Reliable Workhorse (Suzuki Zeus 125 cc). Review on Suzuki Zeus 125 cc

Being a lover of bikes is not an easy job. It means not just looking but feeling the bikes and judging them only after a longish exposure. I have been riding two-wheelers since the young age of 18 (permitted by law) till today. I am now 47 years old. In the last many years I have driven various vehicles and owned 5 of them. Now after using my last vehicle for 9 years (which was bought new) I thought it was high time to upgrade. The mere thought of upgrading brought mixed feelings. Those of joy which should result from any new purchase and those of anguish and loss experienced when parting with a trustworthy old friend. However once I made up my mind to upgrade; I decided to push ahead with an honest effort, no matter what the risks and difficulties. My last vehicle was a 100cc motorcycle with a self-start (yes the HH Street dlx was a unique vehicle) and to find a replacement was easier said than done. I know I am a choosy buyer. Just anything would not do. So I carefully made a mental note of the new 125cc offerings by the various manufacturers and slowly but steadily reached out to the main dealers and asked for a test ride. Some were good enough to let me go for a 1 to 2 km jaunt whereas others were very conservative and would only allow a short ride in the compound of their given building. I had made up my mind, no buying unless I had a test ride first. After all we have to live with our choice for the next 2, 5 or more odd years. To make a long story short, after testing 3 leading models, the Shine, the Gladiator and the Zeus; it was surprisingly the Zeus which kept coming back to me as the most memorable of the lot. I have a liking for the unusual but this was more than that. The unique power delivery and the unbelievable front disc brake had me hooked and begging for more. That too for a very reasonable 50,985/- complete price, on road, Andheri was just too good to believe. After a lot of reading up and a lot of soul searching, I finally made that important phone call and asked the dealer (Malad Suzuki) if they could send their representative home to complete the paper work. (I did push my luck that day) Surprise, Surprise, they agreed and two days later I was signing a cheque for the full amount in the comfort of my home. Exactly a week later I voluntered to go and collect the bike. (They had offered to deliver too; but I was a little bit possessive of my new bike; so I declined the offer) Today after about 11 days of owning the Zeus I have nothing but praise for it. I was looking for a unique all rounder and I have found it. Good Looks Good power, Good braking and handling and ofcourse Good economy. What more can a guy want from his bike. A tachometer (you got it), 5 speed gears (you got it), a special gear indicator (you got it), a quality fit and finish everywhere (you got it). I am glad, I waited this long to make my choice. Probably god wanted me to have this bike not any other. In this case and in many other cases too my intution has proven me right. However time is the ultimate tester. For that I will have to wait and see. Meanwhile I would also mention that the dealer is super co-operative and the service centre (state-of-the-art) is a beauty and a sight for sore eyes. Suzuki has many lovers all around the globe. I have just added my name to the long list. Good luck to you all. Go! you owe yourself that test ride.

OK ! Friends I am back . . . . .  to give you the lowdown after covering 1600 kms. !

After a very patient running-in of my Zeus 125cc, I would like to inform you that I am getting 56Km/l in the city with my type of driving, which involved frequent stops on my way home.  I am quite confident that anyone weighing less than me (I am 95kg.) and driving the highway mostly will definately get upto 60 km/l which I feel is quite creditable for a 125cc machine.

Now coming to the performance.  Initially I was a little disappointed because I had deliberately put a self-imposed ceiling on how much to rev the engine and when to change the gear (3500 rpm) that as a result I was feel quite low.  But not anymore.  With the running-in period over, I can indulge myself as I would have always liked to.  This means revving the engine to a good 5500 to 6000 rpm before changing to the next gear and as a result, this beauty of a vehicle has acquired an entirely different character.  Something that I am more at ease to indentify with.  A powerful character.  Yes!  we all are interested in the mileage of any given vehicle but really speaking, deep down, we all yearn for a powerful machine to relish in, as an extension of our own personality.  I am no different.   Luckily for me the Zeus delivers on both the counts and that too without any, any sort of complaint or dissatisfaction, either from the gearbox, or handling or the brakes ( am I lucky or what ).  But honestly guys this is a very well put together vehicle, the quality is absolutely top notch and this includes all the areas; right from the chrome finish to the way the panels fit to the way the cables are routed, etc.  Very asthetically done and perfect.  The only complaint (if you could call it a complaint) is that it is a very silent and smooth machine) meaning that you may be travelling very gracefully at a goodly speed but not many may even be aware of your presence.  It simply does everything so silently that you actually feel that there is another person taking care of all your needs and you are just the passenger instead of the driver.  Don't get me wrong, this is suppossed to be a compliment.  It is quite comfortable and involving to drive as a vehicle and can get you to your destination in a fuss free and unhurried manner.

As far as overheads go, I have not spent anything on this vehicle by way of spares as none were needed.  Just the cost of the oil during the first service.  Now I hear that even that is being sponsored by the dealer.  So all in all a troublefree experience.  I would call it a gentleman's bike.  Go get it !

Now friends after 4,500 kms.  The vehicle has completed 1 and half year and still looks as beautiful as ever.  Its performance has actually improved and so has the mileage.  My regular service checks involved only oil and filters.  Recently replaced an "O" ring in a carb flange and a tail bulb whose filament had fused.  Besides this there has been no untoward expenses.  With the recently introduced features like self-start and alloy wheels, it looks even more mouth-watering.  If only the new riders would buy this baby instead of the Pulsar, the world would be a happier and safer place.