Yamaha has brought in their new baby in the market the FZ25, a machine that sounds dull on paper but performs and looks extremely thunderous in reality. But the twist in the story is that the FZ25 and the R15 both motorcycles offered from Yamaha are placed at the same price tag. So which one would you prefer? The new child in the market or the ruler of the market since 2008?
Upfront when both the motorcycles are compared to looks, they belong to a totally different category, the R15 belongs to the fully faired motorcycle segment and the FZ25 belongs to the naked motorsport segment. Ergonomically the R15 has a rear set footpeg, forward-biased riding posture, and a pure aerodynamic riding design. Whereas the FZ25 has the center set foot pegs, and a sturdy riding posture that will let you commute long and short rides with at most ease. I know this is getting a bit confusing, so here's why you should prefer the R15 over the FZ25, and the FZ25 over the R15.
Why should you prefer R15 over the FZ25?
If you are a person who loves a sporty machine, with utmost no vibrations, a buttery smooth engine the R15 is a good choice. The R15 is supported by a 149cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, liquid cooled engine that churns out 17BHP at 8,500 RPM and produces a torque of 15Nm at 7,500RPM. The power delivery feels very linear, there is utmost power delivered at almost every point after 5,500 RPM.
Another advantage the R15 has over the FZ25 is the inclusion of the 6th gear. The gearing in the R15 feels more apt and precise. The R15 weighs 136kgs, whereas the FZ25 weighs 148kgs, which is a 12kg heavier due to its larger engine capacity. The major advantage of the R15 is its delta box frame which handles amazingly on roads and on tracks.
Coming to the breaking department, the brakes on the R15 are far more superior to the brakes on the FZ25 with better feedback and stopping power. The cornering ability of the R15 is just unbeatable even when it is put in comparison to its older sibling R3. Taking all these points into consideration, the R15 makes a better choice over the FZ25.
Why should you prefer the FZ25 over the R15?
For the same price tag, Yamaha offers a 100cc more powerful engine which is not something small. The FZ25 is featured by a 249cc single cylinder, 4 strokes, air cooled engine that is sadly mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine produces 20.9BHP at 8,500RPM and a torque figure of 20Nm at 6,000RPM. The torque in the FZ25 is felt well in advance when compared to the R15.
The engine feels peppier to ride in the city but lacks the smoothness and vibration-less characteristics of the R15. The riding position and the seat of the FZ25 feel like heaven when you ride both of them parallel. It feels more relaxed for city rides where the traffic conditions are heavy.
The major advantage the FZ25 has over the R15 V.2 is a proper seat for the accommodation of a pillion rider. The headlamps on the FZ25 being all LED offer a better visibility. Something that we noticed on the FZ25 is that the engine barely heats up in spite riding it for a long duration. The motorcycle is easily clickable in traffic roads, the weight is barely felt. The FZ25 has a 14-liter tank capacity whereas the R15 sports only a 12-liter tank. Taking all these points into consideration, the FZ25 makes a better choice over the R15.
Conclusion:
Have a girlfriend or a wife? And want a motorcycle that's quick and easy and comfortable to ride in the city go for the new Yamaha FZ25. Single rider? Don't care about carrying a girl behind? And want a mean and gorgeous looking machine out on the roads and tracks? Ready to take up the back and palm ache? Close your eyes and go for the R15!
By: Rishath Suresh
Upfront when both the motorcycles are compared to looks, they belong to a totally different category, the R15 belongs to the fully faired motorcycle segment and the FZ25 belongs to the naked motorsport segment. Ergonomically the R15 has a rear set footpeg, forward-biased riding posture, and a pure aerodynamic riding design. Whereas the FZ25 has the center set foot pegs, and a sturdy riding posture that will let you commute long and short rides with at most ease. I know this is getting a bit confusing, so here's why you should prefer the R15 over the FZ25, and the FZ25 over the R15.
Why should you prefer R15 over the FZ25?If you are a person who loves a sporty machine, with utmost no vibrations, a buttery smooth engine the R15 is a good choice. The R15 is supported by a 149cc single cylinder, 4 stroke, liquid cooled engine that churns out 17BHP at 8,500 RPM and produces a torque of 15Nm at 7,500RPM. The power delivery feels very linear, there is utmost power delivered at almost every point after 5,500 RPM.
Another advantage the R15 has over the FZ25 is the inclusion of the 6th gear. The gearing in the R15 feels more apt and precise. The R15 weighs 136kgs, whereas the FZ25 weighs 148kgs, which is a 12kg heavier due to its larger engine capacity. The major advantage of the R15 is its delta box frame which handles amazingly on roads and on tracks.
Coming to the breaking department, the brakes on the R15 are far more superior to the brakes on the FZ25 with better feedback and stopping power. The cornering ability of the R15 is just unbeatable even when it is put in comparison to its older sibling R3. Taking all these points into consideration, the R15 makes a better choice over the FZ25.
Why should you prefer the FZ25 over the R15?For the same price tag, Yamaha offers a 100cc more powerful engine which is not something small. The FZ25 is featured by a 249cc single cylinder, 4 strokes, air cooled engine that is sadly mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine produces 20.9BHP at 8,500RPM and a torque figure of 20Nm at 6,000RPM. The torque in the FZ25 is felt well in advance when compared to the R15.
The engine feels peppier to ride in the city but lacks the smoothness and vibration-less characteristics of the R15. The riding position and the seat of the FZ25 feel like heaven when you ride both of them parallel. It feels more relaxed for city rides where the traffic conditions are heavy.
The major advantage the FZ25 has over the R15 V.2 is a proper seat for the accommodation of a pillion rider. The headlamps on the FZ25 being all LED offer a better visibility. Something that we noticed on the FZ25 is that the engine barely heats up in spite riding it for a long duration. The motorcycle is easily clickable in traffic roads, the weight is barely felt. The FZ25 has a 14-liter tank capacity whereas the R15 sports only a 12-liter tank. Taking all these points into consideration, the FZ25 makes a better choice over the R15.
Conclusion:Have a girlfriend or a wife? And want a motorcycle that's quick and easy and comfortable to ride in the city go for the new Yamaha FZ25. Single rider? Don't care about carrying a girl behind? And want a mean and gorgeous looking machine out on the roads and tracks? Ready to take up the back and palm ache? Close your eyes and go for the R15!
By: Rishath Suresh
