Bike – Page 2 – Mileage Reviews

Bajaj Pulsar 180 vs. TVS Apache RTR 180 / ABS

There are not too many 180cc bike models in the Indian bike industry at the moment. The two most extremely popular models are the Bajaj Pulsar 180cc and the TVS Apache RTR 180 (and its ABS variant). We have already reviewed all three bikes separately here, here and here. We have indepth study of the mileage as well as specs for each of these bikes in the links above. Anyway, I will try to be as comprehensive as possible while comparing all these three bikes together in this article.

Tech Specs Comparison

First up, let’s compare the technical specifications of the Pulsar and put it against the two RTR 180 models.The Pulsar is built with an engine that is just slightly bigger than the RTR 180. This again gives the bike a very slight advantage over the Apache bikes in terms of power. The max power on the Pulsar 180 is 17.02 PS whereas the corresponding figure for the Apache is 17 PS. The RTR scores in terms of torque though. You can expect a max torque of close to 15.5Nm @ 6500 RPM whereas the Pulsar only delivers close to 14.22 Nm at the same rev.

The TVS model has other advantages too like better navigation under rough terrain considering a ground clearance of nearly 15mm over what’s offered on Pulsar. But then, Pulsar is a little more easier on the wallet being available around 3000 bucks lower than RTR 180 and nearly 14,000 lower than the RTR 180 ABS. I’ve tabulated all the major specs and price (ex-showroom, Delhi) here below.

Spec	Pulsar 180	Apache RTR 180	Apache RTR 180 ABS
Displacement	178.6cc	177.4cc	177.4cc
Max Power	17.02PS @8500	17PS @8500	17PS @8500
Max Torque	14.22Nm @6500	15.5Nm @6500	15.5Nm @6500
Wheelbase	1345mm	1300mm	1326mm
Kerb weight	147kg	139kg	139kg
Ground clearance	150mm	165mm	165mm
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 70321	Rs. 73365	Rs. 84180

Mileage Comparison

Frankly I think you should not be paying much heed to this section of the article. Bikes in the 180cc or above are purchased for their power and style and not for the economy. In any case, if you are having trouble deciding among the three based on the specs, features and price alone, maybe a fuel economy comparison could do the tie-breaker.

Let us first look into what the manufacturer claim is. According to Bajaj Auto, the Pulsar 180 should deliver 58.1 kmpl under standard testing conditions. As I have often observed in the past, these tests are conducted under extremely favourable road conditions and so if anything, the actual economy that you notice on city roads would be lower than this. But for a perspective, the corresponding figure quoted by TVS Motors for both the Apache RTR 180 and RTR 180 ABS is around 56 kmpl.

MaxAbout has comprehensively reviewed all three of these bikes. In their review of the Pulsar 180, MaxAbout calls the bike “well-built with a lot of bulk”. Their test reported an FE of around 38 kmpl on city roads that can go as high as 45-50 kmpl on highways. For the Apache RTR 180, MaxAbout says it’s basically a ‘carbon copy’ of the RTR 160 with a terrific pickup from 0-60 kmph. The mileage reported by their review for both the RTR 180 and the ABS variant is 38-40 kmpl on city roads but on the highways, while the ABS variant delivered 39 kmpl, the non-ABS model reported 42-46 kmpl.

BikeAdvice has been one of our other favourite sources. In their review, they note that the Pulsar delivers a much better economy on their 180cc compared to the Apache alternative. For city roads, the reported mileage for the Pulsar 180 and Apache RTR 180 are 41-46 kmpl and 39-44 kmpl respectively. However given the wide range, I still think there is no one winner to pick from the review. On highways though, the Pulsar wins with a reported 46-51 kmpl figure as compared to 43-48 kmpl on the RTR 180.

Let us now look at the reviews from BikeDekho. On this website, the reviewer calls the latest variant of the Pulsar 180 a ‘perfect blend’ of the vibrant contours of the older variant and the muscular build of the 2009 model. If you compare the reported mileage of all the bikes, you find the Pulsar to be a clear winner. The reported number for this bike is 43.4 kmpl while the corresponding number for RTR 180 is 35-40 kmpl.

On MouthShut again, there is much more love for the Pulsar compared to the Apache. While both bikes have got a 4/5 rating for fuel consumption overall, with respected to the reported fuel economy, the figure for Pulsar is between 43-50 kmpl while the same for Apache RTR 180 is around 40-45 kmpl.

So there you go. I have tabulated all the reported mileage on city roads for the three bikes (actually two, since both the RTR 180 and RTR 180 ABS have the same reported numbers) for you to pick. What’s your choice between the two bikes? Tell us in the comments.

Source	Bajaj Pulsar 180	Apache RTR 180 (ABS)
Official	58.1	56
MaxAbout	38	38-40
BikeDekho	43.4	35-40
BikeAdvice	41-46	39-44
MouthShut	43-50	40-45

Honda Dream Yuga vs. Honda CB Shine

I don’t recall a comparison between two bikes of varying engine displacement levels previously. However, this article follows the comparison requested by MileageInfo reader Nik in his comment here. Dream Yuga is the least expensive Honda that is currently in the market and is a 109cc bike whereas the CB Shine belongs to the 125cc segment that is priced around 8,000 rupees higher than Dream Yuga.

