RIDE AND HANDLING: When push comes to shove, she surprises all the way.

The twin downtube cradle frame first seen on the RX100 is one of the finest chassis set-ups which comes by its phenomenal Performance thanks to its rigidity and innate flex free nature and could handle a lot more power than that dished out by the 110cc engine. Ceriani type oil damped telescopic forks at the front and the 5-stage adjustable for preload shocks at the rear adequately iron out the bumps. With pillion she tends to bottom out on bumpy surfaces but stiffening the springs sets things right. Chassis and suspension set-up have been eulogised over and over again. Which brings us to the aspect of riding.

Having received a stack of test tyres from TVS Tyres, I decided to take the revised theme a step further. Off came the original spec 2.50x18"- 4PR and the 2.75x18"-6PR footwear at the front and rear respectively and on went the spanking new 3.00x18"-6PR rubber. A ride to the hill retreat Mahabaleshwar was perfect recipe to savour dynamics of the chassis suspension setup. Aided to great extent by the larger profile tyre and the superb steering geometry the CruxR made easy meat of tight corners and uphill stretches in a manner no less than amazing. It seems that the curve to stretch the limits of the bike is yet to be invented. The larger profile tyre enhances handling hugely and thereby adds in the fun factor, economising be damned.

Performance AND BRAKING: Humble Performance does not rock your senses.

The CruxR exhibits familiar finesse from the torquey engine, slick gearbox, dynamic chassis and superb steering geometry. There is no appreciable upgrade in Performance. Configured to survive the petro crunch, the CruxR is best at stretching the litres rather than shortening the miles. Yet Performance cannot altogether be overlooked. A 0-60kmph time is achieved in 11.7secs and a top blast of 90.9kmph betters most in its class. Quarter mile drags out to 25.1secs at a top whack of 79kmph, while roll-ons from 30-70kmph in third gear took 15secs and in fourth is achieved in 23.4secs. Overtaking need constant downshifting. Braking from 60-0kmph is achieved in 2.8secs within a distance of 25.3 metres, one of the best in this segment. In spite of curbing Performance to comply with emission norms and need for economising, the CruxR is no dud.