Yamaha FZ, a globally successful motorcycle series familiarized by Yamaha, that quotes the slogan “Lord Of The Streets”. The Yamaha FZ motorcycles rightfully earn this title through their commanding attitude, muscular stance, attractive road presence, and agile performance. This nickname truly reflects the FZ’s ability to dominate the roads with confidence and style.

Whether it’s the sharp design, aggressive front end, or muscular fuel tank, every element of the FZ screams street authority. It doesn’t mean FZ bikes are superior in every aspect, but they have the aptitude and gravity to dominate the road in their own way. Here the FZ series shines, and now we the Team BikeBD is delighted to represent the Yamaha FZ25 Test Ride Review to show you how much the beast is capable in the real world. So, let’s ride in detail.

Yamaha FZ25 Test Ride Review – Overview

The Yamaha FZ is one of the most popular and adored motorcycle series in the street commuter and naked sports segment in Bangladesh. First launched in 2008, the FZ series brought a bold, muscular, and aggressive design inspired by larger-displacement naked bikes to the 150cc commuter bikes. Then, with refined engine performance, nimble handling, and strong road presence, the Yamaha FZ motorcycles have built a solid reputation for reliability, comfort, and style.

Over the years, Yamaha has expanded the FZ lineup with several models designed to meet different rider needs, and then the Yamaha FZ25 came in that queue with its gorgeous road presence and iconic attitude. Hence, after the relaxation of the motorcycle engine capacity limit in Bangladesh, ACI Motors Limited has showcased this model in the Bangladesh market. Therefore, we the Team BikeBD availed the opportunity to take the bike for a thorough test ride to evaluate its real-world performance.

Yamaha FZ25 – Appearance & Styling

Yamaha FZ25 is a newcomer in Bangladesh, but is already an ongoing model in various global markets. The motorcycle is positioned in the 250cc performance commuter bike segment. The motorcycle blends muscular streetfighter aesthetics, matured sporty-upright riding ergonomics, and balanced engine performance that promise decent power delivery, efficiency, agile handling, and superior comfort.

Yamaha FZ-25 comes with a commanding appearance. Its identical body elements feature beefy exterior panels, multiple dents, and extremely sharp edges. The aggressively designed headlamp features a bi-functional LED projection headlamp and Robo-head LED DRL setup that initiates its beast-like appearance. After a naked and compact ODO console, the pipe handlebar is mounted in a semi-upright mode.

Next, the fuel tank is another attractive and identical part of the motorcycle that is bulky, heavily muscled, and nicely dented. It features beefy and sharp-edged air ducts on both sides that uplift its streetfighter profile. Then, the sporty split seat comes with a step-up design featuring wider space both for the rider and the passenger, and that is complemented by double horn grabrails at the tail.

The tail of FZ25 is designed very compactly featuring an LED tail lamp underneath the passenger seat, and a separate extension arm holds the rear turn indicators and registration plate hanger. Meanwhile, matching the muscled body design, the FZ25 features matte finished compact side and rear panels featuring a sharp and edgy profile. The engine underbelly pan also features the same.

Then, the fatter barrel exhaust is another eye-catching and identical part of the motorcycle that comes with multi-piece plastic heat shields. Thus, along with fatter profile tires and all-alloy sporty rim setups, the motorcycle literally boasts a beast-like appearance that agreeably amplifies its streetfighter attire and showcases true FZ-like attitude.

Yamaha FZ25 – Frame, Wheel, Brake, & Suspension

Yamaha FZ25 is a solid street-naked commuter that features competent wheel, brake, and suspension systems fitted on a high-tensile steel-tube diamond frame and a rectangular steel-tube swingarm. The motorcycle weighs 151kg, the seat height is 795mm, and the ground clearance is 160mm.

The wheels are fitted with alloy rims and fatter profile tubeless tires measuring 100/80-17" in the front and 140/70-17" at the rear. The braking system features hydraulic disc brakes on both wheels, and the entire system is enhanced with a dual-channel ABS feature.

The suspension system of the Yamaha FZ25 features a 41mm hydraulic telescopic fork suspension in the front. At the rear, it comes with a 7-step preload adjustable mono suspension that is center-aligned with the swingarm.

Yamaha FZ25 – Engine Profile & Features

Yamaha FZ25 is a solid street-naked machine that is built for comfortable commuting. The motorcycle comes with a solid and simply designed quarter-liter capacity engine. It's a 249cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, oil-cooled, SOHC 2-valve, and fuel-injected engine.

The cylinder features a bore and stroke of 74.0mm x 58.0mm and a compression ratio of 9.8:1. Here, the clutch is a wet multi-plate clutch that is paired with a 5-speed gear transmission in the pattern of 1-N-2-3-4-5. The engine starting system features an electric start only.

