Sep 20, 2003 06:26 PM
6626 Views
(Updated Sep 22, 2003 04:34 PM)
Like a criminal standing in a Box in a courtroom,I swear in the name of GOD that I am a BIG FOOL ....discerning know what it means...
How on earth could I buy this junk of a machine??
Firstly a little about myself,this will help u understand how I shot myself in the foot n bought this bike.
I just landed up with my first job in a s/w company in Pune.Thought of a bike for commuting that will suit my status.Previously I owned a bajaj boxer,another stupid machine,n now I thought of a bike in the executive segment.My constraints were as following:
1.Good Mileage
2.Styling n Looks
3.Pickup n Power
4.Good metal for my Money.
This is how I decided to buy Hoodibaba
1.Hero Honda : I think the british raj of exploiting is not yet over.Look at their pricing..a 97 CC ,7 something BHP bike for 45 K on-road,(splendor)...I recall boxer has similar specs n its priced around 35 K..Can u imagine how much is Honda looting us...I decided I will never buy a HH bike.(if bajaj can afford to sell boxer at low prices why the hell can't HH do it with its strong financial muscle).U may argue it gives quality,but just imagine ureself paying Rs1k for a pan from panwallah, not worth Rs.10 /-.I hate exploitation.
2.TVS Victor : Best bike in its segment.Excellent mileage(~70kmpl in city),good metal for money.The only thing that puts me off is its awkward,macho fairing...Looks like its been designed by ''Pahalwaan's''.Also its styling is not that attractive.
3.Hoodibaba : Now read on.....why I m a fool..
I read reviews on MS abt Caliber 115 n researched the market.I thought 9.5 BHP is too good,I test rode it n found the pickup good handling excellent.Mileage in-city as claimed by many here was 65-70 kmpl.
I found all the above claims to be UNTRUE.
Power & Engine : The bike has good potential,albeit but when u increase pickup, mileage drops down like avalanche in the himalayas.So practically ALL this 9.5 bhp is useless.
Looks & Styling:It offers a unique look that catches the eye of everyone.
Riding Comfort:This is one thing I will rate it to be the best among it’s category and u can never bother in ur mind how far is ur destination.Seating is exquisite.
Mileage: (Raam Naam Satya Hain).what happens when u anticipating rain,go out in ure rainwear....but its shining bright outside....people can't help laughing at u....Similarly,i anticipated atleast 65 kmpl in-city mileage;before 1st servicing mileage was ~50 kmpl,which has increased to ~60 kmpl.but but but....i achieve this by steadily driving around 40 kmph.If I increase the speeds,the mileage will hit the rocks.shudder even at the thought of it ...:((.Also the pickup is mediocre,even a splendor can easily beat my hoodibaba.
Transmission & Gear control:My gearbox is luckily,a pleasure to play with,full marx to bajaj for that. One remarkable thing :u dont need to change gears frequently in city traffic,hoodibaba can be comfortably driven at speeds of 20~25 kmph on 3rd gear too.Also with a pillion,u dont need to shift gears always,just drive judiciously.
Suspension: This is good for all the bikes I tested but sadly,my bike has the
worstsuspension.The company showroom guys refuse to accept that the suspension is hard..Maybe only I got a rough deal :((
Lighting:This is the most enjoyable aspect.The passlights r too cool..Man,even the CBZ guys envy hoodibaba for its lighitng!!The Halogen lamps lits the road ahead till nearly 50 metres...its dazzling in the real sense of word.
BrakingOne more area where hooodibaba is miles ahead of the competition.Absolutely superb braking,excellent drum brakes.
All in all,hooodibaba scores in areas where it doesn't matter.It's similar to Rahul Dravid scoring centuries in Tests against Bangladesh,n ducks against Australia.Hoodibaba beats all bikes in executive segment in all aspects,except one,Mileage.Put a hand on ure heart,tell me buddy, if the king's Elephant can't walk ,wats the point in having it ?? he is useless to the king !!
Similarly,if I can't sustain hooodibaba's petrol-guzzling drive(~55 to 60 kmpl in-city) whats the use of buying it ??
Think over it ....meanwhile I have a solution.Avoid being called a FOOL....go for TVS VICTOR.
