Yamaha FZ X

The Yamaha FZ-X is a bike that garnered a lot of attention when it first launched, mostly because everyone expected the XSR155 to be introduced in India. However, instead, Yamaha gave us the FZ-X, a motorcycle primarily designed for Indian riders. 

At first, some people were a bit let down because they expected something sportier. But after riding the FZ-X for a while, you start to see its charm. It’s not trying to be a super-fast or fancy bike. Instead, it’s made to be simple, good-looking, and really comfortable for everyday use.

Let’s talk about the looks first. The Yamaha FZ-X stands out due to its unique neo-retro design. It draws styling cues from the XSR series, particularly at the front. You’ll notice the round LED headlamp with a DRL ring, the fork covers, the square-shaped fuel tank, and the ribbed seat. All these give it an old-school feel, but at the same time, it still looks cool and modern on the road.

In the updated version, Yamaha added a new navy blue colour with golden alloy wheels. Honestly, it looks great and is probably the best colour option so far. It gives the bike a premium feel. The overall build quality is quite good as well. Everything feels well put together, and the fit and finish are neat. 

Yamaha hasn’t added a ton of flashy stuff, but the FZ-X does get some nice updates. It now comes with full LED lighting, including new LED turn indicators with smoked lenses. They look pretty neat and give the bike a cleaner look. 

The digital LCD screen is also simple and easy to read. It displays your speed, RPM, trip meters, a clock, and a few other features. Even in bright sunlight, it’s clear and easy on the eyes. The big news for the 2023 model is traction control. Yup, you heard that right, a 150cc bike with traction control. 

It’s the same tech you get on the R15 and the new FZ-S. It’s definitely helpful for beginners, especially when riding in the rain or on slippery roads. Yamaha also offers a side-stand engine cut-off and single-channel ABS for added safety during everyday riding.

The Yamaha FZ-X continues to use the same 149cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine found on the FZ series. It makes about 12.23 bhp of power and 13.3 Nm of torque. For city riding, this engine does just fine. It’s refined, smooth, and easy to handle in traffic. 

Moreover, the throttle response is light, the clutch is super soft, and the five-speed gearbox works smoothly. The FZ-X feels really smooth and comfortable when you're riding between 50 and 70 kmph. It's easy to handle and perfect for daily city commuting. When you start going faster, around 90 or 100 kmph, the engine begins to feel a bit strained. 

There are some vibrations on the handlebars and footpegs, and the performance starts to drop. Still, the bike isn’t really meant for high-speed riding. It feels most at home in the city, where it handles traffic well and offers a calm, easy ride.

The FZ-X is a fuel-efficient bike. In city conditions, you can expect around 50-55 kmpl, and on the highway, it might give you slightly less. That means you can easily get a range of over 400km on a full tank, which is quite practical for daily use.
 

The bike also comes with Yamaha’s Y-Connect app. It allows you to connect your phone to the bike and provides alerts for calls, messages, service reminders, and even your last parked location. It’s a cool feature, though it would have been nice to have turn-by-turn navigation as well.

This is where the FZ-X really shines. It’s a very comfortable bike. The seat is wide, soft, and well-cushioned, which is perfect for both the rider and the pillion passenger. The riding posture is upright, the handlebar is slightly pulled back, and the footpegs are in a neutral position. This means you can ride it for extended periods without feeling tired.

Even the suspension is tuned well. It’s on the softer side, which makes it good for dealing with potholes and rough roads. Whether it’s speed bumps or broken city streets, the bike handles them without throwing you around. There’s a slight firmness at the rear, but it doesn’t make the ride uncomfortable.

The FZ-X is easy to handle. It weighs about 139kg, which isn’t too heavy, so you can flick it around easily in traffic. It feels stable in corners. Moreover, the dual-purpose tyres give it a slightly rugged look, but grip levels are more suited to city use than aggressive riding.

 The front brake has decent bite, but you need to pull the lever hard to achieve full stopping power. The rear brake feels progressive, which is nice for city riding. Still, a dual-channel ABS setup would have been better, especially since some rivals now offer it.

The Yamaha FZ-X is priced at around Rs 1.36 lakh (ex-showroom), which is more than some other 150cc bikes. It costs more than the FZ-S and is slightly cheaper than the FZ25, which offers better highway performance.
 

If you're looking for a stylish and comfortable bike for daily use and short weekend rides, the FZ-X is a solid choice. It’s not built for speed, but it looks great, rides smoothly, and now comes with cool features like traction control, LED lights, and Bluetooth. While dual-channel ABS and a gear indicator would’ve been nice, the FZ-X still offers good value overall.