Just Booked Slingshot - Bike Delivered - . Review on Suzuki SlingShot

Just Booked Slingshot -- Waiting for delivery

Buying Objective

50 - 60 KM/L

Able to commute in Bangalore Traffic with a pillion

Daily commute to work

Value for money

Have a fixed budget with max limit of 60 - 65 K

Upright driving posture

I have a 1989 Enfield Bullet which I was using for a year.  Really not good for Bangalore traffic. Decided to buy another bike for commuting to work daily. My current daily commute is close to 20 KMS. I was not keen for 150 CC bikes.  I dont need that much power and does not want to spend that much of money too..  Decided to test drive the following bikes

Hero Honda Glamour   Quoted On-Road price was Rs. 59, 532

Suzuki Slingshot  Quoted On-Road price was 53, 858

Yamaha SS 125   Quoted On-Road price was 60, 078

Honda Shine         Quoted On-Road price was 61, 659

Honda CB Twister Quoted On-Road price was 59, 314

Honda CB Unicorn Quoted On-Road price was 71, 466.

All these prices of Self+Disc+alloy where it is applicable.  Slightshot does not come with fron disc brakes..

HH Glamour.  I have a great regard for HH.  This is my first bike to see in my list.  They didnt not have bike for test drive.  I went pass the dealership second time.  I got to test drive.  I had CD-100 way back in 1997-1999.  I did not find any major difference between CD-100 and Glamour except its a 125 CC engine and struggling for power in 3rd gear with my wife in the back.  Not very impressed.  However, my cousin who owns the PGM-FI model was trying to convince me for this bike.  For the brand HH, I kept it in my list.  One thing wierd I noticed in HH showroom, is people come see the bike and book.  For splendor or passion pro, they dont give test drive it seems.  Not sure how far its true.. I was really surprised with the market share they have.

Now comes Slingshot. I went to test drive.  No reviews or anything about it.  I went for this after couple of weeks of launch with blank mind and not sure what to expect.  First round, myself and my daughter in the back.  It was a up-hill next to the show-room.  It very smooth.  Gear changing was good.  I had trouble between Left and right, because of my bullet.  Up-hill in 3rd gear, it went just fine. Heard a sound in slow-speed.  May be the bike need some tappet adjustment or value opening.  I was impressed.  Second round with my wife and my son in tank.  This is when I realised the power of the torque and suzuki engine..  I was in 3rd gear and vehicle sensed the need for more power and it went just fine.  Engine was not struggling at all even in up-hill with load.  I liked the seating in the bike.  My wife felt the pillion seat is little bit high and she was comfy though.. I kept this in my final list..

Honda Feedback.  I ruled out Shine and Twister immediately after test ride.  I found too much vibrations on Shine and it hurt my back.  I purposely went down a pot hole and little speedy in a bump.. it was very touch cushioning.. I was not very happy with it.  Twister I ruled out because of less CC and I was not looking for any sporty stuff.  CB UNICORN, I liked very much I kept it in my final list.  With accessories Shine will land-up very close to CB Unicorn and difference might be close to 7 - 8K or so.  The sales guys in Jayanagar dealership was not helpful at all.  He does not know anything about Service schedule, Warranty.  He simply said, if something breaks, they will fix through insurance which sounded wieard.  He told me to go across the street to the service and get clarification about service schedule.  No intention to sell.  Might be because the market is flooded with so many honda bikes.

Yamaha SS125. I went to 2 showroom and they does not have a test ride bike and not ready to talk too much about the bike.  They were keen selling another 150 CC bike SZ or something which I was not at all interested in.  The first impression itself was not convincing to go for Yamaha.  May be I should have had some patience. But never worked out. I tried calling their dealership in Hosur road 2 times after that.  Same answer.  Bike not available for test drive.   That said, I removed SS125 from my list.

HH Glamour/CB Unicorn/Slingshot.  I removed Unicorn just for the price and I was wondering if I really need a 150 CC bike.  Between HH and Suzuki, I chose for Slighshot.  HH is established etc.  I want to see how Suzuki is and money wise, its cheap too.  I booked Black color after dushera holidays and wait time is 20 odd days or so..  Will update this once I receive the bike.

Bike Delivered

Got the bike around Jan 20 2011.  I have put so far 350 KMS.  Have to wait and see the mileage etc.  I love my bike.  Amazing maneuverability in Bangalore traffic.  Its a very light bike.  Went upto 75 KMPH few times.  I didnt feel any vibrations.

I was little afraid of Gear changing becos of my Bullet background.  I got used to it now.  Few times, I got false neutral.  Hope to fix in first service.  I went with my wife in good traffic conditions.  Ride was very good.  Smooth transition of gears.  Clutch controls are good.

Gave the bike for a test ride to coupe of my friends.  One of them has Unicorn and other one has Discoverer 150.  Both are pleased with the performance and they liked the maneuverability.

Will keep posting on the bike performance and progress.