INITIAL OWNERSHIP IMPRESSIONS-
>The FAZER:
Make – Yamaha
Model – Fazer
Colour – Midnight Black
Date of Purchase – 6.5.2010
Daily Running – Approx 28-30 Kms (Home > College > Home > Friend’s House/Some other place > Home)
Dealer – Northern Yamaha, Faridabad
On-Road Price – Rs. 83500
Kilometres done (Till date) – 18358 kms (As on Odometer)
Engine type - Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC
Displacement - 153.0 cc
Compression ratio - 9.5:1
Maximum power - 14PS @ 7500 rpm
Maximum torque - 13.6 Nm @ 6000 rpm
Starting system - Electric & Kick start
Fuel tank capacity - 12 litres
Lubrication type - Wet Sump
Fuel Supply - Carburettor
Transmission type - Constant mesh 5-speed
Clutch type - Wet, multiple-disc
Cylinder Layout - Single Cylinder
Bore × Stroke - 58.0 × 57.9 mm
Battery - 12 V, 5.0 Ah
Gear ratios - 1st=2.714, 2nd=1.789, 3rd=1.318, 4th=1.045, 5th=0.875
Primary / Secondary reduction ratio - 3.409/2.857
Frame type - Diamond
Brake type(front/rear) - disc / drum
Headlight - 12V, 35/35W
Caster / trail - 25 degree/ 101 mm
Tyre size (front/rear) - 100/80-17 / 140/60-R17
Suspension (front/rear) - Telescopic/ Swing arm
Overall Length × Width × Height - 1,973mm × 761mm × 1,119mm
Seat height - 790mm
Wheelbase - 1,334mm
Minimum ground clearance - 160mm
Kerb weight - 141 kg
>Exteriors and Features:
Coming from the front, Fazer comes with a colour co-ordinated aerodynamic cowl to keep the wind blast at bay. Yamaha has blessed the bike with Twin Sporty Headlamps, which are adequate for Highway drives (At high beam), But, I face problems at night time in City with Low Beams. I just can’t see where the light is falling on the road! In between the Sporty looking Headlamps is the Parking Lamp/Pilot Lamp, which produces enough glare for people to notice you.
The bike sports 17” Wheels both at the front as well as the rear end. The Rear fender looks out of place from certain angles, maybe because of the thin sidewall of the rear tyre. The front tyre measures 100/80R17, which is very common among bikes (Stunner, etc), but, the Rear Tyre has it ALL, provided with 140/60R17 tyres, It adds to the look of the bike to a Great Extent. Also, it is India’s first radial tyre with 60% Aspect Ratio. Both the tyres being tubeless ones are less susceptible of sudden flattening due to puncture. In other words, “Bande ko Thikane pe pahucha dete hai!”(Are able to take the passengers to their destination.)
When seen from extreme side, the bike shows its MONSTROUS front and elegant yet sporty rear. The Long, Firm and THIN (really disappointing) seat along with the Large Muscular 12L Fuel tank provides a sportier feel to the bike. The two separate grab bars, as seen in most Pulsars, Apaches, etc, add Style to the side view of the bike and make it a Head-Turner. There are two plastic parts on either side, on which the sticker “Fazer” is placed, are of rather cheap quality and can’t be cleaned without polish, unlike other parts which can be cleaned using a Wet cloth. The Indicators are placed low which do not produce any glare to the Rider and are effective in their job as well. The bike is not provided with any Leg Guard, a missed thing by Yamaha, very bad. The Fazer houses the Mono Cross suspension, which looks Super-Stylish on the bike and also offers an exhilarating ride. The front disc brake adds style in addition to safety in the bike. The Graphics are not rather great but are contemporary and gel well with the bike.
The rear houses the Taillights as well as the Indicators on the fender itself. The fender provided is long and wide, preventing mud/dirt from splashing up on the bike’s butts. The rear also houses the almost-hidden “Yamaha” logo. Yess Yamaha! The Tail lamp is bright enough at nights with the Indicators also bright enough. The Small fat sporty Exhaust enhances the sportiness of the bike to heights!
