IT’S ALL HAPPENING on the Indian two-wheeler front. The trickle of superbikes, which were once a distant dream for Indian aficionados, seems to have turned into a flood and today one can pick and choose from a wide range of world-class 800cc-plus models. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Ducati, KTM and even Harley-Davidson have set up shop in India, offering dream machines ranging from track bred supersports machines to heavy cruisers.
Yamaha set the ball rolling towards the end of 2007, and still has a formidable line-up of superbikes on sale. However, what it lacked was a practical big bike but that’s a shortcoming that’s soon to be addressed for big brother to the FZ-16 — the 1000cc FZ1 — is on the verge of being launched across India.
We got astride the latest Yamaha for a quick spin and there’s plenty to be excited about.
The FZ1 packs loads of understated s treet presence and screams out muscle. The styling is macho and powerful, the 1 openly flaunting its brawny engine and alloy frame. This Yamaha displays ample aggression as well as a healthy dose of pose value but without ever looking overdone. Much of the bike is coated in black, including its five-spoke alloys, front suspension, engine, stubby silencer and side panels. The FZ1 has a minimalist front mudguard and an arrow-shaped headlight with brilliant illumination. The handlebar sits flat alongside compact instruments. The analogue rpm gauge, redlines between 12000 and 13000rpm, and the digital display shows speed, fuel level, engine temperature, odometer, time as well as twin trip.
