Thread Starter
#1
Hello Everyone
This is my first ownership review on Automotive India. Let me apologize in advance, if there is any mistake in the review, as this is my first experience here.
My Bike Interests:
As every youngster during his teens would, I too had a desire for bikes, even though at that point of time (2000-2003) during my college days I couldn't afford one. But I used to envy at Splendors, TVS Victors, CBZ's, Suzuki Fiero, Yamaha YBX - YBL, etc.
I started saving every penny to buy my first simplest bike, but failed everytime. Completed graduation in 2003, stood up on my own legs, and finally just for buying a bike, came down to Chennai from my place, hunting for a 5 digit salary in 2007, 4 years after my graduation.
Chennai Life and Bike
Chennai changed my life style, in terms of money. I started boosting my balance. There were a couple of instances when I walked into Choolaimedu Angel Yamaha showroom to buy the then cheap Yamaha Crux R which cost me Rs. 39000.00 on road then.
First experience towards end of 2007. I loved the beats of Yamaha engine and was happy with a simple front round head lamp design. Dealer offered me the bike for Rs. 37000.00 (a 2k discount) in case I paid in ready cash. I had a shortage of Rs. 18000.00, and I was ready to pay on my Credit Card (Credit Card !). But dealer astonished me stating I have to pay 2+% service charges on the amount I pay from my credit card. I silently walked out.
Second instance (2008) , once again I went to the same showroom, this time with full money in my bank (wow !! rich !! :) ). This time dealer surprised me with an additional Rs. 550.00 charge for some affidavit from notary public as I didn't have a Chennai address then. (My dad was in Arkonam, and I was from Karaikudi). Well you could have figred out right, that I once again walked out silently.
Thus my two attempts went off.
Once in the same year 2007, happened to come down to Avadi meet a familiar and very close person to my father. On the way back, happened to cross Vijai Motors TVS Avadi, then located in CTH Road. Took a quotation for TVS Star City and walked out. That's it.
Kept Star City in mind, as once I had ridden the bike in Karaikudi (2006-07 model) and I loved it to the core.
In December 2007, finalised on Star City and decided to buy one. Dad prepared Rs. 60,000.00 for the same and gave me a cheque asking me to visit TVS dealer in Arkonam, finalize the colour and book one.
Plan was to give the new TVS Star City with self start option to my dad and rob him off his 2005 Splendor Plus to my Choolaimedu mansion for my local and office commutes.But once again, things changed, plans changed and I got an offer to invest in a land and I used that money for that.
Thus the bike was still a dream. As and when I came down to meet my father in Arkonam, I was using his Splendor Plus for small commutes in local.
2009 - I got married and I with my wife started living together with my father in Arkonam, and soon moved down to Avadi for my office comfort.Splendor was our only vehicle in Avadi - Chennai and we did a few trips of around 25 kms one way to city as well, with family.
2013 March - Got my first car Hyundai Santro Petrol
2014 August - Got a Honda Activa 110 cc for my wife.
2016 September 19th - Here begins the actual story. The Splendor Plus (2005) was sold out to a person in Chennai for Rs. 13,000.00 after 11 years 2 months of usage and a 32000 kms odo (!!). Engine was in GOOD condition, well maintained and the bike could still do another 70k kms without much effort.
Not so great Booking Experience:
2016 September 19th - After bidding adieu to my horse Splendor, I with my wife paid a casual visit to Hero showroom, looked at a couple of 110 cc bikes. I don't even remember their names, as I was least bothered to buy a Hero (NOT A HERO HONDA gem). We left the showroom without even collecting a quotation / price list. Then visited the same Vijay Motors TVS - Avadi (last visited in 2007), this time located opp to Meenakshi Theatre in Avadi.
