[su48]

Dear All,

I have been using my car to commute to office daily and also to lug the whole family on weekend shopping trips/travel. I also use my Honda Activa (2005 model) for carrying out household chores, running errands, and sometimes commuting to office. Now, as the petrol price has been skyrocketing every now and then, I have decided to buy a 150 CC bike for commuting to office frequently. I am planning to use the car/bike on alternate days, so that the petrol hike doesn't burn a hole in my pocket.

I am looking for a bike which has good looks, has decent performance, and returns decent FE. I have shortlisted the following:

• TVS Apache RTR
• Bajaj Pulsar 150
• Yamaha FZ-S
• Others???

Please suggest a decent 150 CC commuter bike. TIA!

[bluevolt]

While Yamaha FZ is a very good bike but it will return poor FE due to it's wider tyres. Bajaj Pulsar 150 is too common so I will suggest TVS Apache 160.

But please take a TD of all bikes and see which one suits you the most.

My Vote is for TVS Apache. (From your shortlisted models).

BTW - Why don't you consider Hero/Honda products like Unicorn/CBZ/Hunk. Hero bikes gives the best mileage.

[2500cc]

You can also consider Yamaha SZ-R/X. Decent mileage, not too common on roads, good ride and ergonomics.

[su48]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

While Yamaha FZ is a very good bike but it will return poor FE due to it's wider tyres. Bajaj Pulsar 150 is too common so I will suggest TVS Apache 160.

Thanks a lot for the suggestion! I like the TVS Apache as well; saw an update named HyperEdge or something like that. Any idea about this one?

I quite like the looks of the Yamaha bikes; look well proportioned and sporty. They offer multiple models in the 150 CC range; not sure which one is the best.

Has Hero/Honda launched any new models?

Originally Posted by 2500cc

You can also consider Yamaha SZ-R/X. Decent mileage, not too common on roads, good ride and ergonomics.

Yamaha SZ-R/X both look good. I'll check them out as well. Thanks! Any idea what the OTR price would be?

[black12rr]

I would pick up the smoothest like honda twister , its got good looks ,good engine and twice disk brakes at front and rear and a mono-shock also .

[Bottom Torque]

I am riding Honda Unicorn for the past 4 years, so far no complaints. No oil leak, no engine starting problem, no bizzare service bills and no issues with quality either.
Positives 1. smooth engine. 2. butter smooth clutch + gear shift (no false gear and no difficulty to put it to neutral). 3. ride quality for the rider (pillion may feel a bit uncomfortable). 4. reliability (weather proof actually, even in knee deep monsoon rain water clogged streets the bike's engine will not cease).

Negatives 1. No engine kill switch, I use the key on/off in traffic junctions to save some fuel 2. Lack of digital instrument cluster 3. Lack of parking lights on headlamps (most of its rivals offer this). 4. Lack of rear disc brakes. 5. lack of sixth gear, for a bit more mileage in high speeds.

Its a near perfect bike and I strongly recommend Unicorn. You know i couldn't find a reason to sell it and that means a lot. But, for a bit more style, I woul also recommend Unicorn Dazzler, it has got looks (tank shrouds), digital speedometer and rear disc brake engine note is bit audible, but everthing else is great (clutch-gear action, ride quality, handling, comfort, mileage).

What I didn't like others like Pulsar and FZ is that, i wanted a silent engine note (Pulsar is bit audible) and regarding FZ everything is fine except fuel economy (40-45 kpl) whereas Unicorn gives 50 - 55 kpl Hope this helps.

[mobike008]

Apache RTR : Only if your short in height

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Its a proven bike and does everything very well apart from being the best looker. However, it gets rough at high rev ranges

Honda Unicorn : Sweet engine and comes with Mono-Shock. Nice bike if you like the test ride

FZ : Poor FE. Uncomfortable foot pegs and overall too much of a racing stance. Would not be too comfortable for a daily commute

[TaurusAl]

Why limit your search to 150 segment ? Engine capacity sometimes plays a little role in mileage figures if engine is well tuned.

Also. it Depends on what kind of riding posture you like.

1) You can consider Bajaj Avenger if you like comfort and are a sedate rider. (Not that it is under powered bike). 220 CC, but mileage at par with 150 cc segment.

2) Tried and tested 150 cc segment of Hero Motors, like CBZ Extreme / Hunk. Or 225 CC Karizma.

3) Honda has just launched CBR in 150 CC if you have liking for sports bikes.

4) Thunderbird ? Perhaps ? Decent mileage figures and enormous comfort.

