Ever since the day I test road an FZ-16, from Yamaha’s authorised store in Goregaon, I’ve simply being thinking about selling my current Yamaha Gladiator. Anyways, the best part about FZ-16. The looks of the bike kills... Kills softly and sweetly. It is very in your face design and has a massive street presence. Where all the 150cc bikes look like they’re only 100 cc’s, this bike sure gives an impression that it has been imported and should be atleast 250cc. No less. There is just no other bike in it’s class or even above it’s class to match it’s looks. Seriously!!!
Also, the engine is 153cc with 14 bhp on tap, sufficient enough for the day to day traffic of this city(considering even more, about the fact that Yamaha this time is marketing it as a street bike, easy to use within the city).
The tyres are massive and the best in it’s class, The rear tyre is 140 section in profile(no 150 has as a rear tyre of more than a 100 section), whereas, the front tyre alone is 100 section in profile. The bike is available in three colors. Black, Red and flashy Orange. The design of the frame is eye-catching. The bike has a nearly 50:50 weight distribution, thus, aiding it’s good handling capabilities. The bike felt smoother to ride and the seating position is the best.
It makes you feel like a king. The pillion seat is not large(and meant only for babes :) or a close friend )and not meant for long rides. The focus here on this bike is about the Rider. The bike has 5 speed gearbox, although Yamaha could’ve added a rear disc brake, instead of going for the drum brakes on the production bike. It would have enhanced the bikes already best looks. This is a bike that you won’t get bored, gazing, even 5 years down the line. It is about 75, 000/- rs on road, Bombay, which is again not bad, as almost all the 150 cc bikes sell for around 65-70 thousands usually. What you do get with the Yamaha FZ-16 is superb paint finish, good and durable build quality, nice and refined engine(specially tuned for city riding conditions) very good performance through out the power band. Excellent handling to corner anywhere anytime.... The flip side will be that this is a new product and a touch extreme in it’s concept. People might misunderstand the product.
This bike is not going to impress people who call the commuter bikes, BIKES. Yamaha certainly has understood the formula. They no longer want to be a best seller or a segment leader. They want to sell bikes which are unique, fun and not very cheap. As they say, different strokes for different folks.
Yamaha sales and service image maybe bad for FZ, but it seems like they are really trying to change their image and working hard. It was a plesant experience visiting the Yamaha authorised showroom.
Although the sales department is pathetic, the showroom looks a billion dollar. Plus, you won’t get bored as they also have MT-1000, R1 and a dirt bike on display, offcourse, along with the smashing R-15. If you like riding and love new age bikes, this one is, for sure.....