FZ vs TBTS - Page 2 - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

nirmaldas · 12-22-2011, 12:17 PM

I currently own both the bikes - fz16 and Tbts. Have been riding FZ for last 2.5 years, but because of neck/back pain during long rides (300/400+ km per day) and other issues (stalling at high altitudes, low torque, pathetic mileage - 32kmpl when riding at 90-100kmph, puncture prone soft compound rear tyre etc) i bought TBTS two months ago. But it too has its drawbacks but at least its very comfortable compared to fz, which was my main concern

Considering your situation i would suggest against both the bikes
TBTS because-
#no SVC in your town
#cruising above 100 would cause lots of vibe

FZ (this bike is definitely not meant for highways) because-
#not good for cruising above 90+
#expect bad mileage if you are riding continuously at around 100. i dont have problem if a bike gives bad mileage and good power/torque, but this bike does not

Regarding your opinion that Karizma ZMA's riding posture is more sporty than FZ, I cannot agree with you at all. Test drive again i would say

What You need is a bike that has upright riding posture, can cruise comfortably at 100 and SVC in your town is a must; you have very few options in our country. I can think of Karizma ZMA or ZMR, soon to be launched KTM 200

vikhyath · 12-22-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMKAY

THANKS FRIENDS.
Sorry, yes it is not Bajaj Eliminator, it is Avenger. It has got a powerful engine to cruise. But it seems it detoriate sooner and skids a lot (from friends words).
Ofcourse Hero ZMA is a nice option. It has all the things, but when I test drove it, I have to lean a little forward (but not as in R15), so haven't considered it.
Yes Bajaj may launch Pulsar before March '12.
I am not interested with Dazzler's looks (It is my opinion) but it too has nice engine to cruise.
KTM might be a nice choice, but think it will be priced around 2 lac and it will be a hefty pricefor me.
So I decided RE or FZ will be a right choice.
Regarding RE, they don't have SVC in my town. And if even I am ready to take it to their SVC in nearby town, it seems the bike needs more attention towards maintainance. Querried with local mechanics whether they could attend small repairs, but they are not ready to deal with RE except oil change and chain tightening (one of my friend who owns Electra says chain tightening in Bullet too is a great art). So I have to go to the RE's SVC in nearby town only, that too often. This will be a trouble for my work nature.
Yamaha dealer in my town has become my friend, as I did owned RX100, RX135, Libero, Gladiator and R15. (All Yamaha's except old yezdi, Bajaj chetak and Legend). FZ handled very well, it cornered easily, it didnt had any hint of vibration and touched 115 kmph (speedo reading) during my test drive at ease. Everybody who already owns FZ said flat tyre is a problem with the vehicle and I hesitated as I have to travel on highways often. But you people had a lots of idea here viz., using slime and filling nitrogen will solve a lot. I also got the idea of using Philips 50/55 W as head light from here (whether it is a direct fit or I have to use a rectifier for that). To use Mobil FS after 5000 kms are nice ideas. Friends, any idea how I could carry my laptop bag in FZ.
I am ready to mod with Mr.Joel (I read a lot of his writings about R15 before buying R15 in net and really he is a genius), but I am 500 kms away from Bengalooru. I checked his site, it doesn't give ideas about how much it may cost.

I would suggest you to test ride both the Karizma-R and the Karizma ZMR. Personally, I find them more similar to Thunderbird. FZ is a good bike if you don't mind low mileage and a stressed engine if constantly riding at 100+ kph.

EMKAY · 12-23-2011, 12:15 AM

Ofcourse I am a die-hard fan of Yamaha. But still I want to drive 2-wheelers for another 15 years, hence I have to choose one that will be easy to drive without flaring up my neck problem. My mind told it will be TBTS - upright riding posture and I can fix a box that will swallow my lappy bag and more too. Then came the maintainance problem.
Yes, I will once again test drive Karizma. Even though we have a Hero show room in our town, they don't stock Karizma here. I have to test it when I am on my business trip next time.
Friends, please also note that I have to drive about 800/900 kms per month in my town (mostly 15 ft roads with pot holes that will break your back bone - so good shocks is a must and great manouvere too needed). Surely will contact Joel and get details about his kits.
At any cost I will wait till March to finalize (when TBTS will be ready for delivery). More than every thing I expect more bikes to come up during this Auto Expo (might there be a 200cc FZ or Enticer re introduced with FZ's 150).

