15 Yamaha India launches FZ16 an Air Cooled, 150 cc Motorcycle

Yamaha India launches its Pulsar/Apache/CBZ Xtreme/Hunk/Unicorn challenger.. the FZ16

This post (and a few more in the coming days) is meant to chronicle the launch of motorcycle(s) in India between May-Oct 2008 (the period during which "The Bike Chronicles of India" was briefly inactive)..

I had expressed my doubts that the naked bike concept which was shown at the 9'th Auto Expo would make it as a final product dressed up in the same way as it was shown there.

Well.. needless to say but Yamaha India has surprised me by launching the same FZ concept which they showed at the Auto Expo 2008 as the 150 cc FZ16 (on Sep 14 2008)..!!

Yamaha FZ16 Wallpaper

[Read the "Test Ride Review" of the Yamaha FZ16 at Zigwheels.Com]

Looks:

The final product is a stunningly styled naked 150 cc bike. Apart from the styling the FZ16 also features a few first in India features.

The 140 mm wide Rear Tyre is an impossibly FAT one and is the largest rear tyre on not just for its segment but for any production motorcycle in India

The FZ16 is the first 150 cc bike in India to feature tubeles tyres both in the front and the rear. It also has a full digital (even the tachometer is now digital) speedometer console. The 140 mm wide Rear Tyre is an impossibly FAT one and is the largest rear tyre on not just for its segment but for any production motorcycle in India. The Rear Tyres are also Tubeless Radials which helps in reducing the weight.



Even the inner tubes of the front fork are of 41 mm dia and are possibly the largest on any current production motorcycle again in India. The bulky looking fuel tank of the FZ16 is actually a three piece unit with plastic resin covers as its outer covering.



The FZ16 is the second bike in India to feature a monoshock suspension at its rear. The silencer of the FZ16 is a short and stubby looking unit which according to YAMAHA helps in centralization of the bike's mass and therefore aids in handling.


Power/Performance:

The rated power of the FZ16 is 14 Ps max power which puts it in the same league as the Pulsar 150 DTSi and the Hero Honda Hunk/CBZ Xtreme. But it is the Torque of the FZ16 (14 Nm @ 6000 RPM) which is a bit higher compared to its current 150 cc competition. Looking at the Power/Torque figures the FZ16 seems to be an ideal City Bike.


Price: The FZ16 is priced at Rs. 65,000 (Ex-Showroom) across the country which makes it about Rs. 5,000 costlier than its competition like the Pulsar 150 DTSi, Hero Honda Hunk/CBZ Xtreme, Honda Unicorn etc.


Colors: The FZ currently is available in three colors.

• Black


• Red


• Orange

Yamaha FZ16, Technical Specifications

Engine

• Engine type: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve


• Displacement: 153.0 cm3


• Bore & Stroke: 58.0 × 57.9mm


• Compression ratio: 9.5:1


• Maximum output: 14PS / 7500 rpm


• Maximum torque: 14 N.m / 6000 rpm


• Starting: Electric starter


• Lubrication type: Wet sump


• Carburetor type: BS26


• Clutch type: Constant mesh wet multiplate


• Ignition type: CDI


• Primary/secondary reduction ratio: 3.409 / 2.857


• Transmission type: Return type 5-speed

Chassis

• Frame type: Diamond


• Suspension: (front/rear) Telescopic / Monocross


• Wheelbase: 1,335mm


• Brake type(front/rear): Hydraulic single disc / drum


• Tire size (front/rear): 100/80-17 / 140/60-R17

Dimensions:

• Overall Length × Width × Height: 1,975mm × 770mm × 1,045mm


• Seat height 790mm


• Wheelbase 1,335mm


• Minimum ground clearance 160mm


• Dry weight/Curb weight 126 kg / 137 kg


• Fuel tank volume 12 liters


• Engine oil volume 1.2 liters

Yamaha FZ16 Wallpaper: Courtesy Yamaha India Website

Related Posts:

• Yamaha launches the YZF R15, follows it with a R15 Championship



• Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Yamaha FZ-150 Sexy "Prototype" from Yamaha India

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

11 Yamaha launches the YZF R15, follows it with a R15 Championship

Yamaha India launches one of the most waited motorcycles of 2008 in India, the YZF R15

This post (and a few more in the coming days) is meant to chronicle the launch of motorcycle(s) in India between May-Oct 2008 (the period during which "The Bike Chronicles of India" was briefly inactive)..

