Yamaha FZ-09 – an $8000
naked sporty bike with impressive specs and an alluring price. Yamaha refers to
its new engine as a “crossplane crankshaft,” but in fact all three-cylinder
motorcycle engines use the same 120-degree crankshaft spacings – the same as
its British and Italian counterparts. Yamaha is borrowing the terminology from
its R1 superbike – with a unique inline-Four crossplane crankshaft engine
design – to imply that the new Triple delivers the same brand of linear torque
output. Yamaha is claiming 65 ft-lb of torque, four more than its outgoing FZ8.
And, like all Triples, Yamaha’s utilizes a balance shaft to offset the
resulting vibration inherent in this design.
Unique to the new
Yamaha Triple is the use of different-length intake funnels (122.8mm, 102.8mm,
82.8mm) that Yamaha says improves throttle response as well as low- and
mid-range engine power. Crossover tubes between 1 & 2 and 2 & 3 header
pipes also broaden its torque curve. A large exhaust collector under the engine
enables a nicely stubby canister outlet. Yamaha reps claim the FZ-09 emits a
pleasing sound when both inhaling and exhaling.
The frame and swingarm
are aluminum and boast a newfound narrowness by virtue of the swingarm being
mounted outboard of its lower frame rails. New 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels
are 0.85 pounds lighter than the FZ8’s wheels, while the distance between
contact patches is 56.7 inches (0.8 inch less than the FZ8’s wheelbase).
The new FZ also
features a more relaxed rider triangle compared to the FZ8’s by way of
handlebars that are 53mm taller and 40mm further back. Footpegs an inch (26mm)
lower supply added legroom. The inverted fork and non-linkage rear shock are
adjustable for preload and rebound damping. Fuel capacity of 3.7 gallons is on
the small side.Naked sporty bikes from Japan have consistently sold poorly in
North America, but Yamaha is taking another swipe at it with the FZ-09. The
company’s internal research shows that American riders are using their
motorcycles for commuting purposes to a greater extent, and a comfortable
riding position is now at the top of the list of purchase reasons for a bike in
this class, which bodes well for a comfortable yet sporty machine like the
FZ-09.
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