Yamaha India Turns Aggressive, Launches SZ, SZ-X and YBR 125

Posted by George on August 4th, 2010 | No Comments

Yamaha India, the Indian subsidiary of Japanese two wheeler major today launched three bikes namely, SZ, SZ-X and YBR 125 in Greater Noida. Few days before we had reported this story. Eventhough Yamaha is present in India for a long time, could not create a mass volume model in our market. This is considered as Yamaha’s desperate attempt to gain considerable market share in 94 lakh units Indian two wheeler industry. These three commuter segment bikes fall in a price band of Rs 47,000-Rs 52,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Yamaha YBR 125 is a modified version of recently launched YBR 110. As the name suggests Yamaha India, fitted the 125cc engine which now powers Gladiator series. Yamaha YBR’s 125cc engine produces 10.88PS at 7500rpm and 10.4Nm at 6500rpm. The manual transmission offers only four speeds. There is no disc brake option currently on offer. YBR 125 along with bigger engine grown interms of dimensions too. YBR 125cc now measures 2065mm x 730mm x 110 mm (L x W x H) with a wheelbase of 1300mm.

Yamaha SZ150 comes in two variants, one SZ 150 and the second SZ-X 150. Both the models are powered by same 153cc engine. While the former is priced at Rs. 49,000 the latter carries a sticker price Rs.52,000 (all ex-showroom New Delhi).

Yamaha SZ 150cc is again a product of mix and match game from Yamaha India. Both are powered by a 153 cc engine that brings 12.1PS of peak power at 7500rpm and 12.8Nm of peak torque at 4500rpm. Both the models come with same transmission and clutch as well. The above engine is coupled with a five speed manual gear box through a wet type clutch. SZ and SZ-X will run on a pair of 17” alloy wheels. The rear wheel is 100/90 type tyre which is fatter than the front one.

While Yamaha SZ comes with drum brakes and kick start, Yamaha SZ-X offers drum brakes and electric start. SZ will be available in two shades – Red and Black but SZ-X got an additional shade, Gray. The dimensions of SZ and SZ-X are 2050mm x 730mm x 1040mm (L x W x H). The fuel tank can store up to 14ltrs of fuel.

Yoshiteru Takahashi, Yamaha Motor Co Director and Managing Executive Officer (Motorcycle Business Operations) said, “Last year, the motorcycle market was down worldwide and demand dropped 20-30 per cent, mainly due to the US. Yamaha is now concentrating on the Asian market for growth… India is the most important market for us.” “The Indian market will grow more and we will concentrate the motorcycle segment. We are planning to invest more here for future models, including production of scooters,” he added.

Yamaha’s intention is very clear, they need a bigger share of commuter segment. So who should worry the most, Hero Honda, Honda or Bajaj?