Yamaha SZ-R : Roadtest
by Varad More Photography by Kunal Khadse
Posted on 31 Dec 2010197877 Views68 Comments
Posted on 31 Dec 2010197877 Views68 Comments
After
delivering some hard blows to the competition with the YZF-R15 and the
FZ16 in the premium segment, Yamaha India has ventured into the upcoming
power-commuter market with its latest offering, the SZ-R. Varad More
takes it for a spin to see how much sense and stimulation there really
is.
Today's Indian two-wheeler bazaar has evolved significantly over the past decade and the change is catching up even more pace as aspirations rise and the market gets newer motorcycles. In such a competitive and dynamic market, equipment level plays a key role in drawing attention from the well-informed and may we say spoilt for choice, Indian buyer, who is chiefly looking for a feature-rich product at an affordable price-point. So while the Yamaha SZ-X was adjudged as the 2010 ET-ZigWheels Bike of the Year, we still continued our rantings to Yamaha about the SZ-X calling for a disc brake, at least as an optional fitment. And here it is - the top-of-the-line SZ-R variant in the SZ-series comes with a potent disc brake at the front, a tachometer and new aesthetically crafted tank shrouds in two-tone paint. Certainly then the SZ-R is much more appealing than the subdued and less expensive SZ-X but then it also has the equipment to match that extra premium it demands. Available in jazzy colours, the SZ-R packs in a lot more than what meets the eye.
Design language on the SZ-R is quite in line with the taste of the buyer with its sporty and streetfighter-like demeanor but without going overboard and scaring away the non-experimental consumers. The SZ-R is upmarket and bold in its appeal with its pronounced design lines with a well done mishmash of curves and edges. The new well-defined tank shrouds flaunting the SZ-R moniker are loud in their form but Yamaha has kept it subtle by painting them in a rather mild silver shade than a jazzy paint scheme. The large centre panels in silver, smoothly connect the tank to the short and stubby rear panels of the SZ-R that hold the split tail-light in place. Overall proportions and dimensions of the SZ-R are very well-executed giving it a placid feel of a commuter motorcycle yet the solid bearing of a punchy 150cc machine. Apart from some minor design changes, the SZ-R and the SZ-X share the same body panels and underpinnings.
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