So first off, let’s take a look at the tech specs of both these bikes.

Specification	Honda Dream Yuga	Honda CB Shine
Displacement	109cc	124.7cc
Net Power	8.6 PS @7500	10.3 PS @7500
Max Torque	8.91 Nm @5500	10.54 Nm @5500
Kerb Weight	108kg	120kg
Wheelbase	1285mm	157mm
Ground Clearance	161mm	157mm
Fuel Tank	8 liters	10.5 liters
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 46150	Rs. 54782

So from a specifications standpoint, it is clear that you get additional value for the extra money you shell out on CB Shine. From a mileage perspective, the first view I get is that the Dream Yuga should be a better bet because the higher power as well as the higher kerb weight on the CB Shine makes it less fuel efficient compared to the Dream Yuga. That is of course assuming both these bikes have similar engines which they are not.

Mileage Comparison

The official figures are strongly stacked in favour of the Yuga. According to Honda, this 109cc bike can deliver close to 72kmpl under standard testing condition. You can say these conditions to what you have on the highways. Under city conditions this is bound to be lower. However, even under these conditions, the CB Shine has a lower stated mileage of only around 65 kmpl.

Let us take a look at what other third party reviews have got to say. While we have not had any common source that has reviewed both these bikes alike (except from the user review site, MouthShut, of course), we have around 4 sources for the Dream Yuga and five other for the CB Shine.

MotorBeam in their review report that they were able to extract 58-60 kmpl on city roads with the Dream Yuga. On highway roads, this went up to 65kmpl on their test ride. BikeDekho did not have a similar experience. Their test only delivered around 55kmpl on city roads although on highways, the experience was better than what MotorBeam experienced at 70kmpl. OverDrive relatively had the worst experience of all. They report a 47kmpl fuel economy on city roads with the Dream Yuga.

In comparison, CB Shine has a relatively more consistent report. On IndiaGarage, users together report fuel consumption of between 50-55kmpl on city roads and between 58-62kmpl on highway roads. BikeAdvice says that although the average expected economy is around 50kmpl, you can still make it better through regular servicing and air checks. While the report on Yahoo Autos calls for users to expect between 55-60kmpl, the MaxAbout report averages out their test ride mileage at around 58kmpl which is almost similar to what Yahoo has noted.

On MouthShut, there is a more diverse reporting on the Dream Yuga. The customers there have reported numbers on a pretty wide range between 50-65kmpl. On the contrary, the customers who have used a CB Shine report a more consistent number of between 50-55 kmpl on city roads.

Let’s tabulate these numbers for easy comparison.

Source	Dream Yuga (kmpl)	CB Shine (kmpl)
Official	72	65
BikeAdvice	–	50
BikeDekho	55	—
IndiaGarage	–	50-55
MaxAbout	–	58
MotorBeam	58-60	—
MouthShut	50-65	50-55
OverDrive	47	—
Yahoo	–	55-60

As I see it, there is little to choose between the two bikes when it comes to the actual mileage delivered on city roads. The Dream Yuga is a little inconsistent with a wider reported range while the CB Shine delivers a pretty consistent figure between 50-55kmpl. So my take is that if you have those additional 8000 rupees to spend, why not go with the CB Shine? At least, you can enjoy a better power and performance at a similar mileage. What’s your take on this? Do tell us in the comments.

Yamaha FZ-S

The Yamaha FZ-16 was one of the earliest bikes reviewed on MileageInfo. The FZ-S that we are discussing today is an improvisation upon the same bike and comes with distinct features like a front visor. I was not too impressed with the FZ-16 when I first reviewed it. The bike offers a city mileage of just around 38-42 kmpl on most counts. We have had 180cc bikes that offer a better economy. While the FZ-S is not too different from the FZ-16 on many aspects relating to the engine, let us look at it independently and see if it is worth the buck.

First, the tech specs. The Yamaha FZ-S is built with a 153cc single cylinder 4 stroke engine that delivers a maximum power output of 14PS @7500 RPM. The torque delivered can go up to 13.6Nm at 6000RPM. There are both electric and kick start options The wheelbase measures a standard 1334mm and the bike has a ground clearance of 160mm. This 135kg bike has a total fuel capacity of 12 liters. The bike is priced at around Rs. 67,000 ex-showroom at Delhi.

Manufacturer’s Claim

The official claim on the fuel front is not too different on the FZS when you compare it with the FZ-16. If you remember, the claim from Yamaha was 50.81kmpl on the FZ16. This has not changed and Yamaha maintains the same figure for the Yamaha FZS as well.

