Fun-to-Ride Motorcycle for 75K!

[driverace]

Ok, Hi all.
New in Bangalore, and looking for a bike to commute.
That's me.


Purpose:
Daily commute to office (6km to and fro) all weekdays.
May even drive end to end on either of weekends- Joy rides (say 50 kms).
Occasional outing- like once in two/three months (100~200km).

Expectation:
sporty and interesting drive!
Prefer 125cc+ options. (Nothing hard and fast though)
Decent mileage (as major drive will be a city affair) (around 45~50 is decent for me)
Maintenance (lesser the better!)

Budget:
this is a gray area.
Now, I am alone, I can spend/splurge.
But, I got to control the urge of spending someplace I regret later!
that does not mean I can buy the Kwacker or CBR 250 !
but also does not mean, I should go for CD Dawn / Passion. (No offense meant)

But, to give a figure, I would still say be below 75K (thats sensible, right?)

I mean, I have just moved to Bangalore, (where money can spend itself!)

and I will be married soon!
So gotta start saving too!!

Brand/Preference:
I have a Pulsar 150 at home (the Digi version, older than the current one, though)
that's been reliable till now.
but, I would prefer something that handles better (more confidence in driving!)
I have been a fan of the Yamahas, not so much of Hondas.

But again,
Nothings hard and fast here too!


___________________________________

In a nutshell:

I am all confused!

Please : PLEH !!

care,

Ace.

[YaeJay]

Perhaps the FZ16?

[Spitfire]

Get a Hero Honda Hunk.

[arun_kun]

My Paisa:

I guess FZ16 suits your requirements.

Decent city ride. Has excellent road grip. Good city bike and has millage of around 40km/ltr.
You can even look for TVS 180.

[SRK]

Since you are a Yamaha fan why not check out the FZ16?

I would also suggest to check out the TVS Apache RTR and the Hero Honda Karizma. (Most users say they are best for riding)


If you want something smaller the Pulsar 135 LS seems to be a good bike.

[driverace]

Originally Posted by YaeJay

Perhaps the FZ16?

Hmm, More about the bike please.
can you give me 3 pros / cons about it?

I am seriously looking at it!
Fz 16 or the S , whats the difference (other than cosmetic)

Fz 16 is 75K OTR Bangalore
Fz s 77K OTR price in Bangalore. (right?)

Thanks for your input!

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Get a Hero Honda Hunk.

Hunk,
hmm, I am not so much sunk in the Hunk as of now..
But, I will definitely take it for test drive, now that you have reco'd it!

Could you give 3 pros / cons for Hunk?

Hunk is 73K OTR Bangalore approx? Single disc
__________________________________

Thanks for lightening fast reply
(especially since you had to read my whole essay before replying!)

care,

Ace.

P.S. Source of my pricing OTR is Internet only. Please confirm.


__________________________________________________ ________________________

Originally Posted by arun_kun

My Paisa:

I guess FZ16 suits your requirements.
Ya, I find, It does..
Decent city ride. Has excellent road grip. Good city bike and has millage of around 40km/ltr.
Isn't that a chunk on lower side?
You can even look for TVS 180.
you mean Apache RTR 180 right?
I am really having no reasons, as to why not go for this bike either! (other than tadd stiff ride..)

thanks,
But those are the bikes which kinda started the confusion!
Please help me more with the pros/cons.

Originally Posted by SRK

Since you are a Yamaha fan why not check out the FZ16?

Yup! FZ16 is getting stronger on the charts with tbhp rooting for it!
I would also suggest to check out the TVS Apache RTR and the Hero Honda Karizma. (Most users say they are best for riding)

see, now you are adding to the dillemma!
I am here so you all can help me arrive at the decision faster!

If you want something smaller the Pulsar 135 LS seems to be a good bike.

Ya,
about the Pulsar 130.
hmm, thats an alien looking bike, from the planet Glazurathron!
But, hey all with I got 4 valves, and better technology, it does seem (geeky) interesting!

And I think it would do ok on longer drives (strictly once in a while!)

And the OTR 60K keeps the Bank happy too!

so,
to sum it all..
I have till now:

FZ16 or S
TVS Apache 180
Pulsar 135
Karizma

Ahem.

Thanks all!

I think, lets add the Avenger Option to that.
And,
We can start narrowing it down. ?

care,

Ace.

Boy, with the quick replies and all, I feel like getting ready now, and buying the bike right away too!
But,
yes, the time frame to buy in 3-4 weeks max.
So, all help is good!

[bluevolt]

Why don't you consider Yamaha SZR? It’s new in market and priced very well. The bike serves most of your requirements also. If budget is not a problem then Karizma (R or ZMR depending on your budget) is a clear winner, no need to look further. Give Yamaha SZR a try.

[Tommie]

I would recommend the Apache with ABS which would give you the safety that is really needed for a 2 wheeler on bad and skidding Indian roads.

[driverace]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

Why don't you consider Yamaha SZR? It’s new in market and priced very well. The bike serves most of your requirements also. If budget is not a problem then Karizma (R or ZMR depending on your budget) is a clear winner, no need to look further. Give Yamaha SZR a try.

Yam - SZr hmm, thats a good one too. (will drive that too!)
( I am sure the Yam sales guy is going to ask me - "Sir, are you going to buy one?" )
But, nevertheless, its a new launch, gotta take the drive!
Yamaha SZr - 60K approx OTR

About Karizma R (which still sensibly fits the bill too!) at 88 K is just a bit over the edge, I think!

