Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Kinetic Nova 135cc Review - A Novaholic’s confessions!!


Kinetic Nova 135cc is an innovation from the Kinetic Automation India and the tagline of Nova 135cc is 'Enjoy the ride' and you will enjoy if you happen to buy one!

Kinetic Nova 135cc is also the first gearless 135cc scooter in India and is an improvised model of the Nova DLX version. Unfortunately, the Nova DLX was a disastrous model from Kinetic people after the very successful Kinetic itself. People expected so much from the looks and the 110cc Nova DLX failed to live up to people’s expectations.

The shock was enough and Kinetic engineers must have poured their heart and soul while engineering the Nova 135cc and you will believe that I am not exaggerating only if you take a test drive of Nova 135cc or if you are an old owner of it just like me.

The metro sexual scooter looks great with Eurostyling and Nova 135cc suits to either sexes. Body is available is double colors. There are 2 rear view mirrors. The build of the body is plastic (believe me its quite sturdy) made. If other scooter brands are giving the mobile charger facility inside the glove box maybe after 2007, I would say that it’s an innovation of Kinetic, Nova 135cc is the first scooter to have that. Lift the seat and you will actually be surprised to see such huge under-seat storage. It actually allows you to buy one month’s worth of a grocery or put two helmets together (in some states where pillions also need to wear a helmet can use this space itself). The storage space also houses 2 small LED lights on either side and they lit up once the seat is lifted, and I still remember how many people peeped in to see that feature at petrol pumps.

Engine of Kinetic Nova 135cc is a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled one with actual 134.9 cc displacement delivering maximum power of 8.65 bhp @6500 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 10nm at 4500 rpm and has non-geared variomatic type of a transmission. The low torque implies that its acceleration is too good and it outscores other competitors in fuel economy. And the power is good enough for us to take 3 people along. Never I felt that my Nova was gasping to carry even heavier persons. It has a self-start as well as kick start options. I was initially struggling to rest the vehicle on the main stand but now I can do it with ease.

The horn is quite loud and clear (in fact many times people thought it were a car when I honked. J). The fuel tank can accommodate 6.5 liters petrol. Wheels are aluminum alloy type and broad enough to give that balance and stability. The front tyre is a puncture-resistant puff-up tube one, when even when the tyre punctures it can take you safely to a puncture man. Then, Nova 135cc has AAHO technology, meaning Advanced Acceleration and Handling Optimizer.
Nova 135cc comes with a throttle sensor for mileage that indicates with a beep alarm if you are going in a range of low mileage (going too slowly or too swiftly). You are going to say 'AAHO' for this smart fellow that cautions you on optimizing the fuel. I recall literally saying ‘OK’ to it when it beeped. It comes with 130mm drum brakes and they are big enough to counter the 135cc power. The acceleration is again envious and I prove it every time I get one chance zooming past all bikers at traffic signals. It goes up to 45 km in about 4 seconds.
The ground clearance is great, and I would say that its only on very few instances that the scooter received hits from a high speed breaker or high hump. I also drove Activa, but I feel Kinetic Nova 135cc to be gliding much smoother, and mind you it glides without noise.

I am one shortie, and I’d had that glitch of reaching the ground, but it was only for the initial months. As of now very comfortable with the height factor as well, and would proudly say that my Nova 135cc is my very reliable friend that I am madly in love with. Ah! And, you wanted to know the mileage? It runs 45 km per liter on the city roads and as I didn’t go beyond Kengeri (Bangalore) can't tell you about the highway mileage, but believe me it should be over 50 km per liter easily and not less than 50kmpl.
I have been driving a black-colored Kinetic Nova 135cc for the past 2 years and 10 months, almost everyday, and my honeymoon with it is not yet over and I believe its going to be an everlasting one because I eventually had become 'Nova'holic by now!
PS: In all honesty, I admit that these are my own opinions and not fabricated!

Left over rotis? Check what I made out of them!

I was informed of some guests for evening supper yesterday and I always take pride that I'm almost perfect in my caluculations when it comes to preparations. Alas one time I did fail. Somehow I was feeling they will not be enough and the guests will love to have a couple of them more and ..? So I am there again with more rotis than asked for. I felt I dont have to clutter my drain throwing the left over rotis instead will make a nice treat out of them.

In fact we can do few things with these left over rotis, but the important thing here is to remember that rotis are made crisper before processed further. Here is what you can do:

Divide the roti into whatever shape or size and oven at 150 degrees Celsius, until they become crisp.

Make salsa of chopped coriander leaves, tomato, red pepper (even a green capsicum would do), garlic paste and lime. Add salt and pepper to taste to the salsa prepared. Use this salsa as topping to the roasted roti pieces and tell me if it doesn't make a good snack. Because we in our family loved the snack.

Optional: People who love curd can take generous curd and add salsa to it and can eat roti pieces with this.