Test Ride & Customer Feedback

MaxAbout calls the bike exteriors “strikingly different” from the FZ-16 despite both the bikes built over the same platform. The review commends the bike on its ease of navigation without any turbo lag and also for the nearly silent engine. The fuel consumption reported on city roads is around 35-40kmpl with the number jumping up to 45kmpl on the highways.

Although there are quite a few proud customers of the FZS on IndiaMart, there aren’t too many reports on the fuel consumption. One user though notes the mileage to be around 38kmpl on busy city roads which rises to 48kmpl on highway roads.

On xBHP, there was a discussion initiated by a customer who reports a pretty low mileage of 25kmpl on the FZS. However, as reported by various other forum members who happen to own the bike, this appears to be a one-off case since the average fuel consumption seems to be in the range of 35-40 kmpl on city roads. So in case you are experiencing bad economy, do take it to the service station and get the bike checked.

A reader on BikeAdvice has reviewed his FZS after owning it for around six months. While he commends the bike on the style and ‘eye catching features’, the reviewer does note that the mileage is on the wrong side of 40. It just delivers around 35kmpl on city roads. Another reader who in his review says the FZS gives a feel of a 180cc despite being a 150cc bike says the fuel consumption on his bike was just between 38-40 kmpl.

There are close to 107 reviews for the Yamaha FZS on MouthShut and these reviewers have rated the bike 3/5 for fuel. Do note that most bikes, including those in the higher power range have got 4/5 if they seem to be on par with the industry standard. A 3 rating probably means there are more users who are not happy with the fuel economy than those who do.

Surprisingly though, the mileages reported on MouthShut seems to be actually higher than what a lot of reviewers from other sources have put. Except for one reviewer who says he gets 25kmpl, almost every other review has noted a fuel economy on city roads to be between 38-53kmpl which is extremely good. Even here, the average reported mileage appears to be around 45kmpl which is not bad at all.

I’ve put all these figures from various sources in the table below. The report from MouthShut appears to be some sort of an anti-climax since this user-reviews site is the only place where the fuel economy appears to be good. And I would personally believe in these numbers than those that were reported on test rides simply because these are from real customers. Overall, truth be told, I’m confused. Have a look at these numbers – does this make you want the bike or not want it? Tell me in the comments.

Source	City Roads (kmpl)	Highways (kmpl)
Source	–	50.81
MaxAbout	35-40	45
IndiaMart	38	48
xBHP	35-40	—
BikeAdvice	35-40	—
MouthShut	38-53	—

TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS

TVS Motors launched the Apache RTR 180 with Anti-brake locking system exactly two years ago in March 2011. The bike has mostly the same specifications as we noted with the Apache RTR 180 yesterday with this facelift. The ABS technology has sensors that continuously monitors an impending wheel lock and when it does so, enables a smooth deceleration that allows the biker to stay in control of their vehicle even under sudden braking.

Although this is very similar to the Apache RTR 180, we will still take you through the specs one more time. This bike again comes equips with a 4 stroke single cylinder engine with a 177.4cc displacement. The larger displacement ensures a better power that maxes out at 17.3 PS @ 8500RPM. The torque can go up to 15.5 Nm at 6500RPM. The RTR 180 ABS can reach a maximum speed of 124kmph and comes with telescopic fork suspension on the front tyres along with monotube inverted gas filled shox with spring aid on the rear tyres. The bike has a wheelbase of 1326mm and ground clearance of 165mm. The RTR 180 ABS comes with a kerb weight of 139kg at a price of Rs. 84,180 ex-Delhi.

Test Ride and Customer Reviews
The engine and ignition systems on the RTR 180 ABS is not very different from what is available on the regular RTR 180 and so the manufacturer’s claim on fuel consumption has not been different. According to TVS, the RTR 180 ABS can deliver around 56kmpl under standard test road conditions.

However, this is expected to come down on regular city roads, as pointed out by MaxAbout. In their test ride, the website reports a city road economy of 39kmpl that goes as high as 47kmpl on the highways. The reviewer commends the bike on its aggressive styling although points out that the price is on the higher side given that even the Pulsar 220cc comes cheaper than this.

On ProDease, the reviewer calls the RTR 180 ABS a “commuter bike” which I don’t agree with. Their test ride though yields a mileage that cannot be called commuter friendly and understandably so for a 180cc bike. They report 38kmpl overall on their test.

ZigWheels doesn’t seem to have done a test ride of the bike (or maybe I missed it), and so I am not sure if the fuel economy they report was tested by their own staff or through third party reports. They note 44-45 kmpl on the RTR ABS.

There is not a great deal of reviews available on MouthShut for the RTR 180 ABS. The couple of reviews on the site rate the bike 4/5 on fuel consumption. Of the two reviews, one reviewer has not mentioned the mileage while the other reports 40-43 kmpl under city roads.

I have tabulated all mileages as reported by the various sources below. I’ve also put in the numbers for Apache RTR 180 side-by-side for your comparison. Is it worth spending an additional 11,000 for the ABS? You make the decision.

