From Yamaha's press material
Looking for the motorcycle that does it all with style and performance? Look no further than the 2011 Yamaha FZ8. The FZ8 fills the gap for sport riders who feel a 600cc is too small and a 1000cc is too big. The muscular, naked bike styling gives it an aggressive, mass-forward stance while the comfortable, upright riding position with a compact design contributes to the bike’s first-rate handling. This bike simply excels both in the morning commute and on that spirited weekend ride on a twisty back country road.
The 779cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, inline 4-cylinder, and 4-valve engine delivers smooth power delivery and gobs of torque in the low to mid rpm range. But this engine also lets loose with eye-opening horsepower when the revs climb toward redline. The fuel-injection with 35mm diameter throttle body provides optimum intake efficiency and smooth throttle response with precise fuel/air mixtures for awesome power delivery across the rpm range. The compact, pent-roof combustion chamber has a high 12.0:1 compression ratio with 26mm intake valves and 22mm exhaust valves contributes both to the superb torque and high-rpm power of this engine. The intake funnels for cylinders 2 and 3 are 25mm longer than the two outside cylinders and helps maximize the engine’s punchy torque delivery. The FZ8 inherits proven R1/FZ1 technologies, including forged aluminum pistons, fracture-split carburized connecting rods, and ceramic-composite-plated cylinders. The 68.0mm bore and 53.6mm stroke specifications were carefully chosen to maximize the strong torque characteristics, as was the new crankshaft with optimized inertial mass. The wide-ratio 6-speed transmission has ideal ratios for the engine’s performance character.
The aggressive chassis geometry with supersport-inspired 51 percent front wheel weight bias provides light, nimble handling. A controlled-fill aluminum frame uses the engine as a stressed member and allows for optimal rigidity balance, light weight, and superb handling. The six engine-mounting points help provide superb longitudinal rigidity. A controlled-fill aluminum die-cast swing arm saves weight and is tuned for excellent handling. The 43mm inverted fork and a link-type Monocross shock with adjustable preload provide for light and neutral handling characteristics.
Superb braking power is accomplished via 310mm front discs, squeezed by monoblock four-piston calipers, and a single 267mm rear disc. The generous 4.5 gallon fuel tank, is short front to back, and slender where it meets the rider. The foot pegs and handlebars are also placed for a compact, rider-forward riding position that contributes to the bike’s excellent handling. 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels contribute to the light and neutral handling character. This bike sports a 120/70 ZR17 radial tire up front, and a 180/55-ZR17 rear radial to complete the look and serve up the traction.
The “Mass-forward” naked bike styling is accentuated by the headlight design and FZ1-style instrument cluster which features a great looking tachometer with a white face.
The 2011 FZ8 will be available in dealerships nationwide beginning in December with a starting MSRP of $8490 and will be available in Raven as pictured.
Full information on all Yamaha models can be found at www.yamaha-motor.com.
Key Selling Points
- All-new 779cc engine combines new top end components, including ceramic-composite-coated cylinders and forged aluminum pistons, with a carefully optimized crankshaft to deliver the perfect power curve and torquey performance character for this category.
- The FZ8 fi lls the gap for sport riders who feel a 600cc is too small and a 1000cc is too big.
- Muscular, naked bike styling gives an aggressive, mass-forward stance. This bike screams attitude.
- Comfortable, upright riding position with a compact design that contributes to the bike’s first-rate handling. This bike simply excels, both in the morning commute and on that spirited weekend ride on a twisty back country road.
- Cast aluminum frame and Controlled-Fill aluminum swingarm is lightweight and provides the ideal rigidity balance for outstanding
Features & Benefits
ALL NEW FOR 2011:
ENGINE:
- New 779cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, inline 4-cylinder, 4-valve engine delivers smooth power delivery and gobs of torque in the low to mid rpm range. But this engine also lets loose with eye-opening horsepower when the revs climb toward redline.
- Fuel-injection with 35mm diameter throttle bodies has optimum intake efficiency and smooth throttle response. Provides precise fuel/air mixtures for awesome power delivery across the rpm range.
- Compact, pent-roof combustion chamber with a high 12.0:1 compression ratio with 26mm intake valves and 22mm exhaust valves contributes both to the superb torque and high-rpm power of this engine.
- Intake funnels for cylinders 2 and 3 are 25mm longer than the two outside cylinders. This tuning trick helps maximize the engine’s punchy torque delivery.
- The FZ8 inherits proven R1/FZ1 technologies, including forged aluminum pistons, fracture split carburized connecting rods, and ceramic-composite-plated cylinders.
- The 68.0mm bore and 53.6mm stroke specifications were carefully chosen to maximize the strong torque characteristics, as was the new crankshaft with optimized inertial mass.
- Close-ratio 6-speed transmission has ideal ratios for the engine’s performance character.
- 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system looks great and includes a catalytic converter and O2 sensor. Short muffler is mounted low for great looks and excellent mass centralization.
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION:
- Cast aluminum frame uses the engine as a stressed member and allows for optimal rigidity balance, light weight, and superb handling. Six engine-mounting points help provide superb longitudinal rigidity.
- Controlled-Fill die-cast aluminum swing arm saves weight and is tuned for excellent handling.
- 43mm inverted fork and a link-type Monocross shock with adjustable preload for light and neutral handling characteristics.
- 310mm front discs, squeezed by monoblock four-piston calipers, and a single 267mm rear disc offer strong stopping power.
- Aggressive chassis geometry with supersport-inspired 51 percent front wheel weight bias. Provides light, nimble handling.
- The generous 4.5 gallon fuel tank, is short front to back, and slender where it meets the rider. The foot pegs and handlebars are also placed for a compact, rider-forward riding position that contributes to the bike’s excellent handling.
- 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels contribute to the light and neutral handling character. This bike sports a 120/70 ZR17 radial tire up front, and a 180/55-ZR17 rear radial to complete the look and serve up the traction.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
- “Mass-forward” naked bike styling is accentuated by the headlight design.
- FZ1-style instrument cluster features a great looking tachometer with a white face.
Specifications
Model: FZ8NAB
Engine Type: 779cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder; DOHC, 16 valves
Bore x Stroke: 68.0 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection
Ignition: Digital TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition with 32-bit ECU
Transmission: 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Suspension/Front: 5.1-in travel
Suspension/Rear: 5.1-in travel
Brakes/Front: Dual 310mm hydraulic discs
Brake/Rear: 267mm disc
Tire/Front: 120/70-ZR17
Tire/Rear: 180/55-ZR17
L x W x H: 84.3 x 30.3 x 41.9 in
Seat Height: 32.1 in
Ground Clearance: 5.5 in
Wheelbase: 57.5 in
Rake (Caster Angle) : 25.0°
Trail: 109 mm
Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal
*Est. Fuel Economy:39.8 mpg
**Wet Weight:467 lb
Color: Raven
* Fuel economy estimates are based on US EPA exhaust emission certification data obtained by Yamaha. Your actual mileage will vary depending on road conditions, how you ride and maintain your vehicle, accessories, cargo, and operator/passenger weight.
**Wet weight includes the vehicle with all standard equipment and all fluids, including oil, coolant (as applicable) and a full tank of fuel. It does not include the weight of options or accessories. Wet weight is useful in making real-world comparisons with other models