LiBran

Hi Friends,
I am going to buy a new bike in a week. I am a newbie here but i am following the threads from a while. I am planning to buy a premium segment bike and my budget is up-to a lakh. I know that this topic (i.e. asking for suggestion over Karizma-R and P220) is already posted in some threads, and also i have read those posts, but still i am posting this new thread to ask for opinion about the two machines for the following reason's;

1. The fact that Karizma-R is going to be replaced by its newer version;(so called ZMR, actually i m still not convinced that this is true and not a rumor.)
2. Bajaj has launched its fastest Indian;(Still i don't see any visible change except the carb.)

My primary use will be commuting to college and back to home. (Also i like occasional touring). I am 5ft 11inch tall and wt 62 kg.
I first considered 4 machines namely ZMA-R, FZS, RTR and P220. The deciding factors are as given according to there preferences below;

1. Big bike feel
2. looks
3. Torque
4. power
5. low maintenance
6. A feel of Class.

One of my friend have a RTR 160, so i know this machines performance. But it get out of my final list as it appears pretty small and lacks big bike feel which was the top priority for me.
Then about FZS. I actually liked its naked styling more than any other bike available in this above specified range. The handling and its riding posture combined with its 14nm torque was a delight to carry on. But the reason's due to which it was rejected in my final list are as under;

1. First and foremost reason is due to its short length. Yes, its a boon for traffic cutting but due to this the bike seems to be COMPACT to me and so it lacks Big Bike Feel(Though it has a pretty big tank).
2. Second reason is that it is available at Rs.77,000 where as ZMA-R costs over Rs.82000 in my city. So i feel its good in investing the money in a more powerful ZMA-R than a less powerful goodie like this.

So my final list was including only 2 machines which were ZMA-R and the P220.
Now the real deal is I personally don't like the pulsar styling. Though P220 is not common on road, but its low powerful siblings are damn common in my city, and in P220 except its front fairing, all its design is more or less same as its other siblings. So virtually i dislike pulsar for its look. Yes, i admit that 220 packs more horses then the ZMA-R and also has new technology. But for me power do not matter very much (the reason is that i am currently riding a 7bhp yamaha and any bike that i have considered have more than 250% of power than that of my current bike.).
So I decided to buy a ZMA-R.
Now you people may be thinking that then why I need suggestions and opinion on selection of machine if i already have chosen one.
The fact is that i was happy on my decision but the launch of 220(carb version) and the expected arrival of so called karizma ZMR has made me think twice. I am going to pay about 90 grands (less or more) on a bike, so i want to have the best one, one that will satisfy me in every do.
So the confusion that i have now can be summarize as under;

1. The main reason for giving this second thought is that I hate the situations where after buying a thing(in this case the ZMA), in just 2 or 3 months there comes another more advanced, modified and a better thing than this(Karizma with FI).
2. The second reason is that i want to know - is Karizma-R's technology have become outdated as compared to its counterparts(P220)?.
3. Is the carb version of P220(Fastest Indian) is better option than Karizma and how?
4. Which is a better 220 (carb version or FI version) as FI tech is believed to be better? Then why the hell they introduced new P220 with carb.

At the last i want to clear that though in this text i said that i didn't liked pulsar styling, but it do not mean that i will not consider it(if i got sufficiently good reason).
Your precious Suggestions are welcome on all fronts. Also I have taken a test drive of this two, both handles very well and both have more than enough horses to pull. The only thing i noticed is that P220 feels a bit heavy.
Also if any one want more information for suggesting me the best, then they can frankly ask me.
Thanking all of you in Advance.

Aryan

Topic Approved.

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abhilashabhi12

Try wait for another 2-3 months if u can cos the new ZMR is specualted to release in sept or Oct.

Else U can go ahead with the ZMAR since u already like this which is a superb machine & has proven its capability for many years now.. try K&N with some Sythetic oil once the bike has finished run in i bet U wnt regret U r decision on buying this..

