Yamaha FZ-S v2.0 vs Hero Xtreme vs Honda CB Trigger: Comparison Review

Increasingly motorcycle buyers are looking to purchase performance oriented machines, but the focus on 150cc bikes hasn't diminished. The combination of respectable performance, decent fuel efficiency and relatively affordable pricing makes this segment a hot-selling one. And with the buyer becoming more conscious, the importance of styling and features is constantly increasing too. In a bid to meet these expectations, Yamaha and Hero MotoCorp have brought in updated versions of the FZ-S and the Xtreme respectively. The ZigWheels team spends a day onboard these bikes with the reputable Honda CB Trigger for company to find out which one appeals to the heart, mind and the wallet.

Design and Features

Design is one department that simply cannot be neglected in this class of motorcycles. And in that regard, the Hero Xtreme scores quite heavily. Targeted mainly at the youth, the Xtreme has sharp cuts all around that give it a macho appeal. The large headlights are the only part that we thought don’t gel with the rest of the body. Headlight aside, the well chiselled tank blends well into the hard-edged rear giving it a masculine persona.

The new Yamaha FZ-S V2.0 meanwhile retains the silhouette of the older FZ. Which as you can tell isn’t a bad thing, because the FZ has always had this aggressive, street naked appeal to its design. Moreover, some smart redesigning by Yamaha makes the new FZ-S v2.0 look a lot sharper than before. The new headlight, the razor-sharp rear panel, the new exhaust and the split seats give it an even more sportier stance. The rear tyre hugger, however, is a bit too huge for our liking.

While the Xtreme and the FZ-S 2.0 v2.0 take a sculpted approach to design, the Honda CB Trigger tries to please with its bulk. The headlight with the tiny silver windshield looks strictly average, especially when parked next to its competition. The massive tank, the pseudo air-scoops, the arrow-head shaped side panels and the humongous exhaust look good in their own right but the sum of parts somehow isn't as visually appealing. The stepped tail light though, looks properly funky.

The Hero Xtreme has the longest feature list among the three. The headlight features a strip that hosts the pilot lamps giving it a DRL sort of feel. The semi-digital dual tone silver-black instrument cluster has a side stand and service indicator and a clock. The ten-spoke alloy wheels enhance the youthful appeal further more. It also gets a mobile charger under the seat.

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When compared to the Xtreme, the Yamaha FZ-S and the Honda CB Trigger have a rather puny list of features. The Trigger gets a viscous air filter which Honda claims lasts a lot longer than the conventional one and is also the only bike to feature a Combi Brake system. The FZ-S meanwhile is the only bike to get an engine kill switch but it doesn't sport a disc brake at the back (the Xtreme can be had with or without a rear disc brake). But, both the Honda and the Yamaha get fully digital instrument cluster and monoshock suspension at the back, which the Xtreme lacks.

Xtreme – 4

FZ-S – 3.5

Trigger – 3

Build Quality and Ergonomics

Yamaha is renowned for the solid build quality of its motorcycles and it is no different with the new FZ-S v2.0. The matte black powder coated handlebars and the exhaust, the glossy alloy wheels as well as the switchgear feel premium. Thanks to a rock solid build quality and superb ergonomics, the FZ-S stands tall in this category.

In comparison, the CB Trigger scores marginally less than the Yamaha. While the overall build quality is up to the mark, we would have liked to see better switchgear; the current set it is lifted straight from the Honda Stunner and doesn't have that upmarket appeal to it. The angle of the switchgear on the Trigger’s handle bar is a little weird too making the horn and indicators slightly difficult to operate.

The Hero Xtreme on the other hand, although on par in terms of overall build quality is just not as ergonomically sound. Despite the fact that the tank has well cut knee recesses, it is difficult to grip with the inside of the thighs mainly due to the shape of the seat and the seating position. The diamond shaped mirrors also make visibility slightly difficult.

Xtreme – 3

FZ-S – 4

Trigger – 3.5

Engine and performance

This is where the battle starts to get a little more competitive. All three motorcycles are powered by a 149cc single-cylinder 4-stroke engine. At 14.4PS the 2014 Hero Xtreme makes the most power among the three, while the Honda CB Trigger and the new Yamaha FZ-S v2.0 make 14.1PS and 13.1PS, respectively. The Hero and the Yamaha make 12.8Nm of peak torque while the Honda's figure stands at 12.5Nm. But even though the figures are pretty evenly matched, all three bikes feel very different on the road.

