Max 100 - Nothing left to prove. Review on TVS Suzuki Max 100 R

In the automobile world today, there are bikes which are specifically born to carry certain hordes of bike lovers. Some loaded with out of the world styling, super charged horses to perform and the others built with optimised horses to squeeze every drop of fuel to drag on for an extra mile. In the middle, lies this one section which look forward to have a bit of both until they have enough to move for the better styled and powered horses. Feeding this section is the suzuki max 100, show stopper without a doubt built to perform to its maximum limits, built to last for generations, built to be an inseperable family member and built to stop anything unnecessary flowing out of the hole in your pocket. You could call it the ultimate middle class bike, the best in its class. In fact when we look at its performance over the years, I doubt any bike in any segment can match up to it and come close to what it has delivered.

The 98.2 cc two stroke engine delivers an amazing 7.8 bhp of power. More than sufficient for the city. It is not really designed for top speeds but can hammer out a good 80 -95 km per hour. The good thing seen is that compared to most other bikes there is no drastic drop in fuel efficiency which proves what a consistent performer it is. In the city, under tough traffic conditions, it consistently delivers around 55-45 kmpl, with most people achieving a consistent 50 kmpl at an average.The older bikes... and I mean really old bikes still deliver 45 plus mileage which is phenomenal. Most high mileage 4 stroke bikes after a span of 6 years have serious and drastic drops in fuel efficiency. This is where the consistency of the max 100 stands out. It is almost maintenance free. Visits to the mechanics are very few and is a guaranteed low maintenance bike. Spare parts are very cheap, easily available and the excellent build quality of Suzuki need not even have to be looked into... it is always taken as default. This is one bike which any mechanic can easily handle and repair In fact in the south, most of the mechanics actually own a Suzuki.

Coming to the aspects of style and comfort, it may not be great. one must remember that this model was launched in 80's as Ind-Suzuki and then changes came across and finally ended up as it is today. Suzuki brought in the concept of 100 cc and revolutionised it. In India, they are the godfathers all right. They created a space of their own in the market and launched an thundering assault...the result of which many other bike manufacturers were forced to either close down or change their entire thinking, production and marketing strategies to end up trying their best to compete with Suzuki in their own market area. It was not long before competition caught up but Suzuki relentlessly powered on in this target segment and continues to do so.

The current Suzuki's have been equipped with wider seats unlike its elder brothers therefore making it far more comfortable and spacious. Aptly priced between the 32 - 39k mark just enough to meet the budget of its target audience is commendable. Styling is the age old look and today it looks outdated by a good decade. But frankly, Suzuki has not much catching up to do as development in design has been pretty slow and hasn't been what you call great progress provided we have only 3 bikes in pulsar, cbz an eliminator which have stood out that too only now a good 10 years down the Suzuki era. Rest of the bikes are just the same old adaptations of the once innovative hero honda design. The handle bar is wide and is something not to my liking as to me I feel it makes it uncomfortable to turn easily. Brakes are the good old drum brakes and stopping distance is also pretty ordinary. Rain, wind, mud isn't gonna stop it from performing. Will start when you kick it... no problems there. Suspensions are again nothing great to be talked about.

To put it all together, it is an excellent bike without a doubt designed to keep it simple and good. Proven well over a decade, silencing critics about its build quality and performance and destined to carry the ever aspiring man wherever and whenever. This humble family bike has been for many an inseparable member of their families and will continue to do so. With the legendary Suzuki backing out of TVS, it now runs grieving over the fact that it has lost its brother. Now how the other brother performs on its own once again remains a question. TVS has redesigned the new max 100 which has got a contemporary look and vows to take it up once gain to all its competitors. Well! they definitely are not giving up on the hard work they have put in all these years. They are gonna try and extend the decade old legacy of the max 100 for decades to come.