Yamaha FZ 25

The quarter-liter segment in the country was pretty dormant until the Yamaha FZ 25 arrived. While it couldn’t generate a lot of action people came to expect from a 250cc bike, it was still a sensible option. Eventually, with players like the Suzuki Gixxer 250, Bajaj Dominar 250, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 250, the Yammie started feeling a bit dated. Now, in its BS6 avatar, does the FZ 25 have what it takes to woo us again? Or is it yet another miss-the-bus moment? 

The new LED headlight with the ‘unibrow’ DRL lends the FZ 25 a rugged appearance. The taller flyscreen and the knuckle guards on the ‘S’ variant blend well with the rest of the design, adding to the bike’s appeal.  The tank recesses offer ample space to grip the motorcycle with your thighs. There is no change to the rear end of the bike. The golden wheels on the ‘S’ variant look premium. 

The 249cc, two-valve engine is a gem when it comes making your way through city traffic. The motor cleanly pulls from as low as 2,000rpm, even when you are a gear or two higher. There’s ample low and mid-range grunt, making overtaking easy. The clutch is a bit on the heavier side - a slip-and-assist clutch would’ve been a welcome addition. Highway capabilities of the engine are questionable, especially with the top speed we could achieve was 129kmph. The engine feels a bit rough towards the top of the rev range. The 5-speed gearbox could use an extra gear.

The suspension setup is tuned on the firmer side, so sharper bumps can be felt through the handlebar. That said, the suspension does a great job of soaking up minor undulations and potholes, even on broken roads. The short wheelbase of 1360mm, along with the light front-end, makes the bike nimble. The wide handlebar, with the slightly forward-set riding position, gives you better control when wading through traffic. The MRF Nylogrip tyres offer decent grip on the tarmac and are confidence-inspiring when shooting through corners. Braking is progressive, especially the front. Though the feedback offered is decent, I would have preferred a bit more feel at the lever. The brake bite is sufficient for everyday use, however, a slightly fiercer setup is always a welcome change. The dual-channel ABS isn’t very intrusive.

In times of TFTs and smartphone-connected dashboards, the FZ 25’s negative-lit display feels dated.  The instrument console is difficult to read in daylight. Misses out on functions like real-time fuel efficiency and a gear-position indicator.