[What Bike]: new ride after 6 years: R15/220carb/ZMA-Fi - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

Psycho_McCrazy · 08-09-2009, 08:20 AM

Alright gentlemen, with me being back in the country after about a year and my current bike having become a senior citizen (read more than six years old), I believe it is time to get a new one.

Given that the last bike I owned was a 180 (the first generation Pulsar 180cc round headlamp wala), the only way to go is higher on the performance ladder.

While the new 180 (pulsar) and the newer 180 (apache) are definetly higher performers than my earlier bike, i want to go one further step.

Thus, the bikes that I am looking at are the Bajaj 2009 Pulsar 220 carburettor, the Yamaha YZF-R15, and the rumored ZMA PGM-Fi (though because I am not going to wait too long and am not really a fan of HH, the real decision might be between the first two).

The mentioned bikes differ significantly in the budget (that is not a prime buying decision maker), and the R15 does have a superior handling. However, with me still honing my riding skills, I would surely be limited by myself rather than any of these bikes.

What i actually need to know about these bikes, i.e. the real selection criterion is:

1) Are there any known chronic problems with these products.

2) What is the quality of after sales service and support (knowledgeable technitians, general behaviour, crowding at the service stations, delays, promptness, honesty and all the things like that)

I believe that with all the higher end bikes being quite close to each other in performance, the above two things are what will define the sales pattern and market shares in the future.

Please let me know about your ownership opinions about the above two bikes, and the general HH after sales support behaviour for me to make my decision.

Thanks in advance
McC

ken cool · 08-09-2009, 11:56 AM

Choice Approved

Psycho, I do not know if you can find chronic problems with a not yet released bike or a very newly released bike!

Psycho_McCrazy · 08-09-2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the approval Ken Da.

The chronic problems that I referred to was for the 220 DTS-Fi (The 220 DTSi has a lot of shared components, and with them a big chance of having the same issues, I remember MG whining about his rear disc brake issues) For the R15, its been here for a year and thus definetly has had enough time to discover issues.

gentlemen, let the opinions pour in. Oh yeah, and also other bike suggestions......

@Aryan (reply to his other thread question)
Yes, I am back in Delhi, and sure raring for that go at Lansdowne. Just let me get this new machine and run it in.

ankitshringi · 08-09-2009, 12:52 PM

Well... i bought the the P220 cuz it had the low end grunt which is missing in R15 and has a much more comfy riding posture. I must tell you that it is a fun to ride bike, inspires a lot of confidence on the handling front (good cornering and awesome braking) and has a lot of power. Commenting on the SVC, AFAIK the mechanics are not too skilled (they will have a couple of skilled mechs for 220s at every SVC... as i figured out) but they make sure your problems are solved. The 220 is an overall brilliant bike for the Indian Roads.

gautambagchi · 08-09-2009, 04:37 PM

ive been riding pulsars since 2001 first p180 classic (i learnt to ride on this bike) then p180 dtsi v1 and now p220 dtsi. and i have loved every moment of it. my pulsars have never let me down ever. not even a single mechanical problem ever. the new 220 is no exception. the new rtr 180 does give tough competition in performance and seems better vfm but does not have the big bike feel though.

moeed · 08-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho_McCrazy

What i actually need to know about these bikes, i.e. the real selection criterion is:

1) Are there any known chronic problems with these products.

2) What is the quality of after sales service and support (knowledgeable technitians, general behaviour, crowding at the service stations, delays, promptness, honesty and all the things like that)

1) Both the r15 and p220 are great machines. I haven't heard of any chronic problems so far.

2) It varies from one service center to the other.

Test ride both the bikes and make your choice.

Psycho_McCrazy · 08-09-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gautambagchi

ive been riding pulsars since 2001 first p180 classic (i learnt to ride on this bike) then p180 dtsi v1 and now p220 dtsi. and i have loved every moment of it. my pulsars have never let me down ever. not even a single mechanical problem ever. the new 220 is no exception. the new rtr 180 does give tough competition in performance and seems better vfm but does not have the big bike feel though.

I guess I'll have to agree with that.... my own 180 1st generation never really gave me any serious crippling issues. sure the I began hating the gearbox when i first rode a friend's unicorn and that there were some issues with the self starter because the battery went dead as the bike was kept unused for a long time, and the headlight was pathetic for any kind of night riding, but it never once broke down on me in the middle of nowhere.

I was concerned because I had heard about several significant issues with the 220 DTS-Fi, like the rear disk conking out (MG_1806 had issues with that) and the Fi system itself (though a big carb mended those)

Quote:

Originally Posted by moeed

1) Both the r15 and p220 are great machines. I haven't heard of any chronic problems so far.

2) It varies from one service center to the other.

Test ride both the bikes and make your choice.

Then I guess I would have to frame my questions slightly differently:

1) Please let me know if any of the current owners of these two rides have faced any crippling OR niggling failures (major issues or irritating repeat issues)

2) Please let me know the two top service facilities for both these brands in West Delhi

srini · 08-09-2009, 06:37 PM

I don't actually have any idea about the problems these machines face,but since you'd already owned a Pulsar 180,IMO it's better if you move up the cc ladder.You have many happy and satisfied Pulsar 220 costumers in this community.So,I think it's actually a safe bet.But it's your choice bro.As moeed said have a test ride of both and make your choice...

...And do check out the RTR180.It's simply fantastic...

ken cool · 08-09-2009, 08:54 PM

I would still go for the FI. I have earlier owned a P180 as well. One definite chronic problem that I find in a lot of bikes in our country is the cone set conking off due to the kind of roads that we have and the kind of rough use that we mete out to our bikes and cars.

