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TVS Phoenix 125 : Road Test
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TVS has been the underdog in the commuter class of motorcycles for far too long. With the Phoenix, the company is aiming to make its presence felt in the miscellany of the 125cc segment albeit trying to do quite lot. Ravi Ved and Varad More get aboard to see if all this makes sense to the buyer out there
With rapid development in technology coupled with an increased awareness and enhanced buying power of the consumer, we are seeing the transitional shift in the lower end of the Indian motorcycle space, especially, the switch from the bare bone 100cc commuters to the more powerful and stylish 125cc motorcycles, making this a significant segment commercially for all two-wheeler manufacturers operating in the country. Having said this, the battle lines have been formally written with the likes of Hero MotoCorp, its erstwhile partner Honda via HMSI and Bajaj Auto being in the thick of things in this vital segment.
Others like Yamaha and Suzuki have flattered only to not keep the pace of development and intensity of promotion going relegating them to followers behind the above mentioned trio. But then what about the missing brand which was so very much in the thick of all commuter-oriented thought – TVS? So many times it came close but never really dominated the senses as it was capable of and here again for the umpteenth time it has thrown its hat into the proverbial ring where it intends its Phoenix to rise as the fabled bird and soar to success.
Will it or can it are questions to which the answers would be forthcoming some time later in 2013 but right now one has to understand the time lost to market for the firm which had so many early successes in the field starting with the 100cc AX100 then with the Samurai, the Victor and to a certain extent with the Fiero. I am not saying that its other offerings were not good but in this class of bike where you need to be consistently better than good and deliver strongly given the fact that money is made on volumes and not just on per unit sold (unless of course if you are Bajaj Auto and the back end is there to deliver any which way), TVS has loads of work to do to get within striking distance of its combined competition.
It managed to get going in the 125cc segment with the Victor 125 GLX but this didn’t help volumes. However its next model to grab sales here was the Flame in 2008 but the burnout caused by the techno-legal issue with Bajaj Auto doused its chances. Well, to give the Hosur bike maker its due, it is back to try and give its 125cc ambitions another go with the Phoenix and without any preconceived notions or any focus on its predecessors, we get to grips with what is, at first sight, a pretty strikingly turned out motorcycle.
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Readers' opinions ( 26 )
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Sandy
Seriously, an ultimate story of pheonix is written by the ZW Team. Thanks a lot for ur such dedicated work.Yes the pheonix has got the best engine n gear box made so far. I liked the smoothness n the grunt of this 125cc mill,liked the suspensions.If somebody wants the best of engine performance with fee, smooth gearbox next to honda n the best pair of rear shocks along with better quality material n paint even better than the Shine @ great price tag then look no other. A fifth cog could provably seal the deal.
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ambavaram
i have got 73kp/l mileage on highway
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umesh
pls lanch apachi 125cc d with out changing their design d that mailage has to be 65kmpl.d one more thing is pls incress the distence between fuel tank s handle because if we rotate the handle there is in between gap of fuel tank and handle too short its very dangerous to human hands so pls solve this problem with this. am looking forward
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adarsh
the engine
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Santhosh
Hi All,I bought new Phoenix (Red), Its a good performance bike.... I enjoyed the ride in city as well as long drive. It gives 60 mileage. Perfect Comfort. Breaking systems are extremely perfect. In speedometer, they found a new Display design which shows battery / service indicator. Its good looking....Over all its a worthy Bike in TVS!!!
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