Hi to all. I am writing a review after a long time. Hope my review would be helpful to buyers out there confused in deciding to buy this bike or not. According to me I would show "green signal" to anyone interested in buying this bike.
Now that I am a very satisfied commuter on TVS PHOENIX 125 DISC BRAKE 2013 VERSION. Let me discuss in detail of my experience:
My requirement: I wanted to finalize a bike which has the following
Good fuel economy.
Good Power
Must posses good low end torque.
Smooth Engine operation
Enough Power to maintain speed on moderate inclines.
So with these requirements in mind and also since I am not a speed lover either(60 kmph commuting speed), I decided to choose a bike in the 125 cc category. With good memories of TVS Victor I decided to go for Phoenix.
Design and Handling: The design of the bike is very good. With good power and less weight(116 kg) the bike is peppier in town. The bike is stable even at high speeds of 100 kmph even though the weight of the bike is less. The bike’s look is a mix of commuter and sport. The fit and finish is good. I liked the shiny metallic paint quality on the fuel tank. The speedometer is digital with speed, fuel, trip meter, and odo on it.
Handling is good. The bike can change directions quite quickly and also has good road grip. The light handling with good power delivery means you can zip through traffic easily. While moving, even when both the hands are taken away from the handlebar the bike moves straight without shaking shows how exactly balanced are the cycle parts in the bike.
Engine and Performance: The 125 cc engine in this bike produces 11hp, 10.8Nm torque. Although this is not very high, but I feel it is sufficient for commuter like me. The engine is smooth, refined and has torque spread in low and midrange. This translates to better drive-ability(most liked factor) in city. Fourth gear can pull from as low as 22 kmph, third can pull from as low as 11 kmph and second from as low as 8 kmph without chain snatching or engine lugging and without the help of clutch. I have noticed many times in mild traffic that I was always in a gear higher than the fellow riders next to me, especially when I am in third gear others would be in second gear. Hence I am sure to say that this is the bike that requires the least gear changes in City means more mileage. The engine is very tractable and also the throttle response is very good. The CV Carburettor fitted is aptly designed that it never lets the engine choke at any rpm(low or high), so the throttle response is always positive and better throughout the operating speeds. On open stretches the bike accelerates briskly upto 70 kmph, after which the acceleration slows down upto 90 kmph and after that it takes long time to reach 100 kmph. Top speed achieved is 100 kmph not bad for this bike. With constant 60 kmph the bike is able to maintain speed even on light inclines without drop in speed or change in gear. Road from Palladam to Pollachi has many ups and downs where Caliber would crawl in 2nd gear, the Phoenix effortlessly continued in 4th gear. Hill Climbing is the real test I put on for bikes. I always choose Vaalparai hills for the test for the so steep inclines makes a good test for bikes. My results are Caliber - managed in Second gear, Avenger - manages in 4th gear, and little Phoenix also manages to climb in 4th gear. I managed to climb the entire hill of 41 hair pin bends just with 3rd and 4th gear, never required 2nd gear that too with two people on bike. TVS has designed this engine marvellously. Why because while continuously driving for nearly 10 hours in one journey trip at constant 70 kmph, the engine never felt rough nor the knocking sound emanated from it. I hope everyone would have experienced some roughness setting in their bike’s engine if it gets really hot. I too have experienced roughness in many bikes but the eco-thrust engine is always smooth to accelerate and was very responsive no matter how hard or long you drive the bike! It amazes me so much that I now consider this as the best natural air cooled two wheeler engine since the engine is fuel efficient yet has no knocking at all.
FYI: Petrol engines normally become rough at high temperatures because of knocking phenomenon(pinging or metallic sound during hard acceleration). This is directly proportional to Compression ratio(CR) of the engine. Higher CR means higher fuel efficiency and higher power and vice versa but leads to engine knocking. So manufacturers have this limitation while designing the engine.
Mileage: I get an average 58 kmpl in Chennai city with full traffic conditions. On open stretches the mileage is 66 kmpl at constant 60 kmph and 60 kmpl at 70-75 kmph speed. The engine is magically fuel efficient even though this has only four gears that too with very short gearing ratio. The mileage I think is in the 110cc territory with best 66 kmpl and worst 54 kmpl - any comments on this please?
For the power and pick-up of this bike I think it is a win - win situation. Power without denting your pocket! I a sure to say that the eco-thrust engine lives upto its name. What it claims it delivers.
Vibrations: Yes there are vibrations in bike while riding. This is the only minus for this bike. The bike is smooth upto 59 kmph and the vibrations starts exactly at 60 kmph. Only at 60 kmph the vibrations are maximum after which it is bare minimum and is zero at 80 kmph. But Honda shine vibrates heavily after 70 kmph. I have noticed that vibrations reduce after engine warm up. Stick to speeds below 50 kmph in city and at 80 kmph will keep you away from vibrations.
Verdict: Considering good pickup, good mileage, reliability, smooth and responsive engine we can surely say that this is a very "Able commuter". You can never go wrong in buying this bike!