[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by //M

The 650cc Kawas might be better though.

these boys have no problems at all. Sing all day long with the regular every day Petrol. Though I have always made sure it’s a reliance, Essar, coco psu bunk, or a shell.

[pvinod_p]

Hi All,
My apologies if this is an off topic question. I have been saving up for buying my first sbk for the last 2 years. I'm not confident enough to go for a liter bike, so was exploring 600-700 cc options. Unfortunately, the 2 bikes I narrowed down on - the triumph daytona and the honda 650r, are both not available in Mumbai anymore. Or they have a year waitlist at least. Hence I am now keen on exploring pre-owned options. Budget should not be a constraint since I said I have been saving up for a while now!!

Are there any good dealers/shops that bhpians could advice me on to check out in Mumbai please?

Thanks a lot in advance!!

Vinod

[Red Liner]

Why aren’t you considering the Kawasaki zx6r? It properly thrashes any competition in the segment.

[highlander]

Originally Posted by pvinod_p

... triumph daytona and the honda 650r, are both not available in Mumbai anymore....

Both these vehicles are different categories. One is a track specialist and other a sports tourer.

• Daytona was discontinued due to Euro4, but can be bought pre-owned. Very fast 3 cyl, but with a very committed riding posture (52 deg forward lean).
• Honda is a great 4 cylinder tourer but may be delayed due to BS6.

Ideally the first bike in this price range should be ninja 650 as it treats you well. Do check it out; better rent it for a couple of hours.

I believe Z900 is a better bike for Indian conditions than ZX-6R in that price range (unless you plan to hit track more often)

[pvinod_p]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Why aren’t you considering the Kawasaki zx6r? It properly thrashes any competition in the segment.

Thanks a lot for this suggestion! I always thought the 650 was the only configuration that KW offered (clearly not enough preparation on my part).

I'm heading to check it out this weekend!!

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by highlander

I believe Z900 is a better bike for Indian conditions than ZX-6R in that price range (unless you plan to hit track more often)

I disagree from my perspective slightly. A zx6r will keep you thrilled for a much much longer time,probably for life even. A z900 will probably keep you thrilled for a couple of years at the most.

Dont forget the weight difference as well. I would probably go for the 6R every single time.

[bf1983]

The zx6r is a very powerful bike and I am not sure it's the best option for someone who has never ridden a Superbike before. It's preformance is probably better than even the ninja 1000 litre bike. It also has a very commited aggressive riding posture so watch out for that as well. If you just like to do weekend rides or few short rides the zx6r should be great. But for long tours I don't think you will enjoy such a committed riding posture.

A z900 or ninja 650 is a more easy to ride option IMO. You can even use them as a daily bike especially the ninja 650. Consider the zx6r only if you really like the aggressive bikes.

Another option is the ninja 1000. Its around the 11 lakh otr mark and while it is a litre bike it's still relatively easy to ride and has a more relaxed riding posture.

[highlander]

Originally Posted by bf1983

The zx6r is a very powerful bike and I am not sure it's the best option for someone who has never ridden a Superbike before. .....

A z900 or ninja 650 is a more easy to ride option IMO. You can even use them as a daily bike especially the ninja 650. Consider the zx6r only if you really like the aggressive bikes.

+1

Originally Posted by Red Liner

A zx6r will keep you thrilled for a much much longer time,probably for life even.

Agree that 6R is a lot of fun; buts its usability is limited to mainly track and breakfast rides. It is a good upgrade for someone who has already ridden N300 or N650 or similar bikes. It has a great top-end and awesome in twisties but an anemic low end and needs a committed posture. It is a supersport and not the best recommendation for first time owner.

Z900 is ~15kg heavier and is also not the perfect starter bike, but better livable than 6R. Cheaper to own, lower maintenance and better usable torque curve. If weight is a factor, Striple S is much better all round (misses top end but great torque down low).

Anyway, it’s better for OP to understand these bikes better and not rush into buying anything. Don’t set a timeline for the purchase and keep increasing your knowledge of bikes.

The world of pre-owned has even better options and is more forgiving financially if end up with a bike not suiting you.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by highlander

+1



Anyway, it’s better for OP to understand these bikes better and not rush into buying anything. Don’t set a timeline for the purchase and keep increasing your knowledge of bikes.

The world of pre-owned has even better options and is more forgiving financially if end up with a bike not suiting you.

OP had narrowed down the Daytona as his first choice, see original post. If he was clear about that, the zx6R is a fantastic and dare I say way better alternative, is it not?

[pvinod_p]

Originally Posted by highlander

+1

The world of pre-owned has even better options and is more forgiving financially if end up with a bike not suiting you.

Trying to learn about pre-owned options in India, but general commentary seems to be that one needs to be very wary of traders and showrooms that offer pre-owned options. Only direct from known sellers makes sense. Would you have any tips on how to go about this please?

[bf1983]

Yes high performance bikes need a lot of care to ensure they don't fail you when you go at high speeds. You might survive a 60 kph crash if you have some gear (like I did) but it your bike fails you at 160 kph then you might have a problem.

If a used bike has all its service history known and has been regularly serviced then it's relatively safe to buy one. That's why it's best to buy from someone you know cause a lot of times people sell their bikes after a crash or they simply don't have time to use it and that comes with it's own set of problems as the bike would never be used for months on end which can dry up all the lubricants and cause excessive rusting.

