Design wise: The closest competition to the FZ16 is Bajaj’s Pulsar, TVS’ Apache RTR FI and Hero Honda Hunk. And the Hunk is the only one that comes close to being anywhere as good-looking as the FZ16. Still, the Yamaha has a
far superior hand because with the FZ16 they have taken on design
elements that have never before been thought of in India, much less
executed.
Let’s start in the front with the triangular headlight, kept in place
by funky supports. There’s even a pilot lamp but placed below the main
light instead of on the sides. Ok, the side indicators are no great
shakes but take in the massive tyres and disc brake. The tyres are
140/60 MRF Zapper that is not just 30 per cent lighter but also become
the first radials on a street bike.
Slide your eyes a little back and take in the immense proportions of
the tank. It immediately gives you a picture of rippling biceps on a
European streetfighter, like it is meant to. Interestingly, what you
see is just a plastic resin cover (albeit with beautiful styling) with
the 12-liter metal tank hidden underneath. Notice the tiny flares on
the side? They are not just there was show, they act as fins to channel
air to the engine for effective cooling. There is even one channel that
directs air to the spark plug. That is one intelligent design, we tell
you.
The dash is all-digital with fuel, tacho and speedo but not the best
one we have seen. There are too many colours to distract you from
actually seeing your reading, especially the tacho and fuel gauge.
Then there is the all-black matte-finish motor that has been built from
the ground up and snugly fitted in the frame. But more on that later.
The aluminum cover next to it hides a new innovation – the negative
pressure carburetor. Then there are sheets of crafted aluminum running
in every direction including onto the seat. But look carefully and you
will notice the monocross suspension, centrally mounted below the
driver’s seat.
The exhaust is another thing of wondrous innovation. The muffler is
actually hidden midway under the swingarm in a loop configuration. This
means better performance and a wonderful addition to better center of
gravity. Other than that, the rear of the bike is free of all clutter
and lets you concentrate on the hulky front. And it is commendable that
despite all the brawn, the designers have managed to keep the dry
weight of the bike to 126kg, far lower than the competition.
Engine*
Yamaha says that the FZ16 is tuned to clock the best 0-60 kmph timing
in the segment with a top speed of 115 kmph. The 153cc, single
cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine produces a maximum power of 13.8
bhp @ 7500 rpm and a maximum torque of 1.38 kgm @ 6000 rpm. If you are
wondering why Yamaha bothered to build this all-new engine when it
already had a fabulous one in the R15, with almost similar statistics,
the answer lies in the positioning.
The R15 is a supersportsbike, tuned to give maximum power in the higher
torques. But the FZ16 is a street bike and optimized to perform best in
the low and mid-range revs. That is not to say that the bike stalls
when you hit 9500 rpm, just that it is at its best in the lower revs.
Riding it*
Yamaha know their bikes, you can’t fault that. The engine performs
beautifully in the lower and mid-range revs and still has enough juice
for you to push it. The MRF Zappers are simply brilliant with the
sticky rubber that loves to stay with the tarmac.
The FZ16 is well grounded thanks to many little design elements that
are there for better center of gravity and you will notice it
especially in the cornering. Remember it is a street bike so it doesn’t
exactly love sand or gravel but handles them well in anycase. The rear
monocross suspension work great and the bike is happy even on bumpy
roads.
The seating position too is one of the best with the seat height and the almost-flat swingarm designed for rider comfort.
The front disc and the rear drum brakes work well in tandem never letting you feel like the bike is losing ground.