Dear Readers,
Selling away my 11 years old 2005 Splendor Plus(Red) after very mild usage of 32000 kms on 18th of September 2016, the same evening I stepped into Hero Showroom as I was pressurized by my at-home - s to get a new bike. After a long research and having had a woo for Honda CB Unicorn 150cc(the legendary one), I made up my mind to stick to my actual requirement and go for a 110 cc bike. I had a look at i-SMART and X-PRO(Passion’s bro) - Was not appealing anything as Hero Bikes’ quality was gone with the departure of Honda’s collaboration with Hero. So bid adeau to Hero as well.
Couple of months ago, I with my better half visited Suzuki showroom in Avadi - Chennai, which is Avish Motors. I was shown the Hayate. Not a bad deal. Close to 65.5k. I was literally pushed by the dealer to book the last piece - please note the last piece. I also made the sales rep admit that the production was on hold. I heard this and I was like- production on hold -! I dropped Hayate from list, despite the fact that it was a Suzuki.
On 18th Sep, after pushing out my love, the splendor in the morning, we stepped into VIJAI TVS, in Avadi planning to visit TVS Star City+ .
Did a test drive, sales rep offered me a ride on Victor as well, though Victor wasn’t in my wish list. After a brainstorming session with my seven year old princess, my better half and the staff of Vijai TVS - I booked one, a Robotouchssful blue TVS Victor Disc Brake.
Though I hadn’t stepped in with an intention of booking, the staffs made me book using my Credit Card and I paid 1000 INR to book the Vctor.
Why Victor?
A good question from you, when I said I never had Victor in my search list. But there’s a flashback. After my graduation, I had to join Sri Karpagamoorthy TVS in Karaikudi(in Tamil Nadu) to earn my living. I was into sales and also in spares section. That time the legendary Victor GL / GX and GLX were on peak. I had a sort of love for Victor which I couldn’t afford then. Probably it was the only sentiment which made me book Victor.
Now - Delivery
Well, the delivery and purchase part wasn’t satisfactory as such. But things were ok. I would like to list my dissatisfaction on the purchase part.
1. A couple of days after booking, I called the dealer and asked if the bike has come. They said YES. I had a very nominal question for them - I just wanted to know which month the chase and the bike was assembled / manufactured. Was it such an annoying question? The kind of reaction I got from the staff(don’t want to name) and from the owner(MD) of Vijai TVS was something like. "hey man - who are you to ask such question . shut up - buy what I give and walk out the same way". I felt it so.
I am pretty sure it was my consumer right to know what I was paying for and what I am buying, especially the manufactured month / date. Nothing wrong I hope - Isn’t it so readers?
2. All done, I took delivery on Friday 23rd Sep, evening on the way to home from office, with my wife. After all formalities - I was about to take the bike out of showroom, I noticed a scratch on the right handlebar end corner or the edge. The staffs at sales tried their best to convince me to take the new bike costing 64700.00 with that scratch! My heart wept!
But to my good, a gentleman from PDI I guess rushed to spot, took the vehicle in and in no time, he delivered back with the replaced handle. - Kudos to that gentleman. I like gentlemen at work and prefer them over ladies - who basically try to avoid things. A bitter experience.
3. The split up of the cost paid wasn’t transparent. Even after multiple requests, I haven’t been provided the proper break ups of the cost. I was provided with the details on invoice, extended warranty cost and other handling charges. The Rs. 7625 was never broken down for more clarity. Rs.500.00 collected for RTO and Flag Day was never receipted back - I mean the money goes unaccounted as I haven’t been provided with any vouchers / receipts / invoice for that 500 - Dissatisfied. Again as a consumer and as per financial laws, I must be provided with account for every naya paisa collected.
4. If you clearly look at the front head light doom at the pic I have posted, you can see that the number plate(front) is not at all visible. As far as I know, the number plate should be clearly visible as required by the traffic law. The bike doesn’t comply with that. I have placed multiple requests to the dealer to have them sorted - but no interest shown from their end.
