The FZ-S Version 2.0 is the second generation of the FZ series commuter motorcycle, the FZ16 being the original. Design-wise, the model is extremely similar to the standard FZ V 2.0 which gets a two piece seat, revised bikini faring, and shrouds beneath the fuel tank. The FZ-S is powered by an air-cooled, fuel injected 149cc single-cylinder engine. The engine produces 13bhp of power and 12.8Nm of torque. The company has recently introduced a rear disc brake as an option for the FZ-S, at a premium of Rs 4000 over the variants with a rear drum brake. The new FZ-S is available in matte green, white, grey, black, dark blue and cyan. It has a new paint scheme called The Dark Night which is essentially an all-matte black paint scheme with chrome accents. It takes on the Bajaj Pulsar NS160, Honda CB Hornet 160R, Honda XBlade and the Suzuki Gixxer
Weve been waiting for an FZ with more performance ever since the FZ16 launched nine years ago, and we remember all too well the disappointment that we felt when the version 2.0 turned out to have slightly less displacement than the original model. However, Yamaha has finally felt that the time is right for FZ owners to upgrade to a motorcycle which retains all the core values of the FZ good looks, good handling, good maintenance and now with a dollop of performance. Mind you, if youre looking for thrills like the KTMs provide, youre in the wrong place. But if you want a quick commuter that is refined and can sit comfortably at 100kmph all day long, look no further than the FZ25. It has been engineered to keep maintenance costs low, so quality might not be the best in class, but as an all-round package it is extremely difficult to fault it
Ever since its arrival in 2008, the FZ series from Yamaha has enjoyed a strong presence in the 150cc motorcycle segment. With its stylish looks, reliable build quality and impressive performance, the FZ series has garnered big sales numbers for Yamaha in India. Now, with the introduction of the FZ Version 2.0, Yamaha is showcasing its new Blue Core engine concept that concentrates on improved efficiency. The FZ Version 2.0 is powered by a freshly designed air-cooled, 149cc single-cylinder engine which benefits from a closed loop fuel injection system. Tweaked to deliver a better fuel efficiency, the engine now produces 13.1bhp of power and 12.8Nm of torque. Developed in line with Yamahas new Blue Core engine development ideal, Yamaha claims a 14 per cent improvement in fuel economy over the existing FZ series. The motorcycle features a multi-function instrument panel with Eco indicator that lights up when the motorcycle is ridden in an eco-friendly manner. The overall weight is now 132kg because of the lighter chassis. Yamaha has only retuned the suspension and added new compound tyres with a different tread pattern. The new FZ Version 2.0 is available in two colours - panther black and scorching red, the motorcycle competes against the Bajaj AS150, Honda CB Hornet 160R and the Suzuki Gixxer
The FZ is the model that revived Yamahas fortunes in India, and since its launch, it has been the gold standard for the 150cc sporty commuter, as far as sales figures are concerned. It offered a number of new technologies like radial tyres and a fuel tank that was centralised, at the time of its launch. It is also one of the pioneers of fuel injection, having made the entire FZ range FI at a time when competition was still depending heavily on carburetted variants. The next generation of the FZ is here, and it is not a major update. Single channel ABS has been added, which is compulsory from April 2019 onward; an LED headlamp, and the instrument cluster has white backlighting. The fuel injection has been tweaked to offer better midrange but the peak power output remains the same at 13bhp and 12.8Nm. The split seat has strangely regressed to a single seat, despite the overall design becoming a little more aggressive. The FZ competes with other commuter-oriented sporty motorcycles in the 150-160cc segment like the Honda XBlade, Bajaj Pulsar NS160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V
