Deciding between TVS Victor and other bikes in the same category was a tough decision but when it came with a zero percent installment scheme I did not think further. That was in July 2004. Now the bike is all mine as the installments are over. No hassles on this front.
Points I like about Victor:
Reasonable weight - For a person of lean built this bike is just ok as far as the weight is concerned. That was a reason not to go for Fiero or Pulsar.
Good Mileage - I have been getting a consistent mileage of about 70 km per litre on Bangalore roads. That is the best thing about Victor.
Decent pickup at 3rd and 4th gear - Though not good enough the pickup is ok especially after 35 kmph.
Ease of controls - The light, pass and horn controls are easily located.
Econometer - This is an innovation (if it really works).
Points I dislike about Victor:
Very poor braking - The rear brakes are virtually defunct. The bike has already skidding about 10 times in less than a year. This is really the worst part of the vehicle. Safety should be the first consideration and Victor has completely failed me here. Even repeated servicings have not helped.
Problem in kickstart - The engine rarely starts at the first kick.
Engine stops in 2nd gear - When the engine is cold and taken out it usually stops running if it is on 2nd gear. So I cross bumps on 3rd gear and then change to 2nd gear for smoother pickup.
Poor pickup at 1st and 2nd gear - The lesser said the better.
Poor service - The service is not very convincing.
Driving experiences:
As I have mentioned I have already fallen off about 10 times due to poor quality of rear brakes. For rides of about 10-20 km the bike is decent enough especially because it gives a good mileage even in bad conditions.
But speeds above 60kmph become dangerous as the oil flow is not very smooth and the engine starts giving jerks especially if 65kmph is reached.
This is a good enough vehicle for those riding in the city at speeds less than 50 (remember the brakes!). Does not seem to be good for rides above 30km at a stretch as engine sometimes gets very hot.