2017 Yamaha FZ-10 - FIRST LOOK REVIEW

When Yamaha announced that it was selling an R1-based sport naked for the European market in 2016, we felt left out. Bastards! How could they do this to us, we wondered? But the reality is that in this age of global markets, there was still a good chance that U.S. buyers would get this new sportbike that uses a version of the current generation "CP4" (cross-plane four-cylinder) engine. This is not an engine repurposed from a mothballed couple-gen-old model, a la the FZ1. Well, guess what? Not only is Yamaha bringing the FZ-10 into the States as a 2017 model, but it goes on sale this month, like, as in any day now.

Here is what you need to know: We’ll start with the engine. Like we said above, the FZ-10’s cross-plane engine is based on the mill in the current YZF-R1/S/M. But there are some differences. Internally, engine components that in the R1 are made of high-tech titanium and magnesium are ditched in an effort to reduce costs in the FZ-10. About 40 percent of the internals have been swapped out. But they aren’t necessary in an engine that is designed to offer more low-down response, rev less, and doesn’t focus on top-end bang on a racetrack. Intake ports, valves, combustion chambers, camshafts, and a revised lower compression ratio (12.0:1) have all contributed to a broader rev-range according to the bLU cRU. Yamaha claims a peak output of 158 horsepower. Also contributing to the more street-friendly power delivery, the final drive got a two-teeth bump on the rear sprocket.

Another area in which Yamaha was able to save some Yen, without affecting the overall performance of the bike, was to use less sophisticated electronics (hell, even MotoGP did this for 2016, so it’s not that big of a deal). The FZ-10 does away with the six-axis IMU and therefore loses some of the wizardry of the R1. But it still offers Yamaha Chip-Controlled Throttle (YCC-T), D-Modes (three different riding modes), Traction Control (with three different settings utilizing wheel-speed sensors), and get this, cruise control! Of course ABS is standard.

The chassis uses an R1-based Deltabox aluminum frame with fully adjustable KYB suspension hung at each end. Up front is a 43mm inverted fork with 4.7 in. of travel, out back is a linked shock with with the same amount of travel; wheelbase measures 55.1 in. Lightweight cast-aluminum five-spoke wheels are shod with Bridgestone Hypersport S20 rubber in 120/70ZR17 front, and 190/55ZR17 rear sizes. Braking hardware consists of a pair of radial-mount, four-piston calipers up front pinching 320mm discs with a revised brake pad compound, while a 220mm disc and twin-piston caliper are used in the rear. (Purchase tires! and discs here!)

The 2017 FZ-10 will be available in Armor Gray and Matte Raven Black, with a MSRP of $12,999. Bikes are expected to arrive in dealerships in late June.