A different concept which was later followed by many in the industry, 11 straight years, a bike so popular that it now enters into the 3^rd generation. Welcome to the Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review By Team BikeBD.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review By Team BikeBD

When Yamaha FZS was launched back in 2008 in India it raised many eye brows. First, because the motorcycle was fitted with 140 section rear tyre, which at that moment was the first 150 cc motorcycle to be fitted with a tyre of that size in its segment. Having a bigger tyre increases drag, which decreases acceleration, mileage, and top speed but Yamaha wanted to concentrate more on handling and braking of the bike rather than performance. Upon coming in Bangladesh we found out that this motorcycle has one of the best leaning angles of any motorcycle at that time and not to mention the sublime comfort of riding the motorcycle on the highway.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review - Engine and Performance

Yamaha has a tag line of Revs Your Heart & the engine is the heart of the bike which they haven’t changed but made a small tweak. The 150cc air-cooled Fi engine now produces 13 BHP @ 8000 RPM & 12.8 NM of Torque @ 6000 RPM. The engine is mated with a smooth 5-speed gearbox.

Click Here For Yamaha FZS FI V3 Video Review

The engine is very smooth thanks to the Fi (Fuel Injected) system of the motorcycle. They also gave some low-end torque to this motorcycle so now you can feel that the acceleration of the motorcycle from 0-80 kmph is slightly better than the older version. The engine produces some vibrations around 6500 rpm & it can be felt on the handlebar of the bike and some on the footpeg while the rev counter crosses 7000 RPM.

On the highway on any emergency overtaking you need to be slightly careful as unlike some bikes, the engine doesn’t give an instant boost. During our testing, we managed to achieve a top speed of 117 kmph & mileage feedback of 40 km/l in the city while on the highway that figure went up to 45 km/l. This engine is very sensitive to bad quality fuel; you have to make sure that you always carry the best quality fuel for the bike. 

Also Read: Yamaha 150cc Price in BD

The new speedometer is nice to look at night time but needed more illumination at night time.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review - Features

They added light switch gears from Yamaha R15 V3, so the pass light is in an awkward position which will take time to get used to. They added  LED headlight, negative LED new speedometer, under engine cowl for keeping the mud and dust away from the engine, chrome duct plating, new midship muffler cover, tyre guard & comfortable new level seat  where the pillion seat now has 16% larger surface area with 26 mm wider in the hip area & 5 mm thicker for added comfort.

Adding comfort to the pillion seat Yamaha also added a new grab rail which is a single unit but now has a bigger arch. All those changes made the bike 5 kg heavier then version 2 but you won’t notice it while riding it. The ignition key is now attached to the fuel tank. The bike is now bigger with added fuel cover on the side of the engine the new design is bulkier, so they have to raise the handlebar of the bike. It didn’t mess around with the overall riding posture of the bike which is still very comfortable.

Also Read: Gazipur Showroom in Gazipur, Dhaka.

Now the 13-liter fuel tank has metal chrome plating on the air scoop on the side of the fuel tank which, the air scoop helps channel the air into the engine to keep providing it cooling while the bike is moving. The LED headlight has better illumination then I was expecting as it is an LED They could have spent a bit more time to make the rear of the bike better.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review - Brakes and Suspension

Most people LOVED the Yamaha FZS Fi V3 for the added single-channel ABS which is fitted with the front wheels of the bike. Adding front & rear disc brake with single-channel ABS now made the braking of the bike picture perfect.

Also Read: Yamaha Scooter Price In BD

The only other single-channel ABS-equipped bike we tested was the KTM Duke 125, that bike in wet weather when applied medium to hard braking the rear used to slide a lot but when tested the version 3 in the rain during Eid holidays we found at speed around 80 kmph (keeping optimum tyre pressure) the rear of the bike doesn’t slide thanks to the rear tyres & chassis setup.

As for the suspensions, the front as always is sublime while the rear stays hard initially and it softens down after 2000 km of ride. The rear mono-shock suspension now has 120 mm wheel travels which help the bike balance under braking. Sometimes carrying a heavy pillion can be a spot of bother as then if you hit the potholes you might find the ride a bit uncomfortable.

The riding posture of the bike is still upright and very comfortable whether you are riding in the city or on the highway. Although the turning radius of the bike isn’t the world's best in the segment but thanks to its braking, chassis & suspensions the comfort level is one of the best in the segment. Whether on city or on the highway you can lean the bike and touch the footpeg of the bike with lots of confidence, first the rear suspensions & then 140 section rear tyres back you up to do so but even if you make a mess of it because the bike is light you can pick up the bike easily and with the help of ABS you can stop the bike before you hit a tree given by that time you are still on the tarmac.

 When we tested Yamaha FZS Fi V2 2 years back there were two big complaints about the bike in the first lot, firstly the build quality & then the chain, thankfully Yamaha didn’t let those issues come in Yamaha FZS Fi V3. All FZS comes with Matt color options and during our testing, in the rain, we found no rusting issues in any place while the bike now comes with seal chain so the chain doesn’t loosen up every now and then.

Click Here For Yamaha FZS FI V2 Review

Currently, all Yamaha FZS Fi V3 coming in Bangladesh are coming in CBU condition where they have to pay a high tax of 153 %, hence the price of the bike is high too, 295,000 BDT! I would love to see ACI Motors Ltd soon bringing CKD version of the bike where they have to pay less tax & the price of the bike will also come down by a good margin.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review - PRO: 

• Smooth engine thanks to the Fi
• Single Channel ABS gives very good stability.
• Cornering ability
• Finishing and build quality
• Suspension feedback is good after 2000 km.
• Comfortable riding both in the city & on the highway

Yamaha FZS FI V3 Review - CONS:

• The headlight doesn’t fit with the overall design of the bike.
• LED headlights can be a concern on the highway riding
• If not taken GOOD QUALITY fuel the engine loses performance
• Although acceleration has improved but the bike lack ready pickup against its competitors.
• The turning radius is big, so you need lots of space to turn the bike.

Yamaha FZS FI V3 still carries the momentum of the FZS series which was started back in 2008 & now fitted with ABS the bike’s handling & braking went a step forward. I hope to fight against this motorcycle the competitors have to introduce their ABS version bikes with upgrades in the market very soon.

Also Read: Yamaha Upcoming Bike

Frequently Asked Question:

What is the top speed of Yamaha FZS FI V3?

Ans: In our testing we managed to pick a top speed of 117 KMPHon Yamaha FZS FI V3

What is the mileage of Yamaha FZS FI V3?

Ans: We got 40 KMPL on city, and 45 KMPL on highway.

What is the price of Yamaha FZS FI V3?

Ans: Yamaha FZS Fi V3 costs 2,95,000 BDT.

Is Yamaha FZS V3 better than FZS FI V2?

Ans: Yamaha FZS FI V3 has an updated design, a smoother design, ABS, and many more things than the V2.