2013 Yamaha FZ8  Featured

2013 Yamaha FZ8 Review

2013 Yamaha FZ8

 

Does it all. Amazingly Well.

The revised 2013 Yamaha FZ8 features both compression and rebound damping adjustability on the new front fork, while the new shock now features both preload and compression damping adjustability, as well as a stiffer spring. In addition, new fuel injection settings provide a sportier engine feeling, quicker revving power charater, and more direct and linear feeling from the throttle to the rear wheel.

 

Combining sports performance and aggressive naked styling, with all day riding comfort, the 2013 Yamaha FZ8 is a special breed of motorcycle. Thanks to its upright riding position and comfortable ergonomics, the word practical comes to mind. But don’t confuse practical with dull. It delivers solid performance and handling thanks to its 779cc inline four engine and new adjustable suspension front and rear. If you are a sport oriented rider the 2013 FZ8 is a great value.

 

Practicality Plus

The motorcycle world is becoming more highly specialized by the day.

 

Special niche models are popping up everywhere. Unfortunately, most of us can only afford one bike. The FZ8 is a brilliant “all-rounder” with an upright riding position that brings fun and excitement to each and every ride. It is ready to slice its way through the “twisties”, cruise the back roads in comfort and style or make that daily commute a bunch more enjoyable. For 2013 we have added a more stylish muffler and a new adjustable suspension system front and back. The FZ8 is the ultimate everyday sport bike.

The Purest of Thrills

 

Only a fool challenges the FZ8. Because the R-series derived high-performance engine is built to outrun anything in the class. And the sophisticated Deltabox chassis and high-specification braking system give this mean and moody fighter the egde over the rest.

 

A wave of brutal low to mid-range torque makes for awesome acceleration. And when the needle heads towards the red line it is time to hold on tight!

Slicing through mountain passes or powering along the highway, the ultra-light aluminium Deltabox chassis delivers razor-sharp handling with solid high-speed stability. And with new adjustable front and rear suspension, you can dial in the ideal set up

The FZ8-series is based on the idea of a high-performance all-rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports ride.

These dynamic new sports machines are built on a new 779cc engine and all-aluminium frame. The engine offers a balance of middleweight accessibility with big-bore power and instant grunt throughout the rev range. FZ8 steers fast and effortlessly, and handles with surefooted confidence – whether it’s cranked right over on a tight, smooth corner or slicing its way through traffic on a congested commute.

The naked FZ8 is a machine with attitude. Muscular, aggressive design gives onlookers a hint of this bike’s serious intentions. Sitting between the entry level XJ6 series and big bore FZ1s, the FZ8 is a pure expression of performance and quality craftsmanship desinged for riders who appreciate an optimum blend of power, weight and size.

 2013 Yamaha FZ8 Key Features

Fuel Consumption ± 16.5kpl/47mpg(Imp); 39 US MPG

real world comfort & upright ergonomics

adjustable suspension front & rear

FZ8: awesome performance with all-round ability

High-powered 779cc inline 4-cylinder engine

Instant torque meets slingshot horsepower

Light and rigid aluminium Deltabox frame

Radical new muffler designSupersport performance with naked good looks

R-series DNA in the engine and frame

Class-leading braking system

New-for-2013 adjustable suspension

ABS available as an option

The 779cc engine combines advanced top end components, including ceramic-composite-coated cylinders and forged aluminum pistons, with a carefully optimized crankshaft to deliver the perfect power curve and torquey performance character for this category.

The FZ8 fills the gap for sport riders who feel a 600cc is too small and a 1000cc is too big.

Muscular, naked bike styling gives an aggressive, mass-forward stance. This bike screams attitude.

Comfortable, upright riding position with a compact design that contributes to the bike’s first-rate handling. This bike simply excels, both in the morning commute and on that spirited weekend ride on a twisty back country road.

Cast aluminum frame and Controlled-Fill aluminum die-cast swingarm is lightweight and provides the ideal rigidity balance for outstanding cornering performance.