I suggest, no point limiting your search on engine capacity. Test ride various bikes and see which suits you best and also is easy on pocket.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by TaurusAl

Why limit your search to 150 segment ? Engine capacity sometimes plays a little role in mileage figures if engine is well tuned.

Also. it Depends on what kind of riding posture you like.

1) You can consider Bajaj Avenger if you like comfort and are a sedate rider. (Not that it is under powered bike). 220 CC, but mileage at par with 150 cc segment.

2) Tried and tested 150 cc segment of Hero Motors, like CBZ Extreme / Hunk. Or 225 CC Karizma.

3) Honda has just launched CBR in 150 CC if you have liking for sports bikes.

4) Thunderbird ? Perhaps ? Decent mileage figures and enormous comfort.

I suggest, no point limiting your search on engine capacity. Test ride various bikes and see which suits you best and also is easy on pocket.

Avenger, Karizma, TB are pricey and doesnt meet his requirement.

@ mobike. I would suggest Dazzler from Honda or the similar versions from Hero.

I am serious petrol save mode, get Twister. Nice package.

+ 1 to ani. Forgot about Suzuki

[crazytime]

All of them has Good Looks and pattern based on certain style. in terms of FE i guess all of them are not Great. you can check with known Mechanics, who will able to tell you on performance. You can definitively bet on old 150 CC Pulsar which has good power and decent FE of 45 KMPL (Personal Experience)

[ani_meher]

Any reason not short listing Suzuki GS150R? It is a very capable bike with good mileage.

[su48]

Mod Note : Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another on the SAME THREAD!

Originally Posted by black12rr

I would pick up the smoothest like honda twister , its got good looks ,good engine and twice disk brakes at front and rear and a mono-shock also .

Thanks! I'll definitely check out the Twister. I haven't seen one lately and didn't shortlist it. Any idea how good is Pulsar 135? Heard that it has bagged a lot of awards.

Originally Posted by ani_meher

Any reason not short listing Suzuki GS150R? It is a very capable bike with good mileage.

Pardon me! I was not aware of this bike. Thanks for suggesting! I'll definitely check it out.

Originally Posted by jkdas

Avenger, Karizma, TB are pricey and doesnt meet his requirement.

@ mobike. I would suggest Dazzler from Honda or the similar versions from Hero.

I am serious petrol save mode, get Twister. Nice package.

+ 1 to ani. Forgot about Suzuki

You are spot on, jkdas. I don't want to stretch the budget too much. I'll definitely check out the Dazzler and Twister.

[ahm]

If you are looking purely from FE perspective then a 150CC bike would be less efficient compared to a 125CC and very less efficient compared to a 100CC one.

Distinctiveness comes with a cost eg. unavailability of spares etc. Also, there is a higher probability that that model might get discontinued after some time. An omni present bike model is surely easy to maintain both effort wise and cost wise.

Ergonomics is another factor that is mostly ignored. A particular model suitable to someone might not necessarily be suitable to you. Do take a test drive both in stop-and-go traffic and on long stretches. Take feedback from your back and legs at the end of TD. Different body shapes and structures respond differently to different bike models.

[abhinav.s]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Apache RTR : Only if your short in height

Beg to differ on this point. I am 6'0 and have never found the RTR cramped for my height. In fact the tank is so well sculpted that the knees tuck in nicely. Taller than 6'0 i am not sure

To the original poster, you have ignored the Hero/Suzuki lineup or forgot them in the shortlist. GS150R is a very capable and smooth bike. Except for the bad rear tires which is an easy fix. Why not get the Hero Impulse? Looks totally different, has great mileage and it can take potholes and bad roads with ease!!

FZ returns very poor mileage if not tuned properly from the factory. I landed with one of these lemons when i bought it new sometime back. It was never giving me anything beyond 30-35kmpl even when used with a featherlight right wrist. Seating position for my height was neither here nor there. It was not out and out sporty like the RTR nor was it commuterish like the Unicorn. Overall felt it had an uncomfortable seating posture for a tall guy like me.

RTR Hyperedge was just a name they gave to the 2011 lineup of RTR160. It had different type of racing stripes with everything else remaining the same. These too are good bikes but have crappy tires again at the rear. Crappier than the GS as well. Again easy fix. If you are ok with the seating posture, then its a good buy. Should return a realistic 45-50kmpl in city traffic. Its a hoot to ride around and very agile.

Happy hunting.

[SankalpDesai]

If you're looking for a bike that is smooth, reliable and offers decent fuel efficiency, look no further than a Honda Unicorn Dazzler or the Suzuki GS150R. Both the bikes are really good to look at and will provide better fuel efficiency and a pleasant drive as compared to Bajaj or a TVS. You can never go wrong with these biking superstars.