Alec Lamb
10-09-2009, 09:18 AM
The FZ series accounted for 45 percent of the total sales of Yamaha. The bike has been significantly responsible for changing the face of the company in India. The new FZ-S that was launched some months ago got a tremendous response from youngsters. Continuing on the success of the FZ series, the Japanese giant rolled out yet another variant of the 150cc bike - the Fazer. The company has followed the philosophy of cloning their best selling international products lately. The R15 is inspired by the RI, the FZ16 by the FZI and now the little 150cc touring machine apes the 1000cc Fazer sold abroad.
Essentially a FZ with a quarter fairing, the Fazer oozes appeal and looks more like a high capacity machine. It's surprising how the inclusion of just a quarter fairing can completely change the way a bike looks. The fairing, with twin headlamps and a small pilot lamp in the center, is claimed to be wind tunnel tested. Visually, you can't notice any other changes though and the bike imparts a macho and sophisticated look, no matter which angle you see it from.
Once you swing a leg over the machine and hold the handlebar, you realize the seating posture has changed. It's a lot more comfortable now - a welcome change from the aggressive seating position of the FZ and should do well in fulfilling the requirements of a capable touring machine.
5525
The handlebars have also been raised and are responsible for making the rider feel comfortable over long stints. Powering the Fazer is the same IS3cC engine which chums
out 14PS of power with 13.6Nm of torque. The bike in this avatar gains a few kilos but that doesn't affect the performance much. Of course, most tourers would have preferred a more powerful engine but this one still doesn't disappoint. At an indicated 80km/h, the engine is spinning at around s800rpm with enough juice in reserve for overtaking traffic. The Fazer might not keep up with bigger bikes on the highways, but it has all the other elements that a budding long distance biker would seek. As mentioned earlier, the comfortable saddle, the ergonomic riding position and the new fairing that deflects a good part of the wind away from the rider are positive traits. Another change we noticed has been the inclusion of dual horns, a very helpful feature while passing heavy commercial traffic.
The new Fazer is available in four colours: Electric Blue, Midnight Black, Lava Red and Flaming Orange and is available at an ex-showroom. The bike might seem expensive for a 150cc machine but there is a lot more being offered keeping aside the powerplant. The company is betting heavily on it and is pushing the model aggressively with their new 'touring spirit' campaign. With the number of Fazers being seen on the roads, we think its working well. Over the past two to three years, we have seen a growing trend among young bikers in India - that of heading out on weekends and exploring new places. Most of these riders don't see these rides as a race against time but more as a leisure experience and this is where the Fazer fits in perfectly.
Essentially a FZ with a quarter fairing, the Fazer oozes appeal and looks more like a high capacity machine. It's surprising how the inclusion of just a quarter fairing can completely change the way a bike looks. The fairing, with twin headlamps and a small pilot lamp in the center, is claimed to be wind tunnel tested. Visually, you can't notice any other changes though and the bike imparts a macho and sophisticated look, no matter which angle you see it from.
Once you swing a leg over the machine and hold the handlebar, you realize the seating posture has changed. It's a lot more comfortable now - a welcome change from the aggressive seating position of the FZ and should do well in fulfilling the requirements of a capable touring machine.
5525
The handlebars have also been raised and are responsible for making the rider feel comfortable over long stints. Powering the Fazer is the same IS3cC engine which chums
out 14PS of power with 13.6Nm of torque. The bike in this avatar gains a few kilos but that doesn't affect the performance much. Of course, most tourers would have preferred a more powerful engine but this one still doesn't disappoint. At an indicated 80km/h, the engine is spinning at around s800rpm with enough juice in reserve for overtaking traffic. The Fazer might not keep up with bigger bikes on the highways, but it has all the other elements that a budding long distance biker would seek. As mentioned earlier, the comfortable saddle, the ergonomic riding position and the new fairing that deflects a good part of the wind away from the rider are positive traits. Another change we noticed has been the inclusion of dual horns, a very helpful feature while passing heavy commercial traffic.
The new Fazer is available in four colours: Electric Blue, Midnight Black, Lava Red and Flaming Orange and is available at an ex-showroom. The bike might seem expensive for a 150cc machine but there is a lot more being offered keeping aside the powerplant. The company is betting heavily on it and is pushing the model aggressively with their new 'touring spirit' campaign. With the number of Fazers being seen on the roads, we think its working well. Over the past two to three years, we have seen a growing trend among young bikers in India - that of heading out on weekends and exploring new places. Most of these riders don't see these rides as a race against time but more as a leisure experience and this is where the Fazer fits in perfectly.