Yamaha spent years in India doing what they never should have done in the first place - trying to make the perfect commuter bike for the masses. The Japanese firm finally woke up in 2008 and went the performance way with their big imports - the YZF-R1 and the MT-01. Then came what was a revolution in Indian biking - the awesome YZF-R15 that put back the public's faith in the tuning fork brand. Phase 2 of Yamaha's resurrection in the country was the FZ16 and quite frankly, this could prove even more rewarding for Yamaha than the R15.
Designed as a small-size clone to the original FZs from abroad, Yamaha's approach to the FZ16's styling was truly clever. By making the Indian bike look like the bigger international offering the FZ16 instantly gains brand value despite its 160cc displacement. Sculpted body panels complimented by a monoshock suspension system and the short, stubby silencer end can make the FZ the best looking naked bike on Indian roads today. Throw in that 140-section fat rear tyre and Yamaha have got a whole generation hooked on to the way this baby looks.
While power to the chunky rear wheel may not be coming from a 600cc or litre-class powerplant, the FZ16's 153cc unit is no less entertaining. The air-cooled motor manages enough power to make riding the bike fun and the highlight of the mill has to be its loads of torque that make riding around town a breeze. For the stunt-inclined, this also translates into effortless wheelies and the likes. Ergonomics are well sorted for short rides in the city and the wide matt-black finished handlebar raises comfort levels immensely. The suspension is well sorted out and both ride quality and handling are great.
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