Jan 23, 2010 06:22 PM
37287 Views
(Updated Jan 23, 2010 06:41 PM)
My dad got me my first bike - the TVS XL when I was studying in Loyola college, chennai in 1984, that's right 1984! Maroon in color, it was the cynosure of all eyes even in an upmarket college like Loyola, as back then it was public transport or the good old cycle for most blokes.
The bike itself has not changed much since then, though I've grown older(and wiser?) since then. This model was introduced in 1983 after the TVS Solo bombed. It had a tremendous pulling power(this model still has) and gave a low mileage of 36 km/ltr. With a two stroke engine it continues to be smokey as hell, as it burns 2T oil, and it is a miracle that the emission doctors have not banished it like the samurais and rx100s. I sold it with great regrets when we had to move to Nagaland in 1986.
Fast forward to 2007, when I had to get a new bike for my dad, who is about 74 yrs old now and rather frail and unable to handle anything heavy. He is still young at heart(touch wood) and god willing, has a long innings yet. He still likes to ride the bike and does social service for'old' people, (who are mostly younger than him!).
I had no choice than to get him a TVS XL as it was simply the lightest bike out there. He enjoys riding it a lot and it has been most reliable except on one occasion when the carb had to be cleaned out when his house in Velachery was submerged in the floods.
The bike is truly an anachronism, and has been seen chuggin away many a middle class family of three with large bundles of stores etc.etc. in rural/suburban towns for about 18 odd years now. It does give starting trouble if not used regularly, and the headlight bulb had to be changed once.
On one occasion I hit an Ambassador from behind(the car, not a consul) and bent the handle a bit, but straightened it right away and was off, with no one ever guessing it had been hit.
All in all it is most reliable and will run for about 30, 000km at least without trouble. I know an uncle in Madurai who has used one for a zillion kilometers for about 15 years and spent more than the cost of the vehicle for servicing but refuses to part with it.
A good buy, except for the thin uncomfortable seat for anyone over 5'6', or more than 70 kgs. And about the brakes, they practically dont exist. When you need to stop, you plan about a minute earlier, jam them hard and pray that you dont hit the next truck. No wonder My father is so religious.
Ride one mates.-regards from twincam.
