drumster

I know this question has been asked several times and people must be already bored of answering it. But I have settled on a choice between these two bikes and let me put out my perceptions about each of them and then if you guys arent too bored then you help me out with the decision.

P200 DTS-I

Pros:

• New Technology and the 'new' factor
• Oil-cooled
• TwinSpark
• Higher BHP figures

Cons:

• Have heard reviews which say Bajaj bikes dont have a good build-quality compared to HH
• Gear-shift isn't smooth as compared to HH

ZMA

Pros:

• Best reliability among Indian bikes
• One of the best gear-boxes
• Good riding posture

Cons:

• Old technology - no upgrades for the past 5 years
• Headlights don't turn with the bike (is this a real problem?)
• No oil-cooled engine
• No Twin-spark, No FI
• Problems with fairing in the long-term (I am not sure if this is correct)

Given all the above Pros and Cons, I am still not able to decide between the two. I might have to resort to a coin-throw in the end if I dont get any convincing arguments on this forum. I read the recent thread on FZ-15 vs. ZMA which completely convinced me to go for the ZMA, but thats not the case when I compare P200 DTS-i with ZMA.

Kindly help me form an opinion. Thanks guys...

Aryan

Topic Approved.

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Praful

Forget the bikes....what do you want from a bike?

PS: Were you on old xBhp with the same id?

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rachitkohli

get ur criterias down & u shall be able to decide it.. wht is ur primary usage & purpose of getting a bike.. r u more into cruising or speedstar. somethings like this..!!

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drumster

Hey praful, yes I was there on old XBHP before it crashed with the same ID and at that time I was contemplating between an Enfield and a normal bike like ZMA or pulsar. But for financial and other reasons I couldnt buy a bike back then. Now I am pretty sure I am buying in the next month

Yeah thats my bad. I forgot to mention my purpose. Well I am going to be using the bike daily to go from my home to the railway station which is only 3 kms. from my home. So city usage will be limited. But I will be going on weekend tours and if things go right, then I intend to go on a long tour middle of this year - maybe Ladakh.

rachitkohli

I would recommend Karizma for this matter.. its not because i own it but for its proven reliability over tough situations..
AFAIK, the fuel efficiency of P200 should be high.. even thats a very good bike..
i have driven both, in handling ZMA is anytime better.. u gain an automated confidence.. at times i have ripped it like anything, drived for a really long time on triple speeds 100-120+ kmph..

Still, Ride Both to come on a personal conclusion.. All the best, keep us updated..!!

fyi : even m planning for Leh-Ladakh this june on my zma..!

__________________

..»».. 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)

Samarth 619

While first point is correct, I want to clarify some other points.

headlights not turning doesn't have a significant impact even in night vision.

Pulsar doesn't have an "Oil Cooled" Engine. It is just a small Cooler of the Oil, not engine.

Twin Spark has it's own disadvantages. Fuel Mixture is lean due to which Engine gets too hot. This is exact reason why Bajaj sneaked in The "Oil Cooler" above, for 200 & 220.

Reg. Fairing, take good care of it, and you shall have no problems.


and don't fall for the high bhp TRAP --> it's at engine (crankshaft) only! Transmission Efficiency to rear wheel is relevant. So, it maybe roughly same bhp's at the rear wheel for both bikes...

Riding position is more extreme in P200.

From my advise, ZMA is a reliable, comfortable & great performance machine. Only big problem is its gearing --> 1-3 gears are close, 4-5 are gapped far away.

So, As long as low mileage is no bother, go for ZMA right away or wait for updated P200, that is around 2-3 months away, at most.

drumster

Thanks Samarth for the response. I appreciate the points you brought out. Looking at your response, I am leaning more towards the ZMA. But how much of a difference would be there in the mileages according to you?

Samarth 619

ZMA has a 23 cc bigger engine, but it's more relaxed than Pulsar. And relaxed engines do offer a better mileage...

I have known people with various Karizma's and they have varied response.

Mostly, overall mileage varies from 32 - 40 kmpl. (One guy I know getting 25 kmpl, always rides in 3rd gear in city, so he's not included here.)

Highway mileage of ZMA is great, approx 45+ kmpl something ...

For P200, Overdrive says it's an overall 40 kmpl. Maybe, more P200 owners can post here, as to what mileage they get...

So, from what is perceived, maybe the difference is around 5-10 kmpl, in city condition.

drumster

@ Samarth: Thanks again for the quick response. Any comments on the build quality and gearbox of P200?