The year gone by witnessed some amazing new and updated products launched in the 150cc premium commuter segment. Let’s check them out.
Stylish premium commuters with slightly extra power output have always been the choice of India’s youth. The trendsetters in the segment were the Hero Honda CBZ and Suzuki Fiero. The First Gen 150cc Bajaj Pulsar then took it to a whole new level. Today, premium commuters have become an important segment of the Indian two-wheeler industry and most of the major bike makers offer one or more bikes in this category. Due to fierce competition, manufacturers always try to keep their product line updated, and so they keep launching new products and updating existing ones.
Suzuki Gixxer
Photograph: Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com
One of the most awaited motorcycles of 2014, the Suzuki Gixxer was launched in September with a price tag of Rs 72,199 (ex-showroom, Delhi). It was introduced in direct competition with the Yamaha FZ series with an aggressive visual appeal and similarities with the FZ series like the naked sport styling, 140 section fat rear tyre, 41mm front forks, rear mono-cross suspension and the fully digital console. The bike houses an all new 155cc SEP (Suzuki Eco Performance) engine, delivering 14.6bhp of maximum power with a carburetor type fuel system.
The bike is performing better than expected and giving a tough competition to rivals.
2014 Hero MotoCorp Xtreme
Photograph: MotorBeam.com
Hero MotoCorp launched the all new 2014 Xtreme in April with a very sporty styling and some advanced features. The bike gets the 150cc ATFT (Advance Tumble Flow Technology) engine, tuned to deliver 14.2bhp of maximum power. It features a new visor with high brow positioning lights, blue backlit LCD display, side stand and service due indicator, engine immobiliser, advanced gas reservoir rear suspensions, wider tubeless tyres, LED tail lamp and under-seat mobile charging system.
The bike has been made available in two trims -- single disc and double disc, priced at Rs 66,516 and Rs 69, 530 (ex-showroom, Mumbai) respectively.
Bajaj Discover 150F and 150S
Image: Bajaj Discover 150S; Photograph: BikeDekho.com
Bajaj launched the flagship model in its Discover range of motorcycles -- Discover 150 in S and F (semi-faired) versions. Launched in September, the Discover 150F was priced at Rs 58,739 and the Discover 150S at Rs 51,720 (both ex-showroom, Pune).
The bike is based on the third generation Bajaj Discover's platform and the S model is identical to the Discover 125ST, while the F version looks much sportier with its front fairing.
The bikes sport a new 150cc, 4-valve, DTS-i engine with a maximum power output of 14.3bhp. The Discover 150F features digital-analog instrumentation and front disc brake standard, while the 150S gets the fully analog console and costs Rs 3,000 extra for the optional disc brake.
However, both the versions come with spider web alloys and rear mono-shock suspension.
Yamaha FZ FI V2.0 and FZ-S FI V2.0
Image: Yamaha FZ-S FI; Photograph: yamaha-motor-india.com
Yamaha introduced the new versions of its most popular bikes -- FZ16 and FZS -- with lots of cosmetic updates and a new 149.1cc Blue Core engine with FI (Fuel Injection) technology. The new models christened as the FZ FI Version 2.0 and the FZS FI Version 2.0, and priced at Rs 76,250 and Rs 78,250 (ex-showroom, Delhi) receptively, costing around Rs 5,000 extra over the 1.0 version.
The new engine delivers almost similar power and torque, however, promises to return up to 14 percent better fuel efficiency. The new FZ models have an edgy design, which looks futuristic along with new features like the split seat, new LCD console display, redesigned muffler and rear tyre hugger.
Yamaha Fazer FI V2.0
Photograph: yamaha-motor-india.com
Like the Version 2.0 of the FZ series, Yamaha launched the Fazer FI V2.0 in September with a price tag of Rs 83,850 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The semi-faired sport touring styled motorcycle get a revised fairing along with the new styling shared with the FZ FI models.
It also receives the new 149.1cc engine with Blue Core and FI (Fuel Injection) technologies for better response and improved fuel economy.
Yamaha SZ-RR Version 2.0
Yamaha also introduced the next gen version of its entry-level 150cc commuter- SZ-RR V2.0 in October. There are not much aesthetic changes in the bike apart from the revised console and the paint scheme.
However, it also gets the new engine based on the Blue Core technology, claiming 11 per cent improved efficiency, while the power and torque figures remain almost unchanged. These advancements increased the cost of the SZ-RR Version 2.0 by Rs 3,800 extra, pricing it at Rs 65,300 (ex-showroom Delhi).
