Transmission: Manual, 4-speed.Fuel Tank Capacity: 12 litres. Fuel Efficiency: 50 - 55 kmpl.
In June 1994, I went to local YAMAHAdealer at Berhampore, West Bengal to get the legendary RX-100 which was thensold at a premium. He behaved like a mediaeval Prince and I stumble upon TVSSuzuki dealer for its SHOGUN model. The dealer was eventually a school friendof mine. He advised for Samurai as a horse for a long race. The companyprojected the bike as “No problem” bike.
The dealer and the TVS Company bothare right. I used the bike for next 14 years at a stretch. Except maintenancelike change battery and tyres, there was no major overhaul of the bike. Ofcourse, I used it for daily-city-purpose – for no cross country races.
The bike performed wonderfully with anaverage of 54 kms/ lit which is decent by the standard of even for 4 strokebikes over the years. The 12 V big headlamp(from TVS Lucas, I presume- a rarething then) and wider rear tyre was its salient points. The styling was contemporaryeven after the passage of years.
At that time, I replaced the originalspeedometer console of samurai with a tachometer from the SHOGUN with RPM meterat the time of purchase in 1994. In 1998, when the RPM meter malfunctioned, Ibrought to TVS dealer at Jamshedpur. Well within a fortnight, I got a call fromthe service Engineer at Ranchi. I brought the bike to the service centre andjust astonished to find a “Goodwill-service’ note from him. It enable me to getthe replacement of the tachometer which was not even an OE of Samurai. Thisclearly reflects the philosophy of TVS. I hail it.
Since it is very problematic to re-registerthe bike after 15 years, I sold it someone in 2008 who may go through theofficial formalities. ADIEU MY FRIEND