The Instrument Cluster is not a great looking one, but, it does its function quite well. The Large Speedometer provides better vision and is convenient to read at night. The Tachometer is not that Attractive (unlike the Apache) but does its function well. The Odometer is placed at the centre of the Tachometer. The Fuel Gauge is too small and you have to peep in to see the amount of fuel left! The Indicator does not have separate lights; I have to guess which one is on! The standard things like High beam indicator, Neutral indicator, etc are placed right and are fairly large. I, however, do not like the console much, but, It’s my bike, I have to live with it! Also, the Telescopic forks and all the wiring are entirely visible, which looks cheap!
>Engine and Performance-
The 153cc engine delivers 14PS power with 13.6 Nm of torque. I feel it is not enough for carrying the 141kg machine! The engine is not responsive as I expected in an Rs.80000 bike. The bike takes some time to catch speeds (80-100kmph) no matter how much you twist the throttle. When we talk about 150CC segment bikes, it is rare to find a better one than Yamaha Fazer considering the features but it is solely for looks purpose, not for power purpose. The engine, otherwise, IMO, is perfectly tuned for high speed driving as well as City driving. The engine does not give any Vibration or Jerks, which was the main problem with the Apache RTR 160.
Acceleration -
The Yamaha Fazer leads the list of 150cc bikes when compared to acceleration. The machine can achieve 0-60 km in just 5.6 seconds that is really a mere show of its strength. Pick-up is the best at any speed. Vibration level is hard to find specially on long ride. You can check it even at 5th gear. The top speed is claimed 114 km, cool. So, I managed to do this. Anything more I need to tell?
>Ride and Handling-
Tyres: Yamaha Fazer has Five Spoke black alloy wheels, which was expected, as it is present in almost all the bikes in this price range. Yamaha has taken a step towards convenience by giving tubeless tyres on both the wheels. The front tyre is of normal size but the rear tyre, being 140/60R17, sets this bike apart from others in terms of looks as well as handling. The cornering, high speed stability and road grip is increased to a great extent. The rear tyre is also claimed by Yamaha to be first of its kind in India. This gives you amazing grip on roads and smooth ride even on bumpy/bad roads. Loss of traction is rare even in Water/Wet roads.
Suspension: Fazer is equipped with Mom-Cross suspension at the rear and telescopic forks for the front wheel. The Mono-cross suspension can be adjusted 7 times according to the user’s requirement; I use it in second last stiffness mode most of the time! This is an engineering masterpiece as the bike is well formed keeping in mind the suspension and braking technique synchronization.
Brakes: Yamaha Fazer has disc brake for its front wheel. Eye catching round shape is not the only thing that you will see but the amazing control of the bike. This ensures your safety on road as well as gives better control of the bike. However, the rear wheel is installed with drum brake. When applied together (say 40% rear one and 60% front), the bike comes to a halt very quickly which enhances safety as well as confidence in the rider.
>Comfort -
Looks and performance wise Yamaha Fazer already sets its standard high and with the better changed seating arrangement it gives the best comforting zone you can get into. Forget the problems that were messing up with your long drive plan on your bike. With Yamaha Fazer, you get the best ride of your lifetime! Handle bars are also placed accordingly to provide a better grip and eased up controlling. The seat is best, IMO, for the rider but the pillion has to face problem (Especially ladies) as the seat is too thin from the rear. The Mono-Cross suspension helps in enhancing the ride in bumpy roads as well as in keeping the bike stable on highway runs!
>Mileage -
It all depends upon my mood. In good mood (normal driving at normal speeds) and city conditions, this bike fairs out 45kmpl easily and in bad mood (includes revving to higher RPMs); this thing delivers 35-40kpl. On highways, I never get less than 50kmpl, whatever is the mood! Since my running is not that much, I am happy with the mileage.
>Problems faced -
Till completing one year with my Fazer, I had no issues. But, last year, I felt that the bike was not behaving normally. The Revs were not going to the wheels! I was able to touch 110kmph on 7000RPMs, which was at lower RPMs earlier. I showed it to the service centre; they lubricated the chain saying that it was sludged. The problem was rectified. Otherwise, I have no problems with the bike. Yes, once the Headlight was gone Kaput (Left one approx. 5 months ago), I showed them to Yamaha and they rectified it by replacing the bulb. It took them whole one day to source the bulb!
![Laugh [lol] [lol]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Laugh.gif)
Else, No major problems faced. Touch-wood.
So, This was a small review from my side..
More pics coming in the next part : GOOD BITS AND BAD BITS..
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