Any idea how I shall carry my laptop bag in FZ, as carrying it in lap also flares up back neck problem.

vikhyath · 12-24-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMKAY

Ofcourse I am a die-hard fan of Yamaha. But still I want to drive 2-wheelers for another 15 years, hence I have to choose one that will be easy to drive without flaring up my neck problem. My mind told it will be TBTS - upright riding posture and I can fix a box that will swallow my lappy bag and more too. Then came the maintainance problem.
Yes, I will once again test drive Karizma. Even though we have a Hero show room in our town, they don't stock Karizma here. I have to test it when I am on my business trip next time.
Friends, please also note that I have to drive about 800/900 kms per month in my town (mostly 15 ft roads with pot holes that will break your back bone - so good shocks is a must and great manouvere too needed). Surely will contact Joel and get details about his kits.
At any cost I will wait till March to finalize (when TBTS will be ready for delivery). More than every thing I expect more bikes to come up during this Auto Expo (might there be a 200cc FZ or Enticer re introduced with FZ's 150).

Any idea how I shall carry my laptop bag in FZ, as carrying it in lap also flares up back neck problem.

Manouevering the FZ is not a problem but on pothole ridden roads, the suspension is a little stiff and could hurt your back.
To carry your laptop bag, try a bungee net.

nirvaana · 12-24-2011, 05:43 PM

i will put my money on Karizma.

FZ is a vry good bike within city limits and for sprinted driving. On highways where one rides constantly above 100kmph the bike stresses out, with a drop in mileage.

Satellite.kid · 12-24-2011, 06:13 PM

Hi, I have both, a Royal Enfield Electra 5s and a Yamaha FZ-S. As someone has already pointed out that FZ is a fantastic motorcycle for city riding. I maintain that statement. However, at speeds above 90kph it becomes quite stressful and can't cruise happily around 100. Bullet on the other hand is a problematic motorcycle as far as my opinion goes. Trust me on one thing, if you are going to ride mostly in city, then take FZ if you have to buy a Yamaha. Bullets are unpredictable machines and their clutch/throttle cables are the first to go anywhere, anytime! The bullets now come with new engine but the chassis and tyres are still the same for most models and that's a disadvantage. A puncture in a bullet can be a nightmare, trust me!

Are you not interested in looking at suzuki GS150r at all? It has six gears and is said to be better than FZ when it comes to cruising at speeds of 90lph and above. It might have a similar topend but the engine is quite stressfree compared to FZ. GS is also extremely comfortable to ride with upright riding stance. Have a look at it if you can. It gives better fuel efficiency too. But the handling is not as sharp as FZ. I will personally not suggest you to go for a bullet. Contrary to popular belief, bullets are not very comfortable machines. Also look at the new Hero Impulse, it's supposed to be a very good motorcycle for potholed roads.

Vishakh · 12-24-2011, 08:34 PM

You had to lean forward when you test drove an ZMA??

. This is the first time coming across someone saying this. Did you ride a stock bike or bike with modified handle?.

For your riding style and riding conditions the best of the best option is ZMA.
It can give you satisfactory top speed. Best of the best cruising experience

. As well as economy. If you ride it at 70-90 kmph constant you will get 43 above I am dead sure.

And it has a very nice suspension ( even if its not gas filled ). You will feel its bliss on the highways. And the bike doesn't show any violent vibrations. You won't even feel that you crossed hundred.

If you can just take an ZMA and drive on a highway for atleast 50 kms and then decide. You won't regret trust me.

But parts are an issue and if you crash or the bike falls down

. Be prepared to wait for atleast 1 and half months to get it out of the SVC.

vikhyath · 12-24-2011, 08:36 PM

@satellite kid-Second that!

I have been riding a GS150R for the past 7 months and and I can't praise the ride quality enough. And if you head over to the ownership thread, you will see that most of the owners get a mileage of 50+ even in the city.
Hero impulse also has good suspension but the ability to do long trips on it is yet to be discovered.

12-22-2011, 12:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
nirmaldas Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 80	I currently own both the bikes - fz16 and Tbts. Have been riding FZ for last 2.5 years, but because of neck/back pain during long rides (300/400+ km per day) and other issues (stalling at high altitudes, low torque, pathetic mileage - 32kmpl when riding at 90-100kmph, puncture prone soft compound rear tyre etc) i bought TBTS two months ago. But it too has its drawbacks but at least its very comfortable compared to fz, which was my main concern Considering your situation i would suggest against both the bikes TBTS because- #no SVC in your town #cruising above 100 would cause lots of vibe FZ (this bike is definitely not meant for highways) because- #not good for cruising above 90+ #expect bad mileage if you are riding continuously at around 100. i dont have problem if a bike gives bad mileage and good power/torque, but this bike does not Regarding your opinion that Karizma ZMA's riding posture is more sporty than FZ, I cannot agree with you at all. Test drive again i would say What You need is a bike that has upright riding posture, can cruise comfortably at 100 and SVC in your town is a must; you have very few options in our country. I can think of Karizma ZMA or ZMR, soon to be launched KTM 200 __________________ Kumaon Winter Tour Yamaha FZ16 (2009-2012) Royal Enfield Thunderbird (2011 - present)

