Jan 06, 2005 12:06 PM
7044 Views
(Updated Jun 22, 2009 12:35 PM)
Number 1 in a field of 1
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For being able to carry nearly everything and being able to take a lot of punishment. Build quality suspect and spares though cheap need regular
purchases.
Bajaj Chetak - 2 stroke: It has a large storage space in front of the drivers leg and an equally large space on the left side of the scooter. This particular space also contains a manual engine ’’off’’ switch.
Does not require any maintenance. Thousands of people ride them with dry oil sumps. It might seize if you try doing 70-80 kmph but otherwise will survive. I’ve diluted the petrol at times with white kerosene and coconut oil and the scooter still runs.
The clutch, gear and brake cables snap nearly every month. They cost around Rs. 20 each. So always carry spare cables with you and a pair of cutting pliers and a screw driver. Its quite simple to replace cables.
The pioneers:
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Imagine a tea company making motorcycles. These bikes were fast and furious. 50 cc or little more with 3-4 gears were noisy and smoky but altogether good fun to ride.
BSA Bond
BSA Falcon
These bikes had a short wheel base and wheel diameters. Very basic things. Just a chassis, petrol tank and the engine. Doing wheelies and turning donuts was the in thing when I was in school.
Top end:
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For Power, torque, ease of use, comfort, top speed, acceleration(each has a different range though depending on engine speed), and generally low maintenance bikes.
Yezdi Roadking:low speed and high torque engine. cheap to buy and not more than Rs. 5-10k. Even cheaper to maintain. You can rebuild the whole engine for another 3 k and have change left over. Comfortable to ride. Its almost as easy as a kinetic honda to handle. No need to lock it as nobody except another Yezdi rider can start it. Thats because the kick start and the gear lever are the same. You have to do some tricks to make it do one or the other.
Yamaha RD 350: Top speed of 160 kmph. Very popular in races across South East Asia even now. It has a seperate class. Twin cylinders and available as a hi and low torque versions. Good models are hard to come by but still worth it. Mileage is terrible, anywhere from 15 kmpl to 25 kmpl. Brakes and suspension awesome. Initial pick up terrifying. And oh what a glooorious sound at full throttle.
Yamaha RX 100:The one that brought in the two wheeler revolution in India. Fast & cheap to maintain. Decent mileage and a pick up not seen out side of the RD 350. The 87-89 models are still in high demand because they’re better built and mostly Jap made.
Suzuki Shogun:One of the best from TVS motors. Home brewed and bred in the rally circuits across the country. Only bike to give the RX 100 hordes a run for their money. The Suzuki Shaolin too is a worthy mention here.
For good build quality and average performance but expensive repairs:
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Basically these bikes are meant for city slickers and credit card salesmen. No charm in riding them. They do the job and dont give any problems. But maintenance after 3-4 years is expensive. Servicing is also dicey since only the dealer can do a somewhat okay job. Anyone else will steal and replace parts.
Once you’ve ridden the top end bikes these are just toys for boys. When even girls start riding these things you know its time to change your bike.:)
Hero Honda Karizma
Bajaj Pulsar
Honda Unicorn
Hero Honda CBZ
Yamaha Enticer, Libero, etc.
TVS Fiero range
For stingy people:
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Aargh. Not worth talking about these lemons.
Hero Honda Splendor range
TVS Victor
