Victor - Built to impress. Review on TVS Victor

Hi folks,

My bike is relatively new...hardly 800 km so far...a bike actually starts really performing after 3,000 odd km. So what I have put here is basically the running in experience of the bike.

The first thing that really strikes is the suspension, which is amazing. The 5 step adjustable suspension is very good ensuring a really springy ride. Pick up was a surprise... a real surprise. I frankly thought it would be poor as it a economy bike...It's got a pretty good pick-up...not anywhere close to my kb but still great comparing a splendour. I was also expecting a drop in power and the bike swooning down as a result when I released the throttle. Whenever I ride a splendour, on release of the throttle, there is a dip in power and the bike swoons in front... this was not to be found in the victor.

The biggest plus point here is the torque. Compared to other 4 stroke bikes, I could go on a high gear at very low speeds and this is perfect for high traffic situations. Besides, you save a lot of fuel riding in a high gear. Initially, I found that the claims made by TVS that you could could ride on fourth even at 20 kms per hour a bit too much. Sometimes, it would be possible but most times it knocked. At a slightly higher speed, it pulls through clean. Off late, as the engine seem to be setting in, this is improving and quite a few times I could drive that slow on the fourth... excellent for city riding. A negative I have experienced is riding in low gear in high traffic. If you all notice, when we drive in the first gear in a high traffic situation for a little long time, as you release the clutch to move the vehicle, there is a noise, which comes from behind in the chain/sprocket. Well, this is heard from any bike as it goes through heavy grueling clutch and gear work, but in victor when it comes to the slightest traffic situation where I have to go on the first gear just for a few yards, those sounds come... this is a bit annoying and worrying as it could get worse a few 1000 km later.

The seats are of excellent quality with real soft foams. Besides, the seat is very wide and the pillion can float without any oooh's aah's and ouch's. Even a real big mama can sit into leaving the rider not cramped for space.

When I first drove it, I found it extremely awkward. I am 6 feet tall and was used to driving my lovable kb100. The riding position in the victor is what u could call ideal but for a person like me, it is slightly awkward. What I found odd in the design was at certain positions in the bike, you could reach the ground easily and would seem that the bike is very low and in certain positions you just could barely and really uncomfortably touch the ground. This makes sure that the rider has to sit as close as possible in front as defined by TVS. For a slightly bigger than average guy like me, the riding position defined by TVS doesn't suit me and is uncomfortable. If I move little back, I can barely reach the ground becoz of its wide high seat. Though the ride is nice when I sit back, it gives me back and shoulder pain after a while so I am forced to sit back in front uncomfortably.

Coming to the electricals, I must say it is simply awesome. The headlight beam is very wide and powerful with an even spread of light. Many people feel the headlight is huge and looks stupid. I think we should look at the practical purpose of it. Design ways, it does look good in some angles and a very awkward from behind. The rear could have been designed better especially the indicators. I have just one word to describe them ''YUCK''.

It spoils its looks. The whole bike doesn't have an inch of chrome...then why only the indicators? A sleeker indicator like that of the caliber could have been designed. The whole rear segment would have looked better as a result of this. But when I try and look at the practical purpose of the indicator being like that, I can only come up with one. Indicators are parts which easily break off due to the vibration so I guess TVS made just that one part in steel to strengthen it and make it last long from not breaking off from vibration.

The engine has been good so far. It's got a mini-bullet kind of sound coming from the silencer. No squeaks, bam, worey woregy sounds at all from the bike. It has been very smooth and no vibrations from anywhere. To me this is a surprise. Over the years of association with bajaj products, I have not come across the word quality - build quality in any of their products. With Bajaj, something or the other keeps conking out all the time and their service is pathetic. Hardly 200 km after service from bajaj, everything loosens out fast, vibrate and start conking out. I was expecting the same with this bike but so far around 800 km covered, there hasn't been a squeak from it. Excellent build quality.

Finally fuel efficiency, the key aspect on which most people buy the Victor. Running about under thick and slow moving chennai traffic during peak hours, the vehicle has consistently delivered 63-70 km per litre. I would say that people who wanna buy the victor should be contented if it gives 60 plus mileage. Anything more is a bonus as riding conditions play a major factor. Coz I have seen a lot of people cursing the bike and the manufacturer when it does not reach the magic 70 mark in the city. The fact is victor is not just a fuel machine, and there is a lot more...a whole lot more to offer. As far as all the big-big hype goes with fuel/economy mode, it is full of frills and nothing else. One word....here ''Big Deal''. The digital ignition system which helps deliver better fuel burning is great but the throttle switch isn't a great thing at all for such a lot of hype. Besides, in the city I wonder who in the world would wring its throttle so much to activate the power mode. For overtaking, a little than average wring of the throttle is more than enough for a good dash in speed. An average rider would not open the throttle so much at all and now this so called switch would encourage people on the concept of wringing it so much. A total waste of fuel as one could get better engine power within the eco mode. So please, all the hype is what I call ''crap'', it is not the switch with those lights which are great... it is the ignition system which burns as much fuel as possible and leaves very little go unburned which has to be seen in good light. The rest is hype and gas.

For those wanting to get a victor, close your eyes to the ads and the dealer's promises, look more into enquiring with people who have purchased the bike well over a year. Look only at long-term reviews as this is the area left unexplored. Other wise, it is brilliant ...an excellent bike and what is so happy is that it has been a totally Indian venture with just 1% of the bike being imported. Besides, TVS is coming out with three variants of the victor.

Is it built to last in the long run? The question remains.