On June 12 2008, Yamaha India launched its premium Supersport Motorcycle for India, the YZF R15.

Yamaha YZF R15 Wallpaper

Till June 12'th the Maximum Power Output of the R15 was a closely guarded secret..

The max power of the R15's liquid cooled engine eventually turned out as 17PS (16.8 bhp). Following its first public unveiling at the Jan 2008 Auto Expo, there were speculations abuzz regarding the max power of the R15.

Thanks to the chatrooms - discussion forums, blogs on the internet and also to a large part, the Automobile related publications.. the Max Power of the R15 was earlier speculated to be around 20-22 bhp.

The official launch of the R15 was done at the race track in Chennai. Yamaha India has followed the launch of the R15 with a "R15 Championship", (an event sponsored by Yamaha India) in which R15 riders can race their motorcycles at "Irungattukottai Race Track" Chennai. Starting September 2008, races will be held each month with the Grand Finale race in December 2008.



I'd say that it is an innovative way of promoting its product by Yamaha India.

To know more about the "R15 Championship" click here...

Colors:

The R15 is currently available in the following colors.

• Blue


• Black


• Red

Price:

The R15 is priced at Rs.97,425 (Ex-Showroom) across the country. The On-Road price would vary according to the state in which the bike is being sold.



Technical Specifications of the YZF R15:

Engine:

• Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve


• Cylinder arrangement: Single cylinder


• Displacement: 149 .8cc


• Bore x Stroke: 57×58.7mm


• Compression ratio: 10.4:1



• Maximum power: 17PS / 8,500rpm


• Maximum torque: 15 N.m / 7,500rpm


• Starting system: Electric Start


• Lubrication: wet sump


• Engine oil capacity: 1.0 liters


• Fuel tank capacity: 12 liters


• Fuel supply system: Electronic fuel injection


• Ignition system: T.C.I



• Primary / Secondary reduction ratio: 3.042 / 3.000


• Clutch type: Constant-mesh wet multi-plate


• Transmission type: Return type 6-speed


• Gear ratios: 1st=2.833, 2nd＝1.875, 3rd:=1.364,
  4th=1.143, 5th=0.957, 6th=0.84

Chassis

• Frame type: Deltabox Frame


• Caster / Trail: 26° / 100mm


• Tire size (Front / Rear): 80/90-17 / 100/80-17


• Brake type (Front / Rear): Hydraulic, single disc (Front / Rear)


• Suspension type (Front / Rear): Telescopic / Linked type Monocross


• Headlight: 12V35W / 35W＋35W

Dimensions:

• Overall length x width x height: 1,995mm x 670mm x 1,070mm
  
• Seat height: 790mm


• Wheelbase: 1,290mm


• Minimum ground clearance: 160mm


• Dry weight / Curb weight: 120kg / 131kg

Tech specs and R15 wallpaper source: Yamaha India Website
R15 Championship Photo: Courtesy Santoosh

Related Posts:

• Pics/Photos of the Yamaha R15 clicked at the "Yamaha Bike Station" New Delhi



• Whats so Special about the Yamaha YZF-R15..??

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

6 Old Posts will be back soon..!!

Old Posts of "The Bike Chronicles of India" will be republished in a few days..!!

This is to notify that Old Posts of "The Bike Chronicles of India" which had been saved as drafts (and not actually deleted) will be republished in a few days.



This post is especially meant for those 1000 odd regular readers of "The Bike Chronicles of India" who still are subscribed to this blog of mine via e-mail..

... as the older posts will be republished, you will get a long e-mail in your in-box containing all the 300 odd posts (from August 2006 to April 2008).

Since I don't know of any solution to work around this feature of feedburner (the service used to deliver the subscribed emails), kindly bear with me for the inconvenience.

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

110 The Journey Ends..

"The Bike Chronicles of India" is shutting down..

