FierO F2-AlL InfO!!. Review on TVS Suzuki Fiero F2

FIERO F2-ADVANCED BIKING--This is what TVS engineers had to say when they launched their latest offering in the PREMIUM segment. i.e. 150 cc segment. FIERO F2 is the variant of the not so successful TVS Fiero. TVS had to make a rocking bike if they wished to remain in competition against the likes of Hero Honda’s powerful CBZ and Bajaj’s PULSAR. But I would say all in all TVS had done a good effort although keeping certain flaws.

As I always say let us analyze every segment of this bike:

LOOKS: Well to compare it with old Fiero, yes it definitely looks much better then its elder bro. But still TVS have always compromised on looks be it TVS Victor or the Old Fiero. The same problem is here too. But this bike looks more manly then old Fiero. The company has employed the same FIERO fuel tank but with new air scoops on either side along with an new fuel filler cap fitted on top. The side panels are also the same. The tail unit is changed from the old FIERO. The signal indicators find a separate place now i.e. not connected as a cohesive unit with the tail lamp!! (Thank God!!). The tail lamp looks good; much better then old Fiero. Similar case is for the head lamp too. Here also the indicators find a separate place now and headlamp has been replaced. They have replaced the ugly headlamp of the old Fiero with a sporty new lamp. (My god who designed the head and tail lamps of the old Fiero!!!!). The additions which have been done are 1) New front fairing with the clear lens look and having a 35/35W halogen instead of the ugly front lamp withut any graphics at the sides of the headlamps 2) The wheel base has been increased from 1230mm to 1270 mm which provides more control. But still if u compare it HH’s CBZ then FIERO F2 loses some marks.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION: The FEIRO F2 has the same 147.5 cc old Fiero engine. The power is still 12bhp. The intake and the exhaust have been slightly retuned and there is also an air injection system used here which helps produce a max. Torque of 10.5Nm at 6500rpm. Fiero F2’s engine employs a digital CDI ignition system and uses the Victor’s switch activated ignition system which works on throttle movement to activate one of two ignition maps for performance or fuel efficiency. The engine is quite powerful and u get the perfect picture of the engine’s capability when u r driving on highways.

The Transmission is 4 speed; Yup a DISASTER. This bike is 150cc and it doesn’t have 5th gear would u believe it. Even though TVS knew that it faces severe competition from CBZ and Twin Pulsar’s still it didn’t give a 5th gear on F2. Well its high time TVS should introduce a 5th gear in this beauty else it will be a total waste. Well the gearbox is pretty good and the revised gear ratios on the F2 provide a good performance. Although this bike gives good performance with 4 shifts but I still felt here there is a necessity of 5th gear in F2.

PERFORMANCE: The bike moves from 0-60 in 6 sec flat (which is comparable then WIND 125 which sprints from 0-60 in just 6.22sec). The kerb weight of this bike is 126kgs) and 0-80 in 13.56sec, although this performance is better then the old FIERO. The top speed of this bike is 105 kmph. The bike is as smooth as my Caliber 115

MILEAGE:A clear winner here. I would say here that TVS engine team has done much work to not only make the modified bike give major gains in performance but also in fuel efficiency. Not many can achieve such in both departments and normally one gains at the cost of the other but in the Fiero F2, performance and fuel efficiency get along together very nicely.

The dual map ignition system also contributes greatly to increase the fuel efficiency which has seen the Fiero F2 register massive gains not only over its older bro. but also over other bikes in its segment. The Fiero has best of 56-60kmpl on road (not USTC in which TVS say it gives 82 kmpl). The worst u can get is 50kmpl which is also much better then CBZ which gives a best of 46 kmpl and Pulsar 150 which gives about 50-55 kmpl. So F2 is a clear winner here no doubt about it!!!

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION: TVS engineers have done a remarkable job in this area. A new chassis is employed in F2 which provides a great stability to this bike. The engine mounting points remain the same as on the earlier chassis but all angles, bends and other geometry of the frame have been changed. The format is a double cradle type due to which it provides more stability. The rectangular swing arm has been extended by 30mm.

INSTRUMENTATION: The ugly single instrument cluster on the old Fiero which sported only one big dial in which the speedo, turn indicators, head light and fuel gage were present has been replaced. The new instrument cluster consists of 3 sporty dials with the tachometer in the middle. On the left is the speedometer which is devoid of tripmeter. On the right to the Tachometer is the Fuel Gage. Below the Fuel Gage are the green and orange indicators for the optimum fuel efficiency and performance i.e. economy and power zone adapted straightaway from the Victor. The quality of the grips and levers is great while the rear-view mirrors are twin coloured and dual shaded turnout. The dials are amber colored when switched on in nights.

Braking & Wheels The braking is great because of using a 240mm front disc brake (optional). The rear is a 130mm drum brakes. One thing noteworthy bout the disc brakes is that they are placed on the left hand side rather then normal disc brakes which are placed on the right hand side of the front tyre!!!. God knows what is the reason for placing the discs on the left side to the contemporary placing of the discs on right side on every other bike.

New tyres have been used for the Fiero F2. The front tyre is a TVS Srichakra 2.75 x 18 size.

OVERALL COMMENTS: Well TVS really made a wonderful effort in giving good competition to the CBZ’s and the Pulsar’s and I must say TVS has succeeded also to a great extent. But the absence of 5th gear in this power house still remains a problem in the success story. TVS has really to introduce a 5th gear in this bike. Also it has to concentrate on the looks of this bike. There is no self start as well which is another drawback because nowadays u find self start even in 60cc mopeds such as sunny spice and this 150cc!!!!