In the league of the relaxed yet agile.

I personally don’t put much weightage for Fuel Efficiency even though from the magazine point of view it is a most important parameter. Much as I like to revel in the Performance emanating from a twist of the wrist when on a motorcycle, I accord it only the second most important attribute when I take to a new machine. It is always handling and braking which ranks the highest in my books when it comes to deriving sheer enjoyment from a two-wheeler. The pleasure is multiplied dual fold when the bike in question has the power to go along with good manners on the move and the new Fiero F2 impressed me mightily. Make no mistake about it, this is not a backroads scratcher like the Pulsar 180 but a more civilised grand routier.

And while many of you might be wanting me to tell you that it is because of the great new super stiff chassis and improved swingarm plus suspenders at both ends and also the new tyres plus revised weight distribution, the fact that the TVS boffins really went to town perfecting a riding position which is near ideal for yours truly has helped place the icing on the overall dynamic package of the F2. In our business we often talk about fatigue free driving for hours at an end when in a good car. Finally we Indians have a bike which one can speak about somewhat in this same vein. The obligatory run to Mahabaleshwar and back to base hardly ruffled our test team and it looked as if they could do two more back to back runs on that very same day without a break! The seamless interplay between throttle response, directional stability, super road holding and confidence inspiring brakes all contribute their own to the overall riding pleasure which is what marks this bike out from others in its class. Sure the Hero Honda CBZ has the next best riding position but in sheer overall terms the Fiero F2’s package as a grand touring machine is light years ahead of the others.

Even in the hands of a normal rider, the Fiero F2 manages to deliver confidence inspiring handling Performance thanks to its excellent steering geometry coupled to the super new TVS Srichakra rubber plus that 240mm dia disc up front. Do not discount the silky power delivery as another smile inducing ally in the handling department and the super commuter title again starts gnawing at your subconscious. Hell, even I am getting to love that feel and tone; need I elaborate any more?