Yamaha Fazer8 2010 — Specifications

What should a versatile road motorcycle look like in 2010? For Yamaha, the answer was clear: revisit a recipe that had been working for years, but inject it with a little more substance. The Fazer 8 is not a revolution, it is a logical evolution. It takes the place of the FZ6 Fazer, too often criticized for its engine that revved a little too high, and it positions itself just below the Fazer 1000, sometimes considered too imposing. With its 106 horsepower and its diamond aluminum frame directly derived from the big sister, it targets a specific niche: that of an accessible sporty road bike.

Its heart is an inline four-cylinder engine of 779 cm³, a detuned version of the FZ1 block. Yamaha worked on the torque, reaching 82.4 Nm, to offer a more immediate response and less dependence on engine speed. The result is a fuller engine, easier to live with daily than the previous one, without sacrificing character. One can sense here a desire to respond directly to the Kawasaki Z 750, which then dominated the dynamic roadster segment. The Fazer 8 opposes it with slightly higher power and a chassis derived from a more powerful motorcycle, which gives it a serious advantage in terms of potential and sensations.

Versatility is its mantra. The fairing integrating a beautiful-sized headlight is not just an accessory, it is the signature of its use. It protects effectively without weighing down the aesthetics, and allows this version to be distinguished from the naked FZ8. The weight of 215 kg fully fueled is reasonable for a machine of this category, and the seat height of 815 mm remains accessible. The braking system, with its 310 mm front disc and four-piston caliper, is robust and sufficient, even if ABS remains an option. The inverted fork and the monoshock, both with 130 mm of travel, provide a serious handling, capable of following the engine's eagerness without ever feeling overwhelmed.

Who is it for? For the touring rider looking for a complete motorcycle, capable of travel without fatigue, but also a bit of sportiness on the weekend. For those leaving a 600cc and wanting more weight in the arms without going to a liter bike. It is not the machine for the pure track rider, nor for the absolute beginner, but it represents an intelligent compromise. Its price, around 8900 euros at the time, placed it in direct competition with other faired roadsters on the market.

Yamaha has even developed a consistent range of accessories, with windscreens, saddlebags and luggage rack, to confirm this touring spirit. The Fazer 8 does not seek to be the most radical or the most innovative. It seeks to be the most useful, the most balanced. In this respect, it has fulfilled its role brilliantly, offering a credible and pleasant alternative in a segment often neglected, that of road bikes truly made for the road.