I bought a Yamaha Libero G5 motorcycle two months ago for Rs.38, 990.00 in the city of Lucknow. Though I thought I will write about it immediately, nominal use, I guessed, would provide me some information to share with readers.
I used a Hero Honda Splendour prior to this purchase.
Let me list reasons for my selection of this particular bike:
Yamaha happens to be one of the companies having a short product range (the other one is possibly Honda). It is most surely, the only company selling motorcycles (apart from Bullet!).
Business magazines informed over some period that Yamaha, the great bike company from Japan, was on the look-out for customer feedback in order to introduce a slew of m/cycles. This effort culminated in the introduction of Enticer sometime back. Though it was an excellent bike, the technical issues led to its downfall.
I had used their original RX100 (can be seen even today on roads) and was enamoured by the balance though not the fuel efficiency.
The latest news that Yamaha had floated its own sales and service unit (informed that one is already functioning in Delhi) had me hoping that the company would deliver.
Let me focus on the bike itself. First, the negatives....
a. The motorcycle does not start on a cold engine, even with use of the choke. Neither the help / advise of the service centre! The service fellows advised me to leave the choke on for a kilometre or so to prevent the motor from switching off! Very absurd.
b. The motorcycle has an irritating noise with the front fibre attachments around the headlight. The problem, when shown to the Service personnel, could not be corrected, and a casual suggestion that every bike has such a problem was aired. Again very difficult to digest!
c. The motorcycle could well do with some body graphics, especially on the bare fuel tank. Well, folks, I am planning to forl a hundred rupees for the same instead of the company.
d. It is unclear as why the companies provide a helmet lock / atleast provision for the same on the frame. The aluminium seat contour receives scratches for no reason thanks to the helmet lock!
The Positives...
a. After the initial hiccups of starting, true to the word, the G5 is a city cruise bike. The balance is typically Yamaha. The gear shifting is smooth, and the ride is smooth atleast upto about 70 kmph.
b. The second advantage is that in case the engine stops while the vehicle is in any gear, we can kick start the same while holding the clutch! This can be handy in heavy city traffic conditions.
c. The fuel tank is a huge 13 litres (TVS has some models with a 14 litre tank). This is a plus for the concept of ’’fill and forget’’.
d. The price of Rs.39, 990.00 is very attractive. I also received a scratch card discount of Rs.1000.00!
e. Fuel efficiency remains untested. However, the 106 cc is interesting ans hopefully. will give a reasonable efficiency. The wheelbase, being one of the best, can help as well.
The bike can be given a go head if the above problems are attended to. The price is also competitive, and if Yamaha itself handles after-sales & service, the vehicle can be a good city ride bike of 106 cc!