Though I didn't have a plan to buy a bike at least for a month or two because sentimentally I couldn't think of another bike replacing my departed love, my reliable and solid Splendor 2005. But my wife made it compulsary for me to hold a bike, and not to touch or depend on her Activa for my office commutes or any requriements :)
Keeping this in mind, out of the available bikes, I discarded Sports as it was a 100cc one, and had heard of its power lag in riding with a pillion and also I didn't want to go for one more 100cc in life. Next in 110 cc segments, available were Star City Plus and New Victor.
Though both were 110cc, the engines were totally different. Star City Plus had a 110 cc 8.4 ps 2 valve engine whereas the Victor came with 110cc 9.6ps 3 valve eco thurst engine.
Took test drive of both, with no honest interest of buying, as I wanted to save some money by taking public + one way company transport. First Star City, with my elder daughter, and then Victor with both of my daughters.
Elder daughter had 'Victor' as her choice. Younger daughter had Blue as her colour. Thus the bike was fixed.
I formally went through the technical specifications for some 15 minutes, and showed up my thumb finger to the sales people to proceed. As I hadn't taken any money as I never had an idea of booking that day, I offered to pay the booking amount of Rs. 1000.00 from my Credit Card. Again, to my dismay, dealer said a 2% service charges on Credit Card Payment.
Sales People : Sir, just 40 rupees, nothing more.
Me : It's 40 rupees, and it's more. No bank would authorise you to over charge a customer like this.
Sales People : Sir we are helpless.
Me : Ok ! Tomorrow I will get money and book.
Sales People (not ready to let a caught fist out of sale) : Sir, please give the card, we shall waive off the charges.
Me : Waive off ! What are you guys actually waiving off ?
Sales People : It's ok sir. No additional charges.
Booking went on. Disc brake was Rs. 2000.00 dearer than the drum brake. Disc brake cost OTR Rs. 64700.00 whereas drum brake OTR cost me Rs. 62700.00. I had enough with drum brakes, resulting in a couple of rear ending accidents in 2014, so said yes to Disc brake. Colour was some kind of Blue.
Vehicle was assured to registered by Wedneday and would be ready on Thursday. I opted to pick it up from their dealership on Friday, i.e., 23rd September 2016, evening by 5.00 pm. Thus booking over.
WORST POST-BOOKING EXPERIENCE;
Couple of days after booking, I preferred to know the exact make month of my bike, and called up Sales. The experience was flabbergasting when I was replied witha heavy sigh or say a very ugly response, and the phone was handed over to the owner / MD of Vijai Motors - Avadi.
Me : Sir, I would prefer to know the month & year of manufacture of the bike allotted to me. (Was I wrong anywhere, or did I cross my limits as a customer, in knowing about the product for which I have made full cash payment? )
MD : Sir, why are you asking these things ? No customer would ask these things and we don't prvovide such infomration to anyone.
Me : Sir, I strongly believe the consumer law allows me to know the make month of the bike I have paid for and am going to own for the next n number of years, and I don't think I am wrong anywhere in this aspect, am I /
MD : Ok (handed over phone to sales people)
Sales Personnel : Well, your bike chase was manufactured in xx day of July month, second shift, with xx:xx pm timings.
Readers, believe me this is the worst response I have ever got from a dealer, whom I have paid in ready cash from my nose, a whole 65000.00, and the MD / head of the dealership behaving this way. Worst experience here.
WORST DELIVERY EXPERIENCES:
First of all, no discounts were provided, even on ready cash purchase. (3 years ago, we bought an Apache 160 Eagle Eye for one of our friends from Prabha TVS - Ashok Pillar - Chennai and I requested a 2000 discount for a finance HP purchase! Guess what, we were given 1500.00 discount).
Fine, let that go. We went to showroom at 5.00 pm. They explained all unwanted nonsenses (to me at least) like MERA FREND card), etc, which doesn't mean any thing to me.
An additional 3 year warranty on top of base 2 year warranty was pushed, and I felt it is ok to take it since it's a new technology of 3 valve engine, and I am one of the few initial bakras investing in their new product. A premium of Rs. 350.00 was charged for a total 5 year warranty. I was fine with it.
