vrroom

[Moderators, please feel free to move this topic if this is not the right forum. I couldn't find a better place to post this in.]

Hi all,
I've been reading the forums here for several weeks now. I have decided on buying an R15 and I have some questions that I would like to have answers for. I test rode an FZ16 a few days ago (even though I was almost sure I'd go for an R15) and wasn't very impressed with it. Some of the questions below may just invite personal opinions and I'm fine with that.

Coming to my questions:
1. Bangalore - Test ride
Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

2. Bangalore - better dealer/service
I've been getting my RXZ serviced from Panache for the last few years. Except for the petrol theft that seems to happen, they do seem to do a good job. There is at least one guy there who's knowledgeable enough to figure out things that are wrong with a vehicle by looking at it and taking it for a short ride. Coming to the question - is Pacer Motors as good as or better than Panache in terms of their after sales service and regular services? Any recommendations on whom I should buy from? Any other differences in terms of base price, price of accessories, etc.?

3. Pillion rider comfort
Just to get a better idea, this should be split as two questions:
a) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider to sit on an R15 pillion with the knees bent up (compared to other motorcycles)? The Pacer salesman said that the pillion rider should move back a little and lean forward a bit to be comfortable.
b) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider on Bangalore roads and for longer distances (say 100kms-200kms)? Would it be very bad or as bad as on any other 100cc-125cc motorcycle? (Obviously I'm not asking for comparison with a HH ZMA, Apache RTR, Pulsar 220, etc., since my current comparison is with my RXZ, where it's fine for city rides but painful for longer rides).

4. Security/antitheft system
Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?

5. Accessories
a) What accessories are available for this model and which ones would you recommend as must have, which ones as nice to have and which ones as a waste of money (yes, I understand that some of these may be just your opinions, but I'm interested in hearing them)?
b) What accessories, if any, are provided with the R15 when one buys it? Any freebies?

6. Center stand
a) Is the center stand for this (an extra accessory to be purchased separately) worth having? Does it spoil the looks or is it a good compromise between looks and usability?

7. Anything else I should ask the dealer before I pay up?

Aryan

Topic Approved.

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chatterbox1

I have an autocop security system installed in my apache. and it cost me 1800rs, should be around the same price for r15. but do check whether warranty will be void if u install it

Shreyas82

Coming to my questions:
1. Bangalore - Test ride
Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

A 5 min test ride in the bangalore traffic will hardly give you a feel of what the bike is really capable of doing. The R15 will feel underpowered if you take a test ride in traffic as the power band starts above 6000 rpm.

That said, perfect riders did give me a test ride on a bike which had not been serviced in ages and did not handle well.
A friend's bike on the highway would be a better option.

2. Bangalore - better dealer/service
I've been getting my RXZ serviced from Panache for the last few years. Except for the petrol theft that seems to happen, they do seem to do a good job. There is at least one guy there who's knowledgeable enough to figure out things that are wrong with a vehicle by looking at it and taking it for a short ride. Coming to the question - is Pacer Motors as good as or better than Panache in terms of their after sales service and regular services? Any recommendations on whom I should buy from? Any other differences in terms of base price, price of accessories, etc.?

Don't know about pacer, sorry.

3. Pillion rider comfort
Just to get a better idea, this should be split as two questions:
a) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider to sit on an R15 pillion with the knees bent up (compared to other motorcycles)? The Pacer salesman said that the pillion rider should move back a little and lean forward a bit to be comfortable.

The pillion seat is quite comfortable upto about 40 Km, I have not gone further than that with a pillion.

b) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider on Bangalore roads and for longer distances (say 100kms-200kms)? Would it be very bad or as bad as on any other 100cc-125cc motorcycle? (Obviously I'm not asking for comparison with a HH ZMA, Apache RTR, Pulsar 220, etc., since my current comparison is with my RXZ, where it's fine for city rides but painful for longer rides).


4. Security/antitheft system
Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?

Electronic antitheft systems are not recommend for the R15 due to its effecient but tiny battery. This is definitely subjective to the owners choice though.

5. Accessories
a) What accessories are available for this model and which ones would you recommend as must have, which ones as nice to have and which ones as a waste of money (yes, I understand that some of these may be just your opinions, but I'm interested in hearing them)?

My must have accessories for the bike: Chain lube and chain clean and the stand.

Must have for the rider: A good helmet, gloves, riding jacket, knee protectors and boots.


My "nice to have" bike accessories: Billet clutch and brake, tank protector, rear seat cowl, TBR carbon exhaust for R15.

b) What accessories, if any, are provided with the R15 when one buys it? Any freebies?

Zilch, for me anyway.

6. Center stand
a) Is the center stand for this (an extra accessory to be purchased separately) worth having? Does it spoil the looks or is it a good compromise between looks and usability?

Racing stand looks cool and costs 1500, i have the temporary SVC stand that cost ~250 bucks and is easier to carry on trips and is as functional as the racing stand. You can also go in to the permanent centre stand that should cost ~750 i think.


7. Anything else I should ask the dealer before I pay up?

Try and bargain for a free teflon coating, R15 keychain or something


Cheers,

Shr.

vrroom

Thanks, I was looking for a test ride more to see the riding posture and not its power or handling as such. Anyway, it looks like my chances of a test ride are slim. So I'll just go on blind faith on that one and adjust with the new posture.



That seems fine enough for now. Thanks for that feedback.

I was also thinking of a system that may have its own batteries, something like Xena Disc Locks (not sure if it or anything similar would be available anywhere in India).


Thanks for these responses.

mihir.khatwani

the dealer is wrong about one thing you get test rides in pune and i myself am an R15 owner very happy with it and am also very surprised with it touring capabilities and Will get the autocop security system inststalled very quickly.
The pillion comfort is an issue thought

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yamahatrooper

[QUOTE=vrroom;386967
Hi all,
I've been reading the forums here for several weeks now. I have decided on buying an R15 and I have some questions that I would like to have answers for. I test rode an FZ16 a few days ago (even though I was almost sure I'd go for an R15) and wasn't very impressed with it. Some of the questions below may just invite personal opinions and I'm fine with that.

Coming to my questions:
1. Bangalore - Test ride
Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

[/QUOTE]

I Dunno about Panache but when I bought my FZs from Orion the guys there gave me a test ride on both the FZ and the R15 and there was no funda of Test ride anywhere in india is unbeliveable. Try out the other YAMAHA dealers in town and try to visit them late afternoons when they are free and they should help you get a test ride.

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NitinGirish

Bangalore Wheels did give me a test ride few months back. And I was allowed to ride alone. That guy just said "ride as fast as possible sir, take it to 90 atleast" Liked their sales staff, maybe you can give them a try.

Pacer has an haughty attitude, told this before in other threads too. Not giving TD is pure, unadulterated BS.

OT: What do you intend to do with the RXZ?

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snapppy

Panache at marathalli, also offered me a test ride, and tat too of a new bike .

vrroom

I'll be checking out Panache on CMH Road, Indiranagar soon for a test ride and see if their salespeople are any better. I hope they don't give someone else's vehicle (given for a service) for a test ride. :P

Any suggestions on Pacer vs. Panache as far as sales/service would be useful, since these two are the ones I had narrowed down on (after hearing a lot of complaints about Orion, Bangalore Wheels, etc., on mouthshut.com and elsewhere - Orion steals parts?!).

@NitinGirish
The RXZ stays! I had thought of selling it sometime ago but changed my mind. I can't seem to let go of the two stroke feel while accelerating.