FZ8 all-rounders join the Yamaha flock

Yamaha's all-new FZ8 series has gone on sale in Australia, ushering in a new high-performance all-rounder for the Japanese marque.

The new range follows Yamaha's usual model nomenclature and will be available in naked (FZ8N) or half-faired (FZ8S) variants, priced at $12,990 and $13,990 respectively. Competitors in the middleweight sector include the $12,490 Triumph Street Triple ($11,990 during a current sale) and the $13,900 BMW F 800 R.

The arrival of the FZ8s spells the death knell for the FZ6 range, which has now ceased production.

Yamaha claims a healthy but certainly not mind-blowing 106hp (at 10,000rpm) and 82Nm (at 8000rpm) from the 799cc in-line four-cylinder EU3 emission standards-meeting engine, which has bore and stroke dimensions of 68.0mm x 53.6mm.

The FZ8 meets EU3 exhaust emission standards, using a short, side-mounted muffler and a four-into-two-into-one upswept exhaust system with a honeycomb-type catalytic converter fitted at the point where the header pipes meet.

The fuel injection uses both a throttle valve and an electronically controlled sub-throttle valve to provide additional control over intake airflow volume.

The ECU operates a stepping motor to control the sub-throttle valves and optimise volumetric efficiency in each part of the rev range. Yamaha claims this is one of the "many design considerations aimed at boosting low-middle drive".

To help produce a smooth and creamy rich torque throughout the rev range, the FZ8s have a 7.8lt airbox, where the air funnels are two different lengths --cylinders one and four have 125mm intake funnels, whereas two and three are 150mm.

The engine is a stressed member in the aluminium frame, and the FZ8 series also uses a CF aluminium die-cast swingarm.

The front end supports 43mm upside-down non-adjustable forks, running 43mm inner tubes. Rear suspension is handled by a linked Monocross unit with preload adjustment only.

Front brakes are twin four-piston monobloc non-radial calipers, gripping 310mm floating discs.

There's a 25-degree rake, 109mm of trail, and an extended 33-degree left-to-right steering angle - making tight U-turns and peak-hour traffic busting much easier.

Wet weight is 211kg for the N and 215kg for the S, and fuel capacity is 17lt. Wheelbase is 1460mm, and tyre sizes are supersport-like 120/70 and 180/55 on 17-inch five-spoke cast aluminium wheels.

Yamaha certainly hasn't developed a new design language with the FZ8, as it possesses more than a passing resemblance to its aggressive bigger sibling, the FZ1. The headlight, seat, upswept muffler and even the header pipes are all similar, however the FZ8 is distinguishable by its gold wheels and forks, and it has added a cowl over its instrument cluster.