My experiences on a long ride. Review on TVS Suzuki Fiero FX

Hi guys,I am back again after some gap to continue discussions.I would like to share my recent experience of a long journey.

In the Durga Puja I took the Fiero Fx on its first long journey.It was 290kms from Calcutta to my home town(near the Jharkhand border) and 340kms back(coz I took the Durgapur->NH2 way).

I gained some valuable experience on the way.Like for eg,in the congested roads of Calcutta,it is so commonplace for us bikers to overtake all sorts of vehicles by the left side that even knowing that it is wrong,we take it for granted.Once on the highways and out of the metro,I re-learnt this lesson when a lorry-driver's helper shouted at me.I didn't do that again either way.

In the city roads,we are wary of other vehicles,blind corners,men dashing accross,etc.Out in the countryside,the things to watch out for are rushing dogs & goats.Believe me,they cause most of the crashes there.I am a great dog lover & can't ever hit one knowingly.

Then I learnt the usefulness of the pass switch which lies almost unused in city traffic.In the city,as soon as it is dusk,I turn on the headlight even if my sight is clear enough.That is for other vehicles to locate me clearly.In the highway I found that all the vehicles were riding in the evening hours without headlight.But before overtaking the vehicle in front they always flashed on the headlight once to tell it.I learnt this quickly and rode in this fashion for over an hour.My sight was not a problem on the excellent NH2 even in failing daylight.

Those who have not travelled on the highways will be confused by the lorry in front showing right turn indicator just when u r about to overtake it ! Even though no right turn is possible on the one-way road ! At least this thing I knew from previous observations on the highway.The lorry-wala is only giving u the go-ahead ! all clear !! signal to overtake it.

Well,speaking about the aesthetic aspects,the journey was a joyous experience.The rice crop was ripening and all the fields were lush green till the horizon.One & half years I was scurrying around in the city without getting to see the endless green fields or bamboo clumps minglng into the blue sky.Then there was a stretch of about 15 kms of dense sal forests where u were totally alone with only the trees and the road for company.Once into my district,the familiar shape of the Chotanagpur hills started looming up in the horizon.Hills amongst which I had grown up as a child.

It took me all day both ways.When going,I went via Arambag & Bishnupur and ran into 2 stretches of real bad roads.Somehow the stretch near Arambag always lies un-repaired all year round in-spite of this being an important road to Calcutta.Something to do with local politics ? On the way back,dad advised me to take the longer route via Durgapur & NH2.In spite of the extra 50kms,I made it back in 1 hour less time.I word of praise for the new NH2 is due.It is a part of VajpayeeJi's Sadak Yojna.It leaves the old GT Road,that goes right through all the old,unplanned townships alongside the Ganges.Separating out before Burdwan,it takes a straight crow's flight to Calcutta.From Burdwan to Dankuni,there weren't any human settlements along-side the NH2,no sharp turns,no steep flyovers and no bumpers ! The ideal place to test-drive any vehicle !

The way back was clear sunny weather.I remember I was seeing sort of mirages of wet,watery roads in straight stretches of the highway where I could see the road till far ahead.As soon as I reached the spot the roads turned dry & sunny.Unforgettable ! Was that caused by rising water vapours ?

When I was planning to buy a bike,I always had such long journeys in my mind and I made my decision accordingly.In such all-day rides,stamina matters more than speed.How many times u touched 80 matters less than how many hours u could hold it over 60 at a stretch.And really I wasn't game for 80 when I hit the NH2 in the afternoon,having left home at 6:30AM.

My Fiero proved itself right upto the faith I had placed in it in the long journey.Set aside the Enfield and Karizma I don't think any other bike could have matched its performance and comfort.Many have blamed the Fiero's tyres for their hardness and low grip.I find that u get used to riding it.High-speed inclined turnings and showmanship becomes meaningless when there is nobody around to see it.The worst nightmare on such long runs is getting stranded with a puncture.On this account,a total of 1 puncture in 1.8 years is a re-assuring statistics.

I got at least 64 mileage when my bike had already done 12,000 kms.But I am un-impressed by the new Castrol Power1 engine oil which is being advertised aggressively as "Liquid Engineering" by John.It seems more fluid & free-flowing,so that it takes less time to warm up in the morning.But I get the strange feeling that the piston is banging the engine-casing(in-sufficient viscousity?).And it burns out useless by the time you do 2000 kms on it.Go further and the mileage falls and all sorts of odd behaviours come from the engine,forcing u to change immediately.Maybe it does not suit Fiero.I had done upto 3000 kms without any decline in performance on the previous Castrol 4T oil(green bottle,Rs 65/- compared to 171/- for Power1) which is currently not available in Calcutta.I am thinking of changing brand and would like to know other bikers' opinion on this new Castrol Power1.

Thanks for reading.Will be back with more.