The Saluto 125 is Yamahas premium commuter motorcycle positioned in the 125cc segment. It comes with Yamahas 'Blue Core' technology that is offered in the brands other models. The Saluto looks more or less similar to the Yamaha SZ-R and gets all the basic features of a commuter bike. It features a front cowl with windscreen, 7.6-litre fuel tank, large horn and an electric starter. The Saluto 125 comes with telescopic forks up front and dual shocks at the rear. Braking is performed by drum brakes with an option of disc setup for the front. For the 2018 update, the motorcycle features Yamahas Unified Braking System (UBS) which partially applies the front brake simultaneously during complete application of the rear brake. The Yamaha Saluto is powered by a 125cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, carburetted mill that produces 8.2bhp of power and 9.8Nm of torque. This motor comes mated to a four-speed gearbox. The motorcycle weighs 112kg and the Japanese maker says that with the new 'Blue Core' technology, the Saluto 125 is capable of delivering good fuel economy. The motorcycle is offered in four colour shades with new graphics. The Yamaha Saluto competes with the Bajaj Discover 125, Hero Super Splendor and Honda CB Shine in India
Yamaha unveiled the version 2.0 of the SZ-RR at the closing ceremony of their 'Mission 10,000 km' event in Chennai. The manufacturer launched the updated motorcycle for the buyers looking for a fuel-efficient and fairly powerful bike. The cosmetic upgrades on the new bike are minimal yet give the motorcycle a fresh look. There are new shrouds on the fuel tank and the bike now sports new paint schemes. The handlebar holder gets a new 'SZ' logo and the instrument cluster is new. While the other panels remain the same, the bike gets new tubeless tyres. The Yamaha SZ-RR V 2.0 is now equipped with the new Blue Core technology as seen on the latest version of the FZ-S and Fazer. The bike is powered by the 149cc single-cylinder Blue Core engine that produces 11.9bhp of power and 12.8Nm of torque. Though the power has gone down by 1.1bhp, the torque remains the same and the bike is now expected to offer 11 per cent better fuel economy than the previous engine. This motor comes mated to the five-speed constant mesh gearbox but misses the fuel-injection system. By adding it to the 150cc commuter segment of motorcycles in India, Yamaha has pitched the Yamaha SZ-RR V 2.0 against the Honda CB Unicorn, Hero Achiever and the Bajaj V15
The Yamaha YZF-R3 is Yamahas response to the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC390. Now, however, the Ninja 400 has made its debut, and the Honda CBR250RR and CBR300R are all giving it stiff competition globally. There arent any mechanical changes to the 2018 R3 other than the updation to BS4 emission norms, but new colour schemes (blue and black) and the addition of ABS have made it better value. However, it doesnt offer upside-down front forks or an all-digital instrument cluster like the R15 V3 offers. On the other hand, it still has the sweet 41bhp, 321cc parallel-twin engine and the handling that can bring any man to his knee. The YZF-R3 competes with the Kawasaki Ninja 300, Benelli 302R, and KTM RC390 in the Indian market. The Honda CBR250R will also be a competitor when launched
The Yamaha Saluto RX is Yamahas entry-level offering in the lucrative 110cc commuter segment. A successor to the Yamaha Crux, the Saluto RX adopts a brand new platform and engine with BlueCore technology. Cosmetically, the Yamaha Saluto RX draws inspiration from its bigger 125cc sibling, the Saluto. It gets the same conservative styling complete with a host of elegant paint schemes. The front of the Saluto RX features a bikini fairing with a curvy headlamp unit, while the tank is sculpted to give it a slightly muscular look. The instrument cluster is minimalistic and integrates an analogue speedometer and fuel gauge along with other basic functionalities. Under the 2018 update, Yamaha has updated the colour palate with four new shades with corresponding new graphics. The Yamaha Saluto RX is powered by an 110cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine, delivering 7.4bhp and 8.5Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a four-speed constant mesh transmission. Given the Saluto RXs target audience, Yamaha has developed the engine along the lines of BlueCore technology, to improve the efficiency without compromising on the performance. The Saluto RX tips the scales at just 98 kilograms, and this weight plays an important role in helping the bike deliver a company-claimed 82kmpl. Suspension duties are managed by telescopic fork up front and dual shock absorbers at the back. Braking is done by drum brakes at both ends and they come equipped with Yamahas new Unified Braking System (UBS). The Yamaha Saluto RX competes with other commuter motorcycles like the Hero Splendor iSmart 110, Mahindra Centuro, Honda CD 110 Dream and the TVS Victor