All formalities done, the vehicle wa sdelivered with some peculiar kind of garlanding kind of poses, pics were taken that way, and my FB / WhatsApp comments read for the pic as if I had won the bike as a prizse. Buddy - I have paid from my nose for that two wheeler.
The vehicle is handed over, I and my wife with my younger princess are ready to start, when my wifey notices a scratch and damage at the right handle tip, which is 300% nonsense from PDI as well as Sales Team. I don't have words to express my anger even after 16 odd months of purchase.
The worse thing was, when I called the sales LADIES and notified, the lady coolly says 'That's nothing sir, please take it. We will get it rectified next time." I was like, what the hell, I have never seen a dealership deliver a bike like this. I said I am not taking this bike and leaving it with you. The sales LADIES were speechless, browsing for words, when a gentleman, probably from PDI / Accessories section came running, attended my grievance, took the bike inside, without uttering a word of protest. That shows the gentleman's professionalism. He was awesome. Within no time, the bike was back with replaced RH handle grip. My wife was in her Activa and she started off. I went to Petrol station, filled for Rs. 100.00 as I was told 0.5 litres petrol is already in tank.
Came home, showed bike to dad, and neighbourhood. Then straight to Perumal temple with my bike, located in Kovilpathaagai (Avadi), did a Pooja and brought my bike him, in sizzling and romantic rain, all three of us drenched, me, my wifey and my new horse.
Coming home and checking papers, I noticed that the xxx Blue Colour was invoiced as some xxx RED colour, which is not at all acceptable. I never expected Vijai Motors has illiterate people at invoicing desk, or rather say, colour blind ladies. I would suggest them to check their eyes before they hire such nonsense people over there to do such responsible jobs.
I immediately rushed to dealer the very next day, and got it changed to BLUE colour. I also told them to update all the system records from the RED to my BLUE.
To my dismay / disappointment, the RC book also came as RED, instead of blue. I had to surrender the original RC book to one elderly person Mr. Perumal, who was very professional, took charge, assured rectification. And he kept his words, within a few days, returned the corrected RC book . No major change, the colour was striked off using pen, changed to BLUE in pen, and was attested by the registrar (RTO).
INITIAL PERFORMANCE PROBLEM FACED:
From day 1, every early morning, I faced a peculiar problem. I start the engine, run it idle for 30 seconds or so, press clutch lever, slot to first gear. Here's the catch. The moment I slot to first gear, with clutch pressed, the bike leaps. That is, I still have the clutch pressed, I didn't release it to move, just pressed the first gear, and the bike leaps forward. Seriously unsafe.
However, initially I thought, this is a minor problem and should get eradicated with usage, and also since I am the solo user of the bike without any pillion most of the time, I kept managing. The issue occurred twice a day, first when I start it in the morning (say after a cooling period of 8+ hours) and second, when I start the bike from office to return, say after a cooling period of another 9-10 hours) and that's it.
After a 8+ hour cooling period, the very first start and then engaging first gear leaps the bike forward, without / before releasing clutch and after that everything is ok, irrespective of how many times I again and again engage first gear from stand still. Next occurrence in the day is at evening, which is after another 8+ hours of cooling and that's it.
3rd day of my ownership, I reported the issue to Vijai Motors TVS, and I was told that this would be checked at First Service at 20th day. I covered 730 kms (750 kms was threshold for first free service) and then took it for first free service, where I explained the issue. Unfortunately the maroons there did not / rather could not get my problem. They mistook it to be like I was getting a vibration or shuddering when moving at first gear. As they didn't understand the problem, or even didn't try to, ultimately the problem was left unresolved. Many suggestions were given by brilliant service team, asking me to idle for 5 full minutes, etc.
