Like all new buyers I had a quite a few bike to choose from, when I was to purchase a new bike last September. Boxer CT-Ktec was just launched in Bangalore and the dealer was giving 2K discount. Comparing tech-specs with others in economy/executive class, I thought for the price, 7.7BHP and good mileage added with neat looks is a great deal. After 1 year, I am happy that I made the right decision. The silver boxer initially was a crowd puller, now after a year of weathering still maintains its shine. The seat is very comfortable, being significantly different in shape and spring-yness from previous models. In fact I do lots of long highway tours and still no bum problems yet! This implies that the suspension is also good. Mileage is also great. My neighbour here gets 70+km/l from his boxer CT-Ktec which was bought after 2 weeks from mine. But since I ride 50-60+ with accelerations, I get around 55-60 km/l. But I have no complains, this is how the law of nature is. Riding at 35kmph I can also squeeze 75km/l from my bike (theory tested). Power delivery is fantastic, one squeeze at the throttle, and the bike does a small wheelie and jumps ahead. (Mind u, I occasionally ride a friends’ pulsar 150 too, so I know what a real Indian performance bike can do and once in Germany a friend took me for a ride in his 1000cc Kawasaki at 200kmph!). Long distance, sustained speeding over 70kmph (mileage comes down to 45km/l), never faced a hitch yet. In fact the way most people ride in B’lore, I can easily overtake most bikes and win street light competitions! Turning at 50-60 is no problem, the chassis and tyres are confidence inspiring. Sometimes I have done some peg-scraping too. Brakes are good. Never let me down, but this is one area of improvment, they can become better with 130mm drums. With my wife and some luggage I have managed to go to 95kmph, I feel that I can touch 100 solo. But vibrations start after 85kmph. The only complain is that the dealer’s service is terrible and after 2nd service I am going to a private fellow.
This is a later addition (13th oct 2003): Last week I went for a trip to cochin solo on this bike. Just before that I had tuned the bike myself. total 570kms. actual riding time 11h. average speed maintained was ~60-70kmph and guess what was the bike mileage? 65km/l. I have done the best tuning of the carb than any service fellows. The trick is to find the sweet spot in the pilot circuit of the carb. Never on this long trip, I faced any kind of problem from the bike. acceleration and smoothness was amazing. riding solo had its advantages like when I was overtaking a truck which would not give me way, a blip at the throttle and bike would swing to 75-80kmph and truck would be far behind. These fast acceleration is not possible with a pillion on this bike. I must do these trips again.