Yamaha Fazer 250cc review
Yamaha Motors had us baffled for some time. While most manufacturers have been churning out model after model, Yamaha didn’t seem to be making any significant moves. Until now. The Yamaha Fazer 250cc, which was unveiled at the Auto Expo, will be launched in early July. This is a brave move by the company, as even though the Libero didn’t get much applause for its futuristic style, they’ve sculpted the Fazer looking even more adventurous. This bike doesn’t hesitate to scream a presence. Internationally, this particular bug-like styling trend is making the rounds and that’s where the Fazer’s googly-eyed snout comes from.
The Yamaha Fazer 250cc is arguably ahead of its day in the fledgling motorcycle market, although the top score is due to YMI for bringing the modern trends. The Fazer surely isn’t a design we all swoon over, but it’s best left described as distinctive. However, attention to detail and final fit; It should be obvious even to the blind and it is impressive, with any amount of praise for these being an understatement. The double-headed light ‘fly’ screen that sticks out in the front is unique and bears more than a resemblance to that particular insect. There’s a triple-clamp, double-capsule aluminum instrumentation that houses a rev indicator, a speedometer, and all the usual idiot lights.
The Yamaha Fazer 250cc large tank stands out with blades that flow into its functional knee holes. The filling is the Libero’s cute bowler hat design. The tank runs into the bubbled side panels and reverses into an integrated stunt-look rear. The 727mm seat is well padded and ends in a striking alloy grab bar, which also plays as a bodyguard in the tail group. A polished aluminum subframe section mounts the passenger footpegs below which the cruiser-cut muffler adds its part.
The two-valve four-stroke engine has been improved in many ways over previous Yamaha units here. Meets India’s stringent 2005 emission standards, aided by pumping oxygen to the exhaust port to burn off any unburned mixture. This unburned air is extracted directly from the air filter box, bypassing the carburetor and inlet, while a reed valve prevents the return of waste gases in the same way. Exhaust gases are further cleaned by a catalytic converter inside the muffler.
The carburetor is a Mikuni constant speed butterfly unit and employs a unique valve that reads the increase in cylinder suction and compensates for it by automatically adjusting the mixture. This provides smoothness no matter how bad the driving situation is, certainly a boon for the daily braking and starting conditions that prevail in our canyons. Then there’s YTPS, short for Yamaha’s Throttle Position Sensor, which works to increase economy. Yes, the ignition timing varies in sync with the engine rpm for the Yamaha Fazer 250cc, but now the throttle position also influences the setting of this critical period of combustion.
Our brief stay with the Yamaha Fazer 250cc showed that the engine had a nice nature and wide, evenly spaced relationships. Make no mistake, we too argue in favor of that useful fifth gear, if not for other reasons, simply because the competition offers them. When riding the Yamaha Fazer, one quickly recognizes it as a well-mannered machine, although the short mileage and limited terrain we were allowed to use made it impossible to really push the bike and analyze its handling ability. The frame is a conventional diamond-type metal frame with a single down tube, with a box section rocker arm. This Yam feels nimble and robust, with as good a ride quality as you can hope for.
The furious activity from all sectors means that the Yamaha Fazer 250cc lands in a cauldron simply brimming with new machine after new machine.