Can't really say anything about the Zma FI. Do not know anything about it. Lot of rumours. Nothing concrete!

R15 is nice. But would you like its lack of low end torque. It is a beautiful handler for sure.

Psycho_McCrazy · 08-09-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken cool

I would still go for the FI.

Which FI, the 220 DTS-Fi, or the R15 150cc liquid cooled FI

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken cool

Can't really say anything about the Zma FI. Do not know anything about it. Lot of rumours. Nothing concrete!

Which is why probably am not keen on it at all. Though with my luck I know that as soon as I make my purchase, it will be released. Same thing happened last time around. Bought my 180 classic and soon the DTSi 1st gen was announced. There were some pics in last month's Overdrive. Did not look too good with the hugely oversized fairing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken cool

R15 is nice. But would you like its lack of low end torque. It is a beautiful handler for sure.

Like or Dislike. The high rev powerband thing has me slightly worried as I will be using it for commuting also, and I am a low revs commuter. Guess I'll hafta take a test ride to gauge whether it is sufficient or inadequate.

08-09-2009, 08:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Psycho_McCrazy (Torque) Nutcase Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 161	new ride after 6 years: R15/220carb/ZMA-Fi Alright gentlemen, with me being back in the country after about a year and my current bike having become a senior citizen (read more than six years old), I believe it is time to get a new one. Given that the last bike I owned was a 180 (the first generation Pulsar 180cc round headlamp wala), the only way to go is higher on the performance ladder. While the new 180 (pulsar) and the newer 180 (apache) are definetly higher performers than my earlier bike, i want to go one further step. Thus, the bikes that I am looking at are the Bajaj 2009 Pulsar 220 carburettor, the Yamaha YZF-R15, and the rumored ZMA PGM-Fi (though because I am not going to wait too long and am not really a fan of HH, the real decision might be between the first two). The mentioned bikes differ significantly in the budget (that is not a prime buying decision maker), and the R15 does have a superior handling. However, with me still honing my riding skills, I would surely be limited by myself rather than any of these bikes. What i actually need to know about these bikes, i.e. the real selection criterion is: 1) Are there any known chronic problems with these products. 2) What is the quality of after sales service and support (knowledgeable technitians, general behaviour, crowding at the service stations, delays, promptness, honesty and all the things like that) I believe that with all the higher end bikes being quite close to each other in performance, the above two things are what will define the sales pattern and market shares in the future. Please let me know about your ownership opinions about the above two bikes, and the general HH after sales support behaviour for me to make my decision. Thanks in advance McC __________________ Torque nut in the land of horsepower worshippers. click here for my Fl!ckr

08-09-2009, 11:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
ken cool Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,677	Choice Approved Psycho, I do not know if you can find chronic problems with a not yet released bike or a very newly released bike! __________________ 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

08-09-2009, 12:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Psycho_McCrazy (Torque) Nutcase Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Delhi, India Posts: 161	Thanks for the approval Ken Da. The chronic problems that I referred to was for the 220 DTS-Fi (The 220 DTSi has a lot of shared components, and with them a big chance of having the same issues, I remember MG whining about his rear disc brake issues) For the R15, its been here for a year and thus definetly has had enough time to discover issues. gentlemen, let the opinions pour in. Oh yeah, and also other bike suggestions...... @Aryan (reply to his other thread question) Yes, I am back in Delhi, and sure raring for that go at Lansdowne. Just let me get this new machine and run it in. __________________ Torque nut in the land of horsepower worshippers. click here for my Fl!ckr Last edited by Psycho_McCrazy; 08-09-2009 at 12:13 PM. Reason: reply to Aryan

08-09-2009, 06:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
srini Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: b'lore Posts: 1,044	I don't actually have any idea about the problems these machines face,but since you'd already owned a Pulsar 180,IMO it's better if you move up the cc ladder.You have many happy and satisfied Pulsar 220 costumers in this community.So,I think it's actually a safe bet.But it's your choice bro.As moeed said have a test ride of both and make your choice......And do check out the RTR180.It's simply fantastic...

08-09-2009, 08:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
ken cool Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,677	I would still go for the FI. I have earlier owned a P180 as well. One definite chronic problem that I find in a lot of bikes in our country is the cone set conking off due to the kind of roads that we have and the kind of rough use that we mete out to our bikes and cars. Can't really say anything about the Zma FI. Do not know anything about it. Lot of rumours. Nothing concrete! R15 is nice. But would you like its lack of low end torque. It is a beautiful handler for sure. __________________ 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

08-09-2009, 12:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
ankitshringi Gimme Fuel, Gimme fire, Gimme that which I Desire Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Baroda/Ahmedabad Posts: 198	Well... i bought the the P220 cuz it had the low end grunt which is missing in R15 and has a much more comfy riding posture. I must tell you that it is a fun to ride bike, inspires a lot of confidence on the handling front (good cornering and awesome braking) and has a lot of power. Commenting on the SVC, AFAIK the mechanics are not too skilled (they will have a couple of skilled mechs for 220s at every SVC... as i figured out) but they make sure your problems are solved. The 220 is an overall brilliant bike for the Indian Roads.

08-09-2009, 04:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
gautambagchi Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: lucknow Posts: 65	ive been riding pulsars since 2001 first p180 classic (i learnt to ride on this bike) then p180 dtsi v1 and now p220 dtsi. and i have loved every moment of it. my pulsars have never let me down ever. not even a single mechanical problem ever. the new 220 is no exception. the new rtr 180 does give tough competition in performance and seems better vfm but does not have the big bike feel though.

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