Yamaha FZ Rave Review: New Face, Same Identity

  • Published June 7, 2026
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If ‘Less is More’ were a bike, it would probably not be the FZ Rave

Yamaha FZ Rave

In a time and age when most bikes have the latest tech and the most bang for the buck, the Yamaha FZ Rave takes a more conservative approach. Sometimes, simple things can bring the most joy. But does this FZ rave about its simplicity or simply fall short?

It’s Different

Yamaha FZ Rave

Looks are always subjective, but the only reason you will want the FZ Rave over the FZ-S, is its headlight. The projector-type LED unit looks more akin to the MT Series. Not only does it make the FZ Rave stand apart, it also lights up the road pretty well, especially when it's pitch dark. 

The Rave is essentially the FZ-S V3 with a different headlight and LED indicators. At Rs 1,22,600 (ex-showroom Delhi), it costs Rs 9,000 more than the bike it’s based on. Barring that, it’s exactly the same as the FZ-S V3.

It’s Friendly

Yamaha FZ Rave

The Yamaha FZ Rave has a 149cc air-cooled engine that makes 12.4PS and 13.3Nm. While it is not the most powerful, it is definitely one of the friendliest. The bike feels quite relaxed riding at 60-70kmph, but it won’t mind if you push it to 80kmph on the highway. It will do higher speeds, but that gets the engine quite close to its redline, where it feels stressed and unhappy.

Yamaha FZ Rave

You’ll need to go down a gear or two when trying to get past slow highway traffic or plan manoeuvres well in advance. The same is the case if you are going up a slope, especially with a pillion and/or luggage. All said, the engine doesn’t complain a lot. In a true Japanese fashion, it feels refined, even in the higher revs.

All of this results in a combined tested mileage of 44.36kmpl – achieved over mixed riding conditions comprising 40-60 split between the city and highway. Considering it is primarily going to be a commuter, you can expect the motor to return closer to the 50kmpl mark in bumper to bumper traffic.

Rides Calmly

Yamaha FZ Rave

The front suspension of the FZ Rave takes the cake. It’s sprung well enough to maintain its composure on bumpy roads. However, the same cannot be said about the rear suspension. It’s quite soft – so much so that it bottoms out on bumps and speed breakers that you encounter everyday, even if you are not on the heavier side. It just gets worse with a pillion onboard. Bumping up preload helps, but only to a small degree. The soft damping will need you to be extra cautious on bumpy roads. 

Yamaha FZ Rave

The Rave looks sporty but is a commuter, and it’s evident in the way it handles. It’s easy to manoeuvre in slow-moving traffic, and in tight parking spots. While it can corner at decent speeds, it’s not really a fun corner-carver. 

The ergonomics of the FZ Rave are naturally upright and relaxed. However, if you want it to feel aggressive, the rider’s seat is spacious enough to scootch back and tuck in. You can also place the feet on the balls, and realise the heel plate is firm enough to get a good lock. 

Keeps Things Simple

Yamaha FZ Rave

The features set on the Yamaha FZ Rave is rather basic. Starting with the negative LCD cluster. It is easy to read even under harsh sunlight, and shows the essentials: speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and the odometer. Though, it misses out on Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. 

Yamaha FZ Rave

While there’s a clock, and two trip meters, they are hidden behind the odometer, and you can only view one of them at any given time. And to toggle through them, you have to do it by reaching the console as the buttons aren’t located on the handlebar like most modern machines. 

Yamaha FZ Rave

The switchgear feels good but doesn’t feel as premium as it was on the earlier generations of the R15. All in all, while it’s just the basics, the FZ Rave does it decently enough. 

ZigSays

Yamaha FZ Rave

The Yamaha FZ Rave, while being as friendly and easy as it is, is not an easy bike to suggest. The main reason is the extra price it commands over the standard FZ-S. The latter does everything exactly the same. 

Yamaha FZ Rave

In fact, its own sibling, the Yamaha FZ-S Fi V4 offers more kit while costing Rs 2,296 less – traction control, Bluetooth connectivity, and call/SMS alerts. So, that leaves you with a question – is the FZ Rave’s headlight worth spending more money for, while losing out on other features? If it is, then the Rave can be your friendly first bike. Else, just stick to the regular FZ and enjoy the same trusty Japanese commuter experience at a significantly lower price point.

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Yamaha FZ-RAVE STD Price in India
City On Road Price
Delhi Rs. 1,40,651
Kolkata Rs. 1,42,887
Bangalore Rs. 1,55,487
Hyderabad Rs. 1,49,320
Mumbai Rs. 1,45,258
Ahmedabad Rs. 1,43,228
Pune Rs. 1,45,258
Chennai Rs. 1,46,783
Patna Rs. 1,44,023
Jaipur Rs. 1,54,357
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