Comfortable bike but frequent engine problems. Review on TVS Victor GX

I was comparing hero honda splendor and TVS victor. Price was pretty much the same then at Dec 2005 at Vellore. Then I observed that Victor GX is about 109 cc and splendor about 98cc. I thought TVS will give more pick up and bought the bike.

Initially it gave great pick up and I learnt to ride a bike with gears on this bike. Mileage was low. But show room guys and mechanic told me that it would be fine after first/ second service. I took their word.

I always maintained a speed of approx 50 kms then and changed engine oil at every 2000kms.

I maintained low speed( less than 30 km/ hr) and completed about 300 odd kms and took it to first service at VS TVS hosur. To my horror they told me they had to reboot the engine since it has some problem in the engine head.This happened in early 2006. Then my bike ran without problems and gave a mileage of about 45 kmps mostly on highways.

Again in 2009, my vehicle developed a tapering noise and so I gave my vehicle for service in Ramamurthy nagar Bangalore, I had to change my rotor ram, crank shaft, piston rings, oil seal, fork oil, chain set etc. and cost me 12, 000Rs.

Then again vehicle ran well, though with mileage of 35-40km/lit. I changed oil at every 2000-2500 kms. Till May 2013 this vehicle served me well. By this time I had changed the batteries, tyres, indicators, head lamp and so on.Now again the mechanic tells me to replace the engine bore kit and the engine has started drinking oil.

Max speed at 80kms after riding 10 mins on 70Km.

There is a slight drag when drum brake( rear side) is applied on rainy days( wet roads) . It takes some practice to get used to it.

Some tips based on my 7-8 yrs with this bike: But these suggestions can be universally suited for other bikes as well.

• Engine performs better when tank is full.

  
  




• Change oil at 2500Kms and replace oil filter. Topping up oil does not substitute this.

  
  




• Strictly maintain low speed till first service. Do not race till first service is done.

  
  




• If you hear some chatter in the engine, check oil level immediately. Stop the vehicle and try to replace the oil immediately.

  
  




• If due to rain, water stagnation happens, try to commute using other methods and leave the bike in home/ office for better engine life.

  
  




• Keep a spare tube. Otherwise local mechanic can cheat you for about 400Rs for a local tube.

  
  

Pros:

Good commuter bike for family, (Good handle bar shape)

Good riding comfort.

Decent pick up for city driving and for shorter distances on highways.( 50-60kms or less)

Cons:

Engine problems( If your vehicle did not have such problems, consider yourselves lucky)

Lesser resale value.

If you dont use it for one day, be ready for hard kicks the next day. More prominent during cold weather.

Expensive tyres( Tyres cost 2000Rs nowadays)