Its quite interesting to note that how quickly we need to change our opinions. That’s why I needed to rewrite my review completely. Actually my earlier review was a preview, with just a 10 mt visual experience with the bike at showroom.
I need not to elaborate on all those specifications. I have done some 2000 km (first 1500 km run in.) on the bike, and here is some real review.
I think the photographs didn’t do justice to the bike. It is much much better looking than seen in the ad visuals. And definitely bigger than any other 150 cc bike. Pillions may find it a bit awkward at first, for the seat is set very high but will agree on the comfort eventually. Everybody is likely to make the first comment on the tank, but it really make you reassured while you are on the riders seat. You feel like you are riding a really massive machine. The ride is very comfortable.
It is an incredibly stable bike and the handling is quite a pleasure. You twist it and turn it, it stays cool balanced! The sitting posture is very ergonomic. (But nothing beats my old RTZ in this aspect.) Every other levers and switches are all placed quite ergonomically. And see, you can’t self start the engine without completely releasing the clutch, a cool method to prevent accidental double cranking. Nice! Also you can start the engine at any gear position.
The breaking is quite impressive, especially the front disks. The lights are all powerful, but needed some adjustment on positioning. They have fitted a really annoying indicator beeper. Every time I switch on the indicator at some populated area, I feel embarrassed. Have to find where it is placed and should disconnect it.
Now coming to the engine part. It is where I got disappointed. Actually I was looking for those extra horses, yes they are there, but not at our service when we need them the most. The power delivery is quite inconsistent. They say about the excellent midrange torque. They are right, but understand something, it means poor low range torque. From around 4000 to 6500 rpm range, the engine performance is awesome. All the horses are lined up, and they take you there in seconds! But suppose, you need to slow down, turn at right angle and to ascent a steep gradient, ( as in case to my house) then the engine puffs and coughs and fail you. You will be busy shifting down and down and down. ( what my earlier Discover 125 managed with a single downshift, GS takes it up to second gear.) The engine have disappointingly poor performance in low rpm.
The GS will be an excellent highway performer, but I am afraid you will loose out in quick shift situations. The only way to enjoy the ride is to keep the rev high, but we all know it is not always possible. It is an excellent option if you are a long distance commuter, but if your route is tortuous , I am not sure.The mileage is between 50 and 55 kmpl.
Read the original post at Mouthshut.
Suzuki GS 150R. User Review
Urinary Stress Incontinence and Current management.
Stress incontinence is an involuntary loss of urine, occurs with an elevation of intra abdominal pressure. Quite often subjects, especially women present with the complaint of urine leakage while on coughing, sneezing etc. This problem is quite prevalent among female population, and the Indian incidence is estimated to be around 12% in women of reproductive age group. Often wrongfully considered a trivial situation, the inconveniences, embarrassment and the health hazards it brings in are disastrous.
The exact pathophysiology of stress incontinence is incompletely understood and deceptively complex. Many theories exist as to how the continence is maintained with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. A reflex activity of pelvic floor which elevates the proximal urethra, intact connective tissue support of bladder neck and urethra, the action of urethrovaginal sphincter and the compressor urethrae are the main among them. So, most cases of stress incontinence are believed to be related to damage to the neuromuscular functioning of the pelvic floor, coupled with deficient connective tissue supports of the urethra and bladder neck.
Until recently, even the care givers were at loss, when coming to the management of the condition. We were proposing non-pharmacological measures like Kegel’s exercise and all, just for the reason that the surgical measures available were quite inefficient and carry high morbidity. Pharmacological means were equally disappointing. It is also interesting to note that, the recent studies on the efficacy of Kegel’s shows that, it is no good as we thought it was!
Now we have Minimally Invasive Sling procedures, which are found to be very effective and the risk of complications are minimal. The entire procedure takes less than 10 minutes and can be performed under a short GA. Now that more companies came up with competitive slings, the procedure has become very cost effective also. Tension free Vaginal tape (TVT) was introduced first, but Transobturator Tape (TOT) is more popular now. The success rate at 1 year were found to be 83- 97% for TOT and 86- 94% for TVT in different studies. The most probable complication is urinary retention, and both the procedures carry a 7-8% risk for that.
Panasonic Lumix FZ8
If you are an amateur, interested in outdoor photography, and occasionally wild life too, then Panasonic FZ8 is right for you. It offers much more than the point and shoot class.
With the present day norms, FZ 8 comes somewhat lean in megapixels, only 7.2 for that matter. But I don’t think it is in any way restrictive for the regular user. (Of course it is not targeted to the professionals.) It has an excellent zoom, 12X and if you are ready to sacrifice some megapixels, it can be extended to 18X. I am not sure if it is some real optics at work or just some digital trimming. (If you are at 12X and switch over to a lesser image size, say 3.5 mp, the zoom automatically shifts to 18X. You won’t get any further lens movement but a much zoomed picture.)
Other positive features are the Leica lens, 2.5” LCD display and the Mega optical image stabilizer.
Nobody needs any explanation on what the Leica lens means. Even from my childhood I was hearing photographers talking with great admiration on Leica cameras and their ultimate dream of having one. Thanks god, times have changed and even I can own a Leica lens.
The LCD display is really cool. It is fixed, but offers some digital adjustments for angled view, in case you need to take pictures with the camera well above the eye level. The camera offers a multitude of display options, explaining them all are beyond the scope here. The menu is quite straight forward and intuitive. Panasonic have provided a joystick for easy navigation. Enumerating every feature will be a waste of time and space here, and for that you can visit the numerous sites offering those data.
I have serious doubts regarding the image stabilization. I wonder if it works at all. The camera promptly, warns us regarding the shakes in appropriate situations, but unless we use a tripod or something like that the picture comes out blurred. But with the tripod and the correct settings, the results are magnificent.
The camera offers an array of automatic and manual settings, including an intelligent mode. But the camera’s intelligence doesn’t seem to be in same frequency with ours. J. In the point and shoot modes the results are not excellent in lowlight situations. Indoor photos, even when we think it is well lit, come out with lot of noises. But the out door photos are excellent.
Once you become acquainted with the manual settings, you yourself can identify the quantum improvement in the picture quality. You need to be familiar with the camera to take good pictures. Or you can remain happy with the mediocre pictures in the automatic modes.
The camera is powered by lithium ion battery, supplied along with. Charge lasts pretty good and enough for more than 350 pictures.
Panasonic provides graphic software bundled, but I haven’t tried any. Picassa and Gimp already installed in my computer manages every need. (For the same reason I have not tried the raw format.)
Verdict: This camera is an excellent buy in its class and price range. (I bought it for 15K on an offer from Pixetra, 8 months back.) It have excellent potential for good photos. It is a camera for occasions and not a take it everywhere. For that purpose use your mobile phone camera.
Review originally posted at www.mouthshut.com
