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Striking when it's hot?
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Can the new Stryker lend enough kinetic energy to boost its manufacturer's sales figures?
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Kinetic has also been generous with switchgear, offering a pass light flasher, as well as push-to-cancel indicators as standard on the Stryker
STRYKE A POSE This Kinetic is visually arresting, though more attention to detail could have turned out a far better bike
Remember the Velocity, the bike that Kinetic launched a few years ago? Well, the Stryker isn't an all-new motorcycle, and is visually identical to the Velocity, so if you liked the styling on that bike you'll surely love this one.
But there are a couple of detail changes here. An altered front fairing and new graphics are what separate the Stryker from the Velocity. The Stryker also uses a halogen bulb for this clear lens headlight unit. Kinetic has offered is fully loaded, white-backed instrumentation - a sporty tachometer, economy indicator and fuel gauge, which look quite nice.
The company has also been generous with switchgear, offering a pass light flasher, as well as push-to-cancel indicators as standard. The Stryker has broad mirrors that mount on rubber-clad stalks, while its rounded fuel tank is capped off with an alloy fuel filler, with dummy cowls located beneath its bulk. Its seat is a bit bulky at rear and would do well were it blended in a more flush manner with the bike's tail fairing. Even the side and rear flank panels today seem bulky - outdated in the modern scheme of Indian motorcycles. Stryker users will however benefit a smart alloy grab-bar, and the same exotic metal is seen mounting the bike's footrests. This being a new model, we would have liked to see cutting-edge alloy rims too - but this was where our luck ran out.
Engine, gearbox and performance
The Stryker is powered by a Kinetic-developed, 97.2cc four-stroke motor. Its horizontal single-cylinder is cast iron, capped with an aluminium alloy head. Twin valves run within the head and are driven via a single overhead camshaft.
This is an old-fashioned engine with an old-style crankcase and a maze of oil lines running around it. And there's a curious external oil filter system that sits piggyback on the gearbox. Power output is a feeble 7bhp at 7,500rpm, while peak torque of 0.68kgm comes into play at 5,000rpm - both of which are below average in the 100cc segment.
Unfortunately, these figures also translate poorly for the Stryker - it feels slow on the road. Put to the whip, our test Stryker ran from rest to 60 kph in 10.05 seconds and managed a top speed of 87 kph. While we do understand a 100cc commuter bike is not built for speed, the Stryker unfortunately feels a considerable notch slower than other contenders in the same class.
Other irritants - the Stryker's choke lever is positioned beneath the fuel tank in a tiny cavity - irritating, as the bike requires an enriched mixture to warm itself each morning. Throttle feel - so critical to enjoyable riding - lacks power, is heavy on the wrist and hard on the palm. Additionally, the Stryker is no light 100cc bike, tipping the scales at 116kgs. This contributes towards poor power-to-weight ration and has one wringing the throttle and winding up the revs to reach just about ordinary speeds. The bike also sends disconcerting vibes up through the handlebars at these higher engine speeds. Clutch feel is, on the other hand, passable, though the bike's four-up gearbox feels about average.
Ride, handling and braking
The Stryker offers an upright and comfortable riding posture and comes with reassuringly wide handlebars. Its seat is broad and offers comfort for riders and pillions alike. There's a solid twin-downtube frame with ample protection offered under the engine bay, while this Kinetic deploys a twin telescopic front suspension, and does well to pioneer gas-charged rear suspension in the 100cc segment. To its credit, Kinetic also uses a box-section swingarm for the Stryker.
While ride quality is good, with every little road ripple soaked in, we felt handling was just about average. The bike has a big turning circle, which is painful at parking speeds. In-corner manners are acceptable, though we can't say the same for the brakes - the Stryker employs a 130mm drum brake in front, allied to a 110mm unit at rear, and both feel woefully inadequate. The front brake lever feels leaden and requires brute finger-force to gain good results. And worse is a tendency to get into a weave when braking hard.
Fuel economy
The Stryker is not very fuel efficient either, partly due to its own weight it has to lug around. Negotiating our city test circuit, the motorcycle delivered 52.6 kpl. On open highway stretches, consumption improved slightly to 55 kpl - again below par for a 100cc commuter bike.
Verdict
The Stryker simply fails to impress on several fundamental aspects and is entirely outclassed by its rivals. Its design is an ageing one, in a market currently swamped with immaculately turned out motorcycles. Kinetic's bugbear - a lack of attention to fit and finish, allies with lacklustre performance and poor economy. The only part of the test the Stryker performed well was in the ride and handling department, which it let down with shoddy braking. Overall, it needs improvement, definitely.
RISHAD COOPER
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