swingarm

I have a '98 Shogun and a '07 Honda Shine. I am not a tourer, I ride in the cities - not strictly commute (because I walk to my office). My ride means either I am out riding my 'gun with her throaty tight tone for a prime time or I am out for some work (may be with a pillion and that includes my wife) on my Honda Shine. Till date I was quite happy with the combination but now I am missing the power thrill on my Shine. It is a good bike undoubtedly, but I am not liking it anymore for whatever reasons.

My type
======
I am more of a 2-stroker. I am riding Shoguns since '95 and my current bike is with me since '98 in a top notch condition. I always find her easy to handle, easy to ride and easy to maintain (keeping aside availibility of spares). I am 5'8" - 57 kgs. I bought the Shine keeping in perspective the low kerb weight and easy handling.

My requirement
============
A steed that delivers power has looks and easy to handle and maneuver in dense traffic conditions.
Should not give backpains (I am used to riding a Shogun and Shine)
Shine gave me backpain - Shogun didn't.
Mileage - I dont care. I do not ride that much. Combined ride with both bikes is hardly 1500 K a month.
Budget - Less than or equal to 80k.

The only bike that I could shortlist so far is the ZMA. Should I go for it?

Everyone thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Basu

__________________
'98 Shogun

'91 RX100

Aryan

Topic Approved.

__________________
...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

chauhan_saurabh

I am not sure about the ZMA's traffic abilities.

For your requirements Apachr RTR, FZ and Suzuki GS should be the bikes.
RTR could be bad at your no back-pain .. so GS or FZ.
FZ is absolute handler and a good power at lower end .. GS is more of sweet power machine .. giving good response through out the power curve without any stress what so ever.

ken cool

Karizma/Fz

__________________
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

Binoy

Definitely FZ16...

__________________
...Ride Long...Ride Safe...

When you dance with the devil, you wait for the song to stop...

rachitkohli

++1
this are the best bikes i would say if comfort is considered

__________________

..»».. I will rather ride my Bike thinking about God, then sitting in a Temple thinking about my Bike.. »»..

Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai June '09 :On xBHP: Ride With me to Leh

Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09

GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month

2nd, Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai : July'11 (blog coming soon)

akshaye11

u can go for pulsar 200cc if u want power
or for style fz is good !!!!!!!!!!!!

swingarm

Chetan, Ken, Binoy, Rachit, Akshay thank you all for the suggestions.

Re: Pulsar - I like to stay away from them on and off the roads. Personally I can think of Bajaj only upto lamps, mixer grinders, geysers and toasters. They build those stuffs pretty good. Again this is entirely my own view and I will stick to it.

Re: FZ - Availibility of spares after 3 years. HH has a strong good record of spare parts supply. If I intend to keep the bike, I need a stable supply of spares, which Yamaha does not provide. However I will take a test ride per your suggestions.

Re: Apache - Not again. A company that only manufactures bike and does not provide spares is a big NO for me. I have suffered a lot getting spares for my Shogun from the same company and I have deleted TVS from my list for good. No more TVS for me.

Re: ZMA - I am going to take a test ride today or tomorrow.

__________________
'98 Shogun

'91 RX100

ken cool

If you are thinking of spare parts, you might as well find out about the prices. Coz the Zma spare parts are as expensive at times even more than my R1. Typical example would be the brake pads. There are others.

__________________
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

pranay

Looking at the factors that you pointed out, FZ is the best bet for you. It has good torque down low and pulls, even with a heavy pillion. Handling is superb in traffic. It is light and maneuverable. ZMA is noticeably heavier, especially in traffic. The shocks are a little stiff and it doesn't bottom out easily, if at all. The only negative for this bike would be the pillion seat which is a little uncomfortable.

My suggestion is take a test ride of all the above. And I suggest you loose the view point of staying away from pulsars, Bajaj, Apache, TVS or a particular brand. Give them a chance. Test ride and see. Also, that is my own view on your view. In the end, its upto you.

Regarding spares, you need them if the bike is unreliable. It has not been really long since the FZ released. If aftermarket kits are available for the bike already, I think spares would not be a problem.

__________________
DoN\'t LivE tO DiE, dIe tO LiVe