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May 18, 2010

30 TVS Jive Test Ride Review.. Is it really " the no tension bike"..??

I check out the new 110 cc TVS Jive, India's first clutch less motorcycle..

If every shop around your house sell the same kind of stuff then from which shop would you buy? From any shop, after all what difference does it make?

after riding motorcycles with clutch for 18 years it actually is a bit awkward not to find one..

TVS understands this and instead of putting another 100-110 cc bike in the market, they have innovated and have launched India's first "clutch-less" motorcycle the Jive and have positioned it as "the no tension bike".

TVS Jive Test Ride

Looks: Nothing to excite, nothing to disappoint.

In the times of 100 cc bikes like the Honda CB Twister, the TVS Jive can be at best described as safe and conservative.

The Jive might not be a head turner, but there is nothing out of proportion on the Jive either, plus the bike is roomy enough even for tall guys.

The orange bike that you see here is a special color that TVS has provided for the demo bikes.

The Jive actually appeared cool and eye catching in this orange shade. According to me TVS should definitely think of providing this color as an option.





TVS Jive Demo Vehicle

Positives

+ Comfortable ergonomics
+ Easy and light handling
+ Punchy 110 cc engine

Negatives

- Slight vibrations at higher speeds

Before I describe my test ride experience, let me explain a few special aspects of this bike.

What's so special about the TVS Jive?

  • Change gears without a clutch


  • Rotary gears: Go to neutral directly from top gear (4'th)


  • Anti knocking mechanism: Can move even from standstill in any gear without "snatching"* the enigne.

* It actually should have been "anti snatching mechanism", but I guess TVS decided to go by what the common biker understands and uses terms to describe.

TVS Jive Top View

The clutch-less gear shift feature is not totally new to India. Such a feature had earlier appeared on a step thru from Hero Honda called the Hero Honda "Street". Introduced in 1997 the Street slowly died a quiet death, possibly due to its step thru form which most Indians associate with mopeds/utility two wheeler.

This mechanism is also found on many step thru models sold in South East Asian markets like Indonesia, Vietnam

How does one change gears without using a clutch?

Its simple, every time you have to change a gear just close the accelerator, a mechanism called the centrifugal clutch (its got a clutch after all) disengages the engine from the gears. Change the gears and then twist the accelerator, on doing so the centrifugal clutch will engage the engine.

Isn't going to neutral directly from top (4'th) gear sometimes dangerous?

Going to neutral directly from 4'th is not possible if the bike is in motion. Only when stationary, one can directly go to neutral from 4'th.

Does the "anti knocking mechanism" work? Actually it does work. Closing the accelerator disengages the engine from the gears, therefore one can stop at a traffic stop just by closing the accelerator, one does not need to be in neutral to keep the engine running.

Say you are in 4'th gear and come to a halt by closing the accelerator, now if the traffic light turns green just twist the accelerator and like an automatic scooter, the bike will start moving again without "snatching".

But it's advisable to come to a lower gear when moving from standstill as in higher gears it takes a lot of time to gather speed from standstill.

TVS Jive Self Start

Test Ride Experience of the TVS Jive:

Even if I was totally aware that the Jive doesn't have a clutch, once you start the bike you instinctively try to hunt for the clutch to engage the gear.. after riding motorcycles with clutch for 18 years it actually is a bit awkward not to find one on a motorcycle.

But after a few minutes on the bike one does get the hang if it. But even though I learnt to change gears without using the clutch, I wasn't able to use the "engine braking" (which I always do on geared motorcycles) to slow down smoothly.

TVS Jive Switchgear

The ride quality is comfortable on the Jive and the handling is light. The front in fact felt a little bit light but for city use, it should be ideal.

The 110 cc engine has a nice punch and pick up from slow speeds is brisk enough to keep pace with our Indian traffic. But post the 60 kmph mark (in top gear) vibrations do creep in. I have observed that the recent 100-110 cc TVS models like the Star City and the Sport now come with a rear grab rail fabricated out of tough plastic. Even the Jive comes with a similar black rear grab rail.

