While the Victor features a state-of-the-art digital ignition as compared to the CDI in the other four bikes, the Freedom is powered by an all-aluminium engine as compared to the cast-iron block and aluminium head of the others. The digital ignition translates to real-world improvement in Fuel Efficiency and overall rideability, while the all-aluminium engine of the Freedom helps in reducing engine vibration and noise.

On paper, the Freedom has the most impressive power figures, but the tall gearing is not the ideal way to put down this power on tarmac. The engine is very tractable and the gearing contributes to improving fuel-efficiency. The clutch is light and take-up is fairly linear to propel the bike to speed. The taller gearing makes it an ideal cruiser out on open roads, though a fifth gear would make a welcome addition.

Meanwhile, the long-stroke nature of the engines of the Victor and the Crux, mated to an evenly spaced-out gearing, provide a fair deal of low-end torque, resulting in great rideability in city traffic without having to go down the gears frequently. Not to say that either is a slouch on the highway, specially the big-hearted Victor. However, the TVS bike's fabulous engine cries out for a fifth gear as is the case with the Freedom.

The oversquare nature of the Passion engine is peppy despite its age and gamely keeps up with the trio, before the Freedom and the Victor nudge ahead mainly due to their larger capacity engines, also leaving behind the Crux. Sadly, however, neither the engine nor the rideability of the Challenger are a patch on this company. Though the oversquare engine is tractable in the mid-range, there is an unacceptable lag on twisting the throttle, possibly due to the claimed hi-tech resonator. Throttle response is 'gummy' mainly due to the two return spring loads, and the engine is not too refined either.

In terms of gear-shift quality, it would be hard for anyone to beat the smoothness of the Passion and the Victor. Interestingly, they have opposite directional shift changes. The Crux shift is precise but could be better, possibly if it wasn't the one-down-three-up pattern which makes finding neutral inherently troublesome. The Challenger's shift quality is good, though with a faint whine from the transmission, while that of the Freedom tends to baulk at times. Thankfully, LML has assured us that this is being sorted out on a priority basis in an otherwise fine bike.

It's a mixed bag, with the Passion, Victor and the Crux emerging with satisfactory or better results on all three parameters. Sort out the Freedom's shift problems, however, and you have a great performer on your hands. Unfortunately, for the Challenger, engine and Performance aren't its strengths.