 URBAN
citizen
2800km report With stinging fuel economy and an easy nature
that takes to city riding, this cute little machine has
all soft Centra-d.
Life in Mumbai has its pros and cons. Clearly, it’s
the place to be to be moving up in life. On the other hand,
there are too many people packed within this bubbling metropolis,
and the burgeoning traffic makes pedal-to-the-metal stuff
a rare affair. It’s for these reasons some Autocar
staffers have adopted wise ways. Curbing the enthusiastic
blood that courses their veins, they shy from the heavier
and powerful long-term vehicles with us on test, and instead
draw daggers for the nimble and less fun machinery. And
to get a smile on the face of the reticent accountant, the
frugality of the Centras and Velocitys is a much sought
after quality, the power of macho Bullets and Fieros remaining
a distraction.
Our long-term Centra remains top-star, by sole virtue of
it being the most frugal machine in our long-term bike fleet.
The only machine on the market to hold a candle to it is
the new Bajaj Boxer CT, though that Pune-based giant sadly
refuses bikes on long term.
The Centra, while no show-stopper, is visually cute enough.
Its 99.7cc engine would do anyone proud — bristling
with innovative and ingenious VT-i technology, it works overtime
to preserve each micron of fuel.
Performance is just as sprightly or as un-sprightly if you
please, for any machine in its segment. Smooth gearshifts
and a splendid clutch make for tolerable riding pleasure.
This TVS remains a torchbearer for its class when we talk
handling. Yes, it’s light and you may feel in danger
of getting blown off on highways, but bring it onto its own
terrain, and you smile broad — ear to ear. Slalom-mode
in the cut and thrust of traffic are soaked in with aplomb.
The Centra even boasts a seldom-seen box-section swingarm
for the commuter segment. Ride is a tad firm and before whining,
think how handy that is when the wife or kids ride pillion
and the bike remains pleasurable to manoeuvre. Seating is
comfy and a boon at all times.
Our Centra chugs hassle-free to date, save for the minor clutch-housing
nut coming loose as mentioned in our last report. We also
spoke of oddly designed switches and fuel cap. Joining this
list of irritants is a finger-twisting hard-to-operate fuel
tap, but by and large, the Centra is absolutely trouble-free.
The bike has changed hands since its last report and is now
solely used by snapper Ashley. He rides close on 100km every
day and the fuel economy numbers with his smooth riding are
further sparkling. The bike now returns an average 64.1km
per litre and he has even managed a best of 70.5kpl. So there
you have it — the TVS Centra is one mean machine to
best when talking value for each ‘naya paisa.’
l
Rishad Cooper
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Fuel consumption
July 2004