So yes do be wary but at the same time you can get some really good deals on used bikes. Two of my friends went down the pre worshiped route by searching olx. Both took a few months to find their dream bikes but both of them bought from owners who were upgrading and they had taken good care of their bikes. So far they have been very happy with their purchase cause other than the direct savings on a new bike most used bikes come loaded with other accessories like frame sliders and more which further increases the overall value.

[highlander]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

If he was clear about that, the zx6R is a fantastic and dare I say way better alternative, is it not?

Yup, ZX-6R is definitely better for everyday living when compared to Daytona apart from low end torque (due to 3 cylinder config on the Triumph). Still not a worthy first bike. The 6R makes most of power higher in the rev range and this is definitely for everyone.

If OP does fancy Daytona, lucky him; Triumph put the same engine in two street bike and the S variant should be cheaper than 6R and is cautiously ok to be first bike.


Here is a very good article about sportbike-progression

Excerpts:

Consider a bike a tool. One which you use to learn stuff on. And, like any tool, there’s a right one for any job, and a wrong one. Start too big and you won’t learn anything, you’ll just scare yourself. As motorcycles go up in performance, the envelope in which they work becomes narrower. Where something like a Kawasaki Ninja 650 is exploitable and useable and at home in environments ranging from city commuting to light track riding, that Panigale only works on a mountain road mostly composed of 3rd and 4th gear corners at temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees, in the dry. Or on a track. And only in the hands of a skilled rider. Use it for anything else and it will just try to throw you off.

Think of a simple 1-10 scale, with 1 being a straight road in the middle of nowhere and no traffic and 10 being a good track on a good day. A good mountain road on an ideal day would be around number 7 or 8. That Ninja 650 will be an ideal tool for the job from numbers 1 to 7. The Panigale only works at 11. No learning occurs at 11, only do or die

.

The 6R is further down the curve than N650.

Originally Posted by bf1983

...
If a used bike has all its service history known and has been regularly serviced then it's relatively safe to buy one. That's why it's best to buy from someone you know cause a lot of times people sell their bikes after a crash or they simply don't have time to use it and that comes with it's own set of problems as the bike would never be used for months on end which can dry up all the lubricants and cause excessive rusting.

So yes do be wary but at the same time you can get some really good deals on used bikes. ...

+1

Originally Posted by pvinod_p

....Would you have any tips on how to go about this please?

Checking out multiple vehicles will help you differentiate what is well maintained and what isn't. A deal which is too good to be true usually isn't. Some bikes are a lot more reliable (read Japanese) than others, so it helps if you fancy something from their stable.

Buying pre-owned is a risk/reward exercise and knowledge of bikes is the best help to have. Here's a good video that highlights top points to check:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKGZdsIkLog

Sorry to confuse you further, but with March approaching (BS4 bike end date) there is a good chance that there will be lot of discount on existing stock. So be prepared for that as well.

[v12]

If it is your first superbike, I would recommend to go for a brand new one. With BS6 coming in, there will be heavy discounts on most superbikes (especially Kawasaki and Triumph). Nothing will give you more peace of mind than a brand new motorcycle. You will have warranty and service backup to fall back on in case things go wrong.

If you are going for a used superbike, you will need to have a lot of patience. They are not very easy to come by. In addition to all the checks mentioned in the Used Car / Bike thread, keep the following as a top priority :
1. You buy it from a known / trustworthy person (try and avoid dealers)
2. Check the service history (if they are done from A.S.S). If it is an out of warranty motorcycle and the service is done at an independent garage, check for bills etc (some independent garages like Slipstream Performance are way better than most A.S.S)
3. All that glitters is not gold - don't fall for shiny / polished motorcycles. With the number of small time detailers coming up in many nooks and corners - it is easy for someone to get a good detailing on a badly maintained motorcycle and show it as well maintained. Beware of such sellers.

[pvinod_p]

Originally Posted by v12

If it is your first superbike, I would recommend to go for a brand new one. With BS6 coming in, there will be heavy discounts on most superbikes (especially Kawasaki and Triumph). Nothing will give you more peace of mind than a brand new motorcycle. You will have warranty and service backup to fall back on in case things go wrong.

If you are going for a used superbike, you will need to have a lot of patience. They are not very easy to come by. In addition to all the checks mentioned in the Used Car / Bike thread, keep the following as a top priority :
1. You buy it from a known / trustworthy person (try and avoid dealers)
2. Check the service history (if they are done from A.S.S). If it is an out of warranty motorcycle and the service is done at an independent garage, check for bills etc (some independent garages like Slipstream Performance are way better than most A.S.S)
3. All that glitters is not gold - don't fall for shiny / polished motorcycles. With the number of small time detailers coming up in many nooks and corners - it is easy for someone to get a good detailing on a badly maintained motorcycle and show it as well maintained. Beware of such sellers.

Yes - first sbk! Planning to visit Kawasaki showroom in Thane this weekend to check out. They have the 1000, 650 and 6R.

[pvinod_p]

Thanks for all the comments and advise here. Went to the showroom and checked out the N1000, N650 and 6R. Booked the 6R! Will take 2 weeks for delivery. Excited!