johnsnepal's Timeline

Commented on own review

Second thoughts
Hero Honda Pleasure

Reply to comments. Well, I changed the review about a girl scooter. Sounds like I hit a nerve here. It wasn't what I meant. But I shall defer to the comments of csrinikgf, as we know how Pleasure is marketing this vehicle. But that's OK. The test drive is only around the block, at least in Sri L...anka if they even give you one. My ride home was 30 kilometers. A bit different. Why did I buy this? As I said, In Sri Lanka, unlike India, the only other scooter available is the Scooty. Yuk. And after I bought it, the Dio was introduced. But basically, they are the same. And the Activa/Nova/Flyte/ are not sold here. I need a scooter shopping, others use it, but I also have a motorbike. As far as the mileage, I can only honestly report (and I accurately divide the number of litres of petrol used in to the number of kilmeters driven, not guessing) and the Pleasure NEVER gets more than 35 kmpl. I am saying MINE gets that. I've asked service several times about this, but no answer or reason given. What can I say? Read More

Commented on own review

Second thoughts
Hero Honda Pleasure

Oh, and I forgot to add. Fuel economy is very poor. Literature and internet ratings claim up to 50. But I get only 30-35 kmpl.

Reviewed Hero Honda Pleasure

Second thoughts

Well, when I first wrote this review, I said "not recommended". And of course, people get upset if you don't recommend what they just purchased. But in light of what is available, there isn't a lot of big, 'different' choices in the market. So if someone is looking for a 100cc scooter, then this...Read more

Like 6

Comments 6

Commented on own review

Enough Reasons not to buy the Flame
TVS Flame

Yes, it does come with front wheel brake an self start. Well, the carry box is nice, but with all that cowling, they could have enlargened the fuel tank. After removing the gaudy-looking 'Flame' Stickers on the fuel tank (it is possible you know), it looks much better. I really like the mix... of analog/digital on the display. Major problem is vibration when cruising at speeds of 70-80 +. There is something inheritantly wrong with the design of the motorbike for this to happen. This aside, it is definitely a nice 'around town' bike. Not for cruising for long periods. The engine sounds like its overworking and you feel the need for a 5th gear. Read More

Commented on krishram's review

Good buy, Poor service
Honda Aviator

I went to the showroom to see this. I was totally non-plussed. The only thing that was interesting was the larger front wheel. Why don't scooters in general put on larger wheels and tyres? It would enhance both driveability and saftey. Honda already produces a 100cc in the Activa and Dio. It just se...ems totally ridiculous to produce another 100cc. Why not go bigger, with a 125cc for those of us who have a few hills to climb or some heavy weights to carry? And a front disk brake like the Kinetic Blaze? I just don't understand what is going through the minds of these designers (actually they probably don't drive scooters, but drive Safaris!). And for 21st century designing, I just don't see some higher tech that could be going into these machines. So Indian.... just put a new sticker on each year, like the new DIOS..... Ya man, I'm really impressed. Read More

Commented on satan69's review

Ride Or die !!!
Yamaha FZ16

From the pics only of the digital instrument panel, that color mix of orange, red and checkered background looks overly busy if not outright ugly. It's my only negative observation without ever seeing this beast in person. Why would the designers come up with that? Or is it not really that bad?

Commented on satan69's review

Ride Or die !!!
Yamaha FZ16

Good info. Thanks. Yes, the riding position is important. Do you have to lean into the handbars like the Pulsar or Apache, or able to sit more upright? I think I'd have a hard time driving it within the break-in speed. But I also have a Karizma 225 and there seems little open space anywhere to open ...it up. But now my friend has claimed it. Wonder if there is room to put a bigger battery in, and it's easy to put in a bigger horn, as I usually do in all my vehicles if they need it. Usually I usually don't like Indian-made gear boxes (if you have experience with Japanese-made bikes then you'll know what I mean) and wondering about the shifting. Anyway, enjoy.Read More

Commented on kunal_a18's review

Amazing (feels like heaven)
Yamaha FZ16

Maybe you can give some more info later. The first time I saw the FZ-16 I almost had an orgasm! Ha. Wondering if it looks as good on the street as it does in the glossy photos? It sure in the hell looks hot. Love the muscular look. If you can get 50kpl for a 150 class you'll be lucky. The fuel econo...my is always overrated. But with the FZ, who cares. Just have one less beer to add another litre of petrol. Problem is: I live in Sri Lanka most of the year and its still not available.Read More

Commented on mak0112's review

Not Bad
Bajaj XCD 125

Vibration will go away after more break-in? I don't believe these stories. They are just putting you off because they don't want to fix it, or they are unable to fix it. But I hope I'm wrong. Be very insistent and demanding with the service department, of any company, especially under warranty.

Commented on niku300's review

10 month owner
Bajaj XCD 125

Don't understand why Bajaj failed to offer a front disc brake option on this model. One of the reasons I don't want to buy it; and now I hear that one of your big complaints is brakes.