12-24-2011, 05:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
nirvaana Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chennai Posts: 74	i will put my money on Karizma. FZ is a vry good bike within city limits and for sprinted driving. On highways where one rides constantly above 100kmph the bike stresses out, with a drop in mileage. __________________ Contribute to the environment.

12-24-2011, 06:13 PM	#16 (permalink)
Satellite.kid Since 2004 Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 434	Hi, I have both, a Royal Enfield Electra 5s and a Yamaha FZ-S. As someone has already pointed out that FZ is a fantastic motorcycle for city riding. I maintain that statement. However, at speeds above 90kph it becomes quite stressful and can't cruise happily around 100. Bullet on the other hand is a problematic motorcycle as far as my opinion goes. Trust me on one thing, if you are going to ride mostly in city, then take FZ if you have to buy a Yamaha. Bullets are unpredictable machines and their clutch/throttle cables are the first to go anywhere, anytime! The bullets now come with new engine but the chassis and tyres are still the same for most models and that's a disadvantage. A puncture in a bullet can be a nightmare, trust me! Are you not interested in looking at suzuki GS150r at all? It has six gears and is said to be better than FZ when it comes to cruising at speeds of 90lph and above. It might have a similar topend but the engine is quite stressfree compared to FZ. GS is also extremely comfortable to ride with upright riding stance. Have a look at it if you can. It gives better fuel efficiency too. But the handling is not as sharp as FZ. I will personally not suggest you to go for a bullet. Contrary to popular belief, bullets are not very comfortable machines. Also look at the new Hero Impulse, it's supposed to be a very good motorcycle for potholed roads. __________________ The Chronicles of Motorcycling - The Man, The Machine and The Road

12-24-2011, 08:34 PM	#17 (permalink)
Vishakh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 482	You had to lean forward when you test drove an ZMA?? . This is the first time coming across someone saying this. Did you ride a stock bike or bike with modified handle?. For your riding style and riding conditions the best of the best option is ZMA. It can give you satisfactory top speed. Best of the best cruising experience . As well as economy. If you ride it at 70-90 kmph constant you will get 43 above I am dead sure. And it has a very nice suspension ( even if its not gas filled ). You will feel its bliss on the highways. And the bike doesn't show any violent vibrations. You won't even feel that you crossed hundred. If you can just take an ZMA and drive on a highway for atleast 50 kms and then decide. You won't regret trust me. But parts are an issue and if you crash or the bike falls down . Be prepared to wait for atleast 1 and half months to get it out of the SVC. __________________ Cheetahs are faster but the lion is still the KING Being In Love with a Girl is like being a superbike fitted with SPEED LIMITER

12-24-2011, 08:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
vikhyath Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 463	@satellite kid-Second that! I have been riding a GS150R for the past 7 months and and I can't praise the ride quality enough. And if you head over to the ownership thread, you will see that most of the owners get a mileage of 50+ even in the city. Hero impulse also has good suspension but the ability to do long trips on it is yet to be discovered. Last edited by vikhyath; 12-24-2011 at 08:39 PM.

12-23-2011, 12:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
EMKAY Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Virudhunagar Posts: 3	Ofcourse I am a die-hard fan of Yamaha. But still I want to drive 2-wheelers for another 15 years, hence I have to choose one that will be easy to drive without flaring up my neck problem. My mind told it will be TBTS - upright riding posture and I can fix a box that will swallow my lappy bag and more too. Then came the maintainance problem. Yes, I will once again test drive Karizma. Even though we have a Hero show room in our town, they don't stock Karizma here. I have to test it when I am on my business trip next time. Friends, please also note that I have to drive about 800/900 kms per month in my town (mostly 15 ft roads with pot holes that will break your back bone - so good shocks is a must and great manouvere too needed). Surely will contact Joel and get details about his kits. At any cost I will wait till March to finalize (when TBTS will be ready for delivery). More than every thing I expect more bikes to come up during this Auto Expo (might there be a 200cc FZ or Enticer re introduced with FZ's 150). Any idea how I shall carry my laptop bag in FZ, as carrying it in lap also flares up back neck problem.

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