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#1
Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
DOB: 26 November 2009
Color: Black
Why/How FZ?
Background Story: Idea for buying a two wheeler came after fed up with office bus commute and loss of time. I had only a year's saving of 10k in hand. Home-worked options available for such a low down payment. Zeroed to Honda Dio and Yamaha Gladiator. Glady was ruled out after its felt too uncle-ish, so the Dio. Main intention was customizing a bit and had a good neighborhood Honda mechanic. Booked Dio paying 10k and applied for HDFC two wheeler loan. Procedure went smooth and some customization parts (R15 mirrors, believe me) bought. Promised 14-day delivery, but kept delaying, Two months went past and HDFC cancelled loan because of the delay. Decided to wait a month more, but everything shattered when the same dealer delivered a Dio to my neighbor for ready cash payment and a few tip here and there. Sitting hopeless, came by my brother-like friend, who offered to fund the rest for something better than a Dio. Cancelled the Dio. Refund took some running behind the dealer.
Available options:
1. HH Hunk - Waiting period was almost 2.5 months. (Later cousin bought one and regretted for the inferior quality, poor mileage and the worst dealership/service experience).
2. RTR 160/180 - Called up the dealership and lady over phone was clueless on even terms like waiting period as nothing like existed there. Pay in the morning, take home the evening. Available ready stock. Went gaga over the newly launched 180 version, that white color and the bikini tail end. Exhaust note was sweet. Queried with a friend who had RTR160 and he only made rethink. First think was his service and dealer experience and then every RTR owners faced some sort of problem.
3. Unicorn - Always recommended to friends and the waiting period was whopping 6-9 months and again bribe the dealer and get delivery earlier. They were asking in the range of 10k for Unicorn and Activa and 5k for low selling Dio. Already betrayed by another Honda dealer, didn't want to take risk. Moreover, most of the friends were facing issues with their bikes and started yelling at me, most common of them was valve issues.
4. FZ - Being a huge fan of Unicorn then and using uncle's Gladiator for sometime, felt it was just a plastic bike. It want not even in the picture. My younger brother had a casual visit at the dealer (yes we collected brochures) and he fell in love with it and wanted nothing else. Actually, I wasn't interested at it at all and wanted a Crux or Gladiator. At last, half-heartedly agreed with him.
Buying Experience:
Yamaha had only two dealers in Trivandrum - Muthoot and Hilton. With Muthoot being the bigger dealer, queried with them. No stock. FZ-S was available, but out of out already outstretched budget. Sales team unsure of the next stock, again unknown waiting period. Approached Hilton. They had stock, indeed plenty of them, but sadly no black. Promised delivery in a week. Paid 23k and booked and initiated loan again with HDFC. Loan took two more days. Some price difference for new stock. Paid some more extra.
The D-Day.
Bike was ready for delivery after registration. They would be closing by 6 PM and asked me to take delivery before then. It was already 5 PM. Took new helmet, called a friend along, took a bus despite him offering to go in his bike because of the fear of riding back alone. Longest hour of life. No direct bus. Bus was dead slow. Got out at changing point for the next bus. No bus, no auto, still 5 km more. We started walking was and then running. Got an auto after a km, again he dropped halfway, ran again. Reached by 7 PM. Sales executive was there and there were more bikes to be delivered and no one showed up and he was not in good mood as he was stuck there. I was so impatient. Completed final paper works, collected the key and rode off even before the guy briefed on the bike. Unfortunately, didn't even bother to take a snap.
Extras: Ladies step - 175 bucks.
First Experience
My concept about FZ changed all of a sudden. (Indeed didn't test drive any of the bikes or even the Dio before booking). It was light and peppy. Zipped through heavy traffic with ease, one of the reasons why I preferred a gearless aka Dio. Till then I had experienced only top-heavy bikes like Unicorn and Gladiator. Filled it for the first time. Went home. Everyone impressed and wondered how I am gonna tame it.
Went for work with no mood, very late, by 12 PM. It was hard to spend the night at work with bike outside. Got out at 2 AM without informing anyone. First time riding at the spooky hours. Lonely and creepy. Dogs and cats everywhere. Reached home. Woke up bro. He was sad for not letting him take bike home.
Pros and cons
No major issues so far.
Steering column gets loose frequently, had an small spill.
Chain noise. Chain needs frequent cleaning and oiling.
Tyre makes rumbling noise, which is characteristic for wider tyre.
Handling is awesome.
Great low-mid torque.
Vibration creeps in between 4k and 5k rpm. Throttle response after that range is great.