Source	RTR 180	RTR 180 ABS
Official	56	56
BikeAdvice	39-44	—
BikeDekho	35-40	—
MaxAbout	38-40	39
ProDease	–	38
TeamBHP	40	—
ZigWheels	–	44-45
MouthShut	40-45	40-43

TVS Apache RTR 180

The Apache is one of the most successful motorcycle brands created by TVS Motors. One reason why this is significant is because this helped TVS push its own market positioning from one that targeted just the budget conscious customer to a brand that also has got style. The first Apache rolled out of the factory back in 2007 and today there are three variants of TVS Apache. We have already discussed the RTR 160. Today, we will check out the Apache RTR 180.

The 180cc variant of Apache was launched in 2009. The bike comes equipped with a 177.4cc 4 stroke single cylinder engine that can crank out a maximum power of close to 17PS at 8500RPM and torque maxing out at 15.5Nm at 6500RPM. The RTR 180 has a kerb weight of 139kg with a framework that allows a wheelbase of 1300mm and ground clearance of 165mm. You can hit a maximum speed of 124kmph with the RTR 180. You can buy an Apache RTR 180 at just a couple of thousands over the RTR 160. The ex-showroom price in Delhi is around Rs. 73365.

Manufacturer Mileage Claim
As I’ve often said in my earlier blog posts, if you are someone who is planning to buy a high power bike like RTR 180, you shouldn’t be concerned about the mileage at all. The selling point of most bikes in the category are the power that they offer and this is often at a compromise of the fuel economy. According to TVS Motors, the Apache RTR 180 would return close to 56 kmpl economy under standard testing conditions. As the general disclaimer often goes, these conditions are extremely different from what you are used to on city roads and so that actual mileage you could see on your bike could be pretty lower than this. Let us check out consumer and test ride reviews to see what one could expect from the RTR 180.

Customer Reviews

Let us start with our favourite review place – MaxAbout. The website calls the RTR 180 a “carbon copy” of the RTR 160 with very slight visible changes. However, one aspect where it stands out very visibly is in the ability to go from 0-60 km/hr in just 4.15 seconds. The reviewer pits the mileage of the bike at 38-40 kmpl on city roads and 42-46 kmpl on highways.

BikeAdvice in their comparison of the RTR 180 against Pulsar 180 note that there is little to choose between the two. However, their tests reveal the fuel consumption under city conditions to be in the range of 39-44 kmpl which can increase to 43-48 kmpl on highway roads.

BikeDekho calls the bike ‘unmatchable’ in its segment when it comes to performance. However the review reports a lower mileage as a direct result of this high performance. The average fuel consumption reported by the website is around 35-40 kmpl.

On Team-BHP, one of the largest Indianmotorcycle enthusiasts forum, a user reports that the RTR 180 could deliver around 2kmpl lower than the RTR 160 on city conditions. The user reports 40 kmpl on city roads that goes up to 46-47kmpl on highways.

There are close to 34 reviews of the RTR 180 on the user reviews site, MouthShut.com. These users have together rated the bike 4 out of 5 in terms of fuel consumption. The reviews have been pretty consistent on the mileage front. Most customers report a fuel efficiency of around 40-45 kmpl under city road conditions that reaches 48-53 kmpl on the highways.

Overall, this is how the bike fares on fuel according to the reviews from various sources.

Source	City Roads (kmpl)	Highways (kmpl)
Official	–	56
MaxAbout	38-40	42-46
BikeAdvice	39-44	43-48
BikeDekho	35-40	—
Team BHP	40	46-47
MouthShut	40-45	48-53

The reported numbers are pretty reasonable for a 180cc bike. As I said earlier, you shouldn’t be looking at this page if you are contemplating a high power machine like the RTR 180 which is expected to have a lower fuel efficiency. In any case, the RTR 180 is a win on the fuel front and definitely gets a thumbs-up from our side.

Bajaj Discover 100T Vs. Hero HF Dawn

Bajaj Discover 100T and Hero HF Dawn are two of the most popularly searched bikes on MileageInfo.com. Both these bikes are in the 100cc category and they are a terrific value for money. However, the Discover 100T is priced almost 16,000 higher than the HF Dawn. While you can get a Dawn 100cc ex-Delhi at a price of Rs. 34,500, the corresponding price for Discover 100T is Rs. 50,500.

Let us first talk about the technical specifications of both these bikes. First up, the engine – the Hero HF Dawn is built with a 97.2cc 4 stroke single cylinder engine that delivers a maximum power of 7.8PS and a corresponding torque of 8.04Nm. The Discover 100T on the other hand is equipped with a 102cc 4-valve DTS-i technology engine that delivers 10.2PS power and 9.2Nm torque. While the Discover offers a better power, it also comes heavier. The 100T kerb weighs 121kg while the HF Dawn is much lighter at just 109kg. The basic fuel tank of both the bikes are similar though with a capacity of around 10 liters although the 100T has a higher reserve at around 3.5 liters. Let’s tabulate all of this below for easier reference.