TVS Jive Plastic Grab Rail

Verdict: The Jive tries to make riding simple and stress free and features a mechanism which is similar to automatic scooters, i.e. "twist and go". There is a slight difference though that one has to change gears too.

I remember that while learning to ride my dad's geared scooter, it took sometime for me to learn to synchronize the accelerator and clutch. I therefore think that for beginners the Jive could be an easier motorcycle to learn, but for someone whom using the clutch has become a second nature, not finding one becomes a bit weird. Moreover modern motorcycles in India have quite lightly weighted clutch (with the exception of Royal Enfield models).


So is the "clutch-less" Jive an enticing enough proposition for the commuter? I don't know.. What do you guys think?







Price: Around Rs. 41,000 (ex-showroom), which puts it in the same league of the Hero Honda Splendor and Bajaj Discover DTS-Si.




The TVS Jive TV Commercial



TVS Jive: Technical Specifications

Engine

Type: 4 stroke, Single Cylinder Air cooled
Displacement: 109.7cc
Max. Power: 8.4 BHP @ 7500RPM
Max. Torque: 8.3Nm @ 5500RPM
Bore X Stroke: 53.5 X 48.8 (mm)
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1

Starting: Self and Kick
Ignition System: Digital-IDI

Chassis

Type: Single Cradle

Suspension:
Front: Inline Telescopic
Rear: Hydraulic Twin Shock Absorber with Coil spring

Brakes
Front: 130 Drum Brake
Rear: 110 Drum Brake

Tyres
Front: 2.75 X 17
Rear: 3.00 X 17

Electricals
Battery Pack: 12V, 5.0Ah (ES)
Headlamp: 12V, 35/35W Halogen
Brake Lamp / Tail Lamp: 12V, 21W/5W

Dimensions
L X W X H: 1975 X 700 X 1060 (mm)
Wheel Base: 1260mm
Saddle Height: 780mm
Ground Clearance: 165mm
Dry Mass: 105Kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 15lit (including 2.7 lit. reserve)

Colors: Red, Black with Yellow strip, Black with Red strip and Black with Red






More Photos:

TVS Jive Side ViewTVS Jive Instrument Console






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Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.






30 Comments:

Anonymous said...

well, I can ensure myself about the bike that it has much similarity to those crowding roads in Indonesia called Bebek or Step Thru for your preference. the similarity is particularly so obvious in the way the gear is operated and from-4th-to-neutral mode as well. separately, the clutch is one reason why sport bike in Indonesia is less popular than those of step thru due to easy handling in the crowded roads in Indonesia.

Payeng said...

@above,

thanks for pointing out / reminding. I have accordingly updated the post

Sid Soni said...

Terrific post, as always :).

TVS has surely innovated and tried differentiating itself through this initiative. Otherwise, they simply seemed to be following both Hero Honda and Bajaj. Now if they can mobilize the masses towards greater convenience...

rial hamzah said...

wow,, small engine 109,7 cc, but its look like tvs apache rtr 160..

Akash said...

To me the clutch-less thing is not that big idea. I have no problem using a clutch. In fact i like using a clutch

Sajal said...

Jive surely is a great move from TVS in it's bid to mark a dent in the market share of HH and Bajaj.

Go TVS!!

GAGAN said...

i rode Kinetic Honda for quite a long time years back, it was no-clutch-no-gear stuff. One thing is for sure very true about no-clutch family is their maintenance and costly spares. one would not feel that in initial years but as the vehicle ages..it becomes a pain!! You rightly referred to "Street". One of the reasons for street's death was what i just mentioned. But again, technology has improved heavily lately and no-clutch machines are doing fine nowadays, not sure whether it will do fine in a bike's avatar though!!

