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.
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