New TVS Victor (2016): 15,000 Kms Ownership Experience


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I won't guarentee 100% perfection from any mechanic , but 80-85% perfection can be done . Let Mr.MD as well as technical crew do their job , give them chance , sometimes it may prove worthy .
But don't make your ride R&D mule.

Another thing is half the culprit is our roads , however "Indian "vehicles , the tarmac where they test is asphalt (perfect asphalt), perfect suspension bumps , Indian roads always have abnormally huge potholes and 75-80% layed out asphalts .
 
Thread Starter #50
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Hi All

Yesterday, having been frustrated with fork sound, took it to HMT motors again, and the mechanic himself was out of clue on the root cause of the problem. He said he will check with the company and let me know by today evening. I spoke with the MD of HMT Motors, and he also said the same, and suggested me to leave my bike for a day, and let them open the fork and check.

Suddenly an unexpected twist / turning point happened in the story.

While crossing Padi at around 7.15pm in the evening, on the way back to home from office, I happened to see one Sri Lakshmi TVS, another TVS ASC in Chennai. I met the mechanic, who took his own sweet time to diagonise, analyse and do whatever he wanted to, and finally came to me with the below surprise / twist :

He explained that the culprit was not any part of the fork, as we all had been assuming all these years, but it is the brake pads in the front disc.

He explained, that the pads have gone loose, and every time I brake, the pads go and hit the disc at a higher force, which causes the sound every time I use the front disc brake in traffic and other scenarios.

Then I asked him "Then, what is the cause of the sound when I negotiate a pothole or a bump ?"

His answer was astonishing "Even when you hit a pothole, and the fork is actioning aggressively, the brake system in front received the feedback, and probably this is why it makes the same sound while encountering potholes and bumps as well"

This highlighted part alone, I am not convinced since as far as I know, there shouldn't be any involvement or action or feedback from the brake system when the fork is actioning on potholes and undulations on the road.

Has anyone of my readers experienced this or at least heard of this - i.e., undulations impacting the brake system in front (disc brakes).

Coming to the resolution part, the mechanic said that he tried adjusting the brake pads, but in vain, and the brake pads need replacement and the sound will be arrested, which he sounds sure about.

The cost estimate is around 250-300 for brake pads and some minor labour (should be a 50 or 100 bucks), which would work out to around 350 to 400. I really don't mind spending this 400, in case the issue is with brake system, as I don't want to risk my life with brakes.

At the same time, I am still now sure if the findings by the mechanic of Sri Lakshmi TVS is right. If he is right, I would definitely reward the ASC by taking an AMC and giving them the contract to maintain my vehicle for the entire year for having identified the correct root cause.

But, also am worried if my bike would become an R&D mule, since I have already spent around 1000 bucks for the front fork oil, cone kit steering and labour for fork work, just because of the mis judgement by HMT Motors on the cause of the problem.

In case, the identified root cause (as brake system), also goes wrong, then another 400 at stake only. Fingers crossed. [sad]

Readers - pls suggest your opinions.

Thanks and Regards
Kumar
 
Thread Starter #52
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Mechanic seemed to be "listening" to my problem, which TVS mechanics very barely do. And whilst listening to me, kept on moving the bike forward and applying disc brake, simultanously for some 10-15 times, which shows that he is religiously trying to detect and analyse the problem. I felt good.
Mechanic then did a test ride, took it into the service area and came back after some 15 minutes with the root cause of brake system.

Any ways I have already done 26400+ kms with these brake pads, and spending some 350-400 bucks on these wear and tear prone brake pads shouldn't go vain, as they may potentially improve braking performance.

And if the identified problem gets resolved completely, believe me I would love my bike more, and never even think of parting with it.

All other issues like H/L doom mild vibration after 52 kmph, notchy transmission box, etc, I can live with. The only sore in the throat is this thuk thuk sound ( I won't call it a fork sound or fork noise hence forth, at least for sometime now) [angry].

Have decided to bite the bullet and go for it.

Fingers crossed for results...
 
Thread Starter #53
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Completed 11th Paid Service at a different service centre Sri Lakshmi TVS - PADI in Chennai.

Mechanic replaced the front disc brake pads for Rs. 280.00 + Rs. 55.00 labour.

Within 20 kms of ride, I got the same sound back.

Have raised a grievance with TVS.

TVS Service Engineer from TVS Motor Company has assured resolution at the earliest.

This Friday evening, will be handing over my bike to them for repair.
 
Thread Starter #54
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Hi All

Quite a long gap.

My bike has almost touched 32k on Odo, with regular usage.

