[parrys]

If you're in the market to buy a new motorcycle in the coming months, it is going to be quite tough choosing between the options almost every manufacturer is going to throw at us.

What would you pick from the following:

Yamaha R25


Kawasaki Ninja 300


Honda CBR 250R / 300R


KTM Duke 200 / 390


KTM RC 200 / 390


Suzuki Inazuma


Hyosung GT250R


Hero MotoCorp HX250R


Image source: Respective manufacturers website / facebook pages.

And many more bikes.... (Feel fee to add other options in your reply)

Personally, I am waiting for the Yamaha R25, and it doesn't matter if it is a single or a twin cylinder. Of course the twin will double the excitement.

Why I would chose the Yamaha:

• Being a R15 owner, till last month, very satisfied with the service support.
• Quality! Arguably better than the competition. Expensive parts, but last longer.
• R15 handled brilliantly, so expect the R25 to be almost on the same lines.
• From the spy shots, I love the front end design. (Subjective)

What would be your pick if you had to buy it this year, say around the festive season? Reasoning would help others.

[ebonho]

For 2014-15 (or till when KTM India gives us the 690 at an Indian price), I will be looking at a sparingly used and well kept Ninja 250.

Reason:

1) I ride with a close biker buddy who has a KTM 390, and I need something that will help me keep up on the straights and push him (if not make him breathe my bike's excretions) in the twisties

2) I did not quite connect the 390 from the 3 months I spent with it, and would like to try out a twin. Especially this legendary one. Without breaking the bank for what is going to be a pretty short term stopgap (a swap really for my 200).

P.S. Are you absolutely certain the R25 is coming?

[parrys]

Originally Posted by ebonho

For 2014-15 (or till when KTM India gives us the 690 at an Indian price), I will be loking at a sparingly used and well kept Ninja 250.

Reason:

1) I ride with a close biker buddy who has a KTM 390, and I need something that will help me keep up on the straights and push him (if not make him breathe my bike's excretions) in the twisties

2) I did not quite connect the 390 from the 3 months I spent with it, and would like to try out a twin. Especially this legendary one. Without breaking the bank for what is going to be a pretty short term stopgap (a swap really for my 200).

P.S. Are you absolutely certain the R25 is coming?

One R25 prototype has already landed on Indian shores, and a couple of journo friends have suggested a 2014 launch. So, fingers crossed.

Talking about the Ninja:


A friend of mine picked this up on Monday evening.
Price: 3.90 lakhs, 2011 make.
Akrapovic exhaust, new windscreen, some brake enhancement.

I took it for a spin, and man, it is so practical. I could scoot around at 30 kmph in 3rd gear on a 650. Unbelievable. Still, it is too fast to be ridden on the limits in India.

You probably won't believe your eyes when you read this, but I am willing to take a test ride of the Continental GT as well. That bike is so attractive, at least on a stand still

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by parrys

One R25 prototype has already landed on Indian shores, and a couple of journo friends have suggested a 2014 launch. So, fingers crossed.

That's great news. You can take my fingers and toes as well. Am a yamaha fan, even if I won't buy one (new).

A friend of mine picked this up on Monday evening.
Price: 3.90 lakhs, 2011 make.
Akrapovic exhaust, new windscreen, some brake enhancement.

I took it for a spin, and man, it is so practical. I could scoot around at 30 kmph in 3rd gear on a 650. Unbelievable. Still, it is too fast to be ridden on the limits in India.

I'm somehow put off by the 650 after my friend's recent crash and the ride (brief) impressions.

You probably won't believe your eyes when you read this, but I am willing to take a test ride of the Continental GT as well. That bike is so attractive, at least on a stand still

Oh please man ......

[Sheel]

You guys are free to kick me where it hurts, but my choice would be a Japanese. Yes, they might be mechanical & may not have a soul, but the stories I have read about other bike makers and their lack of expertise, I would (amongst the ones suggested) pick a N-300R.

Though, in reality, I am looking forward to skip this league and get a CB 650F & be done with it.

[parrys]

Originally Posted by Sheel

pick a N-300R

Why kick you where it hurts, it is the best of the lot.
The pricing is still 30-40k above what it should be IMO.
I have taken a test ride and it was super comfortable + smooth, but then, it was too relaxed a position for my taste. The CBR250R provides the same riding comfort at half the price, and with ABS too.

Though, in reality, I am looking forward to skip this league and get a CB 650F & be done with it.

Do you read minds?

