Jun 05, 2008 02:13 PM
3514 Views
(Updated Aug 24, 2008 10:45 AM)
I bought my Kinetic Flyte around 5 weeks ago and have driven around 500 kms. When I was searching for a scooter to buy, the objective was the ease of use and after sales service of the dealer. Largely, scooter satisfies the ease of use quite easily. The front fueling and large storage capacity is definitely a good value add. Pickup on high gradient roads in Bangalore and load carrying capacity has also been good.
The dealer I bought the vehicle from (DR Motors) has been very responsive and provided free accessories. When the vehicle had broken down (accelerator had stopped responding within my apartment complex), dealer had sent servicemen who took the scooter, repaired and sent it back charging just Rs. 30.
However, the disappointments have been:
Very low mileage, which seems to be around 25 kms or so. I recently got the vehicle serviced and the dealer assured that mileage would improve.
Fuel Gauge - This is really very confusing as the capacity is around 4.5 liters, but the gauge does not measure the fuel in the neck of the tank (which they claim is around .75 ltrs). So, it is very difficult to know the real volume of fuel in the tank. Many a times I have observed that I fill in 2 lts or so, and gauge seems to indicate around 3 ltrs.
Tyre / Tube quality - At a very early stage, there was a puncture in the rear tyre. When I took the tyre for repair, I was surprised that there was no nail or sharp object found within the tyre. After tube was repaired and it was inflated with air, the tube inflated in a very uneven manner. To me, that indicated poor quality. I mentioned the same to the service center, but they refused to change the tube saying that as there was a puncture, they cannot replace the tube. Now, if puncture had been there, it had to be repaired. I did not argue, but I am seriously considering changing the tube at least. I am scared when there might be another puncture. Tyre/tube are from some company called MTL - I would want a more know name like Ceat, Dunlop, MRF etc.
Whosoever buys, be wary of fuel gauge and do not go entirely on that - and definitely insist on getting different make tyres and tubes. Also, if driving is for long distances, be ready to fill in petrol frequently as tank capacity is low. Also, if you carry lot of stuff in your travels, then this is a nice vehicle.
Update after using for 4 months:
Very good response. The pickup continues to surprise me - if I compare with my old LML Vespa Select, then this is far better. I have not driven any other auto gear shift scooter, so can only compare with a manual gear scooter like Vespa. Vespa cries even in first gear when negotiating a slighly high gradient road near my residence - but this climbs easily even with I, my wife and daughter riding.
Even more surprising, I never got the puncture in the tyre again. It is really mysterious how it appeared the first time, and never again.
Mileage also seems to have improved.