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Ricci

1. The main reason for giving this second thought is that I hate the situations where after buying a thing(in this case the ZMA), in just 2 or 3 months there comes another more advanced, modified and a better thing than this(Karizma with FI).

>> The spy pics are genuine, but what is not certain is when the bike will be launched ( should be soon as the bike is seen out on public roads too , and well, the cat is out of the bag , so little use for HH to unnecessarily delay it ), and what specs it has. Given it is FI, expect at least 12-15K over current ZMA-R .

2. The second reason is that i want to know - is Karizma-R's technology have become outdated as compared to its counterparts(P220)?.

>> Not completely. The major advantages P220 has over the Kari are bright OE headlamps, thicker 37mm forks & wider,tubless tyres, maintenance free battery too . Of somewhat lesser importance are clipon bars, rear disc and LED taillamp, gas shocks ( IMO, the ZMA rear suspension is better ). I won't take the piston coating and exhuastec etc seriously because to me they've proven no advantage and the piston coating is still new and unproven.

3. Is the carb version of P220(Fastest Indian) is better option than Karizma and how?
>> yes. Its better VFM on purchase price alone, but its the OE spare parts prices of HH that make it costly to own , not so much on regular parts replacement but crash damage. Besides, it is due for major change , it does look due for replacement or upgrade. Not sure if carburated ZMA will continue post 2010 , though it may have many common parts with the new Karizma .

4. Which is a better 220 (carb version or FI version) as FI tech is believed to be better? Then why the hell they introduced new P220 with carb.

To reduce cost. P220 wasn't selling well at 90K , and has acquired a poor reputation for reliability. So reducing prices and taking away the perceived source of problem ( FI ) might have been the key thinking for BAL. To me, the FI is better albeit costlier technology. But the carb 220 comes with more changes - camshaft, gear ratios to alter the top speed.

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vipin_s

I too suspect ZMR, b'cos HH has revealed to media about their strategy like low cost bike. Going by the rumours on net world, I expected HH to come out on ZMR or atlest dispel rumours, but they haven't. Still figers' crossed on ZMR !!!

ZMA-R is the best buy, it's a proven machine. Even if Zmr is launched your investment will never get wasted, moreover zmr will have a price tag as per addtional features added. So Zma-R is a safe and good buy !!

srini

I'm amazed how R15 didnt make it your list since it has pretty much everything you're asking for...
Anyway,since you're not so inclined towards the P220,the current Zma should be a really good buy.It is still a proven machine despite the old tech and lack of features and the soon to be launched ZMR solves even that(If you can do with the premium it'll come at and the timeframe for the launch to happen).

abhijeet080808

A better Zma may be launched but it will also cost a lot more.

Undoubtedly YES! Technology wise, Zma comes nowhere close to the P220. Of course people claim that the extra technologies do not really matter to them.

Performance wise, it leaves the Zma behind.

Carb is better wrt VFM else it is Fi.

But, the essence of a bike goes beyond mere technical specifications. Test drive both the Zma and the P220 and see. Each bike has its own strong points.

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bunnymarwaha

i agree with Srini do take a look at the R15 (although i am guessing you like naked bikes)

p220 is very comfortable on long rides, ZMA has really old tech and remain same old for many years now (i think i read some where the chain wears out fast).
either you wait for the new ZMA (if that is happening ) last times revamp was such a let down (they put a sticker) which make waiting a littel risky.

P220 has improve many of the problems over its FI model and has an improved pickup too. it does lack of the manoverablity in traffic of the FZS but makes it up with the high pickup thus keeping you in front.
as you looking for an immidiate purchase i say go for the p220 its cheap works well and is definatly fast.

vipin_s

Please tell me what technology is required to provide 'useful' pair of RVMs ? 3 years of 'India's first fairing mounted RVMs' ....is still useless !!

chicane1879

Yeah, yeah they should have consulted the brilliant R&D dept of HH.No wonder they use the same mirrors for the Splendor as well as the ZMA.

@Libran

Wait for some more concrete info on the upcoming ZMA.Otherwise it's the "Fastest Indian" all the way!!

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