Some days are perfect, you wake and you know that today is going to be awesome, no I am talking of being in love with a girl, but about a Saturday where I got to ride, arguably the two best nakeds in their respective class in India on one of the best highways in the country.
Steeds : Yamaha FZ1 and Hyosung GT650 N
Location: NH48, Karnataka
Let me clarify that is neither a comparison test nor a full fledged road test, but a more fun test ride. Thanks to Vasanth and Santoosh for trusting their prized possessions 🙂

2011 Yamaha Fz1:
It would be an understatement if I don’t say that this is the best inline 4 naked available in India; such a fantastic and sweet motorcycle, you can stop grinning ear-to-ear after riding one.
The feel of the front wheel rising once I accelerate after 6000rpm in 1st gear is enough to keep me happy the entire day 🙂
Pros:
- Rides with any god-damn fuel, you don’t have to scout the highway for premium fuel
- Butter smooth engagement (I know its an inline4), but the roll-on is super smooth
- Fun to ride, be it the office commute or those glory sunday morning rides
Cons:
- I felt it heavy, but then that changes once the motorcycle starts rolling
- A bigger tank would have made it ‘The Darling‘ of tourers

2011 Hyosung GT650N:
I would say that this is the ideal upgrade for someone who has rode single-cylinders his/her entire life. It is a decent motorcycle but falls short on the build quality front. The initial punch of the GT650 is out of the world, it pulls and pulls away to glory.
Pros:
- The initial punch till 6-7k rpm is intoxicating
- The mounts to tie bungee cords makes it a tourer’s delight 🙂
- Surprisingly, negligible wind-blast (for a naked) even at 120-130kmph cruising speeds
Cons:
- There is no protrusion to pull-out the side stand, which is a PAIN while riding with ankle length riding boots
- Lots of vibrations(even by a V-twin’s standard), closest to riding a mixer-grinder 😛

It would blasphemous to compare a 5.5lakh V-twin with an 10lakh inline4, both of them have their own charm and fun to ride character.

Ride long and safe 🙂
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