Assalaamu alaikum and hello guys,
This is my first motorcycle in Pakistan. Well, first time purchasing any vehicle so I thought I should share some experience.
Let's just say I've spent a considerable amount of time outside the country and was used to bigger bikes like Suzuki GS500F, Kawasaki Vulcan and Honda VFR Interceptor. Coming back to Pakistan, I wanted a good motorcycle but couldn't find anything decent with a decent price. Lo and behold, I see a YBR outside a showroom in Rawalpindi and was like "wow, they make this in Pakistan?".
Long story short, bought the G model since the paper-thin tires on the regular YBR Didn't really grab my attention for long. Plus , seeing better tires, a little higher ride and much better suspension on a G model for only 3000 more really made for a sensible option.
Here are some of the pictures and an overview/review.
(with studds cruiser boxes installed)
On a road trip to Sargodha via Jhelum - Mandi Bahaddin. Took a stop at Head-Rasul .
Windshield installed with cigarette lighter mod to power the Dash-cam.
On my way back to Islamabad/Rawalpindi
Never mind the flies, they're just admiring the vinyl wrap look
As soon as I go near my bike, people come swarming like bees, asking questions.
Windshield can be useful to deflect bugs, debris etc. and also for holding GPS suction cup mounts!
Look at that form! It looks like a well-built motorcycle, considering the competition of course.
Here's a brief overview of my experiences as well as people who have had a ride as a passenger or a rider on it :
1.) Looks like nothing else in the market when it comes to locally assembled bikes. +1
2.) Very smooth ride, even for passengers who said the seating is very comfortable and you barely feel the jumps compared to "main tay Honda hi lay-saan" 125. +2
3.) Shocks are outstanding. +1
4.) Road-Grip unlike anything else on the 125 market, especially at high-speeds. I've been doing some crazy maneuvering at 90+ that I wouldn't dare do on a "main tay...". +1
5.) Brakes. I can't believe people still use brake-shoes on their motorcycles, knowing how crazy important braking is on Pakistani roads, where traffic laws dont exist. So with disc brakes, I felt right at home with my previous experiences. +1
6.) Competitively priced. I mean, there has to be a reason why Suzuki had to shave the price off their GS-150 down over 50,000Rs. to compete with the YBR!
Now here's the kicker :
7.) Won't go past 100, even that it barely reaches. And yes, I've tried it for 300 kms on open roads with minimum wind resistance. Used Hi-Octane fuel and changed oil twice ( in under 2000 kms! ). Have had full service done.
What's worse? I spoke to Yamaha customer service in Karachi to a gentleman named "Usman Ali", who quite rudely asked me "to 100 say ooper kitni jani chahiyay?". I told him the max speed is written 140, so at least give me a 120. He said "nope! that's the maximum engine capacity for a square piston engine so it wont go past 100. You can go to a dealer and maybe if he identifies a problem , we may send someone but it wont go past 100" ( I've recorded the whole conversation in audio) .
So for that and rude customer service rep . -2
8.) Occasional "jerks" at 80-90kms/hr on the 4th gear. Don't know yet why.
9.) Muffler/Exhaust. Sounds like you're on a CD-70. Honda still sounds way better. You think they should've upped the price by 1 or 2,000 to put a decent sounding exhaust muffler on it ? But you can always put a Yoshimura or Akrapovic to make it sound awesome. Still for the stock Exhaust. -1
10.) Slower than a CG-125. My friend left me in dust on Faisal Avenue on his CG-125 riding at 115 while I struggled to get to 100. -1
So overall, it's a nice motorcycle for beginners or people who can't afford a friggin million rupee cruiser. Not fast, but definitely a safe and comfortable ride. I just really hope it would give me at least 120 kms/hr on a highway.
Again , these are my personal views/experiences along with a few friends'. Take em with a pinch of salt if you have digestion problems. Let me know what you guys think.