May 27, 2003 08:27 AM
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(Updated May 27, 2003 11:49 AM)
Kando – ‘Touching your heart’ has been the logo of YAMAHA. With the RX100, the company Escorts YAMAHA had gained cult status in the performance segment. However time killed two strokes and the restricted engines never managed to capture the magic of Rx100. Building 4 strokes is not easy, the complexity of the engine made Escorts make a hell with the YBX. It is to be noted that the same engine sells hot in other nations but the high compression ratio doesn’t blend well with Indian fuel. Frustrated, their collaboration with YAMAHA comes to a sad end and YAMAHA directly takes over the reins as YMIL – YAMAHA Motors India Limited. The first of their offering is the Crux, which was redesigned as Crux R and now refined and redefined as the Libero.
STYLING
One bad apple can spoil many good apples is one of my childhood lessons. This is the case with Libero, the bulbous headlamp fairing jellying with the overall nice styling of the Libero. Leaving the fairing, the bike has got some finer points in styling. The commuter looks and feels like a big 150 cc bike, the big tank with the dummy air scoops is a first for India and looks sexy. The tail unit and the side panels are also nicely crafted. The front & rear fenders also look good along with the long stalked indicators. Attention to detail is of high order with cast footrest holders and grab rails. The silencer and the snug tail lamp are also beautifully designed. Even the kicker has got some styling into it and the rear footrests are borrowed from the Enticer. Instrumentation panel is another beauty with tacho but a fuel gauge is sorely missed. Overall, the Libero looks fine from any angle barring the headlamp, is this the AMBITION for YAMAHA? Build quality is not of the high order expected from a Yam, some squeaks from the rear are audible ocassionaly.
Style: 3/5
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
The engine is an old wine in a new bottle. The same 106.5 cc cylinder unleashing 7.6 bhp. Torque is an impressive 7.85 Nm aided by the longer stroke. The carburetor has been transplanted with Keihin from the Mikunis in order to achieve better fuel efficiency. However the increase in weight along with the carburetion waves good-bye to the performance. It is very bland and overtaking is not advised with doubles and requires continuous downshifting. The engine seems to be average in terms of refinement but is quite handicapped due to lack of technology as in Victors and 115s. However one great plus point that Libero buyers will enjoy is its slick, hot knife through butter gearbox. It employs the universal one down rest up shift pattern and is an absolute joy to use.
Engine: 3/5
Transmission: 5/5
MILEAGE
‘Mileage’ is for what this bike is built. But I feel sad to say that the Libero always goes hungry. Also the 3” rubber at the rear spoils mileage figure. I got (my friend got) only 56-58 kmpl under city driving whereas even my Pulsar150 gives 50-53 kmpl! Though some magazines say that the Libero is efficient and delivers about 70+ kmpl my friend never gets such figures. However these figures are better than the older Crux but nowhere near the Victor, 115 and Splendor.
Mileage: 4/5
PERFORMANCE
Performance is a huge disappointment, I think that even the Boxer is faster than the Libero! It screams like an economizer and struggles to pull with 2 up. Acceleration is also bland and I never had interest in checking the top speed. Maybe Splendor users could find the mill powerful but it is time for technology…
Performance: 2/5
HANDLING & COMFORT
Handling has been improved with the 3’ rear tyre and the flex free double cradle frame. Balance is also very good. Ride quality is good though the suspension doesn’t prove excellent. Comfort is of very high order with nice seat and short handlebars. The driving position is also good and you feel as though sitting on a big bike but driving a moped. In felt very easy to drive this 119 kg odd on the trafficked Avinahi highway, Coimbatore.
Handling: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
PROS
Attention to detail is good.
Transmission is very slick.
Handling is good.
CONS
Ugly Headlamp fairing
No hi-tech engine
Only above average mileage and performance
VERDICT
There is no point in getting a bike that doesn’t make you look smarter. Though it gains in terms of big bike feel and nice transmission, it doesn’t match to the likes of Caliber115 and Victor’s high mileage and performance due to sheer innovation and technology. And there is another group that’ll buy the Libero for the YAMAHA name, I advice them that it is not worth and lacks that YAMAHA character. With the Cons being as much as the pros I don’t think that the Libero is a good buy but atleast better than the challenger, boxer etc.
HAPPY & SAFE DRIVING. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET.