Specification	Discover 100T	HF Dawn
Displacement	102cc	97.2cc
Max Power	10.2PS @9000	7.8PS @7500
Max Torque	9.2Nm @6500	8.04Nm @4500
Kerb Weight	121kg	109kg
Wheelbase	1305mm	1235mm
Fuel Tank	10 liters	10.5 liters
Reserve	3.5 liters	1.8 liters
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 50500	Rs. 34500

Fuel Comparison

While both the HF Dawn and Discover 100T are both targeted at the entry level audience and hence are both focused heavily on mileage, the price-tag of Discover 100T may suggest that this bike is positioned at the younger college demographic who demand more stylish features. According to the manufacturers, the Discover 100T can deliver 87kmpl while the HF Dawn can deliver 82.91kmpl. Both these claims are made under standard test riding conditions which are very different from the every day city road conditions these bikes may otherwise subjected to. The mileage that you see on these bikes may hence be vastly different.

Let us now look at what reviewers have got to say with respect to the fuel efficiency offered by both these bikes. I was unable to get a source that has reviewed both these bikes. For the HF Dawn (earlier known as Hero Honda CD Dawn), members of IndiaGarage have together rated the economy to be somewhere between 55-60 kmpl. The best figure comes from two source – Wheelmela and AutomobileIndia. Both these sources claim a mileage of around 75 kmpl on the HF Dawn. InfiBeam too concurs on this number although they say out of the box, the bike only offers 65kmpl that increases by 10 units after the first servicing.

Customer reviews have not been so kind though. MouthShut users together rate the fuel consumption of the bike to be somewhere between 55-60 kmpl. Olx, the popular classifieds site has quite a few HF Dawn bikes on sale where the listed efficiency is between 60-70 kmpl. Take this number with a pinch of salt though considering that these users are trying to sell their bike and wouldn’t be saying bad things about it.

There have not been as many reviews for the Discover 100T though. MaxAbout claims a city mileage of around 65 kmpl on the 100cc bike. While xBHP claims a similar figure, reviewers at MotorBeam paint a more optimistic 70kmpl on the 100T. Overall I would say that although the number is pretty similar to what the HF Dawn seems to offer,we still do not have enough real customer reviews here to understand what the actual city road figure might be.

So there you have it. Here’s a tabulated listing of mileages as offered by various sources.

Source	Hero HF Dawn (kmpl)	Bajaj Discover 100T (kmpl)
Official	82.91	87
IndiaGarage	55-60	—
WheelMela	75	—
MotorBeam	–	70
InfiBeam	65 (75 after servicing)	—
AutomobileIndia	75	—
MaxAbout	–	65
MouthShut	55-60	—
Olx	60-70	—
xBHP	–	65

It’s a difficult proposition to have a pick between these two bikes based on mileage alone. I would suggest customers looking to purchase a bike to look into the other features offered by the Discover 100T and see if it justifies the Rs.16000 extra cost. Don’t forget that 100T is a new brand that should be seen favourably too. All in all, this is a decision that is not easy to make for me. What would you pick between the two?

Hero Glamour vs. Hero Glamour PGM FI

The Glamour has been one of Hero Motocorp’s highly visible motorbike brands. The Glamour is a 125cc 4 stroke engine bike that comes in two variants – one with the advanced microprocessor based ignition system and the other PGM FI model that comes with a full transistorized fuel injection technology ignition. Fuel injection is a much more efficient way to burn gas and as a result of this, the latter variant can offer a better fuel efficiency compared to the former. This increase in efficiency comes at a cost though – the Hero Glamour is priced at Rs.52525 ex-Delhi while the PGM FI comes at a price of Rs.61650 ex-Delhi.

Tech Specs

Before we compare the fuel consumption of both the bikes, let’s look into the specifications and features both these bikes have to offer. The Glamour has a 124.7cc engine while the PGM FI has a 124.8cc engine. Both bikes deliver a max power of 9.1PS @ 7000 RPM with a corresponding max torque of 10.35Nm at 4000 RPM. Except for the ignition system, most of the other specifications are comparable. The bikes weigh around 125kg on dry mass with the kick-start variant while the self-start variants weigh around 129kg. The fuel tanks have a capacity of 12 liters with an additional 1.5 liters in the reserve.

Fuel Efficiency Comparison

Let us now look at how both these bikes compare with respect to their fuel efficiency. According to Hero Motocorp, the PGM FI is built with a technology that offers a more optimal fuel consumption system that will ensure the mileage offered is better than what is delivered by Hero Glamour. So that’s a given. What needs to be seen now is how much better is the PGM FI compared to the Glamour to see if this justifies the extra cost of the bike.

Let us start with the review on MaxAbout. The site notes that the latest variant of the PGM FI has these tinted visor with sleek cowl that make it that much more alluring. As for the mileage, the PGM FI is reported to be offering 5-6 kmpl more than the 60-65 kmpl offered on the Hero Glamour.

BikeAdvice is not happy about the graphics and the power output from the engine. However, on the mileage front, the Glamour FI makes every bit of justice to the additional price. According to the review, teh Glamour FI could deliver close to 75kmpl on city roads which is way more than the 50-60 kmpl offered by Hero Glamour.

