Okay, let’s get into it. People were asking lately what it’s actually like to live with an older bike like the 2013 FZ8 now, a decade later. Honestly, I wasn’t sure myself until I picked one up. Fancied that 800cc Yamaha engine, y’know?
Getting Hold of the Thing
Started like anyone else – trawling online. Saw plenty, mostly older listings. Prices? All over the map. Found some minty-looking ones asking high 40s (thousand yuan), but the actual going rate seemed way lower, like mid-30s or even less. Found one ad talking about the European version with the little chip key thingy for security, which sounded alright. Also kept seeing mentions of mods people had done, especially exhausts like Yoshimura and crash bars.
First Impressions & The Hunt
Went to see a couple. The one I liked was black. The guy claimed “everything original down to the screws” and only 3000-something km. Honestly, it looked fresh. He also had a shiny aftermarket exhaust bolted on – some Yoshimura pipe – and one of those tuning boxes piggybacked onto the ECU (“Power Commander,” someone told me later). Said it smoothed out the throttle. Price? Firm in the high 40s. Others looked rougher, priced cheaper. Found myself comparing it mentally to other bikes folks talk about, like the KTM Dukes or the Forza 350 scooters, but this felt… chunkier. More substantial.
Handing Over the Cash
Went with the seemingly pristine one. Yeah, paid towards the upper end. Just really liked the condition and the fact it already had the pipe and the tuning box. Kinda figured it saved me doing it later. Dealer was pushy about deposits and balances, all that jazz. Felt a bit sketchy, but we got it done. Needed that Yamaha key chip thingy paired properly, that took an extra half hour.
Living With It
Right, onto riding it. That engine? It’s old-school Yamaha. Big chunky four-cylinder. Doesn’t scream super high like some modern engines, got power everywhere. Feels solid. That tuning box did seem to help, made it less snatchy down low than I was warned about online. The Yoshimura pipe? Loud. Like, really loud when you open it up. Sounds mean as hell, kinda like an old superbike. But around town, just puttering, it’s manageable. Definitely wakes people up.
Good Stuff:
- Motor is a gem. Strong pull, sounds immense with the pipe. Proper fun.
- Handles like a sporty bike should. Feels planted, stable in corners.
- For a bigger bike, it’s actually pretty comfy riding position. Not hunched over too bad.
- Honestly, feels super solid, well put together. That Yamaha reputation? It’s there.
Less Good Stuff:
- Fuel economy? Ha! Not great. Forget what the spec sheet says. Big motor, heavy bike.
- Weight shows when you’re pushing it around the garage too. Feels hefty.
- Brakes feel… adequate. Not awful, but not amazing either. Seen mentions online saying ABS was only optional back then on some models? Mine doesn’t have it. You notice.
- Some bits feel dated now. The dash? Super basic. Lights? Not the brightest.
Took it out for longer trips. Seat gets firm after a couple of hours. Added some frame slider pucks after I got it – the guy before me already had GIVI engine guards fitted, which is smart. Didn’t see the point of swapping them out.
The Bottom Line Now
So, what do owners say? Me included?
Look, the value tanked hard. Paid a bit over the odds because of condition and mods, but it’s still a 10+ year old bike. Finding pristine ones is tough, most have lived a bit. Parts? Not dirt cheap, but available. That engine is bulletproof if looked after. It ain’t winning tech awards – no fancy rider modes, basic electronics. But riding it? Pure, simple, mechanical fun. That exhaust note, the grunt out of corners… it puts a massive grin on your face every single time.
It’s rough around the edges by today’s standards, but that’s kinda the point now. People buy these because they want that raw feel, that solid bike, and don’t care about the latest gadgets. Plus, seeing the prices of new stuff? That’s just insane. This cost pennies compared to that, and honestly? Feels just as fast in the real world.
Would I buy it again? Yeah, absolutely. No regrets. It’s a keeper. Just gotta watch the petrol bill and remember the brakes need a good squeeze.
