With the increase in the fuel prices I had to rethink about my riding. I own a Royal Enfield Bullet(500CC-Limited Edition 1990) model, which by my heart is the best ever. But then, we surely cannot overlook the fact that we have to shell out a lot of money for our travels(with my bike’s average ranging around the 20 KMPL mark). I decided to do some window shopping for a new bike.
The first one that came to mind is obviously the Pulsar - Definitely Male. I took a test reide on the bike and looked through the material provided by the salesmen at the store. After contemplating a bit, I decided to continue my search(baschandru021y because the Pulsar was a very common scene around). I did not want to buy something because ten others around me had the same.
Then I went to Hero Honda( Now the Hum Mein Hai Hero success story). Here I chose the Hunk - which was of the same 150cc class. As a matter of fact the bike is awesome, in terms of performance and handling. However it really did not score much in the looks and feel category. Also the bike is a real expenditure when we look at the maintainence bit. So the search for excellence continues!!
I surely had no interest in the Honda models, as my friend had owned a Unicorn and was very unhappy with it. I had also tried the bike but felt that I should have walked a few times. LOL!!!!! So then came the next best thing(I then thought) - Yamaha. The showroom I walked into was Bangalore Motors on Rajkumar Road. At first, the showroom did not give me a good feeling of the visit. But then I was greeted by the Assistant Sales Manager himself, who had spoken to me over the phone when I called in for an appointment. He first sat me down and gave me ample brochures for the different models they had. The ones that climisht my eye were the FZ -S, R-15 and the Fazer 2(there is a Fazer 1 also which looks really pathetic).
He then started to tell me all the specs for the bike.
Engine type - Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC Displacement 153.0cm3
Maximum power - 14PS @ 7500 rpm Maximum torque 13.6 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Starting system - Electric & Kick start
Fuel tank - 12 litres Lubrication type Wet Sump
Fuel Supply - Carburetor
Transmission - Constant mesh 5-speed
Clutch type - Wet, multiple-disc
Cylinder Layout - Single Cylinder
These are just a few that stayed in my head. Don’t really want to pen down a lot of technical jazz. Then it was time for me to ride one for myself and see how it feels.
I took out a bike which was standing out there for a while. The startup was real good. A quiet buzz was what I felt for the start rather that the multiple beat of the Hunk or Pulsar. The initial also felt quite powerful and I was off for my test. The breaking system(with disc in-front and drum in the back) was also commendable. The ride felt very comfortable as I did not have to hunch too low(like on the R-15). The Clutch and the gear shifting is quite the mark even in this model. All in all the bike impressed me on the test ride. The bike was priced at Rs, 75000(Ex Showroom) which also was musical to hear. I had made my decision and I ordered for the bike the next day(paid by cash) and the delivery was set to a month(cash payment benefit).
Today, I own a Blue Yamaha Fazer, and these are the things I have noticed.
Pros -
The average of the bike ranges between 40-45 KMPL which is quite imppressive for this class.
The bike is a comfortable ride and can touch the 120KMPH mark without any trouble.
The bike can be purchased with a manual kicker installed or with only the auto start(which is what I have done.
It is very easy to handle and has immense power; like the yamaha power bikes promise, who can ever forget the RX 100 and the RX 135.
Cons -
Any yamaha model that I have heard of has had this complaint: Issues with the chain sprocket when the bike is pushed to its limit. Even the Fazer has the same complaint. As long as you don’t push the bike to do more than it needs to the sprocket is spick and span.
The headlight system and the battery. The headlight system is actually set to the battery power. The bike come with a 5 Amp battery which is not on a very strong end. And hence the headlights are set to turn on one at a time. The dip turns on one light with the other off and the dim does the same but with the opposites. This can be corrected by installing an 8 Amp battery and reworking the cables in the headlamp.
With the above details, I only have to say this; for someone who likes power this is an apt vehicle. I for one will recommend this to people.
Cheers!!!!! Keep Riding..........