Yamaha FZ-S launched

India Yamaha Motor has launched the Yamaha FZ-S, a stylish version of the Yamaha FZ16, on March 2, 2009. The Yamaha FZ-S will cost Rs 67,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The original Yamaha FZ-16 has been extremely popular in Indian ever since its launch, winning awards, bringing bikers flocking to Yamaha showrooms, and yes, to DWS Auto India flooding us with queries and requests for more information. The new Yamaha FZ-S will likely do the same - if you thought the FZ-16 was uber-cool, your brain would explode out of sheer desire when you see the FZ-S!

The Yamaha FZ-S, just to be clear, is really not a new bike. It is a stylish interpretation of the hot-selling Yamaha FZ-16 with some minor modds to the headlight and some new colours and graphics. The specifications remain the same as that of the Yamaha FZ-16. But it looks different enough, and even more muscular and macho, than the FZ-16 motorcycle.

The Yamaha FZ-S will come in two colors, Yellow Streak and Silver Tech. The macho 150cc bike will have new graphics, sharper aerodynamic windshield, sporty carbon pattern meter console, and an aggressive headlight. The color scheme of the FZ-S holds really well t0gether as you can see from the photo we have here.

If you want to see what the Yamaha boffins have to say about the new FZ-6, here is what Y. Tsuji, CEO and Managing Director, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. has said, “Speaking about Yamaha’s focus and the new launch, Y. Tsuji, CEO and Managing Director, India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. said, “Yamaha has set forward on a journey where each and every product of ours will set a benchmark in the market with its technological superiority, quality and manufacturing excellence and style quotient. The arrival of this new variant FZ-S is a clear illustration of how the market has responded to FZ 16.”

Ignore all that. The new Yamaha FZ-S does not need no corporate-speak to sell, as you can see.

If there is a bike that single-handedly turn around the Indian two-wheeler segment in 2009, it is gonna be the FZ-S. Just kneel down and pray to it, guys.

Yamaha’s street-racer YZF R15 too has been selling well - but that’s a bike that appeals to a smaller number of biking enthusiasts. The FZ-16, and now the FZ-S is for those who rule the street corner and college approach roads.

The company has seen a surge in sales in January 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. In February 2009, India Yamaha Motor sold 15,033 units in February 2009 compared to the 5746 units it sold in February 2008, scoring 162 per cent growth in sales.

IYM currently has over 400 dealers and its product portfolio includes MT01, YZF-R1, FZ16, YZF-R15, Gladiator Type SS and RS, Gladiator Graffiti, G5, Alba and Crux.