Mar 05, 2009 04:01 PM
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As I write this review, I read on the web that Yamaha haslaunched another variant of the FZ -16 named Yamaha FZ -S with some cosmeticchanges. This made me remeber that I have to write a follow up review on myearlier review as there would be a bunch of enthusiasts wanting to know aboutthe performance of the bike, since it has been a long time it has beenlaunched.
I had written a review earlier dated Dec, 01, 2008 titled Yamaha of the 90's.I am writing this review after the second service of my machine. I havecompleted around 3000 kms on the it and it truly has been a memorableexperience. The bike is truly an enigma in itself with people from all parts oflife stopping to admire it. I have had people looking at it on the roads inDelhi, enquiries about it being an Indian Bike on red lights, questions beingasked about it in parking lots etc.
Well going into the details of my drive experience on this bike oer the past 3months I return as a more than satisfied rider. The bike after its firstservice has come truly into its own. I will come straight to its performanceaspect after the first service as a lot has been already written about thelooks of the bike and its appeal to the genre. It easiiy crosses 100 km/hr onempty stretches of roads here in Delhi. In the highest gear, the need for a 6gear is felt though the speed is above 110 km/hr. The engine maintains itsrefinement and the bike does not loses control or vibrates at high speeds. Thebroad tyre at the back provides the desired stability at high speeds nor doesthe bike disappoints in city traffic. The instrumentation cluster may seem likea toy to some but it brings the machine its own individuality and charisma.
The braking is spot on, if used in the correct way with both the rear and frontworking in tandem. The headlight beam is the strongest in its segment with theKarizma and Pusar 220 matching its performance. The machine leaves behind withgreat ease the CBZ's, Pulsar 200, Apache etc but is given stringent competitionby Karizma. The seat on the bike is very much comfortable and suitable for longrides. The mono shocker at the back gives the biek a distict appeal and alsohas useability. The meeky horn leaves a lot deisred but keeping in mind thebattery issues one feels satisfied with it as it does not needs a blarring hornto announce its arrival, the looks are enough.
The machine is averaging around 42- 44 when being driven at high speeds asmentioned above but if anyone is ready to ride this machine in the 50 - 60km/hr speed bracket it will easily give around 50 km/litre. But the problem isthat this Yamaha is not made to driven at such a speed.
As far as the Servicing aspect of the bike goes I have a piece of adice for allFZ - 16 owners as I have read a lot about guys complaining about the serviceissues. Please get your FZ -16's serviced only from Yamaha Pro Service stationsand not from the Local Yamaha Dealer workshops. I was given this piece ofadivce by the people associated with this bike since its inception as I had achance to meet them at the Yamaha Company Showroom. They take due care whileservicing as they have been given proper training to service this machine. Theyhave got the prpoper spares as well as the recommended engine oil, which wasdifferent when the bike went for its second service. Please do not crib aboutthe fact that the Pro Service station is not in your city, I have seen peoplecoming all the way from Agra to Delhi to get their Yamaha R 15 and FZ 16'sserviced at Pro Service stations only.
I have also heard that Yamaha is shortly going to introduce a kick onto the FZ16 shortly and also provide for its fitment on the existing one's. Please donot install a leg guard behind the front tyre as it may break the front mudguard and also damage the diamond frame of the bike besides hindering theergonomics of the bke. This truly has been a great bike on Indian roads whcihhas the capabilities to capture the hearts of bike riders as the earleir YamahaRX 100's.
Comments and Queries appreicated
Please ride safe and always wear a Helmet.