Now that was about the purchase. NOW the actual beauty which you await is the performance part.
First of all, issues observed and causing dissatisfaction are:
1. Tachometer says engine consumes more RPM for a mere speed, like 3000 RPM for 30 kmph and 4000+ rpm to hit 40 kmph, which I guess it too much for this 110 cc Engine. Have communicated this to Vijai TVS Mechanics and they said they would check it during first service.
2. Very pathetic. every time I start my vehicle after a 6-7 hours stand / halt - say every morning to start for office and while I start from office to home in the evening -
The gear shift from NEUTRAL to FIRST GEAR makes the vehicle shake terribly like old MTC Pallavan buses in Chennai which vibrates and makes us vibrate when the driver engages the first gear.
Believe me the whole bike shakes and it disappoints me very much. Yesterday noon(1st Oct - Saturday) I brought it to the notice of the mechanics in Vijai TVS and I wasn’t much satisfied with their response - They seem to say like -"Bhai first service ke liye lao, dekhenge" - "get it for first service, we’ll see"
Now the good part of the bike as I want to be honest with you all in all aspects.
1. The bike goes like breeze - very smooth and soft. My wife and kid love the bike for that aspect.
2. 9.6 ps engine with 110 cc is a good job I guess, but would certainly suspect the durability part. A new technology.
3. I have ridden it till a max speed of 47 kmph in 4th gear as the manual says it is running in period and I shouldn’t exceed 50 kmph for the first 1000 kms. So I comply with that.
If the said two issues are sorted out along with the invisible number plate area, the bike is a fantastic one. Blue colour is awesome.
Features
For the price I have paid, there are toooo many features like idling indicator over 20 seconds, all 4 Robotouchnkers facility for emergency, service reminders, econometer, very comfortable and broad pillion seat, etc.
What I mainly look for is the performance and all these goodies and features are my last priority.
MILEAGE
I haven’t checked mileage as I was delivered the bike with a 50 Rs. petrol in tank out of which 32 kms were already ridden for RTO purpose. I filled for Rs. 100 on the day of delivery and have re-filled again with 5 litres.
It appears that the mileage is somewhere above 55 kmpl and should touch or exceed
I will update my personal experience post first service which would happen very soon. I would also write and update on my service experience with TVS.
But one thing, when I was with TVS in the period of 2003-2005, things were very strict in terms of customer service and satisfaction. Today I would say such a thing never exists. Hope you all can understand!
But if the bike is good enough, I am happy. Would update soon.
Ever yours
Kumar S
Cell:+91 7200067199
Chennai
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Update as on 21-01-2017
Well, the bike has been ridden 400 kms in less than 4 months and the fuel efficiency has been optimum, say anything above 65 kmpl, which is ok for the current fuel price.
The issue with the jerk on engaging first gear was finally resolved by TVS Motor Company after my sueing them with my complaint on TVS MOTOR COMPANY - Hosur, with whose intervention, the bike was taken in for a 10 day inspection and finally it was found that the below were the culprit:
3rd rated and wost QC post manufacturing, i.e., a pure QC fail
a PDI(Pre Delivery Inspection) failure when I took the delivery, the same wasn’t checked.
Overall TVS has gone ages down the business ethics and customer satisfaction level.
Finally the entire Clutch system was replaced in warranty and things are fine now.
Completed its second service last month and things are fine.
Next woe on TVS:
TVS uses worst quality stock tires in their bikes calling TVS CHAKRA REMORA which happens to be a third rated tire used for tubed wheels. They fit the same thinnest skin tyre for tubeless bikes as well and I had to encounter two puntures, one in the front wheel and one in the rear. The first was on 13th of Jan(last week) and one today(21st Jan 2017).
Otherwise bike is good for a single and occasional family(doubles only) use.
