You see, people like to be critical.if it has anything to do wid others around us or the world at large.its this inherent bing habit of ours that the world keeps constantly evolving.for the better of it.if a product is bad.it certainly would falter in the market and make way for better, more consumer friendly products.Its this constant cycle that led from radio to ipods.b&w tv to Plasma TV. from’your-ever reliable-black telephone’ to todays 3g smartfones.and the list goes on.In the last few years, india has been catching up wid bigger world markets in almost all categories.you get to see the latest hollywood flick on the same day of the LA release, dont you? and perhaps the latest mobiles land on our shores within a month of its market release.Well, my point is, why not the same on the bikes front?We’ve been stuck on the 100cc for more than 2 decades now.when even lawn mower engines in the west have bigger cubic capacities.forget it, even our very own rustic and reliable Royal enfield has been 350 cc or more for the last 50 years.we’ve even had the chance to see the brilliant Yam RD 350 in the 80s.not to forget the Jawa/Yezdis.agreed they were very environ unfriendly, drank too much and didnt really make up a style statement but then they were ahead in their times.like all good things come to an end, they did.but not so the 100 cc phut phuts.look at the numbers.they sell like hot cakes.the reason, money factor.price wise.fuel wise.But dont you think, we’ve taken it a bit too far now?
In this genre, we have players from all around the country.hero honda still makes those dawns, the hot selling splendor, thank god, they finally decided to put the CD100 to rest.(remember fill it .shut it.forget it. and also forget to enjoy your rides!)
Then we have TVS making Centras.Kinetic makes those challenger/velocity/boss.bajaj wid their boxers of yore.and finally Yamaha wid numerous crux/libero clones.
So I pick out the worst of the lot.!
Yamaha India - Crux and libero
I feel tht a company tht is truly worthy of criticism is Yamaha India.after a gr8 start in the 80s wid the exotic but shortlived RD350 as well as the RX 100, their advancement thru the last 20 yrs has just been a puny 25CC. churning out sky little 125cc runabouts in the name of motorcycles reflects their indifference to the needs of indian consumers whom they feel r happy wid whatever is on offer. Yamaha India need to kno tht India is more than just a land of doodhwallahs who need a mover for their cans.no matter even if tht is done at 20km/hr.Tht we cant be fooled by advertisements and big claims about bringin in more models wid flashy grafix but the same little scky engine. What makes them believe tht they can capture a sizeable market wid their 100- 125cc motorcycles(more akin to lawn mowers )? They have taken the’Made for india’ tag a bit too far.india isnt that bad.we’ve all been using better roads in the last few years.while the Crux clones are absolutely unworthy of any comments sales wise and feature wise, YMIL is still so ambitious about Liberos and their Fazer.those bikes simply look like bugs on steroids.we would definitely like to meet the designer who designed that’out of this world’ head lamp fairing.Both libero and Fazer get the doddle eyed look with Fazer simply going overboard.reminding you of X files and area 51! And that green tone deluxe version simply gives me nightmares about a giant grasshopper.ready to flung at you! Performance is as usual commuter-ish.try to get the libero beyond 70s .and you’ll know. also its not as fuel efficient as it shud have been.simply a misfit as it doesnt excel in any category. YMIL need to sort out its priorities very soon if they are to survive here.
TVS Centra
One more company worthy of criticism is TVS.r they still in the 90s. will they ever come out of the commuter hysteria.Dont they think its about time tht they come up wid a tru 150cc or higher end product for us, customers.?Mating tht 150cc fiero engine to a 4 speed gear box proves tht all they think of the indian market r commuters.do they think tht indians r still not used to the 5th gear or tht there is no use of a 5th gear on our roads?
But their worst bike price will definitely go to Centra.ohh they had huge plans for the bike and over ambitious about its frugality.100 kmpl.forget 100kmpl, tht bike struggles to keep up with splendor and boxer.it has been officially proved by many Magazines including overdrive and BS Motoring.its ride quality is pathetic and is simply not desirable at all.tell me how many have you seen on the road? Atleast the victor is comparatively more enjoyable.(only in this context, as I would not term Victor as your weekend rider.)
Kinetic boss/challenger/velocity
This company is one of those unfortunate ones who though very energetic and evolving but simply struggle to keep up in the quality department.all of their bikes have been below par on quality front.nor are they any more desirable than rajdoots.! Truly, maybe the boss and challenger played their role in the rural market but have you even seen a single Velocity on the road? That was just a spruced up boss for the urban commuter.i remember vaguely of its looks and soon that pseudo plastic side fairing came to my mind.and it looks like the sea shell or maybe the fins of a mermaid!okay my imagination has gone wild but it doesnt sync with the bike.again it failed on most fronts be it ride quality, desirability or fuel efficiency.
making it just another name in the bike bike graveyard.
I would not say that Bajaj boxer is a bad product because it delivers on its promise.it has better mileage than any of the above and is better to ride(if you could called it rideable!) Plus it has been a major sales success.so no complaints there.Though it was the need more than the desirability that led to the massive sell out but again the company is happy and so are the customers.something none of the other described here achieved. so my heartfelt wish for the bikes mentioned here.’MAY YOU ALL REST IN PEACE!’
By the way, guys, this is solely my view on the bikes and the way I feel about them.It is not meant to offend anyone who owns’em.we all know what our bikes mean to us.(more than our girlfriends!)if you love your bike then its job well done!:) Enjoy the ride!
Caayotee out.