[salunkhe.vizz]

Originally Posted by shubhamAT

Hi CBR250R owners i have booked a ZMA-R for city commute. Even after a month there is no news on when it's going to be delivered. I read on another thread that baby ceeber is available immediately. Both me and my wife love this bike however i have couple of queries about the bike:

1. How is the pillion comfort ? I had a blaze which had the best seats in business though getting on/off them for the pillion was bit awkward. ZMA's seat is also very comfy for both of us. How does this bike fare in this department ?

2. For people who have also driven a ZMA, how much better is the 250 in the low/mid rpm range. I will be rarely doing over 80 in the bike so top speed doesn't matter to me.
From a pure engine performance p.o.v is shelling out another 90k justified for a city commuter ? I know that spec to spec CBR250R wins over ZMA-R in every aspect (except weight) but just wanted to know: do i get double the "feel/fun" for double the money.

I will have to stretch a bit to get the ceeber so do you guys suggest me to get it or ZMA-R is good enough ?

Hi Shubham,
I had the old ZMA back in 2004 and have done upto 750 km rides at a go. I currently have the CBR and have done upto 300 km rides at a go. Here is the comparison:

1. Both Rider and Pillion comfort was much better on the ZMA. The seat was wider and soft on the ZMA compared to the CBR. Long rides were less stressfull on the wrists as well on the ZMA. The ZMA pillion could comfortably lean on the rider, it is not that easy on the CBR - hence taking corners and quick drags are not easy on the CBR with a pillion behind.

2. The performance at any range is certainly better on the CBR. I personally think the bike is a perfect upgrade after the ZMA, in terms of power performance. The overall 90k extra is completely worth it for the look and feel factor and the stares you get when on the CBR. the "bling" factor is much higher on the CBR compared to the ZMA. So yes, - You do get double the "feel/fun" for double the money.

So if you can stretch your budget for the CBR, I would say close your eyes and go for it.

[shubhamAT]

Thanks Viz. I went to Dream Honda this Saturday, and mounted a Red ABS one (no test ride or even starting the engine). Still, the few things i noticed that the bike compared to ZMA/Blaze are:

- It feels lighter than it looks. I did push it around. It was easier than in Blaze (which was 30kgs lighter but with all the weight in the back).

- The riding stance is not very forward, a dash more than in ZMA. So commute should be ok.

- You sit closer to the handle than in ZMA. Probably due to short length of fuel tank.

- Pillion seat, though broad may not work for longer rides esp with those high foot pegs gives a slightly unsettled feeling (per my wife).

- I did not find much cushion in the seats.

- Another point is that i found the brake pedal too close to the peg. Usually i rest my heel on the peg and the brake pedal falls over the ball/toe. In this case the it came at the mid sole(I am a UK 8 foot size).

- Finish of the switches and welds (near engine) are not in sync with the "premium" looks of the bike.

- Honestly, if i don't get the ZMA by November(booked in early Sep) i will end up buying the ABS one (provided i get it in 2 weeks)

- Lastly, with out any intent to offend any one, i think this bike is about 15% over priced. Esp the ABS version at +30K is a safety-blackmail. 15-20k more should have been good enough. If you compare this with the 38k difference in Ritz 30k looks too much for a bike.

I am no bike expert so please pardon me if my "dry" evaluation of this bike is not in line with what others say.

[black12rr]

^^ Yes , the ABS is overpriced ,on top of it road tax is on this 30K . It should have been around 10 k more .Also the waiting period is still crazy . Are they still not giving test rides ?

[shubhamAT]

One of my friend who took delivery of a Unicorn from Haiku Honda told that there is 1 TR bike which makes rounds with various dealerships. Dream Honda flatly refused and said it's not possible.

[rk_sans]

Completed 5000 kms.
Couple of weekend rides and i should be ready for 2nd service. Only noticeable difference is that, i think there is little bit of tappet noise. I hear them only at higher rpms. Hope Honda has provided the right tools to check and resolve it(Crossing my fingers here).

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Completed 5000 kms.

Congrats on completing 5000 Kms with no major hassles. Are you sure that the CBR might require new tools for tappet noise? Felt they would be pretty much the same as they would have to rely on feeler guage for checking tappet clearance. However if there is any change please do update along with pictures of this tool

So after 5000 Kms would you have any changes in your perceptions or do they remain rock solid as it was earlier...

