Bike Query Approved

go for zma,it ticks most of the boxes.

Karizma best suits your requirements. Powerful and smooth engine even at 110 kmph. Riding position is upright and comfortable, yet little sporty.

As you're not interested in speeding, racing and stuff i'd suggest you save 15k and more(fuel prices) and get a gs150r.

If I were you, I would buy the more powerful one in the current budget/selection. Reasoning behind this being, the more powerful bike will always has better brakes than the less powerful ones. And while on the highway, more than the accleration and torque and peak power figures, the most important thing on a bike are the brakes (and tire grip to tansfer the brake forces to the road).

Amongst the 2, FE and price difference be damned, I would pick the Karizma.

sensible point.

I dont know how ur confused between the two. ZMA is the outright winner here. GS-150 at 150kgs is too heavy to handle in the city and touring wise also not so good since it is lesser in those aspects compared to ZMA which has a fairing. Clearly ZMA is ur pick.

karizma kreb weight=150 kg

Thanks buddy for pointing that out. Missed you

But even with equal weight with fairing the handle feels light since you just have to move the shocks and tyres and not the console arrangement. That is what I personally felt after driving faired and unfaired bike.

PS- Read you signature everytime you xbhp so that you study well. No offence. Study is Imp.

Karizma handles better than GS150R, the trick is with the low-end torque and power of Karizma. With karizma you don't feel the weight of the bike much due to its power and torque.

Ok...thanks for all your feedback guys.....I think the consensus seems to be that the Karizma R will be a better choice. I was also leaning towards the Karizma R due to its higher torque.

Now regarding colours: Has HMC changed the red colour in the 2011 version? To me it seems a brighter red now compared to the last version.

absolutely wrong choice..
GO for fazer 150.. Better braking, stylish, wind tunnel tested fairing, monoshock absorber.. Btter mileage than karizma.. Low center of mass.. Smoothest gear shifts..
Cons rear seat is smaller.. But much better seat for the rider than karizma.. Suspensions thicher than karizma.. Widest tyre for the grip on highways, i ride it with one hand at 80 km/hr.. Literally enjoyable ride..
As youve mentioned - ride in 25 to 120 in 5th gear.. No gear shifting required.
Not for constant speeds above 100, but ppl do that too.. Max speed of 120 is cool enuf.. 140 kgs.. Lighter than karizma.. Dual lights too.. Haha.. Just enjoying writing it all.. Too much on offer for you..
Test ride both before finalising.. Just make them stand beside each other and you wont look at karizma again - (sorry karizma owners, consolation is the power it comes with).. An rtr could have been a good option too but touring is a big no on that machine..

Hmmm......Fazer was on my shortlist for many of the same reasons that you also mentioned. I know Yamaha makes great butter-smooth gearboxes (as I own a YD125 too). I also like the suspension, the fat rear tyre, the fairing and the wide handle. However the rear seat is really too small compared to ZMA and GSR, the overall looks dont appeal to me as much as the ZMA and GSR, and I also think the cost is too much for a 150cc bike.....however if Yamaha come with a new 250cc Fazer soon and price it under 1Lac, that could change the game for me.

Regarding test-rides, I've ridden them all....but the problem is that the bike showrooms only give you a five minute test-ride and thats too short a time to get to know the bike.

@ansum,

Since you would not be buying a bike everyday so consider all your options. The ZMA suits your purpose but is dated and power is like a 150cc bike. You may want to consider P200NS while the launch is around the corner. It is a fresh product, an amazing looker with a mind blowing engine. Ideal for city with its nice road presence and naked-superbike type looks.
Also it has a much better technology implied. Perimeter frame for superb handling, a refined engine (unlike earlier pulsars), Triple spark plug engine which gives good FE (equal to ZMA probably), Liquid cooled engine with radiator, big 130 section tyres with best looking alloys, superb split seats, Bybre (Brembo) double discs, new rectangular swingarm, superb console with good informative digital console. 23.3 bhp of power. 6speed gearbox (one of the best as per reviews). April is the launch date and this bike is making news all around. It would be wise to test this bike before ignoring it and repenting later. Around 10K more expensive to ZMA I guess (Price would also be revealed soon). Top speed of 140 (source-overdrive test ride), thrilling acceleration would satisfy the biker inside you.) In all these aspects the bikes you shortlisted would be no-comparison with P200NS. I re-read your requirements and P200NS is the apt bike for you. The bike also has long gearing so no need to change frequent gears. Also Hero increased prices of their bikes by Rs. 600-2000, so if the price difference between ZMA & P200NS is less than 10K then it would be crazy to go for ZMA. (Source - http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/buz...ps_682880.html
Do check the review (esp Video) here http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/first-im...de-report.html