 2013 Yamaha FZ8 Features and Benefits

ENGINE

•779cc, DOHC, 16 valve (4-valves/cyl), liquid-cooled, 40 degree inclined, inline-four cylinder engine. The engine has been tuned to provide plenty of low to mid-range torque with strong yet linear throttle response. Redline is set at 11,500 rpm and features a “soft” rev limiter to protect the engine.

•Pistons, cylinder, cylinder head, cams, valves and crankshaft are unique to the FZ8. Most other engine components are shared with the FZ1.

•Compact “Pent roof” combustion chamber design features 4-valves per cylinder and a 12:1 compression ratio for excellent torque feeling. Four valves per cylinder enhances the low to midrange torque.

•Pistons, cylinder, cylinder head, cams, valves and crankshaft are unique to the FZ8. Most other engine components are shared with the FZ1.

• Intake valves are 26mm in diameter while the exhaust valves are 22mm. The valve angle is set at 26 degrees to keep the combustion chamber compact

•Crankshaft inertial mass has been optimized to achieve strong torque over a broad rpm range as well as fast throttle response.

• “Fracture split” connecting rods are carburized for extra strength and use a nut less design. The lower end “cap” of the rod is made from the same piece of material as the upper portion; this design is known as “fracture splitting”. This design aids in establishing true big end roundness and greater precision in con rod dimensions for excellent durability despite the high horsepower loads.

•Ceramic composite cylinder “bores” are a “liner less” design with the ceramic coating sprayed directly on the aluminum block. This coating enhances the thin film of oil between the cylinder and piston which reduces friction and increases power. Other important benefits include; excellent heat dissipation for consistent power delivery and reduced weight since there are no heavy liners.

• Short skirt, lightweight forged pistons. Lightweight design aids in fast engine response and reduced engine weight. During the forging process, the aluminum is heated to the point where it can be shaped under pressure in a die but not to the point that it melts. By not melting the aluminum, the material stays stronger and hence can be lighter with excellent durability.

•Lightweight, hollow intake and exhaust camshafts provide incredible horsepower and fast engine response. Cam profiles and the cam timing are designed to enhance low to midrange power and torque.

•Inline 4 cylinder crankshaft is based on the FZ1 design.

•Automatic hydraulic cam chain tensioner reduces both maintenance and mechanical engine noise.

•Mikuni “sub throttle valve” fuel injection system is based on the FZ1 design, featuring 35mm throttle bodies fitted with T.P.S. (Throttle Position Sensor). This style of fuel injection uses sub throttle valves in addition to the main valves to further control the intake airflow. The sub valves optimize the intake volumetric efficiency at all rpms and are powered by a stepping motor that is controlled by the ECU. The key benefit is excellent “ride ability” and throttle response.

•This is a closed loop fuel injection system, with an oxygen sensor that monitors the amount of oxygen in the spent exhaust gases and adjusts the fuel -air mixture via the ECU and FI system for maximum performance with minimum emissions. The benefits of fuel injection include choke-free starting, steady idling during warm up, excellent fuel economy, and reduced emissions. The oxygen sensor is located before the muffler, so the use of slip-on mufflers will not affect this system.

•The injectors are sequential high dynamic range type featuring 4 holes and a dual directional spray pattern for excellent power and a linear throttle response across the entire rev range.

•The fuel injection’s lightweight Electronic Control Unit (ECU) utilizes a powerful 32-bit processor for fast control of the injection process. The compact design also reduces weight.

•7.8 litre air box features different intake funnel lengths for the inner (150mm) and outer (125mm) cylinders. The benefit is a wide torque curve. A high flow, paper type air filter is utilized.

•R1 inspired “stacked” 3-axis gearbox / clutch design stacks input/output shafts to centralize mass and keeps overall engine size shorter front to back. As a result, the stacked design gives the engineers the freedom to place the engine in the frame for optimum front to rear weight balance and thereby maximizing handling performance.