Yamaha FZ16: YAMAHA'S USEABLE FIREPOWER

It can't be a Yamaha without its zest and mechanical flair and here as well the right bits shine through on paper. An all-new 153cc air-cooled single overhead camshaft engine with a two-valve head is employed and this breathes through a specially created 26mm diameter negative pressure type carburetor made by Mikuni. A 3-position TPS (throttle position sensor) on the carb works the ignition system which comes embedded with a specially configured 3-dimensional mapped advance control.

The all square engine (featuring cylinder dimensions of 58.0mm bore and 57.9mm stroke) has been tuned for low and mid-range torque because that is the environment of the daily commute on our roads today. Max power produced is 14PS at 7500rpm with a strong 13.6Nm of peak torque being developed at 6000rpm. The FZ16 is the third bike in the country after the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-FI and its YZF-R15 stablemate to make do without a kick starter and feature just an electric start as original equipment. Unlike the YZF R15 which comes equipped with a six-speed gearbox, the FZ16 makes do with a 5-speed transmission, given its all-street everyday-use orientation.

Two important bits about the motor must bear mention. The first of these is the fitment of a single-axis balancer shaft to cut out the vibes and make for very smooth power delivery while the second and probably the most important and innovative engine technology we have seen to date in the country is the compact mid-ship muffler as Yamaha terms the exhaust system on the FZ16's mill. The tuned length of the header pipe and the straight section goes down and then under to form a couple of loops before dumping the exhaust gases in an expansion box and from then on to a highly stylized end can so much in sync with the large 1000cc FZ1 seen in Europe.

While the end can may be highly stylized and is actually a large contributor to the in-your-face appeal of the bike, the mid-ship muffler exhaust system helps in the overall mass centralization of the power unit and its placement in the chassis to help both weight distribution and also a lower centre of gravity. One key aspect of the overall design of the FZ16 was to give the bike a very comfortable posture without compromising the sporty appeal and this has been achieved in fine form. The bike has a pronounced weight bias front to rear while its 1335mm wheelbase and 17-inch wheels help give it both good presence when at standstill and a strong stability and feel when rolling on the road.

Adil's Observations Of The FZ16