Mileage bracket was found to be quite interesting:
FE 65 kmpl @ 45 kmph speed; and
FE 45 kmpl @ 65 kmph speed. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
And the price of bike is 65k. I would say not much a VFM bike. Even regret to have stretched a little and gone for a CB Unicorn 150(first version) for OTR of INR 86000 with all fittings:(
Will keep updating about the bike. I would recommend this bike to anyone who, most of the time would ride alone with occasional pillion and ride sedately within 45-50 kmph speed if mileage is the priority.
If power is the priority, then one can revv the engine and take fun out. However, the mileage would be a draw back on heavy revvs.
Happy Motoring.
Regards
Kumar
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Update on 7th August 2017 4.00 am
Driven 10000 kms. Regular servicing with same Vijai Motors, Avadi.
A few niggles came up now and then, however git them fixed now& then.
Gearbox really sucks. When I completely slow down and pull again. The engine struggles to pull from 10 kmph in 2nd gear. I am forced to give first gear to pull and pick up.Which is too nasty in city rides.
Otherwise bike is good enough. 5th free service due by 17th September.
Shall keep updating.
Regards
Kumar
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Updated on September 28th, 2018
Completed 9th paid service at 21375 kms after 24 months of usage(2nd annivessary).
Problems Faced:
1. Humming vibration sound from front H/L doom once I cross 52 kmph on speedo.
2. Fork noise since June 2018(my previous service in 18550 kms), where the fork was adjusted to loosen handle, and the fork started dancing on every undulation on the road. Got the fork tightened and the handle bar became tight. Then I was told cone balls of steering kit has gone and need to be replaced, which I demanded in warranty. Last weekend, during my 9th paid service, the balls of steering cone were greased, cleaned and adjusted. Again I had fork vibration. Then once again it was adjusted on 26th Sep, 2 days back, and it seems better, even though I still hear tuck tuck sound once my fork actions on undulations, but it is less compared to before.
My bike has run 21500 kms in 24 months, and the usage experience has been awesome, but for the above two issues, and also the 2nd gear issue, which is lifeless and the bike can’t pick up from a suddenly reduced speed, say 10 kmph, in 2nd gear and I have to downshift to first, which is awkward.
The best thing I love in this bike is its stopping power, which is awesome, with my bike having front disc brakes.
I have never rear ended anyone till today thanks to the stopping power of the bike.
Shall keep the review updated.
Bike is good, but skill set of the mechanics need to be improvised by TVS Motor Company a lot.
Regards
Kumar
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Updated on 25th October 2021 midnight 26th October 2021
Quite a delay in updating the thread, that is three years post my last update in 2018 September.
The bike is running fine, has completed 5 long years with me, has come out of its extended warranty provided by TVS, has been getting its services from only TVS authorized service Centre shops till date with regular AMC’s.
The bike could only cross 40, 000 kms(little more than that), thanks to the pandemic and my work from home structure since March 2020. Else, the bike would have done more than 62, 000 kms by now.
The bike had very rare usage and during strict lock down days, the bike was only started every 10 days and allowed to idle, and then engaged on 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears after putting it on Centre stand.
Due to very low and infrequent usage, the mileage had come down to as low as 40 kmpl. Now I have slowly started riding little more frequently and the FE has come up till 50 kmpl. It should improve, once the bike is active on daily usage mode, as it used to be before lockdown.
The bike is still running on stock clutch and was on its stock chain sprocket kit till 40, 115 kms, post which the vehicle was serviced by RN MOTOHUB TVS in Villivakkam of Chennai, where the chain sprocket kit was replaced with regular servicing, new chain sprocket, carburetter cleaning and water wash. The engine oil was found to be viscous enough and hence wasn’t replaced since the bike had run only 700 kms since its previous service done in April of 2021.
With this service, the AMC with RN MOTOHUB Villivakkam, comes to an end. Just am left with one wash coupon, which I will utilize whenever time permits.