Commented on dan_francis99's review

Worst vehicle one can buy
Kinetic Blaze

I also have noise problems, although only on a bumpy road. Kinetic said that it was the front shock absorbers. Although the servicing has been excellent, they have changed the shockers three times and still I get front end noise going over bumps in the road. So I can only conclude that it is a manuf...acturing defect which they cannot repair. But that has been my only problem and one I guess I have to live with. Despite it, I still find the Blaze to be an excellent vehicle and a trailblazer for scooters. But sometimes we get a bad apple, or is it lemon. My Pulsar 180 when first introduced was a lemon: front end noise, front wheel vibration, sloppy gear box always kicking back into neutral. But remember, it's never safe to buy a new model. Wait until the kinks are worked out. I just took a chance on the Blaze because it's a scooter I've been waiting for more than a decade.Read More

Commented on ymn123's review

Ammmmmmazing!!!!
Kinetic Blaze

Just a further comment. The Kinetic Service in Kathmandu has been fantastic (as I've read a lot of complaints with Honda). Even though I've had a chronic front end shock absorber problem (noisy) which they are unable to fix (despite three replacements) it is no doubt a design problem. Anybody have n...oise problems on potholed roads with this????Read More

Commented on ymn123's review

Ammmmmmazing!!!!
Kinetic Blaze

Yes, that’s why I keep saying these designers don’t use the vehicles they design. I too hate the gear changing. Been there, done that. Boring. Nothing to do with being macho or not. Small things. The switches could be better placed. The battery could be moved forward to allow more room in the fr...ont storage area. The fuel tank MUST be larger. A Mobile Phone charger would be nice (but you can install one on your own). The horn is stupid sounding and must be replaced immediately with something larger befitting it’s size and power (I put a Pulsar horn on mine, and it DOES fit under the front cowling). And paint the silencer cover flat black (which originally was chrome!). And yes, it is difficult for the pillion rider to get on the damn thing, but baby, I like to drive it all by myself! This is no lady bike. I love outmanueving all the Pulsar 180-220’s and Karizma 225’s in Kathmandu Valley (while they are changing gears), and on the open road, I like to sneak up behind them and BLAZE past them!!!!! Leaving them behind, thinking, what the hell was THAT!Read More

Commented on venkateshkumar99's review

My review after 1 month (1000Kms) of use
Kinetic Blaze

Yes, that's why I keep saying these designers don't use the vehicles they design. The switches could be better placed. The battery could be moved forward to allow more room in the front storage area. The fuel tank MUST be larger. A Mobile Phone charger would be nice (but you can install one on your ...own). The horn is stupid sounding and must be replaced immediately with something larger befitting it's size and power ( I put a Pulsar horn on mine, and it DOES fit under the front cowling). And yes, it is difficult for the pillion rider to get on the damn thing, but baby, I like to drive it all by myself! I love outmanueving all the Pulsar 180-220's and Karizma 225's in Kathmandu Valley, and on the open road, I like to sneak up behind them and BLAZE past them!!!!! Leaving them behind, thinking, what the hell was THAT!Read More

Commented on neelabh1221's review

An Open Car having 2 wheels
Kinetic Blaze

THE WORST FEATURE ON THIS SCOOTER IS IT'S SMALL FUEL TANK.... 6 LITRES. WHAT IDIOT IN ITALY (OR INDIA WHO MIGHT HAVE CHANGED THE DESIGN?) DID THIS. THE ONLY POSITIVE THING IS ALL THE COMMENTS AND LOOKS I GET IN THE MANY SERVICE STATIONS I AM FORCED TO FREQUENT!!! I DO KEEP IT CLEAN, POLISHED AND IN ...SHOWROOM CONDITION. ONE DESIGN PROBLEM THAT SO MANY INDIAN BIKES DO IS ALWAYS PAINT THE SILENCER COVER. NOW, WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SUCH AN UGLY FEATURE??? I PAINTED MINE FLAT BLACK. YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MAKES. THE ONLY OTHER DESIGN I WOULD CHANGE WOULD TO MAKE SMALLER AND REFINE THOSE FRONT AIR LOUVERS ON THE FRONT COVER. AND THAT WONDERFUL TURNING RADIUS, YOU CAN SPIN IT ON A DIME. BUT FOR FIRST TIME USERS, YOU CAN DROP THE DAMN BIKE TO THE GROUND IF YOU'RE NOT CAREFUL. IT'S A HEAVY MACHINE. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!Read More

Commented on neelabh1221's review

An Open Car having 2 wheels
Kinetic Blaze

The only problem with my silver blaze is NOISY front shockers. Kinetic cannot fix the problem, despite the warranty. They have changed them 3 times. Has anyone had this problem??? noticeable on bumpy roads. And I find it to be a little heavy. But other than that, I am most happy. Also, why do design...ers always want to paint the silencer guard? It just draws attention to it, an ugly but unavoidable feature. So I painted mine flat black. Looks much better.Read More

Commented on ajay0612's review

Terrific Value for money..
Kinetic SYM Flyte

Yes, I agree. It's do or die for Kinetic. They need to upgrade the Nova 135 with some of the features of the Blaze 165. About the Flyte, I just do NOT like the looks of the front end without a front wheel cover. Bajaj did the same a few years ago, then quickly added one.And WHEN is Kinetic going to ...bring their motorcyle line into the 21st Century. What horrible looking two wheelers. Maybe get out of the business to become the primo scooter company.Read More

Commented on rajivhasija's review

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE
Kinetic SYM Flyte

Well I think customer service depends on what dealer you go to.

Commented on rocky_mt's review

SYMply superb
Kinetic SYM Flyte

One thing I hate is that it does not have a front wheel cover. It would look much better with one. Bajaj made the same mistake a few years ago.

Reviewed TVS Flame

Enough Reasons not to buy the Flame

When I first wrote about the Flame, I didn't have much driving experience with it. You can't get this by a test drive. The'proof is in the pudding' as they say. And "let the buyer beware". Ok. You know it's positives. Handsome good looks(minus the Flame sticker), the neat analog/digital displ...Read more

Like 9

Comments 13