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Most suitable bike for Leh trip

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  • #1

    Most suitable bike for Leh trip

    Hi guys,
    I have been riding Discover 135 and Gladiator for past 5 years. Time to upgrade. What would be the most suitable motorcycle (available in India) for Manali-Leh trip?

    Budget - upto 1.5 lakhs

    Thanks
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Topic Approved.
    :)

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    • #3
      For a 1.5 lakh budget, I'd suggest


      [1] Karizma ZMR

      Reasons:

      [a] Reputation of the Karizma Engine
      [b] Relaxed upright riding posture
      [c] PGM-Fi which should make it easy for the engine to breath at high altitudes

      (But probably I'd suggest to remove the full fairing to protect it from damage from stones)



      [2] Another option for 1.5 lakh could be the Royal Enfield Bullet Classic 500

      Reasons:

      [a] Ton and tons of TORQUE..!!
      [b] Relaxed upright riding posture
      [c] It also has the Fi-tech



      Last edited by payeng; 02-06-2010, 09:47 PM.

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      • #4
        Most suitable bike for Leh trip

        With no doubts RE Bullet. Especially 500cc. You can go for Classic 500cc for best of engine and performance. Torque and comfort is definitely upgraded.

        Karizma / Pulsar 220 will be my second preference. Nothing regarding performance and comfort but if it falls, you will have to deal with lot of fiber makeover.

        Although you can have a trip to Manali-Leh on any 150cc bike, but these 2 will definitely make your riding pleasurable and memories of your ride.
        Bullet, Nothing else will ever do...

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        • #5
          Thanks for your inputs. Few things -

          RE CL500 looks like a good option, but I heard the basic FI system is having some problem in cold weather (running rich?).

          ZMR is the next best option, but for all the plastics. Can the fairing be removed temporarily? And can be just assembled back whenever required?

          P220 is the next option. Will the carb require any special tuning for high altitudes?

          Comment

          • #6
            The classic 500 is a bad example of what can be taken for a Leh ride. Although it does have FI, our Indian version is not a closed loop FI system. That is, it does not have the sensor(s) required for it to adapt to its environment, which, to be frank, is the only advantage FI has over carbs in a situation like Leh. This is the same reason the Classic is having trouble in colder environments where the plugs are being fouled because its running rich (not adapting to the environment).

            I would also suggest you do some research on the ZMR before finalizing it as a valid contender. Confirm if it is a closed or open loop FI system. Just because it is programable, it doesnt mean that it is necessarily closed loop.

            Since an open loop FI cannot adapt to its environment, and it doesn't have an AFR screw to turn to compensate for changing oxygen levels, I would definitely suggest a carbed bike over an open loop FIed bike for the climb to Leh.

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            • #7
              Okay. What about TBTS? Low ground could be a problem. Also it is quite difficult to stand and ride TBTS (on rough terrain).

              Another question - how easy it is to tune the carb for high altitude? Link to any guide?

              Comment

              • #8
                So.. P220 DTS-fi it is.. that i think has a closed loop fi system which is adaptive of the environment.
                Advice is a form of nostalgia.
                Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

                Antz Travelz!! | South India Exploration Ride | Leh Triplog (Work in progress)

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                • #9
                  1.RE bullet
                  2.zma or zmr
                  3.p220
                  A LOST RACE IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN A LOST LIMB

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                  • #10
                    Anyways.. i have read somewhere (in Overdrive mag i think) that the seat on the new RE Classics.. both 350 and 500 is not the most comfortable in the world.. and certainly not for long distance touring. That.. they guessed is the price we have to pay for the classic looks. IMO.. the Thunderbird (Twinspark) is a much better buy as a cruiser. And it has the same engine + everything under the tank... as the Classic 350..
                    Advice is a form of nostalgia.
                    Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

                    Antz Travelz!! | South India Exploration Ride | Leh Triplog (Work in progress)

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by r00kie View Post
                      Okay. What about TBTS? Low ground could be a problem. Also it is quite difficult to stand and ride TBTS (on rough terrain).

                      Another question - how easy it is to tune the carb for high altitude? Link to any guide?
                      Carb tuning is relatively easy, but I have no clue how to do it . I'll leave it to the more experienced bulleteers on this forum (read JayPrashant).

                      It could be as simple as turning a screw. Even if you don't figure out how to do it by the time you do Leh, there are umpteen mechanics who are familiar with carbed Bulls who can do during the climb to Leh itself.

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by r00kie View Post
                        Hi guys,
                        I have been riding Discover 135 and Gladiator for past 5 years. Time to upgrade. What would be the most suitable motorcycle (available in India) for Manali-Leh trip?

                        Budget - upto 1.5 lakhs

                        Thanks
                        If you need the bike just for the Leh ride, then save the 1.5 L and take the Gladi (w/o pillion) . It should run just fine trust me!

                        Otherwise buy the ZMA and save another 70K!
                        " I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not" - Kurt Cobain

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by r00kie View Post
                          Hi guys,
                          I have been riding Discover 135 and Gladiator for past 5 years. Time to upgrade. What would be the most suitable motorcycle (available in India) for Manali-Leh trip?

                          Budget - upto 1.5 lakhs

                          Thanks
                          HH ZMR..ZMA with its carb had breathing problems at higher altitudes.ZMR with FI should suit u best..

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by kurtrules View Post
                            If you need the bike just for the Leh ride, then save the 1.5 L and take the Gladi (w/o pillion) . It should run just fine trust me!

                            Otherwise buy the ZMA and save another 70K!
                            Oh man! never thought about that! What modifications would be required to my Gladi for Leh ride?

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by r00kie View Post
                              Oh man! never thought about that! What modifications would be required to my Gladi for Leh ride?
                              None!

                              Besides, you would be running circles around the other Zmas at higher altitudes. Even with the Discover.

                              And if you are concerned about not losing any power, get yourself a leaner jet. But install it and run the bike for a few sessions before taking it up. That is the only modification you will ever need.
                              The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better!


                              BMW Motorrad Days 2011

                              Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

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