2018 Yamaha Fazer & FZ-S motorcycles gain upgrades & features

The 2018 model year Yamaha FZ-S FI and Fazer FI fuel injected motorcycles have gained a key, new feature: the rear disc brake. The rear disc brake is expected to offer better stopping power to both these bikes, making them safer to ride. The FZ-S FI has been launched, and is priced at Rs. 86,042, ex-showroom Delhi.

Under normal usage, disc brakes don’t suffer from brake fade like drum brakes, and this gives the rider more consistent braking over a longer period of time. However, the rear disc brake is likely to increase maintenance costs marginally as disc pads cost more to replace than drum pads, when worn out.

Apart from the rear disc brake option, the bikes have also received a host of other upgrades. New paint schemes, split seats, a new headlamp design, revised instrument control with LCD multi function digital display, refreshed tail lamps, refreshed rear-end design and attractive decals are the various other changes on the 2018 editions of the Yamaha FZ-S and Fazer. These hugely popular naked commuter Yamahas continue to operate without mechanical changes. The engine is the 149cc, fuel injected four stroke, single cylinder unit.

Air cooled, the engine makes 13.1 PS of peak power and 12.8 Nm of peak torque. Both bikes use grippy tubeless tyres at the front and the rear, and this gives them good stability in the corners. In fact, the FZ twins are the best handling 150cc bikes in their segment, and the chassis they use feels like it can handle a lot more power than just 13 odd Bhp.

The FZ-S and Fazer are Yamaha’s best selling motorcycles. In fact, the FZ (known as the FZ16 back then) was first launched in India during 2009, and is responsible for the Japanese two wheeler giant staging a huge comeback into the Indian market. The 2018 models will aim to take this glorious history further.