An in-line four is a dream. Wonder when Honda plans to start assembling it.
Also, heard from a friend (he heard it at a KTM dealership) that the Ninja 650 will be built / assembled at the Chakan facility from next year. Not sure if this is true.

[ku69rd]

If you are not in a hurry then the R25 must be given a good hard look before you want to decide on other motorcycles. If you are on a budget then the KTM 390 should be a good fitment

[rahul4321]

Thankfully this is not a decision I have to make right now as i dont have the necessary dough. But I lust after the Ninja 300! Its too expensive for me right now. But if i had the budget; I would pick up the Ninja 300 as it is just perfect for our road conditions. Great to potter around in the city, superb on the highway. A Kawasaki is best enjoyed at the top end of its rpm range so while the 300 will hit the higher power bands very easily, a 650 (on our roads) will not hit it (especially in the higher gears). If anybody is confused, I say- pick the Ninja 300

Mind says = overpriced
Heart says = worth every penny (I know it contradicting the above line but I still cant explain it)

[4k_jz]

I am waiting for the KTM duke 200 2013 model which comes with ABS and .5 litres added capacity fuel tank. It would be my first bike. Thanks to Tbhp & Xbhp for introducing me to the bike world. Although I have learnt riding on my friend's Bajaj P220 & Yamaha R15, but I still haven't got the confidence to go long distances and sweep through traffic. Hence safety would be my priority and ATGATT is the rule to follow.

May not be the right thread but, according to you which should be my first bike?
(as a beginner)
a. KTM Duke 200 2013
b. Pulsar 200NS
c. any sub 200cc

Thanks in advance
Akshat

[charanreddy]

Personally the KTM 390 for me primarily driven by the seating position, which is easier on the back and wrists. I faced a similar dilemma with my first Bike Pulsar 180 Vs Apache 160 and chose Pulsar.

If this was not a concern then definitely ninja 300 in the green color. Absolutely drool worthy

[creative420]

I really wish someone takes the adventure category seriously. Hero Impulse 250cc or KTM 390 Adventure should enter this space as soon as possible. However, from the above bikes, my money will be on KTM 390. What a VFM product it is. This followed by Pulsar SS200 if they launch it this year (another VFM product). And that followed by Hero HX250R, if Hero Motors can pull it off.

[BANDHAV]

I recently bought myself a CBR250 in sunbeam white color, I wanted to wait for HX250 but then loose patience and picked the CBR. A pre-owned Ninja 250 could have been bought with the same kind of money but then the reliability of a new Japanese would always be relatively better than a used Japanese bike. The ownership cost was also a major deciding factor.

A multi cylinder (read more than one cylinder) motorcycle is still eluding me.

Aditya, Where is Pulsar in this list? You have included a Non existent Hero Motocorp's vehicle, and you forgot to include Bajaj, which is Hamara ? And where is the Mojo? Lets provoke Mahindra's idiocy
By and large, you have made a good list. Thanks.

Actually i am thinking to get a bike in 200-400 CC range. After riding a 220 and then a Zma for 5 years, the expectations grew higher and higher.

But from the list provided, Many of the choices could be dumped directly.
- Yamaha R25 - In the game
- Ninja 300 - In the game
- CBR 250/300 - In the game Partially. Why? The above two choices.
- Duke 390 - In the game. As of now, it is Ruling
- Inazuma - Could be Dumped. Nothing impressive. Not even the price.
- Hyosung GT 250R - This korean ability & reliability levels are similar to what our blokes make.
- Hero Moto corp HX250R - God knows what it is. From the pics looks like the same Zma based engine.

What i am considering for my purchase, (in the same order)
- Ninja 300
- Yamaha R25
If these two boys mess up the pricing badly, then the other choices i have considered are,
- Duke 390
- CBR 250/300
And no Hero's please, i am planning for a super bike not an economy bike.

[Roomy]

Originally Posted by gemi_kk

Hero Moto corp HX250R - God knows what it is. From the pics looks like the same Zma based engine.

You couldn't be more wrong here mate. Being a harsh HH critic myself, I was amazed by the specs of the proposed HX250R when it was showcased at AutoExpo 2014.
You can read more about the bike here (Hero MotoCorp @ Auto Expo 2014).

[fz_rider]

Pulsar 200 and 400 SS, 400 CS will be the bikes for those on tight budget. Not to forget the elusive Apache 250.
Well it seems the market has shifted from the 150 cc category. Now 250 is the norm. I guess we will see more and more powerful bikes.
With the scooters eating up the commuter bike segment, well may have two segments in future, scooter and performance bikes.