The 'Bike-Hunt'

What bike to buy? Bajaj, TVS or Honda? Within TVS is Star City a good bike? Is Victor a really ‘solid’ bike as my friend vouches for it? I decided to check it out for myself today. So, I dragged my enthusiastic sister with me and visited the TVS and the Bajaj showrooms.

Here is how our conversation went in the TVS showroom.

Myself: I am looking for a bike with good mileage, comfortable ride and some decent looks.
Salesman: Go for Star City Sir. It is the best.

M: (But I had Victor in mind). How about Victor?
S: That is good too.

M: How much mileage?
S: 65-70 kmpl

M: Sure? I am talking about real traffic. I go thru the most dense traffic in the city – Kathipara junction. Will it really give me 65-70 mileage?
S: (The salesman slightly put off by my questioning of his knowledge tried to be polite and went on) It will sure give you 65. But as you know, it all depends on how you drive.

M: There you go! (I thought). How is pickup, power?
S: 8.5 BHP Sir. Good pickup.

M: Heard that Victor has some engine startup problems. Is that true? (I was now talking with a lot of confidence).
S: No. No. No. All that has been fixed in the latest Victor GX. Absolutely no problems Sir. (Now he has started sweating slightly).

S: Will you pay in full or are you looking at financing options? (trying to change topic from the current sticky one)
M: It depends (now I was outright condescending). What are the options do you have for financing? (I demanded. The Salesman ran to somebody and got him to us).
I got the new Salesman to draw up a detailed quotation – with out accessories, with accessories. Questions, questions and more questions!

S: You want to take a test drive Sir?
M: Hold on. Hold on. I heard that you provide assistance in getting Driving Licenses for people who buy vehicles in your agency?

S: (Taken aback for a second). We used to, but not now. Don’t you have a license?
M: No, not yet. But I have taken an LLR

S: (looking at me as though saying – ‘You don’t even have a license, but you talked as though you have been driving bikes all your life’). You first have to get your license Sir. Then you can do a Test Drive. Or better get a friend of yours to do a test drive!

We silently accepted his suggestion, gathered our brochures together and slipped out of the showroom!