29 Yamaha SZ Review

I take Yamaha India's latest sporty commuter the 153 cc SZ, for a spin..

Likes

+ Attractive pricing
+ Good low end performance
+ Comfortable ergonomics

Dislikes

- Omission of features like Pass Switch, Tripmeter, Engine kill switch

- Doesn't do justice to the Yamaha DNA

"Yamaha = Excitement/Performance/Faster Heart Beats"

That’s what Brand Yamaha stands for me and I am sure to the majority of Indian bikers as well. Lets recollect the models which have built Yamaha its image/presence in India

1. RD350
2. RX100
3. YZF R15
4. FZ-16/S

I don’t think anyone with an interest in Indian motorcycles would disagree that no other Yamaha model can find its place in the above list. Each of the above mentioned four models stays true and honest to the brand identity of Yamaha.

i.e. "Yamaha = Excitement/Thrill/Faster Heart Beats"

According to me, any product that Yamaha manages to conjure up for India by following the above formula, will be a successful. Well then, what about the recently launched Yamaha SZ/SZ-X/SZ-R?

I take it's test ride to find out..

10 Motorcycle scene in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa [2010]

A casual glance of the motorcycles that I caught plying in Bhubaneshwar City

Motorcycles are not just my passion but have turned into an obsession for me. Not only do I dream/think about motorcycles for the better part of my day, but even when I am out on the street I keep checking out the different types of motorcycles that ply on our streets. This comes more naturally to me than the natural male instinct to check out members of the opposite sex. No, honest..!!

I probably need to consult a good mechanic.. Err, I meant a good psychiatrist.

Motorcycles in front of the Jagannath Temple, Puri (60 kms from Bhubaneshwar)

I had been to Bhubaneshwar twice this year. First time I was there in the month of Aug 2010 and then for the second time just a couple of weeks back in Dec 2010.

5 New 2011 Hero Honda Karizma Spotted

Photos of a new (slightly upgraded) 2011 Hero Honda Karizma posted on xBhp.Com..

Credits for Photo and Scoop: xBhp.Com

Don't get your expectations too high for the supposedly new Karizma R is probably another cosmetic upgrade fron Hero Honda.

What New? Well, according to the xBhp.Com member who has broken the news and clicked the photos..

[1] New colour paint (seems inspired from the ZMR)

[2] ZMR Type Turn indicators in clear lens (both front and black seeme to be like that of thee Hero Honda Karizma ZMR)

[3] Some small circular Orange reflective material attachcd to the engine guard

[4] Slightly repainted speedo meter


The engine of the Karizma has been retained exactly the same since it launch 6-7 years back. Not that it is a bad engine, but some increase in power would have been more appreciated.

Anyway, this probably would be the last cosmetic upgrade on the Karizma R before the Honda name is removed by Hero.

5 Yamaha to launch upgraded R15 in Jan, Bookings for Honda CBR250R begins in Feb 2011

Its almost official.. Yamaha will launch a new upgraded R15 in January and Honda will start taking bookings of the CBR250R from February 2011..!!

Yamaha to bring in a better looking R15:

The new year couldn't have started in a better way for dudes looking to buy a new bike. Just a couple of days back there were a couple of spy photos of an (what looked like) upgraded R15. Today a member of xBhp.Com has posted the screen shot of a reply to his mail from Yamaha India.

He had inquired about any new R15 to Yamaha India and in his reply he has been informed that Yamaha India would actually launch an upgraded R15 in January 2011..!!

Posted below is the screen shot of the e-mail reply:

8 Honda Twister is the 2011 Indian Motorcycle of the year (IMOTY)

The Honda Twister walks away with the 2011 Indian Motorcycle of the Year award..

Photo and news source: BS Motoring

Previous Winners of the IMOTY award:

2008 IMOTY: Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi
2009 IMOTY: Yamaha R15
2010 IMOTY: Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Needless to say, all the three previous winners of the IMOTY awards were ones which had set performance standards (in the “desi” sense of course) in India. But take a look at the..

Contenders for the 2011 IMOTY award..