Will be due for service by 20th of September next month. No nonsense till now, except the fork thing.

Mileage averages around 60 + kmpl, with morning drives crossing 60 kmph speed, thanks to my laziness and delayed start from my home. Worst I've averaged during 4 litre fill each time, was 55 kmpl.

Fork sound exists and Lakshmi TVS in Padi (Chennai) could give only interim solution and not a permanent one. I am extra careful while hitting bad roads, speedbreaks and humps, potholes. I also avoid sudden panic break on front disc.

Mechanic says Clutch needs replacement in the coming service as pick up is low. Chain Sprocket hasn't shown any ageing till now.

Fortnight ago, I had issues with sudden bursts from silencers, like misfiring (though it wasn't). Immediately pulled over at the service station enroute to my office, got the Plug cleaned and now running fine. I requested mechanic to replace the plug in the coming service since I have already extracted a decent lige (close to 21000 kms from this plug when as per manual it is only 12k kms - last plug change was in September 2017 12 month service in 11000 kms odo).

Otherwise no major talkable issues with the bike, though it is not as rigid as my prior 2005 Splendor, but we can't expect that rigid and robust build from any of today's bike, even from RE...

Hope to be in frequent touch now on.

Regards
Kumar
 
Thread Starter #56
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Hi Vishnu - how are you doing?

By Clutch - I meant the clutch plates. Well, I do ride in traffic 50%, and 50% on freeway, i.e., my work timings are so uniform that one way is traffic, mostly crawling, and other way round is free (non peak time zone).

The mileage has drastically decreased from earlier 65 kmpl to now 55 kmpl, with Shell Petrol, and BP / Indian Oil as well.

My problematic rear tyre was replaced 3 weeks ago. Stock TVS Remora (Zapper Type) has been replaced by MRF EXEE RIDE 3.00 x 17 due to the issue with air loss from the mushroom puncture processed a couple of years ago. The rear tyre still had 5 to 7000 kms of life on its Zappers, but since I had to inflate on daily basis, like this evening I inflate with 43 psi (I know it's more), and tomorrow noon I would see the pressure as low as 15 psi, and for Chennai roads which have lot of patch works rather full road works, I could start feeling the instability once my wheels go over such patch works on the road and I could sense it as a safety hazard.

I discussed this with Chakra Tyres, my reliable wheel specialist for my Santro, and he gave two options, either to install a tube into my rear tubeless tyre and ride, if I am using it only for locals. When I told him, I ride from Avadi to Mount Road and back every day covering 50 odd kms, he frankly suggested me not to take a chance and replace the tyre with another tubeless, and he suggested Michellin, which he had stock of. I walked away from Michelin thanks to its softer side walls and durability factor, as I badly needed durability over soft ride quality, as the bike would be 99% used for single ride to office only by me, and hence coughed out Rs. 1600 after all loyalty discounts, waiving off fitting charges, etc, for a brand new MRF EZEE Ride, but this tyre was button type rather the previous TVS Remora being Zapper Type. I checked if riding on button tyres on rear with Zapper type (still stock TVS Remora Zapper) on the front would be an issue. I was assured of no issues due to this combination, and I have now ridden around 1500 kms with this new tyre, and after 3 weeks when I check air pressure, only 2 points have got reduced.

I still hold the old tyre which I brought back home (it has 5000-7000 kms life, and if someone needs one for his front wheel 3.00 x 17 for very local use, and he has an inflator or if he can inflate the tyre daily, he can still extract another 5 to 6 k kms out of it).[lol]

The 3 year completion service 13th paid service is due thi weekend (Date of Purchase : 23rd Sep 2016, Date of Registration : 22nd Sep 2016) and I have to visit Sri Lakshmi TVS in Padi of Chennai.

Replacements on cards:
> Clutch plates (approx 750.00 bucks with labour)
> Battery (will replace outside the ASC for monetary benefits and warranty reliability).

Battery actually gave up within 15000 kms and 1.3 years of usage, when it first started giving issues while cranking the engine. Then, the first crank of the day, or after 7-8 hours of sleep was not possible on self, and had to kick, however signal engine off's could be handled by the battery self start to bring the engine back to life on green light. However for the past 2 weeks, the battery is that bad that it doesn't self start at all, anywhere even after running 20 kms continuously.

Still, I have had no issues in horn and headlight performance out of the "almost dead battery", and thus I am managing.

Bike has completed 32500 kms on odo in 36 months of ownership (Thanks to my 2 months long leave from work post Kidney Surgery in April 2018 and occasional rains, and the bike in service station circumstances, where I haven't used my Victor, else the ideal Odo reading at this time should have been more than 36000 kms for sure.