Rear seat is absolute no for long journey. Did a 450 km trip as pillion. Got down 3 times in first part and at least 10 times in return leg.
Good for solo long journeys and short rides with pillion.
Braking is great.
Mileage is constantly varying. Worst is 38 and best is 61 kmpl with 43-45 kmpl most of the time.
Mods
Installed Bosch Symphony, which is hidden neatly inside my petrol tank.
Changed spark plug to NGK G-Power recently. Cold start improved a lot. Refinement is notable. Didn't check mileage difference.
Switched from Yamalube to Motul 3000 as Yamalube turned black quickly and engine was heating up fast.
Had plans to install Green Cotton (later Cosworth), but never materialized.
Apache handle weights on CBZ rods.
60/55 bulb upgrade.
Full LED coversion.
Milestones:
First minor cosmetic mods>>Red scoops + Some Matt black + Saree guard out
15k Update >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
One-year ownership summary + LED tail lamp coversion + Black Forks>> One year + LED brake lights + Black forks
20k Update + Even more black >> 20k km + Blacker
25k Update >> 25k km
New Rear Tyre + 15T Sprockets >> Pirelli Sports Demon 140/70R17 + 15T sprocket
Front Tyre Upsize >> ContiGO 110/70-17>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
New Battery>>TAFE Speed Maintenance Free
Second-year ownership summary >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Custom LED Indicators>> SMD LED Indicators
Completes 3rd year + Summary + Crosses 50k + New mods + New tyres + Then 60k + Carb Slide + Piston Rings + Chain Kit + full Black Theme >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Longest trip + New LED tail lamp + crosses 70 k + Daytona Dagrex Free-flow Exhaust >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
75K + New tyres + Steel-Braid Brake Hose >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
New rear tyre>> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
80k and 5 year >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
More trip + New mirror + 85k km + Swingarm overhaul + Rim custom paint>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Even more tripping + New speedo sensor + some tips + new spark plug + new bulbs + steering overhaul + hits 90k km + Turns 6>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
More rides + more parts + hits 95k km + more DIY + Back to stock exhaust >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Hits 1 Lakh + New Speedometer + RTR Mirrors>> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Xenos Stingray Charging Socket + Timing Chain + Valves + Brake Shoe + Battery + Embossed Number Plate >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
DOB: 26 November 2009
Color: Black
Why/How FZ?
Background Story: Idea for buying a two wheeler came after fed up with office bus commute and loss of time. I had only a year's saving of 10k in hand. Home-worked options available for such a low down payment. Zeroed to Honda Dio and Yamaha Gladiator. Glady was ruled out after its felt too uncle-ish, so the Dio. Main intention was customizing a bit and had a good neighborhood Honda mechanic. Booked Dio paying 10k and applied for HDFC two wheeler loan. Procedure went smooth and some customization parts (R15 mirrors, believe me) bought. Promised 14-day delivery, but kept delaying, Two months went past and HDFC cancelled loan because of the delay. Decided to wait a month more, but everything shattered when the same dealer delivered a Dio to my neighbor for ready cash payment and a few tip here and there. Sitting hopeless, came by my brother-like friend, who offered to fund the rest for something better than a Dio. Cancelled the Dio. Refund took some running behind the dealer.
Available options:
1. HH Hunk - Waiting period was almost 2.5 months. (Later cousin bought one and regretted for the inferior quality, poor mileage and the worst dealership/service experience).
2. RTR 160/180 - Called up the dealership and lady over phone was clueless on even terms like waiting period as nothing like existed there. Pay in the morning, take home the evening. Available ready stock. Went gaga over the newly launched 180 version, that white color and the bikini tail end. Exhaust note was sweet. Queried with a friend who had RTR160 and he only made rethink. First think was his service and dealer experience and then every RTR owners faced some sort of problem.
3. Unicorn - Always recommended to friends and the waiting period was whopping 6-9 months and again bribe the dealer and get delivery earlier. They were asking in the range of 10k for Unicorn and Activa and 5k for low selling Dio. Already betrayed by another Honda dealer, didn't want to take risk. Moreover, most of the friends were facing issues with their bikes and started yelling at me, most common of them was valve issues.
4. FZ - Being a huge fan of Unicorn then and using uncle's Gladiator for sometime, felt it was just a plastic bike. It want not even in the picture. My younger brother had a casual visit at the dealer (yes we collected brochures) and he fell in love with it and wanted nothing else. Actually, I wasn't interested at it at all and wanted a Crux or Gladiator. At last, half-heartedly agreed with him.