Edit: I see, you own a Karizma R.
Please say some more about the city riding, real life Mileage, and maintenance.
It is a well proven product for sure!
(If I go for it, it will be the R only, cant now, go for the ZMR)

Regd Budget, like I said in the first post:

Budget:
this is a gray area.
Now, I am alone, I can spend/splurge.
But, I got to control the urge of spending someplace I regret later!

Gist: I wouldnt want to splurge too high for the requirement!

But, yes, its tempting for sure!

Ahh, that adds one more to the options!

FZ16 or S
TVS Apache 180
Pulsar 135
Karizma
Yamaha SZr


care,

Ace.

[akhil_007]

If you're looking at Karizma(R, ZMR or some other cosmetic variant), then forget Mileage. AFAIK, Karizma gives around 35 if driven without ripping.

FZ-16 or FZ-S is a good bike with mileage of around 38-42 but the pillion seat is very small.

RTR-160 or 180 fits the bill perfectly. Trust me, each time you drive it, it puts a smile on your face as well as pocket. (15 odd bhp and around 45-48kmpl for RTR 160). But the sporty stance is a minute drawback(for tall guys).

You could also take a look at Unicorn and Suzuki GSX150R. Butter smooth engines, nice mileage, good pickup and top end. GSX has 6th tall gear that will be useful for cruising on highways.

So my pick
1. RTR family
2. Unicorn
3. GSX150R

All the best

[bluevolt]

Originally Posted by driverace

Edit: I see, you own a Karizma R.
Please say some more about the city riding, real life Mileage, and maintenance.
It is a well proven product for sure!
(If I go for it, it will be the R only, cant now, go for the ZMR)

I own karizma for around two years now and have done nearly 11,000 KM. I always got consistent mileage of 35-38 KMPL from my bike but ever since I installed iridium plug, mileage has never came below 40 KMPL, getting 40-44 KMPL after getting iridium plug (Overall figures). About riding, bike is absolute plush with very comfortable riding position coupled with good breaks. I get my bike serviced every 2000 KM and bill for paid service is around Rs.400 and for free service is around Rs. 200.

When you will TD a karizma and compare with others you shortlisted, you will fall in love with karizma.

[creative420]

About Karizma, as one of my friend has gone out for a month long trip in pardes, I have his bike and boy am I zipping around in city. I love this bike. I gives you an awesome control over road, more than my trusted Pulsar 150 DTSi. Only negative bit about this one in particular is that it ain't giving me anything more than 30-32 kms/litre which pinches a lot these days.

Check out the new Yamaha Fazer too. Everyday i see it parked outside my office and it does look like the best amongst others in parking lot (say about 70-80 bikes, so yeah, pretty appealing) have no pros and cons about it.

[driverace]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

I own karizma for around two years now and have done nearly 11,000 KM. I always got consistent mileage of 35-38 KMPL from my bike but ever since I installed iridium plug, mileage has never came below 40 KMPL, getting 40-44 KMPL after getting iridium plug (Overall figures). About riding, bike is absolute plush with very comfortable riding position coupled with good breaks. I get my bike serviced every 2000 KM and bill for paid service is around Rs.400 and for free service is around Rs. 200.

When you will TD a karizma and compare with others you shortlisted, you will fall in love with karizma.

So,
On the mileage front, 40 seems to be the base

(just like in engineering!)

Whether its a Karizma or a Fz or Avenger, its going to get me worse like 40.
Which is OKish

so, I will start test drives of the mentioned bikes, and get my impression on the bikes - first hand.

Thanks for the update!

care,

Ace.

Edit:

Wooahh, Creative guy just gave me a Bazzinga! (reference: Big Bang theory)
So, 30ish haa.
Are you really ripping (its heart off!?)?
hmm, will try to keep that in the cons though.

Ok.
About the Fazer, No idea there either!

But, it more looks like Fairing added to the Fz!
doesnt it?

Will check tomorrow, if any tech specs are different.

Thanks you too!

GN,

Ace.

[bluevolt]

Originally Posted by creative420

Only negative bit about this one in particular is that it ain't giving me anything more than 30-32 kms/litre which pinches a lot these days.
Check out the new Yamaha Fazer too.

That depends much on riding style also. Change gears at 3-3.5K and I bet Karizma is capable of returning mileage of 38-42 KMPL. And changing to iridium spark plug helps a lot in increasing mileage of the bike along with crisp throttle response.


Yamaha Fazer too returns similar fuel efficiency as reported by ZMA owners (fazer is much less in cubic capacity and power).

[driverace]

Originally Posted by bluevolt

That depends much on riding style also. Change gears at 3-3.5K and I bet Karizma is capable of returning mileage of 38-42 KMPL. And changing to iridium spark plug helps a lot in increasing mileage of the bike along with crisp throttle response.


Yamaha Fazer too returns similar fuel efficiency as reported by ZMA owners (fazer is much less in cubic capacity and power).

Ya, that part about driving style, I have gathered that too..
So, again its almost safe to assume ,that driven sanely enough, the Karizma can give a 40.

Again, about fazer, lot of unknowns here..

But, Karizma and Fz test drives, I will try to schedule this week.



Ace.

P.S. Extra thanks to all for staying up so late, to help me figure out which bike to buy!
I just loveee Team bhp even more! Geeez!