New Yamaha motorcycle seen testing

A test mule for a new Yamaha motorcycle has been spotted. The images show a bike still in the early stages of development, but there are a few observations we can make.

For starters, the motorcycle is seen using the same swingarm, wheels and telescopic fork as the Yamaha FZ. It’s hard to tell from the images whether this bike is powered by the 249cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine from the FZ25, or the 149cc, single-cylinder unit from the FZ and FZ-S.

Could this be an XSR model, or the Yamaha FZ-X?

Yamaha already has an XSR155 that it retails in other Asian markets like Thailand and Indonesia. The XSR line comprises Yamaha’s modern-retro offerings and this test mule could be an addition to that range, for the Indian market. The box-like tank, flat seat, short tail-section and fork gaiters, too, are elements that are reminiscent of the XSR family. 

Having said that, the XSR motorcycles are usually based on sporty engines - the XSR155, too, is powered by the engine that we’ve experienced on the R15 and MT-15 - and the FZ powertrains aren’t as performance-oriented. The test mule also has the rider in a very upright position that’s even more relaxed than on the FZs. Then again, Yamaha tends to tailor its models to what it believes Indian customers want, so it’s possible that we may get a unique iteration of the XSR here, just as the company has already done with the R-15 and MT-15 models.

A couple of months ago, Yamaha had filed a trademark for the FZ-X moniker, but there is little to suggest that this is that motorcycle. The ‘X’ suffix usually indicates an off-road biased motorcycle and there are no visible off-road bits on this test mule.

At the moment, we can only speculate on how this bike will fit into Yamaha’s line-up. Considering that it’s still in the early stages of production, we don’t expect a launch in the next few months, but more details should be available before that.

Image source