Hi All,
My craze towards this bike started in late 80’s, that time my Dad was owning this beautiful machine. Till early 90’s my job is to clean the bike on weekends and keep it ready for my Dad and borthers usage. I didnt get a chance to drive till 94. One day I was pretty adament to drive this bike, after a long hours my brother decided to take me to playground and helped to learn driving this bike. At first I was finding bit tough to ride a geared bike, cos I was used to TVS 50 only. Couple of times I ran over the big stones and fell down, without falling down you cant learn bike driving:) Within an hours time I got used to the geared bike, and from next day onwards I didnt seek my brothers help.
Right from 1995 this bike has become part of my life. Though lot sof new bike have hit the market, yet I cant loose my loving lady, an age old beast. I am still using this bike among the crowds of Pulsar, Unicorn, Thunderbird, CBZ.
The old bike has got only 3 gear shift whereas the later ones come up with 4 gear shift and this bike has got the engine capacity of 173 CC. Comfort wise this bike stands next to Enfield, those who cant afford to buy enfield those days always preferred to own Rajdoot for the comfort and value for money. Though this bike has not got any good rating for mileage, I would certainly say if the present technology was available those days, still no one can beat this beast in terms of comfort, durability, value for money. Why I am stressing value for money b’cos, I have been owning this beast from 95 under my control and I havent spend that much as mainenance cost. My brothers owning Pulsar and Splendor they shell out atleast Rs 1000/- for each time of their bike servicing. Put to gether in a year I might have hardly spent 1000 rs for servicing my bike. Only problem that I am facing these days is the unavailablity of spares for Rajdoot. Since the prodcution of this bike has been stopped more than a decade its pretty tough to get the spares, and few shops have got spares with limited resources in Chennai.
The best thing that I like about Rajdoot is, it can be altered to any proto type models as you like. As an avid cruiser I have changed few of the original parts of Rajdoot and replaced with Yezdi back rim to fit 18’ zapper tyre for better ground stability. For better mileage I have set Suzuki carburator, cos I cant get one authentic carburator of Rajdoot. Front forks gives you the best comfort even when you travel on bumpy roads. Breaks were perfect and it just needs brushing when you are taking it for servicing.
Here comes the bad part of Rajdoot. During cold season you cant start this bike without the help of choke or after several kicks. Produces lot of vibration when you are traveling at the speed of 60 KMPH & above. Bike will be jerking when you slow down your vehicle from top speed. Quite often when comes to neutral gear when you are shifting t from 1st to 2nd gear.
Though this bike, has got some disadvantage, but the driving pleasure makes you feel that all its flaws vanishing. If you are bike freak and enjoys long drive I certainly recommend this bike above all the latest bikes in India.