This review has been long due. I actually need to update my previous review when my bike reach 1,000km, but it is now at 1,406km. Many readers has asked to update the review after they have read my first review, so, here goes. Let me get this review done first by reviewing some problems that I have encountered with this bike all along.
Common problems with the Lagenda 115ZR:
Fuel meter
The fuel meter is not reliable and can’t be trusted. The fuel meter tends to show the bike actual fuel are more than what we expect. Have a look at this picture:
Do you think the bike still have 2/3 of the fuel from the total of 4.2liter tank capacity? Or at least half of it? Look at the picture below:
The total capacity to top up the fuel tank to the full is at 2.366 liter, which is more than half of the capacity of the fuel tank, and the fuel meter only showing NOT even half of it! I have a friend here in Banting, Selangor who also have 115ZR that at some point need to push need bike to the fuel station because he trusted the fuel meter so much, that he actually ride the bike with very little amount of fuel left in his fuel tank. Terrible! Why is it this thing came as surprise? It is because most of the bike actually will have fuel meter pointing more to the E sign that refers to EMPTY when the actual fuel in the fuel tank is about half, but 115ZR fuel meter pointing more to the F sign that refers to FULL. So, anyone who are thinking to buy this bike need to be careful about this.
Power
115ZR is an underpowered bike compared to many bikes from Honda, Modenas and even its own Lagenda 110Z series. Refer the comparison here. The 115ZR is in fact the lowest power-to-weight ratio in the chart at 79.6 compared to previous model of Lagenda 110Z at 91.8. This will of course effect the fuel efficiency and acceleration.
Top speed that I can get with this bike is only at 105km/h on normal flat road with the rear sprocket already changed to 37T which is smaller than the stock sprocket at 40T. On 40T, the maximum speed that I get is 100km/h. When riding this bike at 80km/h, I feel not confident to overtake big lorries or buses with 115ZR since it is not easy to get 100km/h even if I drop the gear to the third gear.
A few work around that I’m thinking now to upgrade the capability of my 115ZR is to use a bigger carb, maybe at 26mm and then fit it with 15-35T sprocket for better top speed and better torque.
On stock condition, this bike are no-way road runner.
You have read the common problems, now let’s read the advantages of the 115ZR.
Advantages of Yamaha Lagenda 115ZR:
Ride and handling
Yamaha Lagenda 115ZR have the SUPERB ride and handling that I have ever felt. Taking corners are never this fun with the 115ZR. It feels very confident and the handle bar have direct feel of the road condition. Compared to Modenas CT110 that I owned, CT110 feels like child’s play (sorry CT110 owners out there). 115ZR is an enjoyable bike to ride, with little more modification to obtain greater power and speed, this bike definitely are the best in its class. But, some riders said that the new Suzuki Smash V115 is also a great bike with good top speed, fuel efficiency and also good handling that can challenge the Lagenda 115ZR.
Brakes
115ZR is equipped with 2-piston caliper for the front brake and drum brake for the rear. This setup is the same with the Modenas CT110, but the differences, I must say are like, heaven and earth. With Lagenda 115ZR, the front brake feel are very good, maybe I can say, it is perfect. You can control how much braking power you want to apply to the front brake just by using your finger tips. For the rear brake that is using drum setup, it is also feels good and braking power is predictable and not dissapointing. But if Yamaha decide to use rear disc brake, it is much better.
Quality of parts
Every parts of this bike are high quality, even the small screw. FYI, the original brake caliper screw is priced at RM7 per piece, and that are much more expensive that normal screw that is about RM0.30 per piece. Believe me, the price if RM7 is worth it. I have been using RX-Z and Y125Z previously. I can see that the original screw are very resistant to rust. Try to expose the cheap screw to water and wait for few days, it’ll definitely rust.
Other than that, the welding of the chassis frame are nice and looks high quality enough. This gives confident to the riders to ride the bike for long distance ride.
Conclusion
This is a great bike with a few flaw in the technical department and a little bit underpowered, but it is one of the enjoyable bike I have ever own with its great ride and handling feel.
Note: This is based on my opinion to my Lagenda 115ZR and my Modenas CT110 that I own. You can have different opinion than me. You can comment at the bottom of this page.