I told them sarcastically that this is my second bike and I know how it should behave when I start after cooling period and engage first gear. I also told them (and am telling you all) that I have been a part of Spares Department in Sri Karpagamoorthy TVS , a main dealer for TVS two wheelers in Karaikudi during the period from 2003-2005 and I had been a fan of TVS Victor, which eventually played a vital role in my purchasing the New Age Victor.
I kept visiting their service station multiple times, and the maroons at the service team couldn't understand what I was actually telling them about the problem. My patience having touched my benchmark, I left the vehicle in their service station and left. I emailed TVS MOTOR COMPANY - Hsour, and its national offices across India about the issue and demanded a full refund for having delivered me a faulty, QC - failed, PDI failed bike.
Then got a call from higher ups in TVS MOTORS, I explained everything in detail. I was then called by Vijai Motors service team and I asked them not to touch / start the bike for two full days and I would visit them following Sunday.
I asked the bike to be rolled to me, without starting, the whole service team with Service Managers were with me (thanks to my email to the head offices !). A video shoot was taken by my wife, focussing the bike. I started the bike, idled for 1 minute, held the clutch, and said I am holding the clutch, I will not release the clutch, - Now I will engage first gear. The moment I engage first gear, the bike leaps, but the engine doesn't stop, the leap is just momentary. I told them to check gearbox, clutch and everything possible.
Yuvraj, one of the seniormost mechanics seemed to have understood my problem and took ownership to get it resolved. Two days later, I receive a call from him stating the clutch plates / relevant spares under Warranty. The bike was handed over to me with the problem RESOLVED. Thanks to Yuvaraj and none else from Service Team.
SERVICE EXPERIENCES TILL DATE:
To be crisp, I would say the service level is just above adequate.
Bike came with the first five services as free services for the first year of ownership.
All the five were completed promptly within the given date / kms run.
The service interval is either 2500 - 3000 kms or 3 months, whichever is earlier, but for the first service which is within 750 kms.
My daily run being 48 kms and monthly run being approximately 1000 kms, I normally end up servicing my bike every 2600 – 2800 kms, strictly not exceeding the 3000 kms mark within the three months service interval, since my bike is used only for office commute.
Senior Advisor / Technician / Mechanic, called Yuvaraj appears to be taking good care of my bike during service.
SERVICE EXPENSES:
A major factor for Indian market, the maintenance. I would say maintenance is slightly on the higher side for TVS, but I don’t have to bother since :
The first 5 free services were completed within first year, where I had to pay Rs. 290.00 for oil and Rs. 50.00 for polishing, if opted for. Also Teflon polishing is also offered at an additional Rs. 250.00, only if customer wants it.
In the fifth service (11,100 kms), I was advised to replace Spark Plus and Air Filter (as advised in the service manual), which I went ahead with, along with the oil service, which added up the bill for that service alone to Rs. 770.00 (approx).
Sixth service (paid service from now) was completed last December 24th 2017. From this service labour of Rs. 650.00 was to be charged on top of the oil replacement, however I opted for AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) scheme, where I pay upfront Rs. 1,400.00 for the whole year (valid till September 2018) which waives off the complete service labour for the next 4 services and also offers 5% discount on spares & oil and 10% discount on additional labour, if anything applicable.
Thus I calculate the service labour charges of around Rs. 350.00 per service including taxes (1400 rupees divided by 4 services).
I also get one complimentary water wash with the said AMC.
Probably from next year the AMC charges would go to Rs. 2000.00 per year for 4 services I guess, but again I feel that’s okay as it ends up with Rs. 500.00 per service for labour alone.
That’s about maintenance part. Ongoing maintenance as per service manual would be as below:
18000 kms – fork oil
21000 – disc brake oil check, rotor and pad check.
18000-21000 kms – Chain Sprocket replacement.
Other than these, regular oil changes alone.
Till date, I have clocked 15,200 kms and is still in the go. Will keep updating my happy miles.
