Yamaha FZ25 Review
Bike Tested: Yamaha FZ25; Road Test No. 843; Test Location: South Goa, Delhi, Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,38,726/-
The Yamaha FZ25 is the best street naked bike which has a great VFM quotient
If we look at history, it has been Yamaha which has given us performance bikes ahead of the competition. Be it the RD 350 or the R15 and lately the R3, Yamaha has stamped its authority in almost every segment as far as performance goes. But there was one area where they were lacking, the 200-250cc segment where they have finally entered with the FZ25. An India specific model which doesn’t wow you on paper, but in the real world, things turn out to be quite different.
The Yamaha FZ25 has the proportionate street fighter design
Styling – The Yamaha FZ25 for a normal Indian is a FZ look-a-like but it takes most of its design cues from the elder FZ, the FZ09. The headlamp design, the tank cowl and the rear tail-lamp, everything comes mostly from the FZ09. However one might even grab some resemblance of the rear LED tail-lamp to the one on the Apache 200. The front tri-LED unit is very small compared to the overall size of the bike but works just fine giving decent illumination on the road. The overall looks speak out bold and tough and to add to it is the fat MRF rubber on the 10-spoke alloy wheels to do the job. The short exhaust design is taken exactly from the younger FZ siblings.
The all new digital console on the Yamaha FZ25 is pretty small
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – The switchgear on the FZ25 is different from the current FZ siblings. The right switchgear includes a single engine kill switch, all thanks to AHO, while the one on the left is a normal unit. The quality of switchgear is pretty good considering there are changes done for cost saving. The console is also an all new digital unit which is also pretty small considering the overall dimensions. Although the console is new, it misses out on a gear position indicator. However, it displays fuel efficiency which is new with the two trip meters, odometer and clock over the toggle of a switch which is inconvenient as you can’t see trip and time together.
Neither upright nor too leaned in, the posture is just perfect
Ergonomics – Yet the ergonomics stay typical to the FZ series, the wide rider and pillion seat make it interesting. Finally, a pillion won’t complain when sitting on the FZ25. Although the seat is wide the cushioning is a little hard, one might only complain after hours of continuous riding. The riding posture isn’t completely upright and requires very less effort getting on or off the bike even for a short rider. To keep the macho manly look alive and give it good fuel capacity at 14-liters, the tank is pretty wide for its size and this might bug the rider sometimes. The position of the handlebar too is pretty decent, neither too close not too far from the rider.
The low-end performance of the FZ25 is so strong that it just lifts
Performance – The heart of the matter is a 249cc oil and air cooled motor with fuel injection. Churning out 20.6 BHP of power at 8000 RPM and 20 Nm of torque at an early 6000 RPM gives the FZ25 a very friendly and extended mid-range. The numbers might feel small on paper but out on the road, the grunt from the butter smooth engine is enough to handle quick city maneuvers and highway overtakes. 0-100 km/hr comes up in just 9.89 seconds, making it faster than both the 200cc Indian bikes with which it competes. Out of experience, the mid-range of the FZ25 is the strongest of any other 250cc motorcycle in the Indian market. However, the FZ25 feels a little out of breath once pushed closer to its 10,000 RPM redline. The levels of refinement from this 250cc motor is insane and the vibrations are close to none even in the top-end.
The performance on road is adequate enough to burn some rubber
The Yamaha FZ25 has a very bassy note and sounds really good on road
The electronic fuel injection works like a gem and with BlueCore technology, the FZ25 is capable enough to return astonishing mileage figures. About 32-35 km/l in the city and over 37 km/l on the highway, this Yamaha is a mile muncher. The 5-speed gearbox is slightly disappointing as a 6-speed unit could have had a huge impact on the performance on the highway but as the FZ25 is more of a powerful city machine, the precise shifts from the gearbox help a lot. While riding in the city with a slightly heavy clutch isn’t much of a problem as the gear shifts would be less considering the mid-range grunt is readily available at the flick of the throttle.
The feedback from the brakes is really good on the Yamaha FZ25
Riding Dynamics – The Yamaha FZ25 feels a little heavy at 148 kgs of kerb weight, it still has the characteristics of the FZ series as it continues to have the diamond frame, making it fun to ride around the corners. The feedback from the handlebar is enough to keep the rider engaged when the bike is being flicked around the twisties. The FZ25 stays sure footed along the straights while the weight distribution allows easy switching of lean angles without much efforts. The tyres are of similar spec as on the other FZ sibling. However, the rear tyre is slightly different and it’s the same one from the Yamaha R3. These tyres offer really good grip and feedback in calm as well as fast riding.
Keeping in control is very easy on the Yamaha FZ25
Comfortable in the city and eager on the highway, the FZ25 is a blend of both
The brakes on the Yamaha FZ25 are both discs to ensure proper braking feedback, however, there is no option for ABS. The initial bite is really good, at 282 mm, the front disc is slightly bigger than the FZ siblings and the 220 mm rear disc adds on to the better braking performance. The suspension is however slightly stiffer for better handling but has a soft spot for better ride quality. Overall the balance of ride quality and handling is very well maintained, the rider wouldn’t complain in any situation.
The best street-fighter naked bike available on a budget
Verdict – The Yamaha FZ25 isn’t a machine for every person, however, it’s for the mature audience looking out for everyday practicality and wouldn’t want to miss out on fun on the weekends. The FZ25 fits right in between the younger FZ siblings and the sporty R15. This quarter-litre Japanese motorcycle is a perfect upgrade for current FZ owners while it’s also a great learning tool for new riders. With the macho styling, smooth and powerful engine and with a perfect blend of ride and handling, Yamaha has got an appealing product which is also high on the value for money quotient.
The tri-LED headlamp is unique and one to talk about
What’s Cool
* Excellent performance, amazing refinement and sounds really good
* Comfortable ergonomics with perfect blend of ride and handling
* Great build quality with perfect value for money proposition
What’s Not So Cool
* Doesn’t get ABS even as an option
* 6-speed gearbox is purely missed on the FZ25
* Overall styling is new but does not really stand out in the crowd
The Yamaha FZ25 is a capable motorcycle to go places
Yamaha FZ25 Specifications
* Engine: 249cc, 2-valved, single-cylinder, air-oil cooled, SOHC
* Power: 20.6 BHP @ 8000 RPM
* Torque: 20 Nm @ 6000 RPM
* Transmission: 5-speed
* 0-100 km/hr: 9.89 seconds
* Top Speed: 134 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 34-38 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Diamond frame
* Suspension: 44mm Telescopic Forks (Front), Mono-Suspension (Rear)
* Tyres: 100/80/17 (Front), 140/70/17 (Rear)
* Brakes: 282 mm Disc (Front), 220 mm Disc (Rear)
Yamaha FZ25 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height (mm): 2015 x 770 x 1075
* Wheelbase: 1360 mm
* Ground Clearance: 160 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 14-litres
* Kerb weight: 148 kgs