Down below, I am leaving as it is the review written 3 years back. At that time, that was the experience. Now 3 years after using the bike, my opinion has drastically changed. To be brief:
Mileage is maaaaax 65km/litre, usually 55-60 km/litre
Riding comfort was good for the 1st 6 months. Slowly but surely deterioration set in. Now it is a nightmare riding this bike for more than 30 minutes at a stretch. Every little bump gets faithfully transmitted to your body and back. I suffered from dislocation because of this. I no longer commute by bike. I use suburban train services.
You must service the bike every 2000 kms. Else something or the other goes wrong. Most common problem is carburettor - the bike’s engine switches off while running - this even after tuning by the mechanic. You could say it is the mechanic’s fault - I have tried more than one mechanic. Around 6 weeks after service, this problem is sure to recur.
Resale value is pathetic. Only 3 years after purchase, nobody is offering more than 20K, if at all anybody is interested ! :-)........Now you know why I have not disposed it off yet.
One line summary - just about better than a moped...
What is given below does not apply anymore.....I am allowing it to remain only to highlight the contrast in the experience.
I commute between work and home over a long distance - around 40kms a day. I needed a bike which offers good mileage and riding comfort. I am happy to say that the Centra very well met both of these requirements. Riding @ 40-45 Kmph, you get a mileage of around 80 Kmpl. At the present cost of Petrol (Rs.38.96 per litre), this works out to a little less than 50 paise per Km. This is excellent mileage. With good shock absorbers and a sturdy design, the riding experience is very comfortable and smooth. The engine strokes are very soft, silent and it is a pleasure to glide in this bike. The bike also sports a sleek and stylish look that is pleasing to the eye. Kick-starting the bike is a problem area. It is hard and invariably does not start in one single action. It can get irritating at times. Also, the rear foot-rest is so positioned that it is difficult - if not impossible - to start the vehicle when the foot-rest is occupied. The Centra is also bulkier when compared to vehicles of its class - for example, the Splendour is lighter and easier to handle. With a narrow wheel base, the bike may be prone to skidding, especially when negotiating curves on wet roads. My Centra is close to the 5000 km mark and 2 services old. It is now 4 months since I have purchased it for an on-road price of Rs. 41500. Till now, it has given meaning to the concept of Zero - Maintenance. As my driving style is sedate, I am able to take advantage of the economy offered by it. However, with increase in speed, mileage drops considerably;@45-50 Kmph -> 70-76 Kmpl, @50-60 Kmph ->60-69 Kmpl, @60-70 Kmph -> 50-60 Kmpl. The Centra is an economy bike meant for heavy road users with an even temperament. It is definitely not the bike for one who enjoys the thrill of fast pick-up and high speeds.