Mar 28, 2006 05:29 PM
20647 Views
(Updated Mar 28, 2006 05:29 PM)
Hi All again. I really felt this the right time to put up this review. I will surely consider the Pulsar Dtsi-Fi, the Fazer 250 and Gladiator 150 after they are launched and make necessary adjustments to this review.
There are 4 Categories based on the engine sizes: Upper Premium, Premium, Executive & Commuter. But please dont expect 5 bikes in a category:) Also, I have an exclusive cruiser category for those cruiser make-do bikes.
Cruiser(All Engine Sizes. This tests for riding comfort only)
No 1: Kinetic Hyosung Aquila. Perfect! This one word describes this bike as an art of perfection for the Indian market. No Indian would be willing to buy a Harley Davidson or a Titan unless he is among the Sanjay Dutts or Suneil Shettys. Aquila has a great deal of comfort and good cruising speed which makes it the best for long rides. Not too good for city use always.
No 2: Bajaj Eliminator. The Kawasaki engine on an Eliminator is a lot smoother and quieter than the one on an Avenger. The Avenger engine is louder. The seats, low-slung nature and really well designed handle bars are a boon. Expensive components let Bajaj down on this one.
No 3: Bullet Thunderbird. The Legendary Royal Enfield has come up with this pseudo cruiser. The bike is not all that comfortable as it appears. No doubt that the seat and seating posture are all ergonomic enough to go the distance without much Oomph. But basically the low revving Cast-Iron block engine heats up too much like the diesel engines. It has a distinctive thump which turns heads in the city.
No 4: Yamaha Enticer. The certain no-no for any serious tourer. Comfort levels are good. With a puny engine, expect it to take its time in travel. But like my review says, I have considered Indian Roads as a whole. But overall, this bike only makes the tailend of the cruisers breed in India.
Upper Premium(Above 160 cc):
No 1: Kinetic Hyosung Comet. This is really a mean machine and looks solid. Ride is like any sports bike should be. A V2 engine produces some heart-beats. All in all, the package, though awesome, is not a deal for its money. Good for touring also.
No 2: Bajaj Pulsar 180 Dtsi V1. Being a big bike by any angle, this actually won my heart when compared with the V2. Frankly, any power bike should also be big in stance, which the V2 is not. Going all the way upto 16.5 Bhp with just around 176 cc, this is the best bet in the country. All you have to live upto is its bad reputation and a slightly glitchy gearbox when compared to the 150 cc twin
No 3: Hero Honda Karizma. A die hard Hero Honda fan? Are u awe struck with that amazing sound of a Karizma zipping by? Then this bike is for you. I'd say Hero Honda won for a moment. By being the fastest Bike built in India, Karizma has just run a little faster than its little competition. But I think it would be the right time for Hero Honda to Pump in at least 3-4 Bhp more power into this engine if it is to survive by any means.
Premium(135 to 160 cc)
No 1: Honda Unicorn. The beauty from the Honda stables. Mono-shocks working real time and an air-filter that is copied from cars' designs. Also, the silent nature of the engine, lack of counter-balance shaft and handle-bar weights and yet so little vibrations means the engineering is at its best. Only con is that you dont feel the power surge as the power seems to grow in slowly.
No 2: Bajaj Pulsar 150 Dtsi V1. The undoubted winner in the Indian Markets. Pulsar has been having some major revisions. But seriously, the way the engine pumps power and the slick response to its throttle make it more desirable. The torque is well calculated and accounts for adrenalin rush. But in reality, many bikes make the same as a Pulsar without giving the thrill. Sad, but true.
No 3: Hero Honda CBZ. Legendary 150 cc bike which opened so many doors to the(pseudo) racing world(& so many war of worlds in Mouthshut;). Seriously, all other manufacturers, mainly Bajaj, should bow to Hero Honda CBZ for giving them an idea to bring out Pulsar and get a hold on the Market. CBZ is a really really powerful bike. Harsh engine and vibrations coupled with poorer lights and mileage killed this bike, at least till now. It is a purely bred racer.(The cons match those of sportz bikes:P)
No 4: RX-135. The long forgotten hero of the roads. Yamaha has seriously sets its name in a class of its own when it comes to 2-Stroke bikes. The Shogun may have tried its best at times but the RX is the only bike to have survived this long. But modifications over the years have literally made this a no-no, especially the latest twin dial design which, by no means, matches the thin body of this bike. This is the best 2-stroke in India ever.
No 5: Suzuki Fiero. The Silent, smooth engine with a lesser wheel base and comfortable seats with good suspension/damping made this bike an easy city bike. Good gears mean decent mileage and speeds on the highways. But 4 is never a match to 5. Finally, since Suzuki bailed out, TVS even tried the F2. But failed. Gotta check the Apache though. Will update soon on this.
No 6: Hero Honda Achiever/Ambition. Too silent to prove itself in the competition. Using the same chassis but revising the body works and engine has lead to the existance of 2 odd bikes. The Ambition was nothing less than CBZ in handling. So is the Achiever. The power delivery is crispier in both these bikes than most of these bikes. Only thing is the pricing and the odd mileage.
Executive(The 125 cc Class)
No 1: Bajaj Discover. Performance is not a major forte here. A good mix and match is the stuff we look around here. And Bajaj Discover has everything just in the right place. Nice mileage, nice power, good looks and moreover a decent range of options. All in all, they have good marketing'JADOO' which pushes their products that bit.
No 2: Yamaha Fazer/Gladiator 125. The silent killer in this segment. The performance is simply awesome and can easily beat any badly ridden 150 cc bike. But seriously, why is Yamaha pursing the chameleon face of the Libero. At least the look of a G5 is better. Also, the Yamaha technicians are not well trained as in Bajaj, Honda or HH. These are some of Fazer's major let downs.
No 3: Hero Honda Super Splendor. Simplest bike on Indian roads to be named an executive bike. The bike gives a good value for the rupee and performs as reliably as any other Hero Honda bike. But it looks too professional when parked alongside the above two. Also, this bike is nowhere near the word'Performance'. That is not too good. But it certainly gives its rider the impression'Formal wear, neat tie and an official leather bag'. Will do that way.
Contd. in the Comments section.
