Back in 2012, if you were a bike-loving teenager in India… you knew the Yamaha FZ.
That muscular fuel tank… those fat tyres… it was the street king that made you turn your head and go — WOW.
Fast forward to today — the FZ has grown up.
It’s more mature now, less flashy… but still iconic.
And today, we’re checking out the latest chapter in that story — the Yamaha FZS-FI Hybrid.
This is still one of the most muscular bikes in its segment.
The first thing you notice? That massive 13-litre fuel tank — sculpted, purposeful, and still giving the bike that signature FZ stance.
The design has evolved — you get integrated indicators, a sharp Japanese-style headlamp with DRLs, and exclusive colour schemes for the hybrid: Racing Blue and Cyan Metallic Grey.
Look closer, and you’ll spot the unique graphics and even blue detailing on the engine casing.
All in all, this is a good-looking motorcycle, but this design is over 4 years old now, and it is due for an update.
Now, the TFT display here isn’t just bright — it’s also super clean and easy to read.
You get turn-by-turn navigation, last parked location, call and message alerts, music controls… basically, the kind of smart features you’d expect on a pricier bike.
The interface is intuitive — no overcomplicated menus, no unnecessary clutter. Just the info you need, when you need it.
With a 790 mm seat height, most riders will find it easy to plant both feet on the ground.
The upright riding position feels natural, whether you’re commuting or out for a weekend ride. The handlebars fall right where your hands want them, upright and easy to grip. There’s hardly any strain on your back, and with the forward-set foot pegs, the overall riding posture feels relaxed and comfortable — perfect for daily city rides or even longer highway stretches.
That single-piece seat? Sure, it’s not as sporty-looking as a split seat… but for comfort? It’s excellent.
I’ve done 4-hour stretches without feeling sore, and even my pillion did not have any complaints regarding comfort.
And with a kerb weight of just 138 kg, the FZS-FI Hybrid feels light and flickable in traffic — perfect for the urban jungle.
Under the tank, you’ve got a 149cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 12 bhp and 13.3 Nm of torque — paired with a smooth 5-speed gearbox.
The hybrid tech is straight from Yamaha’s RayZR and Fascino scooters.
Here’s how it works — you get an auto start-stop system that shuts off the engine when you’re in neutral, and fires it back up instantly when you pull the clutch.
Add to that the silent electric start — so quiet you might not even realise the bike’s alive in traffic.
Power delivery is smooth and linear, perfect for overtakes. It’s refined, as all Yamahas are, but once you cross 7,000 rpm, you can feel it straining just a bit, making the top end very noisy. Now this could be solved if we have a 6th gear, but maybe it's not a fair ask at this price point.
City mileage? 38 to 40 kmpl in the city and 50 to 52 kmpl on highways during my 200 km test ride.
That’s around 580 km of range on a full tank with mixed riding conditions. Which means you’ll be making far fewer trips to the petrol station.
The FZS-FI Hybrid is an easy bike to ride — but more importantly, it’s a confidence-inspiring one.
In city traffic, the lightweight and upright ergonomics make it effortless to dart between gaps.
Out on the highway, it feels planted at triple-digit speeds — the stability is great for its segment.
And when the road gets bad? The suspension soaks up potholes and uneven surfaces well, keeping you comfortable.
It’s not a razor-sharp corner carver like a sport bike, but for everyday riding — city, highways, even a bit of rough patch — it’s just… well-balanced.
Stopping power comes from a 282 mm front disc and a 220 mm rear disc.
The bite is strong, the feedback is good, and the stopping distance is confidence-inspiring.
And here’s something you don’t expect at this price — Traction Control System.
It’s not intrusive, but on slippery roads, it’s a nice safety net to have.
At ₹1.45 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, the Hybrid is about ₹10,000 more than the standard FZS-FI.
For that extra money, you’re getting hybrid tech, better mileage, and a bit more convenience.
And yes — while rivals like the Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Bajaj Pulsar N250, and TVS Ronin might offer more outright performance or brand nostalgia…
They won’t match the Yamaha’s fuel efficiency, refinement, and low running costs.
If you want a muscular-looking commuter that’s lightweight, easy to ride, fuel-efficient, and features a touch of futuristic hybrid technology…
The Yamaha FZS-FI Hybrid is worth the extra 10k.
