Yamaha is known to update its products quite frequently. Let it be colours, features or mechanically. Mechanical changes are usually caused by public demand and other changes are carried on many areas of the motorcycle. The R15 V2.0 was the perfect example. People wanted a more stunning looking motorcycle and Yamaha went ahead and did it. The case is the same with the FZ too. While everybody was happy with the package and styling, people wanted more power and torque from the same chassis and if possible a bigger engine too. Yamaha had replied at the 2014 Auto Expo with the Version 2.0 Concept of the FZ and now time has come where Yamaha has started testing it too.
Slated for a launch this festive season or early 2015, the Yamaha FZ with a bigger heart and subtle changes has been spotted testing several times without camouflage. The FZ gets split seats, new grab rails, exhaust, headlight and air intake scoops. On the steel side of things, the chassis and suspension remains the same in terms of looks. Obviously if it gets more power, it would have different spring and damping rates. However, since the 153cc variant had overly done chassis and suspension, expect this to have minuscule changes to it. A rear disc brake could be an option. After all, rivals have it as standard. The motorcycle being tested here is the one with drum brakes at the rear.
Possible chances of a 180cc-190cc engine cannot be ruled out. Producing around 17-18 BHP of power and 15-16 Nm of torque which will put it against motorcycles like the TVS Apache 180, Bajaj Pulsar 180 and Hero Karizma R. Unfortunately it is the Apache which is going to be the main competition as the other two bikes are on a verge of discontinuation or getting serious updates. Expected to be priced just under a shade of Rs. 90,000/- (ex-showroom, Delhi), the FZ18 should be value for money. Let’s wait and watch as this segment is about to get heated up with the top end of the spectrum already being talk of enthusiasts town.
Source – NDTV Auto