[rk_sans]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Congrats on completing 5000 Kms with no major hassles. Are you sure that the CBR might require new tools for tappet noise? Felt they would be pretty much the same as they would have to rely on feeler guage for checking tappet clearance. However if there is any change please do update along with pictures of this tool

So after 5000 Kms would you have any changes in your perceptions or do they remain rock solid as it was earlier...

Its nothing new tools but the way Honda are setup with regards to this bike made me speak out that sentence.
So far its been rock solid, hope it would continue like that(Fingers crossed )

[Porschefire]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Completed 5000 kms.
Couple of weekend rides and i should be ready for 2nd service. Only noticeable difference is that, i think there is little bit of tappet noise. I hear them only at higher rpms. Hope Honda has provided the right tools to check and resolve it(Crossing my fingers here).

Awesome!!!Lets head out soon as i'm planning to complete 4k on my ZMR

[rk_sans]

Originally Posted by Porschefire

Awesome!!!Lets head out soon as i'm planning to complete 4k on my ZMR

Sure, we have planned one on Sunday morning to Nandi Hills. And as usual, saturday rides is also up now. This time it is Bellur cross but i am not sure still if i will be able to make it.

[rk_sans]

Got the second service done.
Things changed,
Oil filter
Engine Oil
Left side Silver fairing (Had a fall few days earlier and it was broken)

Things to be changed,
Rear Brake pads. Looks like the brake pads are the lowest quality. Seen most of the other CBR owners have also changed the brake pads around 5k.

Appx cost INR 1600, haven't closed the job card still, the brake pads replacement is pending. Probably will be getting it done on Monday.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Got the second service done. Things changed,
Oil filter, Engine Oil, Left side Silver fairing. Appx cost INR 1600.

All this for 1.6k? Thats cheap. What engine oil do they fill in these bikes during service?

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Got the second service done.
Things changed,
Oil filter
Engine Oil
Left side Silver fairing (Had a fall few days earlier and it was broken)

Things to be changed,
Rear Brake pads. Looks like the brake pads are the lowest quality. Seen most of the other CBR owners have also changed the brake pads around 5k.

Appx cost INR 1600, haven't closed the job card still, the brake pads replacement is pending. Probably will be getting it done on Monday.

Wow this is quite economical, does the cost include even the brake pads? Would you want to share the detailed break-up of the costs imbibed

[rk_sans]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

All this for 1.6k? Thats cheap. What engine oil do they fill in these bikes during service?

Yeah, Pretty Cheap to maintain.
They use 10w30 Honda FS costs about INR 500 per litre.

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Wow this is quite economical, does the cost include even the brake pads? Would you want to share the detailed break-up of the costs imbibed

Got the brake pads replaced and got the bill today.
I also got a pair levers just in case.
Here is the break up.

Rear Brake Pads - INR 660.48
Oil Filter - INR 250.69
Clutch Lever - INR 69.42
Brake Lever - INR 116.66
Cowl(Left Silver Fair, beside the headlamp) - INR 376.04

[JVH]

Originally Posted by rk_sans

Got the brake pads replaced and got the bill today.
I also got a pair levers just in case.
Here is the break up.

Rear Brake Pads - INR 660.48
Oil Filter - INR 250.69
Clutch Lever - INR 69.42
Brake Lever - INR 116.66
Cowl(Left Silver Fair, beside the headlamp) - INR 376.04

Man!!! Thats some pricing. And were these available off the shelf? I heard many folks complaining on lack of availability of spares. In fact, today I read a post on lack of Clutch lever availability.

In any case, this comes as a revelation to me. I had never expected such attractive pricing.

[rk_sans]

Sorry forgot to update the total cost of the servicing.
Rs. 2787 includes the following
Oil Filter
Engine Oil
Front Silver Cowl
One set of brake pads
One pair of levers
Labour

Originally Posted by JVH

Man!!! Thats some pricing. And were these available off the shelf? I heard many folks complaining on lack of availability of spares. In fact, today I read a post on lack of Clutch lever availability.

In any case, this comes as a revelation to me. I had never expected such attractive pricing.

I believe Honda is now concentrating on the spares. Few parts are still not available like Shims, few fairing parts, etc.