2011 Yamaha FZ8 US Pricing Released

The North American division of Yamaha recently announced it has introduced the 2011 model FZ8 naked sportbike to the product line-up. Originally developed for the European market, the FZ8 comes to fill in the gap between the FZ1 and FZ6R, at a MSRP of $8490.

The machine comes with a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 779cc Inline Four engine that is based somewhat on the previous generation (non-crossplane-crankshaft) YZF-R1 motor. The engine, which is tuned for low-to-midrange performance, is coupled with a wide-ratio six-speed transmission with chain final drive.

“The FZ8 gets the same crankcases, fracture-split connecting rods and stroke (53.6 mm) as the R1, but it gets its own forged 68 mm pistons and slightly less compression. The all-new cylinder head has four valves per cylinder that are actuated by dual overhead camshafts and fed by 35mm throttle bodies,” a company statement reads.

The chassis is mode of a controlled-fill die-cast aluminum frame and swingarm. The single coil-over rear shock (spring preload) and inverted 43mm front forks (spring preload and rebound damping) are adjustable.

The FZ8 is connected to the road by 17-inch cast aluminum wheels that feature a 5-spoke design. The wheels are paired to Bridgestone Battlax BT-021 sport touring tires.

The cockpit of the 2011 FZ8 is quite similar to that of the FZ1, designed to combine sport and comfort. The handlebar is reportedly positioned 4mm forward as compared to the aforementioned model while both the footpegs and the saddle have been repositioned.

The 2011 Yamaha FZ8 will be available at nationwide dealerships starting December in just one color: Raven Black.