AVOID KINETIC MAHINDRA BIKES IF YOU VALUE MONEY. Review on Kinetic SYM Flyte

Not long agon in 2008 when I was hunting for a bike I had the following criteria

1. Decent looks - Not too small or cramped for a 6 footer like me.

   
   




2. Lightweight - My wife will be using it most times with me taking it for an occasional spin

   
   




3. Performance - Should not be the underpowered Scooty

   
   




4. Refinement - Reasonable amount of refinement in the engine.

   
   

I tried out the following models mainly because the service centers were near my place in Sembakkam, Chennai and hence it would be easier for my wife to take it for service.

1. Scooty Pep - Everyone was having it. Underpowered and much too feminine.

   
   




2. Bajaj Kristal - Refinement was lacking. Even a new bike was vibrating. Even the dealer advised me not to buy the Kristal as it will be phased out (which was proved right)

   
   




3. Kinetic Flyte - My final choice. Rest of my story about this bike only.

   
   

Amongst the other options that I could have purchased but for my reluctance to go 15-20kms for servicing.

1. HH Pleasure - I hate priyanka chopra :) and hence the feminine bike.

   
   




2. Suzuki Access - Just launched and hence bit apprehensive

   
   




3. Honda Activa - Ubiquitous and built like a tank. I felt that my wife would never have been able to haul it around.

   
   

So ultimately I bought the Flyte after paying 42K in cash from Geetanjali Automatics, Sembakkam, Chennai. The dealer did not reduce even a paisa saying that this is an international bike(!!!) from Kinetic that is going to rule the scooter market and hence commands premium pricing. OverDrive had just rated the Kinetic Flyte as Scooter of the Year 2008 and all the bike magazines were raving about the Kinetic bike quality, performance and handling. I was in Seventh heaven for purchasing a Kinetic inspite of general warnings from my friends(Most notable quote ITS A KINETIC AFTER ALL) .

Now starts my nightmares

1. Handlebar rattles within 1st week - Dealers fixes it saying that it is air pressure problem. It continues nonstop and finally I throw away the stock tires and buy new ones. The problems stop.

   
   




2. Fuel tank leaks - This happened within 1st week. Dealers claims accident. I refute it saying that I drive on smoothly paved roads (OMR IT highway) to office and there is no chance for hitting bumps.

   
   




3. Manufacturing defect in petrol tanks - Dealer replaces the tank with a new one and the leaking stops. However it returns after a week just when I went through a speed breaker at 20KMPH. I came back to the dealer and he keeps the bike with him for a week and says that the tank problem is actually a manufacturing defect and I will be supplied new Tanks !!! I finally get my Flyte after a long wait of 2-3 weeks. However the leaks still continue if I top up the fuel tank above 2.5 litres. The Tank capacity is supposed to be 5 Litres!!!!

   
   

4.  Spark Plug problems - The spark plug has been replaced within 10000 kilometers even though it was never abused. The new one has started giving trouble within months. I dont know what I have paid for.

1. Tyres wobbling problem - Even though the vehicle has been driven on smooth roads, the tyres are wobbling. Its like you are been shaken from left to right and vice versa!!!

   
   




2. Front Brakes locking problem - Apply the front brakes whilst turning the bike and watching it lock the vehicle is not a pleasant experience. I almost threw up in fright when this happened first time and I thought I will go down with the bike in middle of the Velachery main road. Luckily I balanced myself and am never using the front brake again.

   
   




3. Self start problem - The self start is not working properly and you have to tweak it real hard for it to sputter into life. The Kick start lever is a joke and will really kick you for touching it. God save you if you are stranded in middle of a busy road.

   
   




4. Terrible noice from Engine problems - There is a terrible noise coming from the Engine. Everytime I visit the Service person, they put a temporary fix and finally the noise returns.  One fine morning this week, it has altogether stopped running.

   
   

Finally the Vehicle is dead today and would not start. The Service technician says that there are major repairs to the Engine and transmission!!! This when I have been driving the bike on nearly butter smooth roads, only 10K kms in 2 years with all servicing on time!!!

When I am trying to sell the vehicle after my experiences, people are demanding 3K-4K for this piece of engineering marvel. Yes after paying 42K within 2 years I have to sell it for 3K to 4K. I feel like slapping myself for following the stupid short-term advice and Sales talk from Kinetic and supported by Automobile magazines/experts. PLEASE DO NOT BUY A KINETIC/MAHINDRA rest of your life. Infact I am so pissed off with this incident that when my current sedan(Hyundai) has to be replaced, it will definitely NOT be a Mahindra since Mahindra had bought over Kinetic even after knowing that Kinetic makes the most terrible machines in the world.  Kinetic's association with Honda was the only time when they had 'something' going for them but once they were on their own, the monster was out in all its glory striking gullible people like me.