 Commuter
bikes in India have never been showstoppers but modern design
is having its say even in this segment. Both the G5 and CT100
are well-built motorcycles, though the G5 benefits from a visible
advantage. A larger physique helps this Yamaha look like a ten-year-old
in nursery school and many will mistake it to be a larger-capacity
bike.
The G5’s tidy bikini fairing, which replaces the more
conservative Libero LX face, hides a fuel gauge, another improvisation
on the new model. Paint quality, fit and finish, as on all Yamahas,
are major highlights. Reshaped dummy scoops under the fuel tank,
a fresh set of graphics and dual-tone shades help make this
bike a trace better on the eyes than the Bajaj. Switchgear,
levers, grips and handle-mounted choke levers are fine equipment
on both rivals, with luxurious push-cancel indicators and pass-light
flashers standard on both packages.
The G5 fuel tank is well sculpted, with a unique bowler hat-shaped
filler lid in chrome retained from the older bike. Side panels,
seat and tailpiece all flow smoothly to end in a recessed, bright
tail-light. Both bikes in this shootout have high quality aluminium-alloy
grabhandles. Taking them out on dark nights is a dazzling affair,
thanks to sensibly spread headlamp beams and halogen bulbs.
 The
eagle-eyed reader may spot that the new CT100 now has a slightly
larger gap between its front wheel and mudguard due to the one-inch
drop in tyre size. The bike retains a well turned-out beaky
front bikini fairing and the twin pod easy-on-the-eye gauge
counters from its precursor. Its 10.5-litre fuel tank remains
identical as do the seat, side and tail fairing bits. A gremlin
on this new CT is its ancient kick-lever design, which worked
poorly when operated and deserves a change. If there is one
smart bit that adds to the CT100’s panache, it is the
colourful Spring In Spring or SIS rear suspension units. While
the CT100 looks similar to its forebear, a close look reveals
an obvious difference. The drop in rim size from 18 to 17 inches
makes the bike appear like a scaled-down version of its sibling
and, seen side-on with the G5, is certainly the smaller of the
two. There’s a positive side to this downsizing –
this bike could become the average short Indian’s bike
of choice.
Compared to the CT100, the G5 is bigger and benefits from better
styling and quality feel. But the Bajaj does not lag far behind,
in spite of belonging a perceptible notch lower in the segment
ladder.
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September 2005 