Really a GLADIATOR . Review on Yamaha Fazer

I'm writing this long term ownership experience of yamaha fazer 2004 model (after it became GLADIATOR now called SS125 with 5 gears and disc break and recently YBR 125 ). I bought my yamaha in august 2004 and at that time there was no only HH passion as my choice.

Still using it and covered 58760 kms till yesterday.

• Before 1st service I got mileage 50 kmpl. (at that time the price of petrol

was Rs.35)

• After that the mileage increased gradually and touched 65

on using shell I got 68-70 (myself and even the service personnel could not believe).

• Now only using IOC petrol, but for a year I was using shell which was very

good on the engine and very bad on the pocket. later government de-control

of pertol pricing shell became very expensive and they closed the bunk.

• Only used Yamaha 4T engine oil until 2007

  
  




• Service experience was not so great. you tell onething and they do something else

  
  

I think Yamahas weakness is in its authorised service centres. this I even

pointed out to the southern regional manager at that time.

In the name of free service they only water wash the bike, grease it and

change engine oil and charge for the same.

• Came with dunlop tyres which I changed to MRF zapper due to poor grip on wet

roads and sudden breaking.

• I always service it regularly and keep the bike as clean as possible.

Now the Pros And Cons.

Pros :

• Amazing engine and mileage, still getting 60+ in city driving.

  
  




• Very good gearbox never had problem.

  
  




• Very good drivability, handling and cornering ability [only after fitting MRF zapper; never lost control]

  
  




• Very good breaking efficiency [never hit anyone so far while such

  
  

instances arose ;) this was the only bike at that time which came with 130mm drum

brakes both in front and back]

• Has Tachometer which helps in driving the bike efficiently in the right gear there by

amounting to better fuel efficiency.

Cons:

• Poor OEM Dunlop tyres.

  
  




• Engine vibrates like anything and becomes noisy if driven above 60kmph.

  
  

This problem is there since I bought.

• Poor headlamp beam, hi-beam will show only vision from the side not from

the front. I think it became un-popular due to its Bug like headlamp design.

• No Resale value so couldnt plan to sell the bike until now.

  
  




• No fuel guage

  
  




• No self start (After six months yamaha launched gladiator with fuel guage

  
  

and self start and engine kill switch)

• Driving position not suitable for short people.

  
  




• Very poor service facility [Service should not be just water wash and greasing the joints and bolts & nuts]

  
  




• Very slow pick-up due to YTPS [Yamaha Throttle Position System-now you

  
  

know how it gives more mileage.]

• Fibre plastics parts and spares as well are expensive

Final word :

Good products needs good service backup and yamaha should realize this.