Regards
Kumar
This is my first ownership review on Automotive India. Let me apologize in advance, if there is any mistake in the review, as this is my first experience here.
My Bike Interests:
As every youngster during his teens would, I too had a desire for bikes, even though at that point of time (2000-2003) during my college days I couldn't afford one. But I used to envy at Splendors, TVS Victors, CBZ's, Suzuki Fiero, Yamaha YBX - YBL, etc.
I started saving every penny to buy my first simplest bike, but failed everytime. Completed graduation in 2003, stood up on my own legs, and finally just for buying a bike, came down to Chennai from my place, hunting for a 5 digit salary in 2007, 4 years after my graduation.
Chennai Life and Bike
Chennai changed my life style, in terms of money. I started boosting my balance. There were a couple of instances when I walked into Choolaimedu Angel Yamaha showroom to buy the then cheap Yamaha Crux R which cost me Rs. 39000.00 on road then.
First experience towards end of 2007. I loved the beats of Yamaha engine and was happy with a simple front round head lamp design. Dealer offered me the bike for Rs. 37000.00 (a 2k discount) in case I paid in ready cash. I had a shortage of Rs. 18000.00, and I was ready to pay on my Credit Card (Credit Card !). But dealer astonished me stating I have to pay 2+% service charges on the amount I pay from my credit card. I silently walked out.
Second instance (2008) , once again I went to the same showroom, this time with full money in my bank (wow !! rich !! :) ). This time dealer surprised me with an additional Rs. 550.00 charge for some affidavit from notary public as I didn't have a Chennai address then. (My dad was in Arkonam, and I was from Karaikudi). Well you could have figred out right, that I once again walked out silently.
Thus my two attempts went off.
Once in the same year 2007, happened to come down to Avadi meet a familiar and very close person to my father. On the way back, happened to cross Vijai Motors TVS Avadi, then located in CTH Road. Took a quotation for TVS Star City and walked out. That's it.
Kept Star City in mind, as once I had ridden the bike in Karaikudi (2006-07 model) and I loved it to the core.
In December 2007, finalised on Star City and decided to buy one. Dad prepared Rs. 60,000.00 for the same and gave me a cheque asking me to visit TVS dealer in Arkonam, finalize the colour and book one.
Plan was to give the new TVS Star City with self start option to my dad and rob him off his 2005 Splendor Plus to my Choolaimedu mansion for my local and office commutes.But once again, things changed, plans changed and I got an offer to invest in a land and I used that money for that.
Thus the bike was still a dream. As and when I came down to meet my father in Arkonam, I was using his Splendor Plus for small commutes in local.
2009 - I got married and I with my wife started living together with my father in Arkonam, and soon moved down to Avadi for my office comfort.Splendor was our only vehicle in Avadi - Chennai and we did a few trips of around 25 kms one way to city as well, with family.
2013 March - Got my first car Hyundai Santro Petrol
2014 August - Got a Honda Activa 110 cc for my wife.
2016 September 19th - Here begins the actual story. The Splendor Plus (2005) was sold out to a person in Chennai for Rs. 13,000.00 after 11 years 2 months of usage and a 32000 kms odo (!!). Engine was in GOOD condition, well maintained and the bike could still do another 70k kms without much effort.
Not so great Booking Experience:
2016 September 19th - After bidding adieu to my horse Splendor, I with my wife paid a casual visit to Hero showroom, looked at a couple of 110 cc bikes. I don't even remember their names, as I was least bothered to buy a Hero (NOT A HERO HONDA gem). We left the showroom without even collecting a quotation / price list. Then visited the same Vijay Motors TVS - Avadi (last visited in 2007), this time located opp to Meenakshi Theatre in Avadi.
