Stephen Waugh
09-24-2009, 06:32 AM
The Flame has had a most flicker-less stint in the long-term corral. It has logged on a sedate 8000km plus as far as the odo read goes - but Abhay said that this a is a few kilometres short since the odo was on the blink for some time when he was using it initially. Over the 5000km or more that the Flame has ferried me around bad and bumpy Pune city roads, it has been a most reliable commute. Yes, it is prone to somewhat wife-like nagging tantrums when 'ignored' for a day or two - a little or more cajoling and coaxing is then in order to get her fired up. A couple of times I've even had to resort to the kick lever to soothe and smoothen her ruffled feathers but it is only a niggle amid its apt urban commute attributes.
5348
The Flame is no fiery hothead to scorch tarmac with but it acquits itself pretty much adequately if not honourably in the 40kmph and 60kmph zone, with enough zip and yen for some overtaking and cut and slash through urban chakravyuh. Having said that, even slowpoke me (by OVERDRIVE standards) has wished the Flame breathed a little more fire on an empty stretch of road. If I've encroached into the 80-90kmph orbit, it must have been post loads of wringing and to the accompaniment of unwelcome vibes. And I'd have preferred fewer visits to the gas station than its 6-litre tank necessitates. But this is a bike built for the urban grind - and there's no faulting the Flame on this key count.
5348
The Flame is no fiery hothead to scorch tarmac with but it acquits itself pretty much adequately if not honourably in the 40kmph and 60kmph zone, with enough zip and yen for some overtaking and cut and slash through urban chakravyuh. Having said that, even slowpoke me (by OVERDRIVE standards) has wished the Flame breathed a little more fire on an empty stretch of road. If I've encroached into the 80-90kmph orbit, it must have been post loads of wringing and to the accompaniment of unwelcome vibes. And I'd have preferred fewer visits to the gas station than its 6-litre tank necessitates. But this is a bike built for the urban grind - and there's no faulting the Flame on this key count.