Yamaha FZ

This Yamaha has muscular streetfighter looks and a fat rear tyre to complete its butch appearance. The FZ is for people who want to stand out in the crowd of 150cc and do it comfortably. The 150cc engine has been around for years now, and Yamaha recently released a fuel injected variant with Blue Core technology. Also a bit expensive than others in this category. From Honda to Bajaj to Hero, almost every manufacturer has a 150cc option available in its stable, so the FZ has to wade through them all.

Three tuning forks on the tank means the engine is smooth as butter in a blender. It is a two valve per cylinder configuration and the transmission is a 5 speed affair. This gearbox is slick and precise shifting thus making the power easy to exploit. The fuel injection variant is a bit quicker to respond and manages fueling according to the throttle input.

Fuel efficiency figure hovers between 45-48kpl. It might not be the best of the bunch in this category, but isn't too bad to complain either. The FI variant will be able to stretch a couple of more kilometres out of a litre of petrol.

The power and weight package works decently on the FZ. The bike is light and turn in is easy making it enjoyable on city streets. Grip is good from the large rear tyre. Handling is sure footed around corners, and the tyres grip well on tarmac. Longer highway runs might get tiresome due to the windblast, it is a naked afterall, and the tank capacity is not very generous. FI version handles a bit better as it is 3kg lighter.