Another Brick on the Wall?. Review on Yamaha Libero

In the recent past, we have seen a trend being set by certain people and others following suit in the biking arena in India. yes, the trend I am talking about is the trend set by Hero Honda Passion, that passionate successor of Splendor. The trend is somewhat like this: Special Head lamp styling, good fuel efficiency, great asthetics and neat handling. Following this trend were the bikes like Croma, Aspire, Freedom, Victor, Crux and to an extent Boxer. And now comes yet another chunk from Yamaha this time called the Libero. The question now is really interesting if not intriguing. Will it pose a challenge to the big movers like Passion and Victor or will it just be another brick on the wall? Let us discuss.

But before I jump into the review (read ''preview''), let me tell you one thing. I am indeed a big Yamaha fan and the release ofthis bike came as a bounty for me. After having watched this bike in the program called Wheels in BBC, I really was tempted to go for a test ride, which I somehow managed to do. I wouldn't say I was totally impressed but to an extent, the bike was good. Since it is early days for the bike, this comes as a preview of sorts.

First things first. Call it Bug-eyed or Alien-headed, the head lamp certainly augers innovativeness. Although that usual round head lamp of Yamaha (which in its own sense is a trend set by Yamaha itself) is missing, this out-landish head lamp certainly sets the tone of uniqueness for Libero against the other bikes in its category in India. Otherwise the bike is handsome. The fuel tank is neatly carved and increased ground clearance provides the big bike feel. The silencer is somewhat Pulsar like. The instrument pod is elegantly made with a speedometer and a tachometer but badly lacks the fuel gauge. To sum it up, the overall styling is innovative and new.

Built on a double downtube cradle chassis frame, the bike exhibits rigidity and stability in a top notch fashion. The total kerb weight of 116 kg is nicely balanced on the frame and this in turn contributes a lot to the ridability of the bike. Although the weight might dampen the spirits in tight conditions, it lifts up the performance, I believe.

Well, as far as I know, bikes from Yamaha always come with a certain amount of punch. Take RX135 or Crux (RX100 falls in a different elite category altogether and hence is not mentioned), both had that push in there engine. But I am afraid that it is slightly lacking here. Equipped with a 106 cc plant, the bike gives out a power of around 7.5 bhp. Although it is not much different from Crux, the engine in my opinion doesn't give the Yamaha-feel for it is designed to squeeze out maximum fuel efficiency. Hmm... Yamaha and mileage doesn't really gel together for me. But then, Yamaha is trying to follow a trend you see. The 4-speed gearbox is slick and follows the one-down, three-up configuration. To have a final say, I didn't really get the Yamaha feel in all the 25 kms that I had of it.

Equipped with standard forks and shock-absorbers, the bike certainly has a good suspension. It handles some testing corners with aplomb even if the bike is a bit heavy. One can manage it better with some nice riding experience. The bike, in my opinion, is a doubtful performer. Although, I am not right to say this with just a test ride, its a gut feeling that I got. Well, I really can't come into any conclusions but it does promise a lot. But then, are all promises kept up often is the one million dollor question. Braking is with drums. Discs are not really required for this bike although one might have his own doubts in his mind about the 115 kg barrier. If you trust me, take my word, the braking is just fine.

Tada!! We come to the most important part and again, it is a premature stage to talk about mileage out here. I definitely need to abstain my vote for this. Fuel efficiency, they say is around the 70 kmpl mark but got to tell you one thing, I do not own this and hence, I would be better off if I keep my mouth shut. For me Yamaha stands for power and performance and not ,in Planet Earth, for fuel efficiency. But come Libero, its totally contradictory. And that is exactly why I have second thoughts.

Concluding this review (Oh no!...Preview), I have my own doubts of this bike coming as a big challenge to the likes of Passion and Victor. Priced at 44k, it is hard to say if this bike will hit the scene big. Being a newish bike, if you ask me, it would be advisable to play the waiting game. Hmm...Yamaha Libero, will it make its counterparts fall or is it just another brick on the wall? Only time should do the talking.