Anonymous said...

you re write very well

Anonymous said...

I have been using Jive for a month now. Facing the problem with Gear Shifting in early monrings, (i mean starting after a very long idle time) the gear shifting is very hard till the engine gets some heat. Or I have to move the bike straight from 3 gear.

I don't know if this problem exists in normal bikes too.

Anonymous said...

please have your opinions on mileage of tvs jive

Payeng said...

@Above, I don't have a clear idea about the fuel efficiency of the Jive, but according to what I have read it's just a shade below the other 110 cc bikes but way better than what automatic scooters deliver.

Anonymous said...

60 kmpl

Subarna Daw said...

Hi I am using a TVS Jive little over a month. Great perfromance.

Muhil said...

I am using this bike for the past 6 months. I am satisfied. Very less noice when riding, I mean smooth riding :). Mileage about 50 to 60 kmpl (they said 55 kmpl). One of few complaint is the horn sound went bad

Muhil said...

I am using this bike for the past 6 months. I am satisfied. Very less noice when riding, I mean smooth riding :). Mileage about 50 to 60 kmpl (they said 55 kmpl). One of few complaint is the horn sound went bad

Subarna Daw said...

Hi I am using a TVS Jive little over a month. Great perfromance.

Anonymous said...

you re write very well

bhulokeshwar said...

my vehicle is giving 50km and using since past 6 months

Unknown said...

Has been a proud owner of Jive for the last 2 months .. In one work “Awesome”….
Very Smooth, Powerful and… Mileage 53+ in city like bangalore (famous for traffic congestion).
Good thing is the advantages of a bike without the hassles of clutch…

Unknown said...

I am using this bike simce last 2 month. Immediately after purchase engine started giving knocking noise once it will become hot after riding for 5 minutes. Till now it could not get repair. no one has any clue what to be done. I made 20 round to service center.
For me it is a horrible experience still.
Engine knocks on accelerator on load.

Till date TVS could not solve this problem.
Hemant

Unknown said...

TVS has to improve on his quality. I purchased TVS Jive 2 month back and engine knocks like any thing.

Thanks
Hemant

Unknown said...

Hi I have bought jive a few months ago and its amazing.No problems at all with the gear shifting and stuffs!!

Esakky said...

Hi
I bought jive 3 months back.Initially i find it hard to learn driving this type of vehicle.Now i feel more comfort level with this.The great thing i noticed in this bike is IT HAS NEVER OFF BY CLUTCH PROBLEMS ,ONLY IF THERE IS NO PETROL IT WILL BE OFF. In other bikes in traffic there are more chances of the vehicle become off due to improper clutch operation.I am getting 52kmpl.

Anonymous said...

I am a mechanic working on all types of Motor cycles. I am sure in intial stage of Jiva will go smooth but after a time it will have a clutch problem. This type of bikes are good for plan road like in city. But in rural area on hills and rough road is not advisable. On hill side of riding this bike will drop fuel efficiency.

abhi said...

nice bike

akshay shetty said...

sree how is ur bike performing now plz advice


should i buy this

Anonymous said...

I want to buy TVS JIVE, actually I like this bike , but feeling some conflict in my mind by read those type comments,

Any one please ensure me should I buy this bike.

Arifin
arifin028@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Friends,

I have use jive since its launch almost more than 1 yr. and bike is fantastic, with good average,no Maintenance.

prabukarthik3006 said...

ya good

Unknown said...

Hey all, Thanks for your comments. I heard the news that TVS shut down the production of Jive and Flame. In this situation, One dealer offer me to buyback my old TVS Centra say around 7 to 8 years old with price around Rs.10,000/- and Bonus from company Rs.10,000/- totally they are going to deduct around Rs.20,000/- from its market value in Rajkot(Gujarat). Is this deal worthy? I expect answer from Jive experienced user. I have doubt that after shutdown of the product, will I get spareparts regularly?
Thanks.
Hemant

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