Post 2nd Service
I have a problem which supposedly cannot be corrected. Me & Zeus are both at fault, but no solution. My driving range is 40-50 kmph and Zeus has very poor low-end-torque (contrary to what was written by pen on the pamphlet which said 10.5 nm at 3500 rpm. Suzuki has cleverly avoided mention of bhp, torque, mileage etc. in the pamphlets as well as owner’s manual).
I always reach 5th gear before 40 and then the bike started making noise which reduces considerably above 55, but I can’t drive at that speed to get a silent zeus. As soon as the speed lowers below 50 the noise erupts. The mechanics at the showroom tried their hands, the Suzuki engineer just asked the chain to be tightened but of no avail.
Then I posted my problem to Bikeguru Dilip Bam who gave the details of the torque. Zeus apparently has low-end-torque and driving in that range in 5th gear manifests the lacuna. Before 1st service I was getting around 68 while driving around 40+, the bike was smooth. Though the mechanics deny touching the carburettor on 1st service, the noise erupted just after that.
Now the only way to live peacefully is to look for a buyer and to dispose it off, it appears to me.
Also the problem being that other folks drive at 60-70 and still manage to get around 60, if I somehow manage to neglect the noise and drive between 40-50 on highways I get around 60 which is quite poor.
I would have loved to continue using this bike, but probably no one drives bikes at my speed and hence mfrs tune their engine for best performance at min. 50 kmph.
Though antique, but I think I should revive my old Yezdi which has no problem on 4th gear even at 35 kmph.
After seriously browsing Dilip's Q&A I got a solution for my woes. To drive at 4th till around 50 and 5th after 55 to get best mileage. I am following this and think now I have peace of mind.
I was thinking of disposing off this bike, but now realise that other bike may have some other problem as no bike is free from "all" defects. Let me see how my revisit to my bike progresses.
Other than these I have no problems.
I got my Zeus last week. I drove my Yezdi for 17 years and I had its values in mind before making a decision. My wife has a Kinetic Nova which was fantastic for 3 years, but now in its fourth year made me replace its carb., too. After 1st year, its self-start coil needs to be replaced every year costing Rs 1100. I am worried whether it will complete 5 years with us? Seeing this Makkhan-Malai scooter fade like this is painful. I was in dilemma whether to purchase Eterno or a bike?
I was reading reviews and looking for Victor Edge, which had a good low-end-torque. Fortunately none of the Delhi dealers had a stock of it (except for one who was busy renovating his showroom, but sales staff was on holidays). Luckily Suzuki showroom was nearby and I went there to take a look. The figure of low-end-torque caught on, the colours attracted me, I liked the red one, but my son selected the Silver and we had her home. [Actually I was inclined for Heat for its near straight seat, as I am 6 ft 3. But now, I don't feel the need]
Unicorn, Shine were too pricey and since I had heard about high prices of spares, plus irresponsible dealers, I had rejected both. HH employs film stars who demand more money which is recovered from us, hence it was also rejected. Bajaj reviews were too bad ...
At 47 years of age, I was not looking for bhp, pickup etc. I needed just two things: good mileage & low-end torque [I remembered Yezdi getting creamy above 70 kmph, but fiddling with gears in traffic was troublesome]. Fortunately, on Zeus, when you slow down from 45 to 15 at 5th gear, you don't need to change gears, a big relief. However, I am still getting used to the fact that at 15 kmph, you are already in the 3rd gear!
But a HORROR awaited! Old habits die hard! The gear shift pattern on Zeus is totally opposite of Yezdi which has 1st up, 3 down, with 2 neutrals. Fortunately, the lights helped me out. Still sometimes I do press the down gear and get the JERK. I know it will take some time to settle. Also the headlight is not adjustable which is sad (maybe all latest bikes have the same condition).
Another annoying part was (new to me) locking the bike. It always takes 10-15 turns of the handle, forcefully twisting the key to get the bike locked. I don't know whether the lock is bad or I am not used to it, still it haunts me, if I have to go to a market and do the same exercise again and again. Can you please help me on it?
One big question for you all. How to prevent rust in petrol tanks? Earlier, in two-strokes oil was a constant part of petrol and the tanks always lined with oil. Here nothing of that sort, (same for cars) and tanks catch rust easily. Though dealers advise putting 50-60 ml oil in 5-6 litres of petrol, but fresh dose of petrol would surely wipe the lining. What I have in mind is to use similar filter I used earlier with my bike: A glass bottle wherein the petrol comes from top, gets collected, and when the level rises, gets drained from the periphery. Dust settles down, rust particles, if any, get clung to a tiny magnet pellet in the bottle, and pure petrol goes out. But the fuel tap, its pipes are so congested that putting that filter in would not be that easy. What you people do?
Another thing I rue about is the lack of space between the front mudguard & the leg-guard, preventing the fitting of a spare tyre [I used a stepney for 14 years on my Yezdi, instead of a leg-guard] Though Yezdi had both wheels of same size, I am confident if I had the space, my Zeus would also have had a stepney {I know how it could be done!).
Zeus has 35W headlight bulb which is not that effective. If the manufacturers put the battery in conjunction with the alternator, one could go in for a 60 watt bulb, which I did for myself in Yezdi. Bikeguru always mentions of putting an extra coil but in Delhi, no electrician, motor winder has even remotely seen this, and hence it is not a possibility (Wish I was in Pune or in Bangalore/Mysore).
After the reserve fuel started, I put in petrol worth Rs 200. It has done 150 kms or so and still the needle is at middle, meaning around 2 litres before touching reserve. Good mileage around 60, just after doing 500+. Very good. I drive it between 40-45, and dont intend going above 50-55 after the services, so expect good mileage. My daily commute is around 60 kms, out of which 30-40 km is on the highway.
The electric start makes my life easy (I have not used the kick yet), horns are powerful, disc brakes very effective. The ride is comfortable, what else do you want? No bike grants you all wishes.
Overall, I am happy. I just wonder why Suzuki is hiding its figures from the public? Nowhere the mention of torque, bhp appear either in sales pamphlets nor the instruction manual. Emails are not replied to.
1st service is due next week. I am tired of riding as per manufacturer's guidelines. Let us see when the running-in finishes?
Please don't get annoyed by my mention of Yezdi. It was not added to increase the size of this review. So do not get offended.