The Yamaha Ray has been a fairly successful scooter but was specifically targeted at female riders. To capture a greater share of the market, Yamaha launched the Ray-Z in May last year, which is nothing but the Ray with a masculine appeal. Mechanically, the scooter remains the same but carries some restyled bits and louder graphics. The Ray-Z features a smoked-finish visor, a new instrument panel, a carbon fibre patterned seat and aluminum rear grab-bars. The front features V-shaped headlights while the rear houses a stylish tail lamp assembly with clear-lens indicators. Despite the lean and sculpted body, the underseat storage, with a 15.5-litre capacity, is spacious enough for a full face helmet and the floor board has enough place for your legs. The Ray-Z continues to be powered by the standard 113cc engine which produces 7bhp and 8Nm of torque via a CVT gearbox. Yamaha claims that the roller-rockers and carburetor have been updated while the suspension has been tweaked. The engine is refined and suitable for city commute. The Ray-Z retains drum brakes on both wheels and now a UBS system which links both the front and rear brakes when the rear is applied, is an optional extra for Rs 500 more. This will become standard fitment, come April
The YZF-R1 is Yamahas flagship supersport motorcycle which has a few upgrades for 2018 to make it more competitive in the litre-class segment. The bike sports a sharp design language and LED headlamp unit with DRLs similar to the previous model. However, the new paint schemes and graphics give the YZF-R1 an aggressive look. It also gets technological upgrades like the revised Quick Shift System that allows clutch-less downshifting and an updated Lift Control System. Apart from these, the bikes electronic package includes slide control, launch control, anti-wheelie control, unified braking system and banking sensitive traction control. The bike uses Yamahas Deltabox frame which houses the 998cc cross plane four-cylinder motor that produces a whopping 197bhp at 13,500rpm and 112.4Nm of torque at 11,500rpm. This unit is mated to a six-speed transmission and breathes through a titanium exhaust system. The YZF-R1 gets an aluminium tank and magnesium wheels as weight saving measures and weighs 5kg lesser than the outgoing model at 199kg. The YZF-R1 rides on 43mm inverted front forks and a rear monoshock, sourced from KYB. Both the suspension parts are fully-adjustable
Yamaha introduced its sporty 150cc naked motorcycle, the FZ, back in 2008. It was soon followed by the semi-faired Fazer in 2009. Now that the FZ Version 2.0 is here and doing well in the market, the Japanese motorcycle brand has introduced the Fazer. As before, the Fazer mechanically remains identical to the new FZ and the FZ-S. Like the new FZ range, the Fazer Version 2.0 is offered with a new 149cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine. The highlighting upgrade here is the fact this engine now comes with fuel injection for better refinement and throttle response. Cosmetically, the Fazer continues with its semi-fairing and twin headlights at the front, which sets it apart from the FZ and FZ-S. The new 149cc, air-cooled engine develops 12.9bhp and 12.8Nm of torque through a five-speed gearbox. Despite being less powerful than the carburetted version, the new fuel-injected Fazer offers better performance and efficiency than the old model. The front gets conventional telescopic suspension and a monoshock with a swingarm at the rear. Stopping power is courtesy a disc brake in the front and drum brake at the rear
The Cygnus Ray ZR has been launched to complement the Ray-Z range. Based on the same platform as the Ray, the Cygnus Ray ZR is targeted towards young male consumers. The Yamaha Ray ZR features the same aggressive lines which made the Ray so popular among youngsters. The front gets a redesigned headlamp flanked by turn indicators. The profile also features revised lines, and the grab handle is big and easy to grab. The instrument cluster still doesnt have a digital display. Under the skin, the Cygnus Ray ZR retains the 113cc single-cylinder petrol engine, which develops 7bhp and 8Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a CVT transmission. The Cygnus Ray ZR rides on a telescopic front suspension and a rear monoshock. There is 21 litres of under seat storage. This scooter is available in four variants. Only one of those four has drum brakes with steel wheels. The other three are mechanically identical, with a front disc brake and alloy wheels. The two graphically different ones are the Street Rally edition that has different graphics, in red and blue. The Cygnus Ray ZR competes against the Hero Maestro Edge, Honda Activa 5G and the TVS Jupiter
