I had been a bike freak since childhood (Let me also clarify I m not a Tom boyish type girl). I used to adore my brother’s when they drive thier bikes. I also wanted to drive but my brothers were reluctant in allowing me to ride one. it was my friend in class 12th who taught me how to drive the bike and courtsey him I got some single handed road confidence as well.
After entering graduation, I also demanded a bike from my dad. But being a girl, the request was outrightly rejected and I was gifted Kinetic Honda instead. That was the time when I decided that whenever I will start earning, I will surely purchase a bike for myself. the day finally came in April, 2005 when I analysed my funds and came to conclusion that I can go forward and accomplish my child hood dreams. Though money was not a concern but certainly I had few other important issues..... that included Power, Milege, Weight and value for money.
My first choice was Pulsar, but weight was the concern as being a girl it becomes sometimes difficult to manage such a heavy bike. I had experienced the problem when I borrowed Pulsar from my friend and used it for 2/3 days. I also tried some lower end lighter bikes like Boxer, Splendour, CD Dawn etc but none were able to deliver me what I was looking for. One fine day I opted to visit TVS showroom and that was the day when I first experienced Victor GLX. The specs readily attracted my attention and I demanded test ride from the salesman. Initially he hesitated in handing over the bike to typical indian looking girl who was wearing Salwar suit and demanding test ride of something which is supposedly belong to man’s domain. But then I convinced him that I am serious and if any damage is caused, I will repay all expenses. Even then the sales man didn’t allowed me to test it on my own initially. he sitted as a pillon rider for some distance and then only he got convinced that this fragile looking girl can handle this bike on her own. That was the first experience of mine with the bike and while taking the test ride I decided to go for this bike only and just next day of testride I was the proud owner of TVS Victor GLX.
Well this was the small story of how I got this bike. Now comes the experience which I had till now. Well it has been amazing till now. In NCR, there are very few girls who ride thier own bike and hence I become a eye catcher whereever I go, normally I wear salwar suits only coz of job requirements and company culture. So I get appreciation from most of the people bout my dareness to manage the bike on my own. Now something related to my bike. Bike is simply a VALUE FOR MONEY product.
Looks wise it is gr8, has good pickup, nice balance, smooth ride, good average and low maintenance cost. What elese u can expect yaar??? Short heighted people may face a problem while driving, since height of the bike is bit higher than normal lower end bikes. Since my hieght is nearly 5’6", I think this might be the minimum height required for easy handling of the bike. Though I have noticed a lot of shorter people driving the bike, but as a girl I must suggest this to other girls who are planning for such activity.
In last 16-17 months, I have drived almost 15000 kms, and till now the only maintenance cost I have incurred is of servicing only, once in two months. It is now few days back I am experiencing problem of pickup, but that too only in case of a Pillon rider with me, especially when it is some male frnd of mine or my going to be husband. (Perhaps because of their body weight since girls in general are less heaviour)
I get approx milege of 65 kms, since jams n all are frequent in NCR, I guess milege may touch 70 on highways. Balance and Control of the bike is excellent, no matter at what speed I am driving, I can control it in seconds. I mean braking is also excellent with least chances of skidding.
Now the updations that are required, I think TVS should come with Auto Ignition version, since Kick start is a problem if bike stops beacuse of wrong clutching (or any other reason) and when u r in a heavy traffic others keep on bugging you till the time u dont start moving. I also feel that if auto ignition feature starts coming as a mandatory feature more and more girls will opt for driving bike, as driving a bike in heavy traffic conditions is always safer than driving non geared scooter or even scooter.
Other than this, some default space for keeping things must be provided. If TVS will come with this innovative idea, this bike will be a even bigger hit. Apart from this other innovative features should be added on regularly to popularise the bike.
I feel my comments should be enough to prove Victor GLX a VALUE FOR MONEY bike and must be motivating enough for girls to switch to bike riding instead of lingering with scooters and putting life at risk.