Buying Experience:
Yamaha had only two dealers in Trivandrum - Muthoot and Hilton. With Muthoot being the bigger dealer, queried with them. No stock. FZ-S was available, but out of out already outstretched budget. Sales team unsure of the next stock, again unknown waiting period. Approached Hilton. They had stock, indeed plenty of them, but sadly no black. Promised delivery in a week. Paid 23k and booked and initiated loan again with HDFC. Loan took two more days. Some price difference for new stock. Paid some more extra.
The D-Day.
Bike was ready for delivery after registration. They would be closing by 6 PM and asked me to take delivery before then. It was already 5 PM. Took new helmet, called a friend along, took a bus despite him offering to go in his bike because of the fear of riding back alone. Longest hour of life. No direct bus. Bus was dead slow. Got out at changing point for the next bus. No bus, no auto, still 5 km more. We started walking was and then running. Got an auto after a km, again he dropped halfway, ran again. Reached by 7 PM. Sales executive was there and there were more bikes to be delivered and no one showed up and he was not in good mood as he was stuck there. I was so impatient. Completed final paper works, collected the key and rode off even before the guy briefed on the bike. Unfortunately, didn't even bother to take a snap.
Extras: Ladies step - 175 bucks.
First Experience
My concept about FZ changed all of a sudden. (Indeed didn't test drive any of the bikes or even the Dio before booking). It was light and peppy. Zipped through heavy traffic with ease, one of the reasons why I preferred a gearless aka Dio. Till then I had experienced only top-heavy bikes like Unicorn and Gladiator. Filled it for the first time. Went home. Everyone impressed and wondered how I am gonna tame it.
Went for work with no mood, very late, by 12 PM. It was hard to spend the night at work with bike outside. Got out at 2 AM without informing anyone. First time riding at the spooky hours. Lonely and creepy. Dogs and cats everywhere. Reached home. Woke up bro. He was sad for not letting him take bike home.
Pros and cons
No major issues so far.
Steering column gets loose frequently, had an small spill.
Chain noise. Chain needs frequent cleaning and oiling.
Tyre makes rumbling noise, which is characteristic for wider tyre.
Handling is awesome.
Great low-mid torque.
Vibration creeps in between 4k and 5k rpm. Throttle response after that range is great.
Rear seat is absolute no for long journey. Did a 450 km trip as pillion. Got down 3 times in first part and at least 10 times in return leg.
Good for solo long journeys and short rides with pillion.
Braking is great.
Mileage is constantly varying. Worst is 38 and best is 61 kmpl with 43-45 kmpl most of the time.
Mods
Installed Bosch Symphony, which is hidden neatly inside my petrol tank.
Changed spark plug to NGK G-Power recently. Cold start improved a lot. Refinement is notable. Didn't check mileage difference.
Switched from Yamalube to Motul 3000 as Yamalube turned black quickly and engine was heating up fast.
Had plans to install Green Cotton (later Cosworth), but never materialized.
Apache handle weights on CBZ rods.
60/55 bulb upgrade.
Full LED coversion.
Milestones:
First minor cosmetic mods>>Red scoops + Some Matt black + Saree guard out
15k Update >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
One-year ownership summary + LED tail lamp coversion + Black Forks>> One year + LED brake lights + Black forks
20k Update + Even more black >> 20k km + Blacker
25k Update >> 25k km
New Rear Tyre + 15T Sprockets >> Pirelli Sports Demon 140/70R17 + 15T sprocket
Front Tyre Upsize >> ContiGO 110/70-17>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
New Battery>>TAFE Speed Maintenance Free
Second-year ownership summary >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Custom LED Indicators>> SMD LED Indicators
Completes 3rd year + Summary + Crosses 50k + New mods + New tyres + Then 60k + Carb Slide + Piston Rings + Chain Kit + full Black Theme >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Longest trip + New LED tail lamp + crosses 70 k + Daytona Dagrex Free-flow Exhaust >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
75K + New tyres + Steel-Braid Brake Hose >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
New rear tyre>> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
80k and 5 year >>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
More trip + New mirror + 85k km + Swingarm overhaul + Rim custom paint>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Even more tripping + New speedo sensor + some tips + new spark plug + new bulbs + steering overhaul + hits 90k km + Turns 6>>Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
More rides + more parts + hits 95k km + more DIY + Back to stock exhaust >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Hits 1 Lakh + New Speedometer + RTR Mirrors>> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Xenos Stingray Charging Socket + Timing Chain + Valves + Brake Shoe + Battery + Embossed Number Plate >> Barricade - Yamaha FZ-16
Last edited:
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and they sold me broken R-15 mirror before when I was planning to mod Dio and the fight for that was still going on with them].
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. This completes the report now.
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