The great things in this bike that I love are:
1). Extremely excellent and extraordinary stopping power.
2). Tachometer
3). refined 3 valve engine
4). 4 way hazard light setup
5). petal disc in the front wheel
6). extremely comfortable rider and pillion seat
7). very comfortable shock absorber systems(had never felt back pain during my 38600 kms daily ride between home and office for 4 years(daily 50 kms up and down).
The sore and issues I had faced in the bike since purchase was:
1). Mild vibration(since day 1 of ownership) in the head lamp visor after touching 52 kmph, which can be heard only during early morning silent rides, on the way to office(now I am unable to recognize it, may be due to having accustomed to it, or since I am no more riding during early mornings as I work from home now).
2). Post 18000 kms service and in April of 2018, I started getting thak-thak sound in the front fork. Vijai TVS - Avadi(from where I purchased the bike), did some foul play in the April month service of 2018, because till then the fork had no issues, but post April 2018 service, the problem started. The steering cone kit was adjusted multiple times by Vijai TVS, Avadi, but tightening caused me shoulder pain as the steering became too tight. I switched to HMT TVS in Aminjikarai - Chennai, who looted me in the name of correcting the problem. They unnecessarily replaced the steering cone kit, changed fork oil, changed LH yoke assembly(without my consent billing me 350 rs for the same) and did everything he could, to inflate the bill. By all now, I don’t seem to get that fork sound anymore, but very very rarely, that is particularly when I hit any big pothole or speed breaker at little higher speeds like 40+ kmph, otherwise, I don’t notice much sound as of today. It’s a wonder, how it disappeared. Trust me, it went off by itself, and not because of the service by any of the TVS authorised service centres.
3). All TVS authorised service centres are rogues, day light robbers, scamsters, ill-mannered, and they do not have trained workmanship in their service centres. They seem to hire illiterate people who seldom have the skill sets to work on the bikes and the mechanics are too lazy and reluctant on their work. My bike was serviced by RN MOTOHUB TVS - Villivakkam - Chennai and the super-intelligent mechanic managed to clean my carburetor and failed / forgot to lock it or fix it in the apt way. Within just 2 days of service, the bike turned off 4 km away from my home, and I had to push it with my muscular energy. I had to blast RN MOTOHUB, who in return didn’t even have the courtsey to apologize. They sent a mechanic who even couldn’t diagonize why the bike wasn’t starting. After some research, and my asking him to swap the spark plug from the bike he had come in, and then try starting my vehicle, only when he noticed that the carburetor hasn’t been properly locked. See the kind of irresponsibility RN MOTOHUB has towards the customers’ safety and reliability feel on the bike.
Other than the above, the bike is a gem to own and ride. I still love my bike, and I don’t even think I would trade it off for some other new bike or upgrade to EV.
There are some wear and tear issues in the bike, which is common for every machine, and I just changed its chain sprocket after riding 40115 kms on its stock chain sprocket.
The clutch is completely weak now, however I am managing still since I normally ride single, and very rare with pillion, and I do not accelerate with a twist, but very gradually.
The clutch replacement seems to be on cards in the upcoming service.
The bike, still I would say, is a nice one. Someone in my locality asked me if I would sell him the bike, after riding mine for an emergency, and I agreed. But he offered me a very shitty price and hence politely rejected.
I know TVS doesn’t demand a high resale, but for the kind of my maintenance(100% with TVS) records I have for this bike, the current condition and genuinely, low usage and the 10 remaining years of life in the RC papers, I would definitely expect a very decent price for my bike, even in case someone close to me would offer to buy it.
The bike no more comes to market, as the 3 valve engine hasn’t been upgraded to BS6 yet. But even if this comes in, the new bike would cost almost a lakh.
Thanks for reading. I would keep updating my bike’s howabouts, from time to time.
Regards
Kumar S
Chennai