According to the spec sheet, the engine can deliver a maximum power of 20.8PS(15.3kW) at 8,000RPM and a maximum torque of 20.1N·m(2.0kgf·m) at 6,000RPM. As for a quarter-liter bike, these figures might not seem groundbreaking, but according to Yamaha, the FZ25 engine has been optimized for smoother power delivery, better fuel efficiency, and improved on-road performance.

Yamaha FZ25 Test Ride Review – Our Findings

The Yamaha FZ25 is a newly launched motorcycle in the Bangladesh market that has already created hypes and debates among bikers and enthusiasts. Many of the riders appreciated the motorcycle, and also many of them are debating on feature lacks. So, we guess our findings obtained through our thorough test ride should help them get to a mutual point to assess the motorcycle more meaningfully.

Build Quality & Precision

At first, coming to the design and styling, we can’t deny the overall appearance of the motorcycle. FZ25 nicely continues the identical appearance of the Yamaha FZ series of motorcycles. The build quality and precision of FZ25 are very close to the Yamaha FZ level, but as per present-day tendency, some plastic body parts may disappoint some of you. Especially, a few matte plastic panels finish is not up to the mark.

Secondly, the pipe handlebar of the motorcycle is a solid unit, but as per a quarter-liter machine, the handlebar diameter is expected to be 28mm. Here, we are not much impressed by the quality of the switch gears mounted on both sides of the handlebars. Those are just as usual in quality.

Meanwhile, the headlamp assembly quality is also a bit uneven, and the rearview mirrors seem poorly finished that have minimal rear image coverage. Lastly, the ABS motor position is quite vulnerable, that mounted uncovered in between the engine and swingarm mounting shaft.

Features & Enhancements

Yamaha FZ25 is a very straightforward and simply featured motorcycle focused on delivering a reliable and hassle-free riding experience for longer periods. We guess Yamaha intentionally omitted the fancy features and enhancements on this bike and allocated only the necessary features needed for frequent commuting.

Consequently, FZ25 features a very compact ODO console, very minimal electronic add-ons like side-stand engine cut-off feature, and non-switchable single-mode dual-channel ABS enhancement. But unfortunately, the ODO unit carries an older design, and it displays very minimal parameters. Even the addition of a clock and a gear indicator would have helped to maintain the present-day trends.

Again, the Bi-functional LED projection headlamp is an impressive addition to this motorcycle; we heartfully admire it. It looks great and it can support fair enough in the city riding conditions, but to be frank, it’s not enough supportive for highway rides at night, and definitely it will need auxiliary light support for long highway rides.

Seating, Riding, Controlling, & Handling Behavior

Yamaha FZ series of motorcycles always shines in this segment, where the FZ bikes are usually famous for superior balance, tremendous control, and comfort. Therefore, the FZ series of motorcycles always provides incomparable seating, riding, and handling advancements.

Here we should shout loudly that it’s Yamaha FZ25 and it literally continued the Yamaha FZ legacy. It has superior controlling and handling manners. With a non-aggressive, low-clumped upright handlebar, cruising aligned footpeg position, and sporty upright seating and riding posture, this setup provides a tremendous grip over the motorcycle on any type of road and riding condition.

One of the strongest suits of the Yamaha FZ25 is that it always feels nimble and planted on the surface, whether it's cutting through city traffic or leaning into high-speed corners. The kerb weight of the bike is just 151kg, which feels very agile even when maneuvering in tight traffic conditions. The fatter profile wheel setup, responsive suspension systems, and lower center-of-gravity nicely manage everything.

In addition, the lower seat height feels more supportive for lower-height riders. But it’s a great shame that 160mm ground clearance is a bit frustrating, as often the exhaust catalytic box touches the nasty speed breakers, especially while riding with passengers.

Braking & Suspension Feedback

Yamaha FZ series of motorcycles is also adored for its superior braking ability and comfortable suspension features. The FZ25 also maintains the same advancement. Whatever the disc dimension, FZ25’s brakes are just awesome; we should admire them. The dual-channel ABS also worked fine in our test ride period, even in rainy weather conditions. But the rear brake ABS feedback felt quite harsh at extreme braking conditions.

On the suspension side, we regretted for a USD fork setup at first sight. But on the real ground, we found the telescopic front forks and 7-step adjustable mono-shock at the rear do a commendable job of absorbing road imperfections and balancing even at extreme riding conditions. Moreover, this suspension setup strikes a good balance between stiffness and comfort that is needed for an all-rounder commuter like this.