The throttle response and clutch effort continues to be light and progressive on the Hero Xtreme but the power delivery seems to have lost its edge compared to the older version. Also, even though it makes the most power, the Hero Xtreme isn't the quickest of the lot. The engine refinement and noise levels are also the worst among the three bikes here. Gear shifts however continue to be smooth and precise, even with the revs dialled up.

The Yamaha FZ-S v2.0 instantly feels more refined and it also runs quieter than the Hero. And thanks to fuel injection (the FZ is the only bike here to get fuel injection); one really can't tell that the Yamaha is actually down on power compared to carburetted FZ. In gear acceleration is potent and alert and the FZ doesn't feel all that strained even at three digit speeds. A lot of this character can also be attributed to the fact that at 132kg, it is 5kg lighter than the Trigger and 13kg lighter than the Xtreme.

The engine of the Honda CB Trigger is a complete all-rounder. Ample of low and mid-range grunt helps the bike pick up from slow speeds without any sort of knocking whatsoever. The flat torque curve makes it increasingly easy to ride in the city as well as on the highway. The engine is the most refined here and it's also the easiest revving and the most at home when ridden flat-out. Gearbox too is precise and effortless to use.

Xtreme – 3

FZ-S – 3.5

Trigger – 4

Ride, handling and Braking

The Hero Xtreme feels good around longer corners - it feels stable, there's good feel from the chassis and the tyre grip is pretty good too. There isn't much wallowing to be dealt with either. But, give it a tighter route with quick direction changes, and it isn't as much fun; in fact, it's a bit of work. Moreover, being the heaviest of the lot also makes it that much more difficult to negotiate traffic with. When pitched against its rivals in discussion, the brakes lack bite too.

Hop on to the Yamaha FZ-S v2.0 thereafter and it's clear why enthusiasts love the FZ. Its low and wide handlebar, comparatively lesser weight and more eager nature of the chassis make it exceedingly easy to manoeuvre through traffic. And then when you get to the twisties, the way it drops into corners and handles the bumps when leaned over just gives you the confidence to push it harder. The extra large 140/60 section rear tyre helps build that confidence of course but it does affect the ride for the negative. The brakes are clearly a step up over the Xtreme returning better bite and adjustability.

The Honda CB Trigger surprisingly proves tone the most impressive around a series of bends. And it is also the most comfortable over a variety of surfaces. It's only handicap is its commuter-like seating ergonomics. It works on your routine rides to work and back and also for that occasional long distance trip. But around a corner the forward set footpegs can be a bit bothersome. Get past this inconvenience and the Trigger actually makes for a good handling motorcycle. The brakes work perfectly (this is the non CBS version), the steering feels sharp and the feedback from the chassis and the front end in particular is pretty rich indeed. It also feels the quickest on its feet willing to tip in from one side to the other making quick direction changes anything but a chore.

Xtreme – 3

FZ-S – 4

Trigger – 3.5

Efficiency and Price

When it comes to the perennial ‘Kitna deti hai’ quandary, the three bikes are more or less evenly matched. Hero claims 65kmpl for the Xtreme, Honda 60kmpl for the Trigger and Yamaha 57kmpl for the FZ. These are ARAI figures. In the real world these efficiencies drop but not by much. And even though the order remains the same, the gap in the efficiencies of the three bikes in the real world is lesser still.

In terms of pricing, the Xtreme proves to be the least expensive at Rs 66,000 for the single disc version. The CB Trigger comes in next at Rs 68,000 for the non CBS version and the FZ-Sv2.0 is costliest here at Rs 78,000; that's Rs 10,000 more! All prices ex-showroom in Delhi.

Xtreme – 4

FZ-S – 3

Trigger – 3.5

Verdict

There is no doubting the fact that the Indian market is a price sensitive one, but it would be wrong to say that buyers today are not willing to pay for refinement and quality. While the Hero Xtreme is a brilliant looking bike that offers a load of features, it falls back on the mechanical front. It fails to make an impression in terms of engine refinement and ride quality. The Honda CB Trigger on the other hand finds the perfect balance between a refined engine, good efficiency, decent handling and a relatively affordable price. It has all the makings of a winner barring styling and the fun to ride factor, which the Yamaha FZ-S v2.0 has in spades. And it has other pluses - superior build quality, better seating ergonomics, higher youth focus and better technology. So, even though it is the most expensive motorcycle in this test, the Yamaha still takes the crown.

Xtreme – 3

Trigger – 3.5

FZ-S – 4