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Were you among the crowd that did a double take when Yamaha unveiled the Fazer 125, now christened just the Fazer, at the 2004 Auto Expo in New Delhi? If you were, I’d like to know why you did the double take. Was it the double headlamps? Or the styling? Or the engine? Or the rosy promise of fuel injection? The last bit first. To readers who’ve written in to know if the Fazer would unleash a new world of fuel-injected Indian machines, the answer is ‘not yet.’ The new 123.7cc Yamaha Fazer is very much a regular, carburetted bike. One might even call it old-fashioned, since it still uses a BS unit, not one of the currently in-vogue, constant vacuum jobs.
However, like I never tire of pointing out, technology for its own sake is like a newspaper patting its own back for great readership figures. So, whether you use a BS or CV carb is a choice the manufacturer’s R&D team makes. And as long as it performs to the expected norm, that should be the end of that. Back to the machine, then. At first glance, and I must admit mine was from the rear, the Fazer is a pretty impressive looking piece of machinery. Not in the ultra-high speed, super-duper industrial press manner, more in the ultra-slick new computer style. The body work has some lovely lines, the integrated tail lamp cluster looks gorgeous and the bulbous tank adds a sense of presence to the machine.
Then you spot the fairing with its twin headlamps. Er... it is hard to call. And I do not mean in the sense of which synonym of unsightly to use. You see, whenever I review the pics, I agree – it is quite hard on the eyes. However, in the flesh, it isn’t quite so bad. The Roswell and Area 51 feelings are balanced by the fact that this thing is gonna stick out of the crowd. Sore thumb or Ms Universe is what you have to decide on. My tip, see it in the flesh first, then make the decision.
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