MouthShut, the popular user reviews site has had mixed reviews of the Glamour FI. While some reviewers are extremely happy with the 70-80 kmpl mileage they have noted on their bike, others report a paltry 40-55 kmpl. With the Hero Glamour, the reviewers on MouthShut report between 60-70 kmpl of fuel consumption.

There have been other reviews too. For Hero Glamour, the Infibeam reports a mileage of around 55.2 kmpl. For the Hero Glamour FI, we have BikeDekho that reports around 60 kmpl of fuel economy. Again, IndiaGarage, a bikers forum reports between 60-65 kmpl which is good but not as great as what a few other reviews have made the bike to be.

Here is a tabulated list of fuel consumption as reported by various news sources:

Source	Hero Glamour	Hero Glamour PGM FI	Difference in kmpl
Official	81.1	81.1	—
MaxAbout	60-65	65-70	5
BikeDekho	–	60	—
BikeAdvice	50-60	75	15
Infibeam	55.2	–	—
MouthShut	60-70	40-55 / 70-80	10
IndiaGarage	–	60-65	—

Should you go for the PGM FI?

Technically, the fuel injection based Glamour should offer a better mileage. This is because fuel injection atomizes fuel and outputs a better air fuel mix to the engine. This should increase both the power and fuel economy by around 5-10%. From our review of mileages from various sources, we see that the PGM FI on an average increases the mileage by around 10 kmpl.

To be on the conservative side, let us assume 6kmpl to be the average gain in mileage going for the Glamour FI. Let’s now see how long it takes to recover the additional cost of the bike from these savings.

Average cost of Petrol/liter	Rs. 75
Additional cost of the PGM FI bike	Rs. 9125
Increase in distance covered from 1 liter of petrol	6km
Avg mileage on Hero Glamour	60kmpl
Savings on every liter of petrol	6/60*75= Rs. 7.5
Fuel taken to recover additional cost of bike	9125/7.5 = 1216 liters

So by the time you fuel 1216 liters of petrol, you have recovered the additional cost spent on the Glamour FI. 1216 liters contributes close to 72,000 kilometers. So if you are someone who is going to travel so much with the bike, you should be definitely going for this bike. In any case, better fuel consumption is good for the environment and so it’s always good to go for a bike that offers better mileage although it comes with a cost.

So what would you be going for?

Hero Hunk Vs. Suzuki GS150R

It’s been a while since we discussed 150cc bikes. So let’s get back to where the heart is. Today we will compare two bikes that have both been around for a good 4-5 years now and are both popular among people seeking 150cc motorcycles.

The Hero Hunk was first launched back in 2007 and is one of the most masculine bikes around. Weighing 146kgs, this is heavier than most bikes in the market. Of course, a reason this is the case is also because the Indian market is full of entry level 100cc+ bikes. The GS150R on the other hand, is more of a traditional variety and focuses on the functionality aspects – it gives you mileage and power at the same time. NDTV conferred the GS150R with the ‘Motorcycle of the year award’ in the year after its launch. So without mnuch ado, let’s look up the tech specs of both the bikes.

Tech Specs Comparison

Both the Hunk and GS150R are known for their power. The Hunk delivers a max power of 14.4PS while the GS150R offers a slightly lower power of 14PS which is nothing to scoff at either. The torque is good to from both bikes. The Hunk delivers 12.8 Nm @6500 rpm while the GS150R can deliver 13.4Nm @6000 rpm. Let’s look at the other specs as well in a side-by-side comparison chart.

Specification	Hero Hunk	Suzuki GS150R
Displacement	149.2cc	149.5cc
Max Power	14.4PS @8500	14PS @8500
Max Torque	12.8Nm @6500	13.4Nm @6000
Wheelbase	1325mm	1335mm
Ground Clearance	145mm	160mm
Kerb mass	146kg	149kg
Fuel tank	12.4 liters	15.5 liters
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 66125	Rs. 72457

Most of the specs are comparable among the two bikes. However, the GS150R has slightly higher power and weighs slightly more than the Hunk. So gut feel tells me that the Hunk could deliver a slightly higher mileage than the GS150R given similar engines. However, like many times in the past, I could be wrong on this. Let’s look compare the mileages from both these bikes to see how it goes.

Fuel Consumption Reviews

The Hero Hunk is built with a low friction core-2 engine and the ignitition system is microprocessor controlled that effectively helps optimize fuel usage. According to the manufacturers, the Hunk will deliver 65.1 kmpl under standard testing conditions. Suzuki does not have similar tall claims on its 150cc bike though. They say the GS150R could offer a mileage of around 55.7kmpl under standard conditions. Do note that standard testing conditions are vastly different from regular city roads and so you should be seeing much lower fuel efficiency in your everyday commute.

The city performance of bikes are pretty different from official claims. So before we conclude the Hunk as the winner in this fuel economy contest, let us look deeper into what the reviewers have got to say about the two bikes in their city road tests.

