverable in tight turns, flicks side-to-side easily and adjusts line effortlessly..."
". . .the FZ8's engine felt incredibly smooth and well-balanced, with power delivery as linear as a hypotenuse.”
"The 2011 Yamaha FZ8 is a hoot. Looking oh-so fast and menacing in its black-on-black on-black attire, the FZ8 is comfortable, peppy and responsive. When revved up, it howls like a wolf in heat after munching on horny goat weed. And for $8,490, it's a steal." |
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First Impression – Yamaha’s New FZ 8
“The new FZ 8 is a truly fun ride that’s versatile enough to serve as an enthusiast’s only bike; both an able commuter and a real back-road terror whenever its rider needs a jolt of speed to see through a fog of humdrum existence.” |
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2011 Yamaha FZ8: MD First Ride
"The FZ8 has excellent fuel injection with very little snatch, or abruptness, when opening the throttle. The power delivery is very linear and smooth, and comes on remarkably low for an inline four."
"A lower first gear, and a lower final drive ratio, complete the mix of attributes that make the FZ8 very comfortable at street rpm levels."
"The nimbleness of the FZ8 is coupled with outstanding straight-line stability. The bike tracks where it is pointed without any argument, encouraging a very light touch on the bars."
"We had a blast carving extremely tight, twisty tarmac in the hills above Malibu where the FZ8 turned in quickly, but held its line through bumpy corners. . . there was good feedback from the front end and confidence at significant lean angles. In short, the FZ8 is a blast through the canyons."
“Overall, the FZ8 is a polished, refined package with a unique engine displacement that offers a much more usable powerband for street riding than supersport 600s. Even though it lacks the peak power of a full 1,000, and the FZ8 wont’ win many drag races, it might deliver you to the end of that twisty canyon road more quickly than the full supersports ridden by your friends. At the same time, it offers comfortable, upright ergonomics and, in our opinion, attractive styling.”
"The six-speed transmission shifted well, and reliably, and the R1/R6 derived brake calipers (earlier generation) offered strong, predictable braking that was very difficult to fault."
". . .it offers comfortable, upright ergonomics and, in our opinion, attractive styling." |
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First Ride: 2011 Yamaha FZ8
"The FZ8 loves the twisties - the tighter the better. The combination of robust bottom-end, excellent gearing, agile handling and comfortable riding position, makes this bike feel right at home on any curvy back road.”
"Even thought the FZ8 has the same 32.1-inch seat height as the FZ1, the seat/tank junction is narrower, making it easier for your feet to touch the ground and giving it that smaller, more confident-inspiring feel, which is something you'll really appreciate for around-town, stop-and-go riding."
". . .we feel the FZ8 is simply a great choice for anyone wanting to have an affordable, practical, sporty and just plain fun bike to ride on the street."
". . .the FZ8 does feel incredibly light and agile, especially up front. Steering is so light, in fact, that front end doesn’t even feel like it's there!"
"You won't wear yourself out shifting this bike, nor will stopping for fuel. Fuel capacity is 4.49 gallons, which we are told will get you a little over 200 miles between fill-ups, so you can spend the whole day back in the hills."
"The 310x4.5mm front and 267.5mm Sumitomo disc brakes are extremely effective an offer excellent feel, adding to the FZ8's experience."
"The end result is an extremely easy-to-manage motor that should please a wide range of riders, from the novice to the well-experienced rider. Neither will be disappointed. Power is smooth yet abundant. While it pulls nicely way down low, the fun really starts happening around the 6000 rpm mark, that's when you feel a noticeable surge of power start to build, and it's the kind of rush of power that won't intimidate you but will certainly put a smile on your face." |
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2011 Yamaha FZ8 First Ride
"We found no fault with the gearing, the low first gear praiseworthy for allowing riders to creep along at low speeds without clutch finesse and little to no throttle modulation."
"The FZ8's $8490 MSRP beats its direct competitors and falls under that imposing 10K mark by a full $1500.”
"Instrumentation is simple and easy to read, with our favorite perks like a gear position indicator absent but not missed. As bikes get more and more complicated the simplicity is refreshing."
"At an attractive price, the Yamaha FZ8 delivers value and fun in the saddle."
"Get up to speed and the FZ8 turns in and transitions without much effort at the controls, the front-end light and intuitive when the road kinks up."
"Smaller riders noted the FZ8 dimensions were easy to handle and not intimidating, and taller riders didn't feel overbearing on the new model."
"All told the FZ8 is a fun bike to ride and an exciting new middleweight option from Yamaha."
"Well-suited to a bike pitched as a step-up model, the engine's broad powerband has something for all skill levels. The low end churns out ample, yet manageable power, complemented by a forgiving throttle input.”
"Squeeze the throttle between 6 and 9K and riders had best have firm grip on the controls, because it hauls. Fueling across the powerband is immediate without being abrupt, a very tricky formula to master." |
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Hitting The Sweet Spot: Yamaha's All-New Multi-Tasking FZ8
"The engine loved to spin up as much as we liked to make it spin. Around here, it doesn't leave you asking for more, but nor did we consider it intimidating."
"After 130 miles of derestricted seat time aboard Yamaha's mid-size naked, we left the Santa Monica mountains with the impression that this is what motorcycling is, and if it isn't, it certainly should be."
"It will make a great commuter, an agile tourer, and it's equally at home sporting your favorite canyon roads. Not to mention, $8,490 buys a perfect transition from lightweight to open-class motorcycle."
"This Yamaha hits the sweet spot."
"After 5,000rpm and ascending to 9,000rpm, the middleweight shows its serious lightweight-topping advantage with a broad power delivery and decent amount of torque."
"As for speed, Yamaha did a great job with this 779cc package, and it already goes as fast as it looks. The engine reacts to throttle inputs with instant, yet easily controlled response."
"Indeed, we were impressed with the FZ8's performance. Its upright riding position offers the pilot ample leverage at the bar, while the rubber-mounted footpegs damp vibration and position the rider's legs with a less acute bend at the knees." |
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“In fact, the new FZ8 is a hoot to ride. It’s smooth at pretty much all engine speeds, and offers a refined cruising experience with a pleasantly restrained hum coming from the unusual twin-nostril exhaust canister. As the revs rise, the induction noise increases perceptibly as a kind of nasal snort, providing an appropriate soundtrack for fast riding.”
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“Whether trolling down the highway, or bending through canyon S-curves in mile after undulating mile, the setup works.” |
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