I have completed 2 months and over 1500 Km and I am using this forum to request YAMAHA to see how they can improve the FX16. While I am happy with the bike and would recommend the same to anyone. The style, the pick up and overall comfort makes me a proud owner of an FZ.
I do feel certain areas need to be improved
a) The rear Drum Break does not have the stopping power and in most cases we use the powerful and good Front Disc brakes. The back wheel road grip needs to be checked .
b) While pick up is good in first 3 gears the top gears ratio need to be steeped up to get higher speeds. At 95 its looks like the engine has reserve power but vehicle movement is not faster and in fact I was searching for higher gears at high speeds.
c) The 4 stroke engine noise is not a "macho" sound and overall sound of the engine, the muffler and the chain sprocket does not give it that pleasant mechanical sound of a good machine. I have requested the service centre to check it twice but they say it is the regular sound of FZ.
d) I do have issues in getting the bike to neutral after dropping to dead slow speeds and the lever is usually stuck at either 1st or 2nd gears.
d) The gear changes give a cluck cluck noise due to play in the gear lever. While performance is satisfactory the click to right gears should be firm and this system has scope for improvement.
e) While driving the right wrist between the thumb and forefinger hurts . I am 5ft 8 and medium built I guess the handle bar width and height can be reviewed as I have read many complain on the same issue.
f) The back wheel gets punctured easily mainly because there is a drop in type pressure over short periods of time. Need to look into tread pattern which appears flat instead of buttons .
g) the oil level indicator is black color and no chance of seeing the oil level on a black background.
h) Key does not seem secure for such a costly bike . At service center I was accidentaly given another bikes key and I was able to start my bike and use it .
i) There is enough areas where a minimum storage space is possible for a pair of specs or phone but now it is not there .
j) Open chain is gathering dust in Indian summer conditions requiring frequent cleaning and oiling, can it be covered?
j) Marginal increase in rear view mirror size ./ more sideways view.
k) Fuel gauge steps are so small and not visible. More that rpm and speedometer tje fuel gauge is the one we look the most and this needs a review .
j) A gear indicator would be defiantly be useful, now we only have the neutral green light.
j) The pillion rider has to suffer a lot of discomfort on bumpy roads and vibration in rear seat is amplified in the cantilever type mono suspension.
k) While milage is only between 35 and 40, I do feel it can be improved depending on the user to compromise and strike a balance between power and milage using variable jet and filters.
j) last but not least the final delivery price mentioned by the dealer JAIN YAMAHA Chennai at Rs 79, 614 ( reg+ tax+insurance) is significantly higher than city sale prices mentioned on the internet . Need to check if these additional margins are really YAMAHA planned prices.
I would like to work with YAMAHA and develop & test any improvements they can come up with for the above . It only to improve the FX 16 from the LORD to KING of the Roads