Yamaha Fazer 150cc is a bike which has been designed typically for the Indian market. Fazer was launched in July, 2009. This bike has been typically targeting the upcoming sector of long distance travelers or tourers. Priced at Rs. 72000, the Fazer does not come very heavy on your wallet. With a mileage of almost 60 kmpl, this bike ensures that you could plan some long drives.
Let us have a quick look at the specifications and features:
- Air cooled 153cc engine
- Dry/Kerb weight – 130/141 kg
- 12 liter fuel tank
- 5 speed gearbox
- Electric start
- Brakes: Front/Rear – Disc/Drum
- Twin 35W headlamps
- Wide 140mm tubeless tyres
- 7-times adjustable monocross suspension
- LCD meter console
- Meter console and headlamp placed on cowl/hood
The features mentioned above definitely does not having anything which is a breakthrough technology or something which is very new in the market. But let us analyse that how these features are going to affect the performance and ride quality, specially for long distance rides.
The good points:
- With a superb mileage, you could always go long distances without ever worrying about money.
- The low kerb weight of Fazer makes handling very easy.
- Twin headlamps and the LCD meter console give you much better visibility on highways at night.
- The cowl/hood gets you rid of the headlamp weight from the handle. This makes your bike handle very light and suitable for long distance drives.
- The wide tyres give you better control for long distance and straight driving.
- 7-times adustable monocross suspension gives you a lot of flexibility on the ride quality according to the road conditions.
- Tubeless tyres make the ride safe and less prone to be being flattened on being punctured.
The bad points:
- Designed for long distance traveling, Fazer should have come with an oil cooled engine. Absence of this could lead to overheating of engine when the bike is driven for very long distances continuously, specially in hot conditions.
- Absence of kick start could leave you stranded in the middle of a highway if your electric start malfunctioned.
- Wide tyres give better control, but reduce fuel efficiency. So, if this bike was being projected as a tourer bike, the tyres could have been less wider.
- No provision has been made for keeping or tying up your extra luggage. You cannot travel long distances with a small pooch bag on your shoulders. You need to carry a lot of stuff.
The riding posture is pretty good for long distances. But the major drawback is that Fazer inherits most of its design and engine from FZ16, which was designed for city driving. With the same design and minor modifications, you cannot just push a bike for long distance travelling. The gear changing in FZ16, and hence in Fazer, is very short, which is very good for quick pickup and fast city driving. With the same gearbox you cannot go long distances.
As we have heard, the Yamaha Fazer had a large number of bookings, but the suppliers have failed to deliver all the bikes on time. This is a serious thumbs down and has badly hit the popularity of this bike. Its a good bike, but if you wish to wait, then probably you could get hold of some better versions of this bike.
Overall rating: 7/10
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