2016 TVS Victor long term introduction: After 423km and 20 days
My beloved Suzuki Gixxer had to leave the OD garage and that meant I'd need a new ride. Coincidentally, at the same time the 2016 TVS Victor rolled in, and Rishaad handed the keys to me. It felt like history repeats itself moment - my first long termer was a TVS Star City +. So, I guess it's time to re-orient myself to riding 100cc commuters then.
I went up to the bike in the parking lot and immediately felt that I quite like the way the new Victor looks. In this shade of sky blue with flowy graphics, it stands out from the rest of the 110cc motorcycles that I've ridden so far. It has a tachometer, which is rarely seen in this segment. I remember the Bajaj Caliber and Caliber 115, back in the 90s that'd get a tacho. The digital speedo and fuel gauge makes me feel like I'm riding a motorcycle from a segment above. It's a surprisingly feature loaded bike. The quality of switchgear is also noteable. The new Victor also gets hazard lights. I think it's a feature that's long overdue on all Indian motorcycles.
But what I love the most are the tubeless tyres and the disc brake. It's a gripe that I had with the Star City +, which had tube type tyres and no option of a disc. I'm all for safety and I'm happy my 110cc long termer has these bits.
The brakes are very impressive, slowing down the bike quickly and without any drama. Credit also goes to the TVS Remora tyres too. They give me the confidence to go a little faster than I'd dare on the Star City + or any other drum brake equipped bike, for that matter. The Victor feels light and nimble in traffic, helping me find my way around rush hour traffic with ease. Actually, so far, it feels near perfect for the congested enviorns that I call home.
However, the feel good factor can be felt only after the engine warms up. Cold starts seem to be a perennial problem with TVS' motorcycles and scooters. Despite using the choke to start and warm up the engine , it cuts off the moment I release the choke switch. It happened on two consecutive days, and I remember facing a similar problem with the Star City+. However, after ten minutes of riding, the engine idles without cutting off. I'm going to take this up with the TVS service centre and solve it. Read about it in the next update..
Date acquired: April 2016, Total mileage: 420km/ 20 days, efficiency: 60kmpl
Starts Rs 54,042
110cc
4-Speed
9.60
9.40
76 Kmpl
Starts Rs 1,11,871
155cc
5-Speed
13.60
13.80
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