Though I didn't have a plan to buy a bike at least for a month or two because sentimentally I couldn't think of another bike replacing my departed love, my reliable and solid Splendor 2005. But my wife made it compulsary for me to hold a bike, and not to touch or depend on her Activa for my office commutes or any requriements :)
Keeping this in mind, out of the available bikes, I discarded Sports as it was a 100cc one, and had heard of its power lag in riding with a pillion and also I didn't want to go for one more 100cc in life. Next in 110 cc segments, available were Star City Plus and New Victor.
Though both were 110cc, the engines were totally different. Star City Plus had a 110 cc 8.4 ps 2 valve engine whereas the Victor came with 110cc 9.6ps 3 valve eco thurst engine.
Took test drive of both, with no honest interest of buying, as I wanted to save some money by taking public + one way company transport. First Star City, with my elder daughter, and then Victor with both of my daughters.
Elder daughter had 'Victor' as her choice. Younger daughter had Blue as her colour. Thus the bike was fixed.
I formally went through the technical specifications for some 15 minutes, and showed up my thumb finger to the sales people to proceed. As I hadn't taken any money as I never had an idea of booking that day, I offered to pay the booking amount of Rs. 1000.00 from my Credit Card. Again, to my dismay, dealer said a 2% service charges on Credit Card Payment.
Sales People : Sir, just 40 rupees, nothing more.
Me : It's 40 rupees, and it's more. No bank would authorise you to over charge a customer like this.
Sales People : Sir we are helpless.
Me : Ok ! Tomorrow I will get money and book.
Sales People (not ready to let a caught fist out of sale) : Sir, please give the card, we shall waive off the charges.
Me : Waive off ! What are you guys actually waiving off ?
Sales People : It's ok sir. No additional charges.
Booking went on. Disc brake was Rs. 2000.00 dearer than the drum brake. Disc brake cost OTR Rs. 64700.00 whereas drum brake OTR cost me Rs. 62700.00. I had enough with drum brakes, resulting in a couple of rear ending accidents in 2014, so said yes to Disc brake. Colour was some kind of Blue.
Vehicle was assured to registered by Wedneday and would be ready on Thursday. I opted to pick it up from their dealership on Friday, i.e., 23rd September 2016, evening by 5.00 pm. Thus booking over.
WORST POST-BOOKING EXPERIENCE;
Couple of days after booking, I preferred to know the exact make month of my bike, and called up Sales. The experience was flabbergasting when I was replied witha heavy sigh or say a very ugly response, and the phone was handed over to the owner / MD of Vijai Motors - Avadi.
Me : Sir, I would prefer to know the month & year of manufacture of the bike allotted to me. (Was I wrong anywhere, or did I cross my limits as a customer, in knowing about the product for which I have made full cash payment? )
MD : Sir, why are you asking these things ? No customer would ask these things and we don't prvovide such infomration to anyone.
Me : Sir, I strongly believe the consumer law allows me to know the make month of the bike I have paid for and am going to own for the next n number of years, and I don't think I am wrong anywhere in this aspect, am I /
MD : Ok (handed over phone to sales people)
Sales Personnel : Well, your bike chase was manufactured in xx day of July month, second shift, with xx:xx pm timings.
Readers, believe me this is the worst response I have ever got from a dealer, whom I have paid in ready cash from my nose, a whole 65000.00, and the MD / head of the dealership behaving this way. Worst experience here.
WORST DELIVERY EXPERIENCES:
First of all, no discounts were provided, even on ready cash purchase. (3 years ago, we bought an Apache 160 Eagle Eye for one of our friends from Prabha TVS - Ashok Pillar - Chennai and I requested a 2000 discount for a finance HP purchase! Guess what, we were given 1500.00 discount).
Fine, let that go. We went to showroom at 5.00 pm. They explained all unwanted nonsenses (to me at least) like MERA FREND card), etc, which doesn't mean any thing to me.
An additional 3 year warranty on top of base 2 year warranty was pushed, and I felt it is ok to take it since it's a new technology of 3 valve engine, and I am one of the few initial bakras investing in their new product. A premium of Rs. 350.00 was charged for a total 5 year warranty. I was fine with it.