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -- Confucius

This is my first step, my first small step..... my first post..!!

I don't know how many miles my journey will cover... but I am sure it will be worth.

With these words I started the Journey of “The Bike Chronicles of India” on August 22’nd, 2006. Today on April 15, 2008, I have decided to end this short journey of mine due to professional reasons.


It has been a very hard decision for me to make, since I had become attached to this small blog of mine. Writing on “The Bike Chronicles of India” had actually helped me get over my 8 year old Smoking habit. Today I write this last post with a heavy heart...

I am also getting married on this April 27th to my childhood sweetheart. I hope that my better half will fill up the emptiness that will be felt in my heart after shutting down “The Bike Chronicles of India”.


I take this opportunity to thank all those visitors who have accompanied on this short journey. Thanks Guys..!! It really meant a lot to me. Maybe we’ll meet again someday.. somewhere..

Till then Ride Safe and “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”.



Signing off
Satadal Payeng
(Biker Next Door from India)

An article from the "The Bike Chronicles of India" has been mentioned on "The New York Times".. The timing couldn't have been more poignant..

A month back I had published an article on this blog about "Do we really need fatter/wider rear tyres..?? or do we just want it?".

To my delight (and surprise) "The New York Times" had found the article worthy enough to be mentioned in its "Automobiles" section.



This is what "The New York Times" had to say..

Satadal Payeng wondered whether motorcyclists in India — and, presumably, elsewhere — really need fatter tires (or, as he has it, “tyres”). We did some quick Googling on this subject, and the best item we could find was this one. Is there a better explanation out there somewhere? (The Bike Chronicles of India)

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

26 My Brother Rides my Pulsar 220 from Bangalore to Gurgaon..!!

My brother and his friend ride my bike from Bangalore to Delhi-Gurgaon..

That's the photo of my brother (younger by a few years, taller by a few inches) who rode all the way from Bangalore to Delhi-Gurgaon for around 2500 Kms just to bring down my bike to me..!! God Bless Him..!! (I was in Gurgaon for the last 3 months without my bike)

Posted below are a few pics taken by his friend who accompanied him on this Road Trip..



Chilling out in Goa..!!



He crossed the states of Karnataka - Maharashtra - Gujrat - Rajasthan and finally made it to the National Capital Region (NCR) on 2'nd April.

This was my bro's itinerary:

• 27'th May: Departure from Bangalore in the Evening


• 28'th & 29'th May: Soaking up the Goa Sun


• 30'th May: Pune


• 31'st May: Surat


• 1'st March: Ajmer


• 2'nd March: Gurgaon

Last year my brother and another of his friend actually drove a Maruti-Suzuki Swift all the way from Bangalore to Jorhat (Our hometown in Assam).

He says that given an opportunity, he wouldn't mind going to foreign countries on a roadtrip. Phew..!!

The bike (Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi), did not give even a single problem during the entire trip. My brother and his friend even covered a strech of 800 Kms in a single day, at speeds around 100 Kmph, with just a few 10-15 minutes breaks..!!




Apart from the slightly loose steering head, the bike has taken the abuse of such a long trip quite well. There are absolutely no rattles or loose parts. But after such a long trip the bike deserves a much needed service as I could feel that the engine had become a bit rough and the performance has gone down slightly. The gearshits also had become a bit hard. An engine oil change and cleaning of its (by now definitely clogged with dust) air filter is much needed.

A trip to the Probiking Service Center tomorrow should bring back the bike to its former glory.


After that I am planning for a "Delhi-Jaipur-Delhi" Road Trip this weekend with a few College friends of mine..!!

"Open Roads, here I come.. Again..!!"

Related Posts:

• The Greatest Motorcycle Road Trip by an Indian.. on an Indian motorcycle..!!



• "Bharat Parikrama: A Journey Around India" by 3 Bikers



• Road Trip to the "Highest Motorable Road in the World" on a Pulsar 200 DTSi [Part I]



• Road Trip to the "Highest Motorable Road in the World" on a Pulsar 200 DTSi [Part II]



• Road Trip to the "Highest Motorable Road in the World" on a Pulsar 200 DTSi [Part III: Concluding Part]

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.