Yamaha announced the release of the YZF-R15 at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and it has been the talk of the town, but do you know the original FZR150? This model was released in Taiwan in 1990 with a V-twin engine.
Supersports fever in Asia began in the 1990s.
The 150cc class is popular in Asia, and in Japan, this is often released as a 125cc model.
In recent years, the PCX of 2010 is a typical example, and this became a big hit when the PCX150 was also launched in Japan in 2012. In addition, 150cc sports cars are also gaining recognition with Suzuki's launch of the Gixxer (150) in 2017.
And for 2023, Yamaha will officially sell the YZF-R15 in Japan, likely as early as June. It is a small but serious supersport with the same full-cowl appearance as the YZF-R7, traction control, and even a quick shifter as an option.
This was the beginning of a model change in India in 2022, and the momentum of the Asian market has spread to Japan. Looking back in history, Yamaha had a replica FZR150 in 1990.
This model was the result of the momentum of the Japanese market spreading to Asia, and its appearance was very similar to that of the FZR250.
The body was full of keywords that were popular during the 1980s replica boom, such as genesis, delta box, triple disc, and motocross, and it was also equipped with a unique mechanism called JET AIR INTAKE. Most surprising of all, the engine was an air-cooled V-twin.
FZR150 (1990) [YAMAHA] A replica model with a full cowl and a V-type two-cylinder engine in the vein of the FZR series. Released by Yamaha Motor Taiwan, it won the Good Design Award in the same year.
YZF-R15 [YAMAHA] The new YZF-R series was displayed at the Osaka Tokyo Motorcycle Show as a planned production model. It will be imported from Indonesia and released in Japan around June.
FZR150 seriously pursues the Genesis concept, even with a V-twin cylinder
The FZR150 is powered by a 150cc air-cooled, V-twin cylinder version of the XV250 Virago, which debuted in 1988, probably because it was the best fit for production by Taiwan Yamaha.
Parallel four-cylinder engines are more challenging, and the 2013 Kawasaki Z800 was the first to be produced at an Asian plant.
The Virago's engine is a V-twin cylinder 248 cc, 23 PS/8000 rpm, not exactly sporty. The FZR150 shortened the bore x stroke from the Virago's 49 x 66 mm to 45 x 47 mm, producing 17.4 PS at 11,000 rpm despite its 149 cc engine. A high-speed type cam and reinforced valve springs were used to achieve higher rpm.
Yamaha has had the Genesis Concept since the FZ750 in 1985, and the FZR150 follows suit.
The V-type engine, which has a 60-degree angle of contact, is positioned at a 5-degree forward tilt, 35 degrees in front, and 25 degrees in the rear, to increase the front wheel load.
The Genesis' unique downdraft carburetor has been changed from a single carburetor to a double carburetor.
The chassis is a delta box frame with a link-type monocross suspension. The front has a 33mm-diameter fork with a 245mm-diameter double disc and opposed 2-pot calipers. The 49:51 front/rear weight distribution is finished for excellent total performance.
The FZR150 is loaded with various mechanisms such as triple discs and monocross suspension. The jet air intake under the FZR logo is a mechanism that enhances intake air efficiency.
XV250Virago (1988) [YAMAHA] Equipped with a newly developed V-twin engine, this cruiser was styled by the authentic school, competing with the 1985 Rebel (250).
FZ150 (1990) [YAMAHA] This naked version was released at the same time as the FZR150, and the cowl looks like this. You can see that the engine is tilted more forward than that of the Virago, though only slightly.
Tadahiko Taira also appears in the catalog and talks about the GENESIS (Genesis) philosophy of integrating each part to enhance total performance from the engine to the chassis. The FZR150 was a serious replica.
FZ750 (1985) [YAMAHA] The FZ, the first embodiment of the Genesis, featured a 45-degree forward-leaning engine with a downdraft intake. Not only did it offer higher performance, but it also optimized the front-rear weight distribution.
FZR150 Main Specifications
Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height: 1960 x 680 x 1060mm
Wheelbase: 1345mm
Seat height: 745mm
Weight: 144 kg
Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke V-Twin cylinder SOHC 2-valve 149cc
Maximum output: 17.4 PS at 11,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 1.22 kg-m/8500 rpm
Fuel tank capacity: 10 liters
Transmission: 6-speed return
Brakes: F=W disc, R=disc
Tires: F=90/80-17, R=110/80-17
