Yamaha FZ-S Fi Expert Review

The Yamaha FZ-S Fi Hybrid retains the familiar muscular streetfighter design of the FZ, with no major styling changes apart from new colours and refreshed indicators. Build quality is mostly very good. This variant gets an exclusive grey and blue colour scheme, blue detailing on the engine case, new switchgear and a new TFT display. There is, however, a noticeable gap between the seat and tank that exposes part of the cylinder head.
The new 4.2-inch full-colour TFT is a major upgrade over the older LCD. It is crisp and easy to read, and supports Bluetooth connectivity through Yamaha’s Y-Connect app. It also offers turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS alerts, phone battery status, last parking location and malfunction notifications.

The FZ-S offers a relaxed, upright riding position that works well for city commuting and short highway rides. The flat, spacious seat is adequately padded for both rider and pillion. The 790mm seat height and 138kg kerb weight also make the bike easy to manage in traffic. The footpeg position is well judged, creating a comfortable riding triangle with a slight sporty feel.

The 149cc air-cooled engine produces 12.4hp and 13.3Nm. The Smart Motor Generator assists the crankshaft at low rpm, but its operation is difficult to feel. Performance is similar to the older FZ-S, with no real gains from the hybrid system.
The engine is smooth and refined, with very little vibration and linear power delivery. It works well up to around 80kph, but feels strained beyond that. Overall, its performance feels closer to a quick 125cc bike than a 150cc or 160cc motorcycle.
The start/stop system works particularly well, restarting quickly and quietly. Autocar India's testing recorded 51.64kpl in the city and 48.20kpl on the highway.

The FZ-S is easy to handle in the city, thanks to light steering, a tight turning radius and good balance. However, the firm suspension compromises comfort over rough roads. High-speed stability is decent, while the brakes offer progressive and confidence-inspiring performance.

The bike gets LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation and several connected features. Single-channel ABS is standard, along with traction control. However, the review notes that dual-channel ABS would have been a more valuable safety feature.

The FZ-S Fi Hybrid costs  more than the standard FZ-S. It offers better fuel economy and more technology, but the its price is steep considering its performance. Overall, it is a good-looking, refined and feature-rich city commuter, but buyers who do not value the TFT and start/stop system can consider a more affordable FZ variant.