[FZ-10 News]

Some may call the FZ-10 a “parts-bin” bike because it’s based on the Yamaha YZF-R1 and it shares parts with the base model R1 but, that doesn’t mean the FZ-10 isn’t a bike unto its own.

People have to remember that the R1 is one of the best superbikes out there so a naked version of it that shares the same wheels, headlights, blinkers, frame, suspension, and a large portion of the engine isn’t a bad thing. Also, the FZ-10 isn’t a carbon copy of the R1, changes were bound to be made in order to make it more street friendly. Motorcyclist reminds us of the aspects that makes the Yamaha FZ-10 such a great bike.

Midrange power is important for daily drives so in an effort to improve the FZ-10’s low speed performance, Yamaha has made the intake ports and valves smaller and the camshafts has been modified to have less duration and 20% less overlap. Compression has been reduced from 13:1 in the R1 to 12:1 thanks to the FZ’s new pistons with dished crowns. It isn’t just the pistons that are new, a whole slew of parts have been added to the engine including valve springs, case covers, crankshaft, fuel-injectors, airbox, and exhaust system. Combined, these changes will give the FZ-10 18% more torque between 4,000 and 8,000 rpm and it still has the R1’s peak torque output of 73.6 lb.-ft.

Advics caliper bodies and rotors are the same as the ones found in the R1 but the FZ-10 uses steel pistons, rubber lines and a Brembo master cylinder. The fully adjustable suspension are from KYB and it delivers an agile ride thanks to softer springs in the fork and stiffer springs in the shock.
The bike’s ergonomics were updated too for street riding, the pegs have been lowered for more legroom and the handlebars are 10.1 inches higher than the R1’s for a more upright seating position.

Keeping you safe while on the streets of track is the electronic traction control similar to the TC system in the previous R1 generation and a non-switchable ABS system. One last piece of tech that people probably wasn’t expecting to see in the FZ-10 is cruise control. For long trips, riders can turn of on from the left end of the bar.

 

[Sporting]

Cruise control definitely isn't something that I expected the FZ-10 to have. But I'm glad to see the similarities and differences that make this bike much more street friendly.

 

[YamiFZ]

Cruise control is smart move on these bigger bikes because it's on these bigger bikes that people really venture out on, smaller CC bikes stick mostly to the city or just local roads, and for that reason I doubt we'll see a feature like this move into smaller CC bikes.