All formalities done, the vehicle wa sdelivered with some peculiar kind of garlanding kind of poses, pics were taken that way, and my FB / WhatsApp comments read for the pic as if I had won the bike as a prizse. Buddy - I have paid from my nose for that two wheeler.
The vehicle is handed over, I and my wife with my younger princess are ready to start, when my wifey notices a scratch and damage at the right handle tip, which is 300% nonsense from PDI as well as Sales Team. I don't have words to express my anger even after 16 odd months of purchase.
The worse thing was, when I called the sales LADIES and notified, the lady coolly says 'That's nothing sir, please take it. We will get it rectified next time." I was like, what the hell, I have never seen a dealership deliver a bike like this. I said I am not taking this bike and leaving it with you. The sales LADIES were speechless, browsing for words, when a gentleman, probably from PDI / Accessories section came running, attended my grievance, took the bike inside, without uttering a word of protest. That shows the gentleman's professionalism. He was awesome. Within no time, the bike was back with replaced RH handle grip. My wife was in her Activa and she started off. I went to Petrol station, filled for Rs. 100.00 as I was told 0.5 litres petrol is already in tank.
Came home, showed bike to dad, and neighbourhood. Then straight to Perumal temple with my bike, located in Kovilpathaagai (Avadi), did a Pooja and brought my bike him, in sizzling and romantic rain, all three of us drenched, me, my wifey and my new horse.
Coming home and checking papers, I noticed that the xxx Blue Colour was invoiced as some xxx RED colour, which is not at all acceptable. I never expected Vijai Motors has illiterate people at invoicing desk, or rather say, colour blind ladies. I would suggest them to check their eyes before they hire such nonsense people over there to do such responsible jobs.
I immediately rushed to dealer the very next day, and got it changed to BLUE colour. I also told them to update all the system records from the RED to my BLUE.
To my dismay / disappointment, the RC book also came as RED, instead of blue. I had to surrender the original RC book to one elderly person Mr. Perumal, who was very professional, took charge, assured rectification. And he kept his words, within a few days, returned the corrected RC book . No major change, the colour was striked off using pen, changed to BLUE in pen, and was attested by the registrar (RTO).
INITIAL PERFORMANCE PROBLEM FACED:
From day 1, every early morning, I faced a peculiar problem. I start the engine, run it idle for 30 seconds or so, press clutch lever, slot to first gear. Here's the catch. The moment I slot to first gear, with clutch pressed, the bike leaps. That is, I still have the clutch pressed, I didn't release it to move, just pressed the first gear, and the bike leaps forward. Seriously unsafe.
However, initially I thought, this is a minor problem and should get eradicated with usage, and also since I am the solo user of the bike without any pillion most of the time, I kept managing. The issue occurred twice a day, first when I start it in the morning (say after a cooling period of 8+ hours) and second, when I start the bike from office to return, say after a cooling period of another 9-10 hours) and that's it.
After a 8+ hour cooling period, the very first start and then engaging first gear leaps the bike forward, without / before releasing clutch and after that everything is ok, irrespective of how many times I again and again engage first gear from stand still. Next occurrence in the day is at evening, which is after another 8+ hours of cooling and that's it.
3rd day of my ownership, I reported the issue to Vijai Motors TVS, and I was told that this would be checked at First Service at 20th day. I covered 730 kms (750 kms was threshold for first free service) and then took it for first free service, where I explained the issue. Unfortunately the maroons there did not / rather could not get my problem. They mistook it to be like I was getting a vibration or shuddering when moving at first gear. As they didn't understand the problem, or even didn't try to, ultimately the problem was left unresolved. Many suggestions were given by brilliant service team, asking me to idle for 5 full minutes, etc.
