My Kick Rod Spring Broke down today. Review on TVS Suzuki Fiero

I sometimes wonder, if this review will serve any purpose at all. I am writing about a 12 year old bike that went out of production 10 years back. But I feel, the story of a wonderful machine has to be told, after all, the mouthshut blog should not be a place where we rant about a raw deal, or go gaga over a new fad. So the story goes like this....

I bought my TVS Suzuki Fiero on 28 Nov 2001. I have been riding it since. It has seen me through the thick and thin. I was young, careless bachelor when I bought it. These days kids in my colony call me Uncle without any second thought. White hairs have started showing up, and my colleagues think, I know a little more.  Well the point being, it has been 12 years of Fireo ownership. 12 years of SATISFIED fiero ownership.

Highlight the state of the bike after 12 years:

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a) MIleage (kitna deti hai?) : 47-52 kmpl depending on how you ride.

b) Can pull me along with my wife and two kids on a slope, something my brand new spanking Hyundai i20 does not do.

c) Can hit a speed of 100 kmph, effortlessly and hold there. I haven't tried more that that, I have kids to feed. Again, I am not measuring the time to reach 100kmph. This is a review for average blokes trying to find a commute to work. I am not hoping Valentino Rossi to be reading this review. if you are one, please look elsewhere. ---------------X----------------

How much care does it need:

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a) I change the engine oil, air filter myself once in an year. I use synthetic oil.

b) It needs fuel and air pressure in the tyres. ---------------X----------------

What has changed in the bike over the years:

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Everything, except the frame, seat, engine, chasis, petrol tank, console, fairings, and the rims. Here is what changed from time to time

a) Tyres (twice),

b) Clutch plates(thrice),

c) Head lamp (once),

d) Battries (several, I have now moved to maintenence free battries, they are working nicely since    the last 2 years),

e)  Rear shock absorbers (once)

f) Spark plugs ( the bosch ones, usually last 25000 km)

g) Break pads (Several, one set usually last for 10, 000 kms).

h) The frame had to be welded and painted once, it got rusted a little after the bike was left idle for 3 years, but not much of welding, only a little bit.

i) keys ( I lost the key a couple of times, yes the duplicate as well!!).

j) Rear tail lamp reflector ( I am not able to find a spare for it these days).

k) Horns (several). ---------------X----------------

Overall, a good bike, I would still say. I also have a Kawasaki Bajaj 4s Champion. which is about 15 years old,  but it does not match up to my Fiero, in terms of power and mileage.

I have no intentions of selling my bike. I remember this once, when I went to a hero showroom and asked the guy what will be the exchange value of my bike, he said,  Rs 5000/-. I burst out laughing on hearing that.  I told him, if he can be my pillion, we can still hit 100kmph on an open stretch of a road.

The kick rod spring broke yesterday and my baby is at a local mechanic. The engine is being opened up for the first time.It is like it is undergoing a heart surgery. I am sure, it will come back stronger.

Thanks for reading. Please  remember to Wear your seat belts in cars, and your helmets on bikes, and ride safe!!