First up, the Hunk. We looked at seven different sources. Both Wheelmela and IndiaMart report an economy of around 53kmpl on city roads. Three of the reviewers claim a figure of under 50. While IndianDrives claims 47.2kmpl from their test ride, ProdEase report 49.1 kmpl. We looked at the claims from actual customers on the BikeAdvice forum and the reported numbers consistently falls in the 45-50 kmpl range. This is also matched by customer reviews on MouthShut where the reported number falls in the 45-55kmpl range. The best review is offered by MaxAbout who report a city road economy of between 52-58kmpl on the Hero Hunk.

Let’s now look at the Suzuki GS150R. There are again seven sources we looked at. Both IndiAuto and MotorBeam report a fuel consumption of between 45-50 kmpl. The xBHP forum has a much wider base of reported numbers with the figure lying between 40-56 kmpl. MaxAbout which reported a 52+ kmpl figure on the Hunk reports only around 48kmpl on the GS150R. The reviewers on MouthShut have been more consistent with this bike reporting between 48-52kmpl on their bikes. The highest reported figure comes from Olx customers who report a number between 50-65kmpl. This is however a number that I will take with a pinch of salt considering that Olx is a classifieds site where customers will put up a pretty rosy picture for their bikes just so they elicit more response from potential buyers.

Here’s a comparison chart of mileages as reported by various sources

Source	Hero Hunk	Suzuki GS150R
Official	65.1	55.7
IndianDrives	47.2	—
MaxAbout	52-58	48
WheelMela	53	—
IndiaMart	53	—
ProdEase	49.1	52
BikeAdvice	45-50	—
MouthShut	45-55	48-52
IndiAuto	–	45-50
MotorBeam	–	45-50
xBHP	–	40-56
Olx	–	50-65

Both bikes fare almost equally in the comparison. However, the Hunk appears to have a slightly better mileage compared to the GS150R. Also, considering the fact that it is more macho-looking at a lower price, my choise in this comparison would be the Hunk. Is your choice different? Tell me why it is so in the comments below.

Hero Splendor Plus Vs. Bajaj Discover 100T

Yesterday we compared the new Bajaj Discover 100T against TVS Sport. It was a pretty interesting post considering we were pitting one new stylish 100cc bike against an older, more traditional looking bike. What’s interesting is that despite the differences, they turned out to be pretty similar on the mileage front and so there was no winner in that race.

Today we will see how the Discover 100cc compares against the Hero Splendor Plus. This is again going to be exciting given the fact that the Splendor Plus has been around for almost a decade. Of course the bike has relaunched a few times since then and so we are not talking of a 10 year old model. So how do they measure up? Let’s find out –

Tech Specs Comparison

Specification	Hero Splendor Plus	Bajaj Discover 100T
Displacement	97.2cc	102cc
Max Power	7.5PS @8000	10.2PS @9000
Max Torque	7.95Nm @5000	9.2Nm @6500
Kerb Weight	109kg	121kg
Wheelbase	1230mm	1305mm
Fuel Tank	11 liters	10 liters
Reserve	1 liter	3.5 liters
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 42950	Rs. 50500

At a specification level, the Discover 100T is better than the Splendor Plus for most things. It has a higher displacement, a better power as well as torque. These things are extremely crucial to help you maneuver the road. In addition to this, the Discover also comes with extra stylish features that would definitely help you stand out. However that comes at an additional 8000 rupees. But let’s not jump the gun – we will compare the mileage delivered by these bikes first before arriving at which one is better than the other.

Fuel Economy Review

The Hero Splendor Plus weighs around 12kgs lower than the Discover 100T at dry mass. This difference is crucial because the Discover would now need more power to carry this weight along – that’s more fuel and lower mileage delivered. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case probably because the Splendor Plus comes with a less efficient engine overall. Hero claims the Splendor Plus to deliver 80.6 kilometers for every liter of petrol. In comparison, the Discover 100T is expected to deliver 87kmpl. Do note that these are both noted under standard testing conditions which are vastly different from the regular city roads. So unless we compare the two under these real world conditions, it is pretty hard to say. And that is exactly what we will do here.

Let’s start with the Hero Splendor Plus. We looked at reviews from five very reputed sources online for their report on the Splendor Plus’ fuel economy under city road conditions. Two reviews from BikeDekho as well as MaxAbout note a figure of somewhere between 65-70 kmpl. However the report from the rest of the sources don’t seem to be as high. IndiaGarage reports the lowest at around 55kmpl while the user reviews on MouthShut as well as on Olx report a slightly higher number at 58-65kmpl and 60-70kmpl respectively. Considering that MouthShut reviews are from real-world customers, I would suggest you give a lot of weightage to what these reviewers have got to say.

Next up, let’s look at the reviews for Discover 100T. Considering that this is a recent launch, we have not had too many customer generated reviews. However, the test-ride based mileage reports from the likes of MaxAboutand MotorBeam give a clear picture on what this bike is capable of. MaxAbout and xBHP report a city mileage of around 65 kmpl while MotorBeam notes 70kmpl.