Riding Comfort & Ergonomics

Yamaha FZ25 offers a very comfortable riding posture. The upright handlebars, slightly rear-set footpegs, and a well-padded seat make it suitable for both city rides and occasional long tours. Taller riders will appreciate the spacious seat and the decent amount of legroom. Pillion seating comfort is decent too, though the grabrails could have been more uplifted for added security or easy luggage carrying.

The seat height of the motorcycle is 795mm that seemed to be friendly for most riders. But due to the lower clumped handlebars, some taller riders may feel for an auxiliary bar raiser support. However, the knee bending angle for the rider is well-mannered, which is also supportive for long-hour rides. During our long stressful rides, we felt no pain in the knee joint or even in the lower back. Therefore, FZ25 literally proven to be a damn comfortable bike.

Engine Performance and Riding Experience

Yamaha FZ25 is a sporty street commuter. It's not a so-called performance monster rather a well-rounded, reliable, and versatile motorcycle. The 20.8PS power and a maximum torque of 20.1Nm; these performance figures may sound usual to some riders. But, as a naked-street machine, FZ25 delivered remarkable performance within our test rides.

We’ve mentioned earlier that it has a very straightforwardly designed and simple engine, and it comes with a comparatively lower compression ratio and an oversquare cylinder profile. So, the engine responded very smoothly in all RPM bands. We felt no harshness or any vibration within the normal RPM range, and the engine is completely free of throttle lag or knocking at any gear or any RPM range.

The gear shifting and clutch operation are usually as smooth as other FZ motorcycles. It has no clutch transition noise or even faulty gear engagement issues. The gear ratio is very practical, and the 3rd-5th gear ratios are comparatively wider to support speedy rides. But the frustrating thing is that many times we felt the absence of the 6th gear in highway rides.

However, the most interesting thing about this engine is that below 4,500-5,000RPM it feels like a usual FZ motorcycle, and you may not notice you are riding a quarter-liter machine. But when you twist the throttle and push the engine over 4,500-5,000RPM, it instantly changes its character and roars like a monster. You will definitely feel a thrust of the engine, and you will feel that you have the bridle power at your right hand.

At this point, the bike accelerates quicker than before and gains speed faster. And surprisingly, you will feel the torque up to higher RPM range even at the higher gear state. So, this is the core fun factor of this machine, where the throttle response is very linear at any gear and any RPM range. Again, you will not feel any throttle lag at any gear or any RPM range, but the motorcycle changes its character at 5,000RPM.

However, the engine states under and over 5,000RPM both are enjoyable. And impressively, poor fuel quality also will not bother you as the engine features a lower compression ratio and comes with a SOHC 2-valve setup. Meanwhile, the engine also has no overheating issue, nor a performance drop, and the air-oil-cooling system just works fine. And lastly, we guess it’s a bulletproof engine that is expected to run flawlessly for longer miles.

Road-Tested Performance Figures

Coming to the road-tested performance figures, we found the Yamaha FZ25 is truly a balanced-performing machine. It’s not a high-speed monster, but it can effortlessly support your practical riding requirements.  City riding with the FZ25 is just hassle-free, and no one will feel any discomfort handling the motorcycle even in tight traffic.

On the highway, one can comfortably cruise at 90-120km/h range with no lag or any vibrations. The throttle response is just smooth, linear, and clearly predictable at this range. Moreover, the engine thrust after 5,00RPM gives extra confidence. Therefore, cruising at higher speeds or overtaking the speedy vehicles is effortless within this range.

However, the absence of the 6th gear is felt during long rides, but the 5th gear is easily capable of reaching the top speed of 135km/h. Here, the engine may buzz a bit while continuing above 125km/h. However, it’s still a refined and matured engine that should smooth out more after a few periodic maintenance intervals.

On the fuel mileage concerns, the FZ25 offers good riding range with its 14-liter fuel tank capacity. During our harsh test rides, we got an impressive fuel economy of around 33-36km/L on average. So, it can roll around 350-400km with a tank full of fuel. Therefore, it is literally an advancement in consideration of refueling intervals or weekend-long rides.

Verdict – BikeBD Opinion

So, after riding hard in our stressful test ride sessions, we can say the Yamaha FZ250 is not a so-called performance monster like performance-focused sportbikes. Rather, it’s a solid all-rounder street naked motorcycle that is intentionally designed for the vast majority of common riders who require a balanced-featured and practical machine which can ensure decent engine performance, good fuel economy, and low maintenance.

Therefore, Yamaha FZ25 can be a perfect choice for riders who want a reliable daily commuter that can effortlessly handle busy city commuting scenarios, deal smoothly with practical riding situations, and readily support stressful weekend rides on highways. However, FZ25 may lack hyper-speed thrill in contrast to some of its rivals. But the truth is that it can make up for everything with balanced engine performance, agile handling, and Yamaha’s proven reliability that Yamaha FZ25 stands for.