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Posted on: Jul 05 2007

Kinetic Blaze

Radical, exciting and completely our type. With the Blaze, Kinetic has gone against the grain with a spec list totally alien to Indian scooters. This one puts out 11.6bhp from a 165.12cc engine, and does that in between a 1990mm length and 1495mm wheelbase. To put that into perspective, 1990mm mirrors a Pulsar for length, and 1495mm means a considerably longer wheelbase than a Bullet!

The Blaze’s large proportions are noticeable from a distance and given our obsession towards massive automobilia like the Ford Endeavour, this one will come in with a fair chance of making it good here.

Head-on, the Blaze looks bulbous and mean, with sportsbike-like raked mudguard and a slatted apron embellished with twin-headlights. There’s a tinted fly-screen in front that protects riders from the elements. Its instruments include digital-time, a fuel-gauge, tell-tale lamps and a speedometer. Sadly, the tachometer on our pre-production test scooter will not make it into production.

More dampeners came in the form of panel gaps, plastic moulding quality and fit-finish, all of which have dipped when compared to the original European model we first rode (ACI, August ‘05). However, this one is a pre-production example and Kinetic tells us their final scooter will be miles better in these respects.

There’s a lockable glove-box with one side now completely reserved for the battery. Apart from this the Blaze affords a rubber mat-equipped floorboard and lockable underseat storage.

The motoscooter’s considerable and generously padded stepped seat pops open via the ignition key in unique split fashion. Its under-rider section is a storage bay, and the pillion seat swivels backwards for fuel filling. Levers and switchgear are just about adequate, with an innovative pass light operated by depressing the headlight toggle. We didn’t care much for the unconventional grips and Kinetic would do well to incorporate a rear brake lock clip on this large scooter.

The Blaze enjoys well-sculpted side panels, a large alloy grab-bar and integrated brake and turn lights at the rear. Gone are the delectable six-spoke alloy rims from the original Italjet platform, which now stand replaced by steel rims.

 Kinetic has taken the four-stroke and four-valve, air-cooled Hyosung motor used in their GF 170 model, converted it into a variator-driven automatic and slotted it Nova style into the Blaze. Displacing 165.12cc, the electrically-started motor makes a healthy 11.6bhp at 7500rpm, and 1.2kgm at 5000rpm of peak torque. The CV carburetted power plant on the pre-production scooter we rode was more than a tad rough, and felt like it could do with dollops of refinement, but crack that throttle open and no Indian scooter comes even close.

Propelled forward with a linear—read gearshift pause free—push, the Blaze feels like it’s ready to take on the faster Indian bikes. We can’t wait to get our V-box strapped on, but the Blaze surely feels faster than the current crop of 125s, and maybe, even a 150cc mobike with a sluggish rider on board. An indicated 80kph comes up before your scooter senses know what’s happening, and thereafter, the large scooter continues to barrel onwards to a top speed that feels around the 100kph marker. We know what you’re thinking. You’re mulling over how instable and unsafe you have felt at speeds far lower than these on small rim scooters. Well, tuck those thoughts up and put them to bed, for the Blaze’s ride and handling character are leagues ahead of any other scooter around.

Kinetic has got its geometry spot-on and has not been stingy with tyres. Our test Blaze rode on excellent Dunlop developed Zebra—120/70 in front and 130/70 at rear—contact patches that keep the Blaze stable and planted. Ride comfort and braking stability are also better experienced than written about. Hard braking shifts weight to the front, with the forks diving like on a bike. And you don't get that feeling on any other scooter.

The riding posture on a Blaze couldn’t be better, and nor could a pillion passenger’s comfort level. Small road undulations are brushed aside, while larger potholes get soaked in with aplomb. And the Blaze does this thanks to a suspension setup infinitely better than we are used to.

There are reassuringly solid telescopic forks in front, while twin shock absorbers do duty at the rear. The Blaze engine is used as one side of a make-believe swingarm, while on the other side, a fabricated metal brace enhances rigidity.
 
 Riders can literally wade around in a comforting roominess with even the tallest feeling comfortable. And handling is as thoughtfully blended as a top drawer scotch—neither too sharp nor overtly blunt. The Blaze comes with a 220mm front disc, though we found even the drum brake version displayed potent stopping power. Without being over the top, the Blaze amply demonstrates the potential of Italjet's more-scooter-per-scooter range.

Kinetic’s Ajinkya Firodia lets on that the Blaze will deliver a competent-for-its size 40kpl and sell at Rs.49,999 (ex-showroom Pune) mark. That’s sensible pricing for this healthy a scooter, which opens up a whole new segment.
Source: indiabike.com