I still have to digest the thak thak sound from the front suspension, which I have almost learnt to live with. The mechanic adjusts the fork to his best during every service. I have no other option, but to live with that.

Otherwise bike is awesome. I also suspect the culprit in degraded mileage to be the Cluch plates, and hopefully I might change it (32500 kms). Any suggestion on the same is welcome.

Thanks and Regards
Kumar
 
Thread Starter #58
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Hi All

Quite a long gap...

The Victor, irrationally, is giving the same 54-55 kmpl, and the mechanic ironically says clutch and chain sprocket are still good. Bike has done 35200 kms till date, and is ok ok kind of. We Indians are good in learning to live with troubles (adjusting).

I have already started my hunt for a new horse as a replacement to my Victor.

Options in my wishlist are :
NS160 Pulser (4 Valve) / NS200 if things go well financially..
Hornet 160R (2 Valve)
Apache 4V 160RTR

Though I tried RE TB, and also RE INTERCEPTOR, I feel the bikes are too heavy.


Any Pulsar NS160 owners here? If yes, please provide your recommendations.

I have got a fever of riding more powerful bikes now. After all life is only once, and I am already 37. Before back pain kicks in, I need to enjoy some some powered rides as well.

All your suggestions are welcome.

My usage : 25 km one way => 50 km per day => 1100 kms per month.

Thanks and Regards and Advance New Year Greetings to all fellow readers.

Regards
Kumar
 
Thread Starter #59
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My next service, and the last one in the current AMC schedule is due by end of December 2019, post which I have almost decided to let go the residual period of the so called extended warranty and to stick with FNG mechanic. I would love to change the oil from the current TRU4 Premium TVS to something better. My grade is 10W30 SAE ; API - SL; JASO MA2.

I was told Motul 5100 would do good job, but is costly. Does it really give its worth in a 3 valve 110 cc puny engine? I also heard this oil is semisynthetic or technosynthesis or something similar.

If I have to go with MOTUL, I don't find a dealer online in TN or Chennai.

My requriement is that I shouldn't change oil for some 5000 kms on my 110cc 3 valve engine, and service the bike with my selected FNG mechanic once in 5-6 months, so that I can keep the maintanence cost under control, as well as maintain my bike in good shape.

Kindly suggest the best oil for my usage and requirement.

Thanks
Kumar
 
Thread Starter #60
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Got my 14th (p/s paid) service done in December 2019, as scheduled.

Not so happy kind of response from Sri Lakshmi TVS.

Things done (assumed to have been done) in the service:
> Engine oil replaced.
> Bike washeed.
> General check-up done.
> Rear brake shoe replaced (believe so done)
> Brake light bulb changed ( on my cost, even though spoilt by service station ).

Issues crapped after the service:
> The frontal fork noise (thak - thak) remains the same. No improvement.
> The rear brakes started making squeaking metal noise (like metal pieces brushing each other) while breaking. The existing problem was reported while handing it over for service, however, post taking delivery from A.S.S., the problem still existed.
> Had to take it to him within 2 weeks, since I had no time to visit the service station in between.
> Mechanic came back stating there is some kind of wooden piece part that brushes on the wheel hub and some marks of friction were found on the wheel hub.
> He assured the sound wouldn't come again, but it came back only post 200 metres from the service station. Being a one way, and being fed up to go long and take U turn & come back to the service station, I simple headed home.


Verdict about TVS VICTOR BS III 2016 after 38000 kms and 41 months of usage
> Pathetic quality parts used. One of the mechanics in HMT TVS - Arumbakkam, says the self starter motor is Chinese. [frustration]
> The bike was delivered with clutch / gear fault (described in the initial part of the review - the bike jerks forward on engaging first gear without clutch released).
> The frontal fork started thak thak sound as early as 16000 kms (1 year 3 months).
> Battery comes with pathetic warranty of 1 year - 10,000 kms, and mine hardly lasted 1 year 5 months, with 15k+ kms on the odo. Managed to run another 10,000 kms with the weak starting battery, till kick starting days in 2019, when I finally was cornered to replace the battery with an AMARON 4 years warranty piece.
> I am not sure if these issues were corrected in the BSIV versions, where I was told the frontal forks have longer travel distance, not sure as I never cross checked that.
> This is my FIRST TVS vehicle, and would be my LAST TVS vehicle in my household.
> Wouldn't look back or turn again to TVS for a purchase for my lifetime for sure, at least till my daughters' generation till they are with me and until they get married.
 

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