The Forgotten Yamaha That’s The Cheapest Inline-Four Naked You Can Still Buy
Today, inline-four-powered middleweight motorcycles are a rare breed. But that wasn’t the case a decade ago, with all major manufacturers showering us with four-cylinder sport bikes and naked bikes. Japanese motorcycle makers were at the forefront, offering powerful bang-for-buck offerings. Before Yamaha gained popularity with its CP2 and CP3 two- and three-cylinder engines, Yamaha had perfected the four-cylinder formula with a now-forgotten naked bike. We delve deeper into why the predecessor to the MT-09 streetfighter was a killer motorcycle that locked horns with the big guns of the time, like the Triumph Street Triple and the Kawasaki Z750.
The Dwindling World Of Affordable Inline-Four Motorcycles
Downsizing is the norm everywhere, even among cars. We are seeing new Ferraris with V6 engines, and the more popular Lamborghini engine today is not a V12 but a V8. This is the result of stringent norms and funding restrictions. The motorcycle world is also paying the price as it phases out inline-four motorcycles, especially the high-revving ones. There was a time when four-cylinder mills were a common sight, even in the quarter-liter class.
The late 1980s and 1990s were filled with four-cylinder pocket rockets like the Honda CBR250RR (MC22), the Kawasaki ZXR400, the Yamaha FZR400, and the Suzuki GSX-R400. Going up the ladder, the iconic likes of the Yamaha YZF-R6 and the Honda CBR600F4i are four-cylinder middleweights that even call into question the existence of liter-class motorcycles. Among naked bikes, popular names include the Honda CB400 Super Four, the Suzuki Bandit 400 (GSF400), the Kawasaki ZRX1200R, and the Yamaha FZ1.
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Parallel-Twin And Triple Motorcycles Are Taking Over
Compared with four-cylinder engines, parallel-twin and three-cylinder engines offer comparable performance and appeal in a smaller footprint and at lower manufacturing costs. The mechanical complexity is lower, and low-end torque tends to be better because there are fewer pistons to move. Downsizing racing motorcycle engines has proven effective and helps manufacturers meet stringent emission norms. The most popular examples of parallel-twin and three-cylinder motorcycles excelling include the 2026 Yamaha MT lineup and Triumph’s three-cylinder nakeds.
There Are Still A Few New Affordable Inline-Four Naked Bikes Today
In 2026, the number of four-cylinder motorcycles is shrinking, and the naked ones are even fewer. But there is still a wholesome bunch to choose from, giving riders ample options. Notable four-cylinder middleweight naked bikes include the Kawasaki Z900 and Z900RS, as well as the long-standing Suzuki GSX-S750 and GSX-S1000.
Honda offers the most vibrant lineup of four-cylinder nakeds, with six bikes in its portfolio. The middleweight bunch is unique with the CB650R E-Clutch and the CB750 Hornet E-Clutch. These two are the only middleweight naked motorcycles with an electronic clutch system. Yamaha also has a vast lineup of naked bikes courtesy of its MT lineup. Only the MT-10 pair pack four-cylinder engines.
The Cheapest Inline-Four Naked To Buy Today Is The Forgotten Yamaha FZ8
Used Price Starts At $4,000
Currently, the most affordable new four-cylinder naked bike is the 2026 Honda CB650R E-Clutch, priced at $8,699. It is a good value, but it can never match that of a solid used-bike deal. Sure, there are limitations with technology, and age can weaken the reliability quotient. However, that’s not the case with the Yamaha FZ8 naked bike. Thanks to durable engineering and a proven reliability quotient, this forgotten 15-year-old naked bike still stands tall as a formidable companion. The best part is that solid options start at $4,000, courtesy of CycleTrader.
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The Bridge Between The FZ Era And The MT Revolution
The FZ era is highlighted by two specific motorcycles. The acclaimed FZ1 packed a Yamaha R1-derived engine, and the smaller FZ6 had a hidden hooliganistic side thanks to a re-tuned R6 engine. The FZ1 was famed for being a solid sport-tourer, and the FZ6 was an everyday streetfighter. Hence, there was a gap and a demand for a more powerful yet accessible middleweight naked bike.
That’s where the FZ8 fits right in, packing a downsized four-cylinder engine based on the FZ1’s mill. Even the chassis is shared with the sport-tourer. The FZ era is known for a mature stance, while a sinister, hooliganistic attitude characterizes the current MT series. The FZ8, thanks to its shared components, blends a bit of both worlds and hence serves as the bridge between these two phases of Yamaha naked bikes.
Powered By A Yamaha FZ1-Derived Four-Cylinder Engine
The Yamaha FZ8 packs a 779 cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine. This engine was specifically designed to bring a balance to the wild side of the 600 cc middleweight engines and the overkill bunch of 1,000 cc mills. So, Yamaha threw away all preconceptions about engine sizes and designed the FZ8 mill to provide the perfect balance of accessible performance. The result was a motorcycle with the accessible performance of a 600 but with the instant torque and power of a liter-class machine.
In fact, the efforts to boost its low- and mid-range performance are quite impactful, thanks to the ECU’s real-time processing of engine RPM and throttle-opening readings. It uses a new stepper motor to control the sub-throttle valves and optimize volumetric efficiency across the entire rev range. The FZ8 produces 106.2 horsepower at 10,000 RPM and 60.48 pound-feet at 8,000 RPM. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox.
Shared Underpinnings Gave It A Big-Bike Appeal
It uses a twin-spar frame shared with the FZ1, coupled to an aluminum die-cast swingarm, like the bigger FZ1. It is attached to an aluminum die-cast swingarm, which helps elevate the effectiveness of the rear spring. Suspension duties are taken care of by 43 mm inverted forks up front and a swingarm-linked monoshock. While the earlier models were non-adjustable, post-2013 models were upgraded with fully-adjustable front forks and preload-adjustable rear shocks.
Braking duties are courtesy of dual 310 mm discs coupled to twin four-piston monoblock calipers. This naked Yamaha rolls on five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels wrapped with 120-section front and 180-section rear tires. The low-weight nature of the rims helps reduce unsprung mass. This improves cornering stability and overall handling.
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Compact Dimensions, Comfortable Ergonomics, And A Surprisingly Practical Side
The FZ8 is compact with a wheelbase of 57.5 inches and a curb weight of 476 pounds. Despite its aggressive, muscular visual appeal, the FZ8 has a comfortable side, with cozy ergonomics and all-day rideability. It is also tour-ready with the right add-on features. Yamaha offers a slew of accessories for the same, too. Notable ones include a flyscreen, a rear carrier, a 46-liter top case, a passenger backrest, and even heated grips.
The FZ8 Reminds Us Of Yamaha’s Middleweight Naked Greatness That Could Have Been
The FZ8 was a very desirable naked bike that fell victim to Yamaha’s shift toward the MT-09 triple and the MT-07 twin streetfighters. The FZ8 offers balanced performance, looks, comfort, handling, and refinement. Today, thanks to depreciation, this used Yamaha is a steal deal that many are unaware of. We would suggest opting for 2013+ models to get a more adaptive suspension setup. Furthermore, the Yamaha FZ8 is a great way to experience Yamaha’s four-cylinder legacy and what it could have been if this middleweight had stayed and evolved into a possible rival to the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP.
Sources: Yamaha EU, OurMotorcycle World, Bennetts UK, Biker-mag, and Total Motorcycle.
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