The Luxury Bikes

August 10th, 2009. I rode my hero Honda pleasure (as for the past 3 years) in roads of Trichur, always feeling struck with envy when watching the other guys zooming by on their Pulsars, Apaches, CBZs and Unicorns. I came across a parking slot and next to me was parked a muscular bike. I knew this was the most talked about Yamaha FZ 16 and I was having a close up view for the first time, having only seen the bike in showrooms and the net. As I didn’t know how to ride a geared bike, I dared not go into the showroom and ask for a test ride.

September 10th, 2009. I was riding a new blazing black FZ 16 on the same street watching other people (guys and gals) who use to ignore me, giving a slight look at the bike. And for someone who is used to being ignored by others for the past 3 years, on road; getting noticed was great. I took a deep breath and sat erect and rode the bike (like riding an elephant).

Enough of dramatics, I have been a proud owner of this bike for the past 1 month. It took me 2.5 years to convince my parents to buy me a bike and finally when it was the right time, I knew I had to buy the best bike in the category. I am a student and have to travel around 24km daily (that too in 10-15minutes) , so a 150cc bike was essential. I had zeroed on the Honda unicorn, Hero Honda hunk and the suzuki gs15or. I first went to Honda. They simply seemed bored and replied to my inquiry that the bike would take 50 days in booking, no discount (It was onam season). Their cold attitude had just lost them one potential customer.

Next, went to Hero Honda. They offered the limited edition Hunk (wine red) for rs.62,300 on road. Since this was the cheapest and Hunk seemed to be a good bike (I then decided to book it.) I had canceled the Suzuki GS150R, not because it was bad but because it didn’t have anything new. No striking looks, but a good bike all the same. But on the day, I was to buy the hunk; I went by impulse to the Yamaha showroom. There the FZ 16 and FZ-S stood there receiving me. I was told that there was a discount of Rs.3000 for students. So the on-road price came to Rs.69,300. (My budget was 70,000 ). After hearing the advantages and disadvantages and its comparison to other bikes, I decided that this would be my first bike. I got the bike on the same day of cash payment.

Now the problem was to learn bike riding. I am an expert driver in cars and keeping that in mind I sat on the FZ and started the bike. My first start and ride on my first bike! It took me just 2km to be a pro in riding the FZ. That is the bike. It gives confidence even to starters. Now, after the first service, I have completed 700km. So initially, here were some of the “assumptions” I had on the bike.

• No kick start. If the starter fails, you have to push and drag and start (like cars.)
• The bike looks like a toy.
• Lesser weight, hence lesser control.
• The digital instruments is dull
• The back seat is just a virtual thing. A pillion cannot ride for long.

Based on these and my personal experience, I shall write. My review won’t be technical. I shall use my knowledge and explain my views.

Engine and Performance: When the pulsar was introduced first in 2001, it was applauded as a technically brilliant and an advanced-bike-for-its-class. That was one of the reasons it became an instant hit. In 2008, Yamaha has repeated the same. The FZ is just one step ahead of its competitors and we have obtained a true performance bike in the 150cc group. The bike uses a SOHC , air-cooled 153cc engine. The maximum power is 14bhp and torque is 13.6Nm (Even if these were not the characteristics, I would have bought it anyway). When you sit on the bike and start it, the sporty riding position instills in you a feeling of pride. The position is excellent, just like the Unicorn and GS150R. You can ride straight for one hour, without any strain. Hence backpain is absolutely nil. The handlebars are wide which offer a comfortable position.

The bike starts just 2 seconds on pressing the starter. On mornings, I use the choke, as it is recommended for long engine life. Speaking on the absence of a kick start. Suppose you bought a new car. Are you worried that the car won’t start. There will be no starting problem atleast for the first 2 years. Since cars don’t have kickstart, the same thing applies to bikes. A well maintained battery lasts upto 1.5-2 years. Sports bikes like R1 , Hayabusa and the new P180 & P220 also come with self-starters only. You must sense that since the bike starts with self, the companies shall place an extra emphasis on the battery.

The bike starts with a pleasant sound, not silent like the Unicorn and not loud like the Apache and Pulsar. The sound is like something is waiting in the engine for you to unleash. The gear is one down, 4 up. There is no chance for false neutral and for neutral; you have to shift down to 1st and then shift up. The gear is of toe type, which looks sporty and all the same, may cause discomfort to those wearing sandals. The bike handles like a cruiser bike and is not rough like its brother the R15.

The bike is designed to provide low-end torque, meaning performance in low speeds. The power flow is smooth and takes just 5.5 seconds for 0-50km. I shift the gears at 4000rpm. The gears were initially a bit hard, but after the 1st service, this has become smooth. The power, though not the best, is ideal especially for riding the cities. In my opinion, this is the best bike to have when you ride mostly in a busy city. Till 0-70kmph, the ride is smooth and refined (not super refined like unicorn). Well, 150cc bikes should be a bit rough. (When a bike is extra smooth, it’s meant for ladies). You should have some feeling of control over the bike. The bike can be used to overtake extensively, with confidence, as the delta frame and lesser weight results in more stability and control. The gear ratios are excellent, and meant for city. You can ride in 5th gear at 20kmph without engine knocking. This means lesser shifting of gears. I ride mostly in the 50-55 speed, and it is the ideal speed for the bike.

Braking is good. The disc brake makes you feel really safer but the back brake could have been disc. The drum brakes are a bit loose. Anyway I use the front and back brake together, it is the best braking mode, for any bike and makes you stop right where you want to. The exhaust is trendy and the bike is somewhere between silent, and rugged. I have gone till 80kmphr. But after 75kmph, the vibrations start kicking in (At higher speeds, you won’t even know.) The maximum speed is touted to be at 115-120km/hr. It takes the highways for proper testing. Anyway the optimum speed is 3500rpm at 45-50kmphr.