I told them sarcastically that this is my second bike and I know how it should behave when I start after cooling period and engage first gear. I also told them (and am telling you all) that I have been a part of Spares Department in Sri Karpagamoorthy TVS , a main dealer for TVS two wheelers in Karaikudi during the period from 2003-2005 and I had been a fan of TVS Victor, which eventually played a vital role in my purchasing the New Age Victor.
I kept visiting their service station multiple times, and the maroons at the service team couldn't understand what I was actually telling them about the problem. My patience having touched my benchmark, I left the vehicle in their service station and left. I emailed TVS MOTOR COMPANY - Hsour, and its national offices across India about the issue and demanded a full refund for having delivered me a faulty, QC - failed, PDI failed bike.
Then got a call from higher ups in TVS MOTORS, I explained everything in detail. I was then called by Vijai Motors service team and I asked them not to touch / start the bike for two full days and I would visit them following Sunday.
I asked the bike to be rolled to me, without starting, the whole service team with Service Managers were with me (thanks to my email to the head offices !). A video shoot was taken by my wife, focussing the bike. I started the bike, idled for 1 minute, held the clutch, and said I am holding the clutch, I will not release the clutch, - Now I will engage first gear. The moment I engage first gear, the bike leaps, but the engine doesn't stop, the leap is just momentary. I told them to check gearbox, clutch and everything possible.
Yuvraj, one of the seniormost mechanics seemed to have understood my problem and took ownership to get it resolved. Two days later, I receive a call from him stating the clutch plates / relevant spares under Warranty. The bike was handed over to me with the problem RESOLVED. Thanks to Yuvaraj and none else from Service Team.
SERVICE EXPERIENCES TILL DATE:
To be crisp, I would say the service level is just above adequate.
Bike came with the first five services as free services for the first year of ownership.
All the five were completed promptly within the given date / kms run.
The service interval is either 2500 - 3000 kms or 3 months, whichever is earlier, but for the first service which is within 750 kms.
My daily run being 48 kms and monthly run being approximately 1000 kms, I normally end up servicing my bike every 2600 – 2800 kms, strictly not exceeding the 3000 kms mark within the three months service interval, since my bike is used only for office commute.
Senior Advisor / Technician / Mechanic, called Yuvaraj appears to be taking good care of my bike during service.
SERVICE EXPENSES:
A major factor for Indian market, the maintenance. I would say maintenance is slightly on the higher side for TVS, but I don’t have to bother since :
The first 5 free services were completed within first year, where I had to pay Rs. 290.00 for oil and Rs. 50.00 for polishing, if opted for. Also Teflon polishing is also offered at an additional Rs. 250.00, only if customer wants it.
In the fifth service (11,100 kms), I was advised to replace Spark Plus and Air Filter (as advised in the service manual), which I went ahead with, along with the oil service, which added up the bill for that service alone to Rs. 770.00 (approx).
Sixth service (paid service from now) was completed last December 24th 2017. From this service labour of Rs. 650.00 was to be charged on top of the oil replacement, however I opted for AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) scheme, where I pay upfront Rs. 1,400.00 for the whole year (valid till September 2018) which waives off the complete service labour for the next 4 services and also offers 5% discount on spares & oil and 10% discount on additional labour, if anything applicable.
Thus I calculate the service labour charges of around Rs. 350.00 per service including taxes (1400 rupees divided by 4 services).
I also get one complimentary water wash with the said AMC.
Probably from next year the AMC charges would go to Rs. 2000.00 per year for 4 services I guess, but again I feel that’s okay as it ends up with Rs. 500.00 per service for labour alone.
That’s about maintenance part. Ongoing maintenance as per service manual would be as below:
18000 kms – fork oil
21000 – disc brake oil check, rotor and pad check.
18000-21000 kms – Chain Sprocket replacement.
Other than these, regular oil changes alone.
Till date, I have clocked 15,200 kms and is still in the go. Will keep updating my happy miles.
Regards
Kumar
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