The big boss. Review on TVS Suzuki Shogun

Hi there,

The name chosen by TVS-SUZUKI for this bike couldn't have been better

"shogun", which was a high military rank equivalent to that of an army general in Japan.

I bought my shogun on the 22nd of february 1995 for Rs.39,000/- from zen motors in Bangalore.I still cant forget that day as I acquired something which became very special to me.Prior to my shogun I owned a 1994 model yamaha RX100 which I sold in less than six months after having bought it.The reasons were two fold: My yamaha was troubling me and TVS-SUZUKI had launched this bike around that time which was better in many aspects to the yamaha RX100.

My friends , especially one guy who at that point of time ran a two wheeler spare shop in koramangala was instrumental in pushing me towards this bike. At first I was skeptical as I didnt find it very good looking. After owning a gleaming RX with chrome all over, shogun was not that attractive to me in the begining with a black chrome silencer/handle bar, powder coated engine casing. The height was also shorter to RX and from behind it looked very small, almost like a moped. Anyhow, I reluctantly took a test ride which was exhilirating to say the least and from that day onwards I simply wanted to own it at all costs. I immediately sacked my 6 month old RX at a loss of Rs.5,000/- which was quite a huge sum of money for me at that stage of my life. I told my good friend who works for TVS about my decision which he backed whole-heartedly. After I booked my bike, he went to zen motors and checked out all the bikes in their stock and picked my baby for me.What can I say, I havent regretted my decision one single day after buying this bike.

I have covered 73,000 kms on my shogun and it has served me very well. I threw everything I had at it but the bike never ever let me down. I opened up the bike on the way to my house from the showroom inspite of the running in restrictions. Therafter I observed running in only for 800 kms after which there was no looking back. Boy! The bike took all the harsh treatment in its stride and till date it hasnt had any serious break down.Apart from the highly irregular services and replacement of chain/sprocket and wheel bearings, I havent spent a dime on the bike. I even ran the bike without oil on two occasions and almost seized the engine. Inspite of the rough treatment it has received over the years the engine hasnt been touched yet. It runs beautifully even now but age has caught up with it. Power has dropped drastically and the less said about the mileage the better.

I recently bought an apache. Even though I have the second bike now, the idea of disposing it off hasnt crossed my mind. I am giving it the much deserved rest it requires. It still remains my favourite bike which no new bike can ever be.

To my mind this was one of the best bikes produced in India.I have read reviews of shogun where it has been said that the bike is un-reliable. I find this hard to believe. I mean, after the trouble free service my bike has given me it is simply hard to accept this. It is impossible to ask more from a 14,000 RPM bike.

I salute TVS-SUZUKI for producing a lovable-dependable monster like shogun.

Thanks for reading.

Samir