2017 Yamaha FZ-10 – First Look Review

 

The all-new Yamaha FZ-10 is based on the latest-generation YZF-R1 sportbike.
The all-new Yamaha FZ-10 is based on the latest-generation YZF-R1 sportbike.

When the original FZ-1 was introduced back in 2001, it offered most of the ground-breaking YZF-R1’s liter-class sportbike performance in a more comfortable, less expensive package. Over the years the FZ-1 was updated and refined—a complete overhaul for 2006 earned it Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year award—but recently it had gotten long in the tooth and slipped quietly from Yamaha’s lineup last year.

When an all-new YZF-R1 debuted for 2015—along with the higher-spec YZF-R1M—many enthusiasts rubbed their hands together in greedy anticipation of the next-gen FZ-1 that would surely follow.

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Read our first look review of the 2015 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M

Say hello to the FZ-10.

(Yes, the model name has sprouted an extra numeral, presumably to be consistent with the naming conventions for its smaller sibilings, the FZ-07 and FZ-09.)

2017 Yamaha FZ-10 in Armor Gray
2017 Yamaha FZ-10 in Armor Gray

Once you get past the very aggressive, mechanical styling that will invariably draw comparisons to Transformers robots—one thing is for sure, the FZ-10 will not be confused with other motorcycles—you’ll find one heckuva performance package stuffed inside.

The FZ-10’s CP4 crossplane crankshaft 998cc in-line four-cylinder engine, frame, swingarm and suspension are all based on the latest-generation YZF-R1. The engine has been retuned for low to mid-range torque, but it should still deliver blistering acceleration. It has the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle (YCC-T) ride-by-wire system with D-Mode riding modes (A, STD and B), as well as standard traction control, cruise control and ABS.

2017 Yamaha FZ-10 in Matt Raven Black
2017 Yamaha FZ-10 in Matt Raven Black

Upright ergonomics should offer more all-day comfort than your typical sportbike, though the FZ-1’s partial fairing and windscreen are gone. There’s just a small flyscreen instead, which puts the new FZ-10 in the crowded, highly competitive pure naked bike category.

Fully adjustable suspension, high-end radial-mount brakes, Bridgestone Hypersport S20 tires, LED lighting and an all-LCD instrument panel round out what looks to be a very impressive package.

The 2017 Yamaha FZ-10 will be available in late June 2016 for $12,999, in either Armor Gray or Matt Raven Black.

10 COMMENTS

  1. $13,000 seems like a lot of money to spend for this type bike. That’s a lot of dough for a fast bike with not much else to offer. If it was under $10,000 it would make more sense and they would probably sell bucket loads of’em. But who knows? Perhaps there’s a huge crowd that wants near R-1 performance with a sit-up-and-beg riding position.

    • As opposed to the sit-up-and-bark-like-a-seal riding position that I see all these wannabe racers doing on sportbikes that were built for the track and not the street. They can’t take the bend-over-and-take-it-like-in-Deliverance riding position for more than an hour. You want to toss around stupid insults, go ahead. At least mine are actual facts.

  2. “Freakin’ Ugly” came immediately to mind. It’s so ugly I wouldn’t even read an article about it because I’d never ever consider buying one … what is Yamaha thinking? Please hire a stylist, Yamaha, and fire whoever created this abomination.

  3. I like it! I’m waiting to test ride it before I open my check book though. As a side note I have a cruiser, a super sport, and a sport standard bike already and I really do like the power and handling with the riding position bikes like the FZ10 offer. Maybe this bike will be my fourth option when I want to ride?

  4. I will have to see how it looks in person. The FJ-09 is butt ugly in the photos but on the showroom floor it was kinda OK. Not completely butt ugly but close. I still like the styling of the FZ-09 but the rest of these styles aren’t doing much for me.

  5. Price seems to be in there with other performance standards like BMW’s S1000R, and Triumph’s Speed Triple. Design is busy and ‘transformerish’, but may look better in person. I’d say with a fender eliminator and sport shield it should make for a fun daily driver.

  6. I like the styling (however, I’m a fan of naked style bikes). The gunmetal grey is badass. I also like the idea of having an R1 engine that is more “street friendly”. Nice bike, I’d like to see it and ride it before I would take a 13k splurge. I’d consider it for a second bike (first is my FJR1300)

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