*Update on 28-12-10- Yeah, one more year has passed soon. The bike is still sturdy. Mileage still hovers around 55-60. But it has not lost its charm that I had from day one. May be if TVS comes out with a 150 CC TVS Flame, I might even go for it.
*Update on 06-12-09- Well, its been almost two years of driving this bike. I have used it sparingly. Done some 13500 kms. The bike still rocks with a mileage hovering around 60. Cold start is the only problem for me. The tyres have withstood all the roads and the bike is as smooth as it can be. I have visited the TVS service for the regular 6 times in this two years and never had any major complaint. This has been one of my good decisions to buy this bike.
Update on 06-07-08- After completing more than 6 six months and 5000 Kms of run, the mileage is at an average of 65 at varying speeds. I have crossed 105kmph on the highways. But the worst part the spare parts are STILL **not availble even after six month of release of the bike. This is absolutely stupid. Otherwise the vehicle rocks on performance
Update on 30-03-08 Flame is now avaialable with singe spark and three valves. After three months of usage, I am getting a consistent mileage of 65-70 with mixed driving speeds. The maximum speed at which I drove was 95kmph. It starts vibrating over 80 and looks a little unstable over 90. Spare parts are still not available till this date Otherwise its absolutely good. ==========================================
I was looking for a bike with a decent look and good mileage with a price that will not burn your pocket. Didn’t go for 150cc for the sheer price of them. It was when I almost zeroed down to Honda Shine that I read about Flame.
The first look at the bike and I had already started loving it. The design was amazingly awesome. But I had to wait for a little nay quite longer time to get this vehicle, three months to be precise. But I was not disappointed for the waiting time after I got the bike.
TVS flame was not released from all agencies. Only big distributors were distributing it. So I had to go to Ramkay Agencies, Adayar, Chennai for booking it. The staff who attended there were very courteous and very helpful. And our booking was done in 15 -20 minutes. The sales person assured that the vehicle will be delivered before Jan 10 [we booked in Dec end]. But it so happened that we got the bike on 4th itself. That was very cool. On top of it, since we [my colleague also got a Flame] were the first customers of Flame, we were photographed. Overall a big satisfaction with the dealer.
The first drive was along the IT corridor of Chennai and suddenly all eyes were on the bike. I was absolutely thrilled and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Ok. Let’s now get into serious business and pass through Flame in detail
Looks:
Absolutely brilliant. Have a Pulsar or Unicorn stand besides Flame and believe me, Flame will score more points. The looks are more of a premium 150 cc segment. The engine is coloured black. The alloy wheels suit for the vehcile design aptly. The indicators are more than the size of small car indicators. The aero dynamic design appeals most to the fellow riders and everyone will turn back at least once. Pulsar is nowhere near Flame in this area.
Features
Several first time features are available in the Flame. The utility box that you normally see in Hero Honda bikes is now available in the petrol tank compartment itself. It can hold at least three milk packets [ 1/2 litre]. Pretty cool. This is the first bike which sports a Digital Clock. While riding the bike, you can set three modes.
1) ODO; No. of kilometers run
2) Trip : Trip Meter
3) IMI : Know the mileage measured with the current speed.
All the above are digital.The fuel tank is also in a digital Display.
There is no cable connecting to the front wheel [as in all other bikes] for measuring the kms covered. ODO runs on the spin of the wheel.
Fuel indicator is also digital.
Based on the Kms covered, a light on the ODO panel will flash for sometime reminding you of the service due
There is no main and reserve switch concept here. When the petrol capacity reaches the reserve status, a light will flash indicating that the fuel is on reserve.
The handle bar is a little big. For a person like me with long hands, it is very comfortable.
*Riding Comfort
*The seating is really good even for the billion riders. My mom was very happy to find this light and comfortable.
The tyres are normal. Srichakra tyres have not always matched with giants like MRF. If I had an option, I could have opted for MRF. Not that the tyres are bad, but aMRF will always have an edge.
Braking is pretty same with other bikes. I couldn’t get the disk version as it was not available at the time when I booked it. Braking is smooth, but couldn’t test it as I am constrained to drive only up to 50 Kmph until 1000 kms. I found the throttle response very good.
*Mileage
*The mileage calculated from reserve to reserve [reserve flash light here] was between 67 to 70. That’s a pretty impressive mileage for a 125 CC. After the first service, the mileage will improve. Again, will have to wait and see what happens if I drive at higher speed. But to start with, it’s brilliant.
Cons I could see
1) Available in dual color only. [ Red & black [or] Silver grey and black ]. A full black will make this vehicle super sexy.
2) The indicators are big alright. But if for any reason, if the bike falls down, the indicators will be smashed first.
3) Srichakra tyres not on par with tyres like MRF
4) Cold start. [ sometimes requires more kicks with the choke on ]
5) The reserve / main concept used is new and might be confusing until the time you are used to it.
But, overall a good bike worth buying for those who want a power of a 150cc and mileage of a100 cc bike with almost all features of 150cc but at the cost of 125cc, Rs.49, 600 to be exact
Flame will certainly make many more hearts aflame. I was one among the first few of those millions. When are you joining the million?