The Fazer 25 is the faired version of the FZ25. Overall, both the bikes share the same parts and the Fazer 25 also has design elements of its naked sibling. Everything from the tail unit to its handlebar is the same as the FZ25 and the only big difference is the fairing. The fairing, which houses an LED headlamp, makes the bike look bigger and has added 6kg to the bike. The headlamp also has two LED pilot lamps positioned on either side. The Fazer 25 sports split seats, dual horns and an LED tail light. The instrument cluster on the Fazer 25 is an LCD unit which displays average fuel economy, trip meters and clock apart from speed and tachometer. Powering the bike is a 249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled, fuel-injected engine which produces 20bhp and 20Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a five-speed gearbox. The bike which is focused on touring uses a 14-litre fuel tank. Suspension duties are fulfilled by 41mm forks up front and a monoshock at the rear
Yamaha Motor India launched their third scooter, the Alpha at the 2014 Auto Expo. The scooter gets a front telescopic suspension and an upright type suspension at the rear. The scooter also has 21 litres of underseat storage. The Yamaha scooter is powered by an air-cooled four-stroke 113cc engine with CVT (Continuous variable transmission). The company claims that his new engine delivers fuel economy of 62kmpl. There is a front disc brake on offer, and linked brakes are an optional extra. The disc brake version costs approximately Rs 3000 more than the drum brake version, and the linked brakes for the drum brakes are a few hundred rupees more than the equivalent variant. The disc brake version with linked brakes will set you back by approximately Rs 600 more
Yamaha Mt 09
The KTM 200 Duke was updated for the 2017 model year, but the only mechanical change was its compliance with the BS4 emission norms. The power and torque figures remain the same, and the rest of the differences are cosmetic. The paint schemes are different, with three new ones in the lineup, and the wheels are orange. The price has climbed, keeping up with the times; it remains decent value when you consider what your get for your money, but if youre in the market for something that can do relaxed motoring, look elsewhere. There is now the option of dual-channel ABS for a premium of Rs 8000 over the non-ABS version, ex-showroom
Aprilia is a brand that has a rich racing heritage, and the company is applying that to the SR150 it is a sporty scooter whose introductory pricing is not premium at all. A part of the Piaggio Group along with the Vespa brand, the Aprilia SR150 is targeted at the youth who have performance and style as top priorities. The SR 150 is equipped with a disc brake in the front and drum brake at the rear. ABS is an option for an extra Rs 8000, but will be standard by April. The scooter rides on metallic black alloy wheels. At the front is a standard telescopic suspension while the rear gets a single-side coil spring. The headlamps are integrated into the cowl of the fascia, but the indicators have been positioned on the handlebar. The Aprilia SR 150 is powered by a 150cc engine, which is derived from the Vespa S150. The 154 cc engine makes 11.4 bhp and 11.5Nm of torque. For the 2018 model year, the SR150 has got an optional part-digital instrument cluster that retains an analogue speedometer but switches everything else to a digital unit. Paired with a downloadable mobile phone app, the features include tracking of the vehicle, and locating it in a parking lot, among other things. There are new variants available for the SR150 as of 2018: theres black, blue, and the red/white combination that were familiar with. Additionally, there is the Race version which echoes Aprilias racing program designs with the decals. Finally, theres the Carbon, which is an all-black variant that has faux carbonfibre all over it, and no chrome. The Aprilia SR 150 is fully localised and is manufactured at the companys Baramati facility. It competes with the Vespa LX125, Honda Grazia, TVS Ntorq and Suzuki Burgman Street 125