I’ve tabulated all the findings below. At first look, it may look like the 100T is the winner among the two. However, it needs to be noted that test-ride reports for both the bikes have been positive and hover between the 65-70kmpl range. It is the customer reports on the Splendor Plus that has brought its average down. We will have to wait a couple of more months before we can get a similar report for the 100T.

Source	Hero Splendor Plus (kmpl)	Bajaj Discover 100T (kmpl)
Official	80.6	87
BikeDekho	65-70	—
MaxAbout	65-70	65
IndiaGarage	55	—
MouthShut	58-65	—
Olx	60-70	—
MotorBeam	–	70
xBHP	–	65

So for now, I would say both these bikes fare similarly on the mileage tests. If you think paying the 8000 rupees extra is justifiable considering the more stylish looks and features of the 100T, go for it by all means. If you would prefer to save on that amount, Splendor Plus is your friend. Have you made your decision yet? Tell us in the comments.

TVS Sport Vs. Bajaj Discover 100T

We have been seeing a lot of visitors over the past few days looking for information about the new Bajaj Discover 100T. As you should already know, this is the latest addition to the 100cc segment and has won praises from a lot of people for its pretty stylish looks and features that are better than most bikes in this segment.

TVS Sport on the other hand is not as new. It’s one of the three TVS bikes that are built for the mileage conscious customer. Unlike the Discover 100T, the Sport 100cc comes with pretty basic offerings and honestly does not have many things that truly differentiate it from the rest of the pack. Anyway, let’s now dive right into the specs comparison.

Tech Specs Comparison

Specification	TVS Sport 100cc	Bajaj Discover 100T
Displacement	99.7cc	102cc
Max Power	7.4PS @7500	10.2PS @9000
Max Torque	7.5Nm @5000	9.2Nm @6500
Kerb weight	95kg	121kg
Wheelbase	1250mm	1305mm
Fuel tank	12 liters	10 liters
Reserve	2 liters	3.5 liters
Price (ex-Delhi)	Rs. 37555	Rs. 50500

Except maybe for the fuel tank, the Discover 100T is truly better than TVS Sport in every possible way. However, look at the price – the 100T is nearly 34% more expensive than the Sport and that should play a huge role in your purchasing decision.

Anyway, before you go there, it is imperative that you find out how much your recurring costs with respect to the fuel is going to be. Find the mileage delivered by these two bikes compared below.

Fuel Economy Comparison

Let us start with the official claims. According to TVS Motors, the Sport can deliver a mileage of close to 82.9 kmpl under standard testing conditions. This is almost on par with the rest of the TVS 100cc bikes (the highest claim is on Star City with 83.9 kmpl). Bajaj though makes a pretty steeper claim. They say the 100T can offer close to 87 kmpl under similar road conditions. Do note that these mileages were tested under the best of road conditions (not to forget favourable wind conditions). It’s not realistic to expect a similar efficiency on your ride to your office on the pot-holes laden high traffic city roads.

The performance of these bikes could differ vastly on city roads though. MaxAbout – one of our trusted third party reviewers of bikes, reports a mileage of just around 50 kmpl on TVS Sport in city conditions. Their test on highways yielded 65 kmpl. On the other hand, the reviewer’s test of the 100T yielded 65 kmpl on city roads. To be honest though, MaxAbout does not explicitly state if the reported number on Discover 100T was what they derived on the test ride or what was provided to them by the manufacturers.

The low figure reported on TVS Sport by MaxAbout should not deter you though. Every other reviewer has reported a much better figure. BikeDekho and IndiaAuto have both reported a city fuel consumption of 70 kmpl while IndianDrives goes a bit higher at 75 kmpl. Most of the other reviews have painted a much more realistic figure between 55-75 kmpl. BikeAdvice reports around 55 kmpl while IndiaGarage notes a figure of around 68 kmpl. On the user reviews site, MouthShut, the reported number has hovered between 65-75 kmpl which is pretty good.

The Bajaj Discover 100T has not had as many reviews. MotorBeam, in their review, claim to be seeing around 70 kmpl on city roads while a reviewer on xBHP reports 65 kmpl.

Source	TVS Sport (kmpl)	Discover 100T (kmpl)
Official	82.9	87
MaxAbout	50	65
BikeDekho	70	—
IndiaAuto	70	—
IndianDrives	75	—
BikeAdvice	55-75	—
IndiaGarage	68	—
MouthShut	65-75	—
MotorBeam	–	70
xBHP	–	65

So there you have it. The fuel economy under city roads seem to be more or less the same on both these bikes. So personally, I would now take the mileage out of the equation while deciding on what bike to buy – would you mind spending 13,000 rupees more for better power, torque and more stylish looks? Or would you be happy going for more basic looks that perform as promised? That’s a question that only you can answer.

Do you have anything more to add for the rest of us looking for an answer? Do put it down in the comments below.