Hi Gurus,
I am in a dilema since quite a few months now, sharing so that I might get some perspective. My garage comprises of the following:
1. 2017 Alto K10 VXI (O) manual - with single airbag, run 17k with stock tyres and Morel maximo components
2. 2007 TVS Apache 150 with RTR 180 engine, and RTR 160 cycle parts with Masseters front and back - run approx 1.10 lac kms total
My usage is: Daily commute to office with wife as pillion on bike through very heavy Whitefield traffic with broken roads and giant car/ bike breakers & stupid unscientific plastic speedhumps (45 total, I counted ).
The car runs mostly on weekends and for any highway runs due to age of the bike (although it is extremely reliable and fun still).
Of late I feel the car to be out of its depths in highways, due to the light body, high vertical movement, jarring ride quality, small wheels and utmost lack of safety (I doubt the airbag would do anything much in a crash).
We do love travelling a lot, by road most of our trips are 300+ kms. In fact, we did Bangalore to Kanyakumari with me driving 8 - 10 hours non stop (apart from food and bio breaks).
Also, the car isn't very comfortable for long journeys, due to which parents / in laws or even friends don't really want to join us for the drive. I got lower back pain after the Kanyakumari trip due to lack of lumbar support in the seat (probably can be fixed with cushioning etc). The engine is extremely sprightly though and it touches 130 in 3rd gear, although I don't feel confident taking it above 120 - it feels like it will literally start flying - I even keep tire pressure low to 31-32 to try improving the ride which is harsh when unloaded and bouncy when loaded. The light steering worsens the handling and car is all over the place in cross winds or undulating surfaces. Probably a better tire with 165 section can improve this, but car definitely needs a better suspension setup along with stiffening up at right places.
Since my bike is 13 years old now, I need to change it now, with parts difficult to find and my wife complains of back pain, even with new shock absorbers at rear probably since our weight with bags and all crosses 160kgs.
I can afford a bigger car now, but wife wants an automatic SUV (Nexon or Ecosport or something similar) since she learnt driving recently but hasn't yet got the hang of manual yet - maybe due to the poor bottom end torque of the K10B motor, she enjoyed driving the K12 Swift though. Also, parents & in laws want something which has easy ingress and egress (both live in different cities). Would any hatchback / sedan suit our requirement, or should I stretch ahead for a CSUV like Nexon or Ecosport?
Need suggestions, what should I do?
- Change both car and bike? If so which ones
- Change bike and wait for car EMI to complete in 2022, upgrade the car tires to Michelins, get damping done and new HU, better seat covers with cushioning etc
Looking at the options, most of the automatic CSuv are 11 lacs plus on road and lower models of Nexon are under- equipped except XZ+.
There is parking space for only one car and couple of bikes in my apartment.
I have about 3 lacs saved, the car will probably go for around 4 lacs if sold. On top of that can increase current car EMI to 4-5k additional for 5 years. So total of 10 lacs for both combined.
Pre - worshipped are totally vetoed out by wife and parents, although I am open to the idea - makes good financial sense.
With the current BS4 discounts running, any good options?
My driving style is defensive with a bit of aggression to keep cabs and swiggy/ Zomato riders at bay. On highways, I drive at 100, max 110 if roads are excellent due to the unpredictable nature of the traffic and people. I love going on small bike trips (rented a few incl CBR, Himalayan, Thunderbird 500, Jawa) but long trips are mostly on car due to comfort and luggage carrying capacity
Few of my shortlists in order of preference
Car Shortlists:
1. Ecosport Trend - petrol manual
2. Aspire / Figo / Freestyle - anyone is fine though I like the diesel more
3. Tata Altroz - but almost the price of Nexon, and again lower variants are underspecced, no TBhp review yet
4. Tata Nexon - XZ? or Kraz variant if automatic - petrol
5. i20 - not a fan of it though, feels unexciting to drive
6. Jazz CVT?
7. Venue ? Dont like the way it looks though
Ruled out:
- Marutis, Volkswagen & Skoda
Fuel preference: none.
Motorcycle Shortlists:
1. CB300R - Overpriced, but love its flickability and light weight. Motor has very good low end punch unlike 250r which needed frequent gear changes esp when with pillion. Pillion seat is comfortable enough too, with a back rest.
2. Dominar - Don't mind the weight though coudn't connect with it in short test ride I got (Bajaj is extremely stingy for test rides, the bike started jerking due to lack of fuel on the flyover). Need to take it for rent for a day or two to understand. Also, too many niggles, and Bajaj service is not upto the mark.
3. Himalayan - love its ability to flatten roads and swallow everything in its stride. Does heat up quite a lot in traffic, burnt my calf once. Quality and RE service are a big question mark. Also, no tubeless tires. No plans to go hardcore off roading. Most comfortable of the lot
4. 650 twins - absolutely adore the engine, but the ergos are a bit strange for both though like the conti's relatively rear set footpegs but not the low handlebars. Also, the engine heated up quite a bit with the exhaust being very hot - could harm the pillion is not careful. Pillion foot pegs are also weirdly placed, too high and back. Seats also need mods. Probably too much for daily commutes and occasional trips
5. FZ25/ RTR 200 - if nothing fits, would go for either one
Ruled out:
1. Jawa - due to poor commitment from company, quality issues. Engine is excellent, everything else is not. Also, ratios too short for highway rides
2. Ns200 - too high seat, wife hates Pulsars
3. RE 350 - definitely needs better engines. Service is a big unknown, would rather buy Himalayan or 650 twins
4. Mojo - was a preference last year, but the future of the Mahindra 2w is a big unknown.
5. Ninja 300 - beyond budget, low ground clearance.
6. R3 - beyond budget. My fav though, wife hates the high seat
7. Benellis - not heard good things about service
8. Dukes - too loud, frentic and orange. Also, coolant and oil mixing and other niggles.
9. Gixxer 250/SF - pillion seat not comfortable and high. I liked the bike though
Will be renting out Dominar, Himalayan and Interceptor for a better understanding of which suits me better.
Can wait for few more months if worth it (have been waiting for 2 years with an itch to upgrade my bike).
Any suggestions for this confused soul
Thanks,
Mayank