Jan 18, 2013 02:28 PM
6191 Views
(Updated Mar 03, 2013 06:07 PM)
I own many bikes and thought of replacing one of them (6 year old TVS STAR), with this bike. I would say it was a foolish blunder.
Bike of course looks very good. But no one buys a bike to b kept in a glass box. It has to be ridden with love and pleasure. And that is what I lost after a couple of days.
I started to get abdominal cramps (usually happens when I drive any vehicle with suspension problem or huge vibrations). The seat is very uncomfortable aggravated by a very hard and not working rear monoshock greatly touted as nitrox. This Nitrox seems to be a base modal without rebound adjustments. There is only one spring lag adjustment. Even my staff are not willing to ride the bike due to gross uncomfort and physical distress.
Vibration of the engine is so huge that the pillion rider complains of not able to hold the hand grip. Hands and feets go numb at speeds above 50 klm/hr.
The 5th gear feels like 3rd at higher speeds above 50 and you shall involuntarily kick the gear liver to change it to the higher one.
I bought it just a few days ago and has given for first service. If these problems don't get rectified, I don't have any other choice than selling it and buying a honda or suzuki.
Service dep stated that the vibration shall go after 3000 klms, but those who drives this bikes will have to hospitalized by that time.
Overall, not at all satisfied. Kids may like, due to looks & raw power , but those grown ups out there who likes refinement, be careful.
Update: 23-Jan-2013
On complaining to the Bajaj, about the issues, relevant managers geared into action. Today had it checked by the Service manager. He declared that the Niitrox monoshock seems to have problem and will get it replaced within a week (no stock at present). Vibration got reduced considerably, yet it seems to be on the higher side. Pillion rider still complains as if sitting on a vibrator.
Update : 11-Feb-2013
After about a week, the rear shock absorber was replaced. The ride became much better. However there was considerable stuttering and had to try different setting. One cannot have a meal and immediately ride away. This will lead to abdominal pain due to the stuttering of the rear wheel. This went away by setting the spring to a slightly harder one that the factory setting. Though the ride became much comfortable, the bike will not take rough or poth-holes lightly. At the best one can say that the bike is very comfortable on a very good road. But on old worn out or patched roads - forget it. Get an autorikshaw It is ok if you have pillion rider.
By the way I also had to adjust clutch a little to get it on comfortable position. This also slightly reduced the engine vibration at higher speeds. The pickup also increased. (the factory setting was tighter).
On the whole, you can consider this bike if
A) you are heavy or ride mostly double
B) The city where you live have more than 90% of excellent roads. (Remember the rear shock has a small piston travel and hence will not be comfortable on rough roads).
C) needs goods power
D) don't mind engine/body vibration (I don't mean instability issues).
Hope this addition helps other to know what to expect and what not to - practically.
Update : 03-3-2013 & 2000 klms
Experimented with different spring settings of the monoshock. No much improvement. It is my earnest opinion that bajaj got the rear shock settings/design wrong on this one. But harder settings atleast reduces chattering, though is harsh when going through gutters and bumps.
Gear liver is fitted through a single screw which gets loose every send day. If you are not careful, there are chances that it may come off and suddenly you may realize that you have lost the gear liver on the road. So be careful with that gear liver - do not forget to check it every second or third day. you can tighten it yourself (fortunately).