Aprilias SR125 scooter is an exact replica of its 150cc sibling, other than its SR125 sticker. The SR125 shares its engine with the Vespa LX125 producing 9.5bhp of maximum power and 8.2Nm of torque transferring power to the rear wheel via a CVT gearbox. The identical looks to the SR150 mean you get all the good and bad of its bigger sibling: the great twin-pod headlight and the 14-inch rims, and also the downmarket analogue instrument cluster which the SR150 is moving on from. The launch colour is a blue but we expect more colours to join the lineup at some point. Like the SR150, the SR125 is built on a tubular steel frame. A telescopic fork at the front and a single coil spring at the rear makes up for suspension duties while braking is done by a 220mm disc at the front and a 140mm drum at the rear. CBS is now an option worth Rs 2500, but will become standard by the time the new financial year rolls around. It retains the wide, sporty tyres of the SR150. The Aprilia SR125 will compete with the Vespa LX125, Honda Grazia and Suzuki Burgman Street
Aprilia launched the Shiver 900 in India along with the Dorsoduro 900. It was launched internationally at the start of 2017 as a replacement to the Shiver 750. The Shiver 900 made its debut at EICMA 2016, where the naked street fighter's details were revealed. Not only does it get a larger displacement V-Twin engine, but it also gets a comprehensive electronics package. As for its looks, the new front mud guard, fuel tank cover, side panels and the tail fairing make it look sportier than the Shiver 750. Like the Dorsoduro, it is built around a steel-tube trellis frame that is bolted on to aluminium side-plates and gets a bolt-on rear sub-frame. Since the Shiver 900 and the Dorsosuro are based on the same platform, they share various components too. The motorcycle boasts of a 4.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The background and font colours can be changed to adapt to different ambient lighting conditions in order to optimise visibility. A rider can also pair his smartphone to the bike's digital screen by opting for the AMP kit. Through this, he can access the contacts and audio files on the go. The electronics package includes features like a traction control system, a two-channel ABS, ride by wire technology with three ride modes - sport, touring and rain. The suspension setup on the bike includes 41mm Kayaba inverted front forks and an adjustable mono shock at the rear. Braking duties are taken care of by twin 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo calipers at the front and a single 240mm disc with a single-piston Brembo caliper at the rear. The Aprilia Shiver 900 is powered by an 896cc, V-twin power plant that belts out 94bhp of power at 8,750rpm and 90Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. This mill comes mated to a six-speed gearbox.
The Tuono V4 1100 is the most powerful naked motorcycle from Aprilias line-up. In fact, there are very few motorcycles in the world that are powerful as this Italian machine. And this is possible due to the marriage of a brilliant updated engine and electronics. The overall design of the Tuono V4 1100 is almost like its elder cousin the RSV4. However, absence of the full fairing and the presence of a taller handlebar, helps us differentiate between the two. Powering this Italian machine is a 1077cc V4 engine that produces 175bhp at 11,000rpm and peak torque of 121Nm at 9000rpm. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox. This engine comes with three maps track, sports and race, and the rider can change these settings on the fly. The suspension duties are taken care of by top spec Ohlins suspension which comes with fully adjustable preload and rebound. The steering damper is from Ohlins too. In the braking department too, Aprilia has employed the top of the line Brembo dual 320mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear. Aprilia is known for equipping its motorcycles with some outrageous electronics and we can see that on the Tuono V4 1100 Factory as well. It gets the patented Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC), Aprilia Traction Control (ATC), Aprilia Wheelie Control (AWC), Aprilia Launch Control (ALC) and the Aprilia Quick Shift (AQS). The ATC gets eight different settings, which can be selected via the usage of mode buttons on the switchgear. The Tuono V4 1100 Factory competes with the MV Agusta Brutale 1090 when it comes to price, performance and product. However, the pricing makes this bike little inaccessible to a lot of motorcycle enthusiasts
