THE FINAL PHASE
Final report Coming to the end of an enjoyable term with us, the notably reliable Fazer is all set to return to the Yamaha factory.

Yamaha's 123.7cc Fazer has impressed us from the word go. It's been put through myriad conditions since reaching us exactly a year ago and proves to be a fine machine no matter what the conditions. Picked up in a monsoon-stung Pune last June, the bike spent some time there before being chucked onto rigorous Mumbai streets. The bug-eyed Fazer has become snapper Ashley Baxter's smiling companion to office from Thane daily. Though we don't have many polite ways to describe its controversial front end, we must say this is a bike sculpted as solid as the rock of Gibraltar. It is also one that still attracts many an admiring glance, one reason for this being that there aren't too many on the streets. Switches, plastics and rubber parts have all weathered the year without so much as breaking into a sweat.
Ashley has more kind words to lavish on the Fazer's adequate acceleration that never lets him down when overtaking slow- moving traffic. He's a smooth and experienced rider and enjoys the way this bike purrs between 60-65kph speeds on the long highway to work.
Gearshifting is as smooth as on day one and refined is one word that best describes this 10.8bhp Yamaha motor.
Ride quality is delightfully plush and while handling was fine when the bike was new, age has sliced off a sliver in this department. Though the Dunlop tyres felt super in the beginning, they just don't feel as confidence- inspiring one year down the line.
Ashley has even managed to coax the Fazer's average fuel figure slightly higher to 52.7kpl since our last report and is quite saddened to learn he will shortly have to bid adieu to a fine motorcycle.
Rishad Cooper