First report Our latest long termer is a blend of value and economy.

The latest addition to our swelling fleet of long-term bikes is Kinetic Engineering’s in-house developed 113.6cc Velocity, a motorcycle that attempts to shake off doubts of Kinetic bikes not being refined.
The Velocity’s styling is decent for its near-entry segment. Barring a slightly dated front end, it’s a basic design with bags of potential. There’s the in-vogue white-face dials that beam a rider in the face. The large fuel tank and aluminium-mounted rear footpegs both lend their own to an overall appeal. The headlight is powerful in all modes and quite helpful at night. What could be better is fit and finish, which is not yet on par with the standards presently available on the competition.
The engine, though similar and a bit breathless like its close Boss sibling, feels better in offering more smoothness. Attribute a lot of this to the Velocity employing better carburetion as well as a revised and dual-mapped ignition system.
The ride position is spot-on with broad and slightly dropped handlebars making for a comfortable machine to pilot. Handling is as good as to be expected from any pure commuter, all geometry well sorted and a bonus in the adoption of a box-section type swingarm. Brakes are drums all round, but these sorely lacking in feel up front.
A point to ponder on this Kinetic is its toolkit compartment, which requires a screw-driver to access any tools, a funny fact learnt when trying to adjust its headlight beam one dull evening. We have faced no real shortcomings on the Velocity to date. The clutch needed a solitary adjustment and oil has been changed at its first service date. It’s a boon to own for being gentle on the pockets, offering us 55.1 kilometres per litre on a daily commute route to office and home through lots of heavy traffic. We look forward to many more kilometres of trouble-free service from this frugal little machine. l
Rishad Cooper

Distance covered 800km
Fuel consumption
Total fuel consumed 14.5 litres
Average fuel consumption 55.1kpl
No. of fillings (brimmed) 1
worst 48kpl
Best 68.2kpl
Total maintenance cost Company paid services, engine oil top up-Rs. 120
Running costs Rs 0.87 per km
Faults None this far
Likes Headlight, fuel economy
Dislikes Poor brake feel, poor fit and finish

Captions:
Toolkit needs screwdriver to open; powerful headlight is a big boon; footrest has aluminium subframe.

Front drum brake lacks feel.