Yamaha FZ16: THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES

The good news doesn't stop here. Everyone knows that the YZF-R15 costs a bomb and sure enough it should given the technology and the componentry it packs in. By contrast the FZ16 looks like a million bucks but costs only Rs 65,000/00 (ex-showroom any where in the country). Touch wood, grab something steady and hold on, this isn't a typo and for once Yamaha has truly pulled out all the stops to achieve such a great price point for a bike which is top of the pops in my books. Key to this great price point is that the bike is localized to the tune of 95 per cent and only a few bits are yet being imported and that too for quality reasons. Given the turnout, the build, the specifications and the style I am sure that the price is not just sensible but a good bargain. Having said this I hope the marketing men do not go and jack up the prices in the coming week!

For the record, the FZ16 will go on sale nationwide from October 1 and I am sure that this is the bike everyone would want to ride and own. Finally, finally after 16 to 18 long years can I say with a fair deal of conviction that Yamaha has exorcised its own demons and resurrected itself. The FZ16 is an even more potent modern rendering than the original RX100 ever was. As I said at the beginning of this feature, all the others have to now start responding, for the FZ16 has upped the bar and rocketed away from them all. It would be interesting to see Bajaj and Honda respond.

This is the stuff of dreams and Yamaha has come all guns blazing and hit the target dead centre running.

A complete and exclusive ride story of the FZ16 will be up and ready on the site this Friday. Stay tuned.

Adil's Observations Of The FZ16