Aug 16, 2010 05:44 PM
7474 Views
(Updated Sep 14, 2010 03:32 PM)
This is my first review on mouthshut. So I will try to keep it as simple and honest as I can.
We were looking for a nice scooter for female folks in our family. Our requirements were :- Low sitting position, no waiting period, low weight, looks, good handling and smooth and powerful engine. We test rode many vehicles including much talked activa, aviator, scooty etc but none of them filled our requirement. To be honest the design of activa is tobland and aviator looks totally stupid and tall.
SO we started researching on the internet. We found that kinetic has been taken over by mahindra. Then suddenly I read about mahindra rodeo, which was an incarnation of the old workhorse, kinetic flyte.
We immediately took a test ride (Suvarna auto, tilak road, pune) and MAHINDRA RODEO CAUGHT OUR FANCY. Its good looks, smooth and powerful engine and digital speedo was enough to convince to buy it
When launched, it was a revolutionary scooterate with digital speedo, front fueling, one key function, class leading acceleration etc.
------------------MAHINDRA RODEO IS NATIONAL SCOOTER RALLY CHAMPIOAN--------------------
SOI BOUGHTMY RODEO EIGHT MONTH BACK and RODE 5000 KM TILL DATE.
Here I present my experiences with rodeo.
The numerical facts:
Done :-5000+ KM till date
:- 125cc, 8 BHP engine
:- 9kgm of torque
Top Speed :-97 Kmph on speedo, tested by me against winds
Acceleration:- 6.2 Sec for 0-50 Kmph (Rodeo has inbuilt function in speedo to checkaccln)
First, thePros :)
Its good looks is surely a head turner. Best in class looks.
A lot can be written about engine and its performance. I feel its engine is best in class. Its butter smooth and shows no strain, even at speed as high as 85KMPH. Neither activa nor aviator cam match this kind of performance.
You enjoy riding rodeo at high speeds(80-85 kmph) since there is no vibrations at all and the scooter feels totally composed.
Great Suspension. Though suspension is bit hard during first two months, its becomes awesome after sometime. I absorbs potholes and speed breakers with ease.
Great Pickup : I had drag with activa, suzuki access and aviator : Rodeo was a clear winner here.
Nice handling : This scooter had good handling and high speed cornering capabilities. Though not as good as honda DEO.
Nice brakes : though it doesnt have disc brakes, it feels like having one. I feel very confident during high speed ride on pathetic Pune roads.
Comfortable ride. Though riding for more than two hours is a pain on any scooter.
At high rpm, 6000+, it sounds like harleys :) .
Very big trunk. This scooter can swollow anything you offer her in her big belly. Even the largest of helmets can sit comfortably there.
Digital, colour changing speedo looks great. Reminds me of Honda Civic's futuristic speedo.
Front fuelling is really a boon during frequent refilling.
Now, The Cons :(
First thing which disappoints me is that I m one of the very few riding rodeo in the city. There are few few rodeos around. So lack of brother-hood feeling :)
Fuel consumption. U cab never compare it with bikes. Fuel consumption is 37Kmpl even after my best efforts. I always use speed. The lowest I got is 29Kmpl, before 1st service and best I got is 41 Kmpl on highways.
Stock tyres are a big let down. Not as good as Honda Deo. I recommend to change to good grippy tyres.
Error prone digital speedo : Worst part is fuel indicator which shows incorrect reading most of the time. A big let down.
vry fewservice outlets which is really irriating. I have to travel 10 Kms to get my rodeo serviced.
Small fuel tank, only 4.5L including reserves is totally irritating. More trips to petrol pump.
Other than these small drawbacks, this is a great scooter to ride. This is one of the scooter which can be used for long distance touring.
I hope you enjoy reading my review and it stays useful.
Thanks for reading it.
