apacherenator

Hey guys, i hope you will help me out in picking a new bike for my dad.We need the bike as soon as possible because my dad's caliber is too old now and is giving a lot of problems.Also he has knee pain on his right leg and is really struggling to kick start the bike every morning.Therefore A SELF STARTER IS A MUST.
So here is something about my dad:
Age:52
height: 5'10''
weight: about 95 kgs
riding style: depends on his mood
drinks: during weekends and rides back home(so need good brakes)
others: needs to commute to the bus stand 5kms away from home, park the bike there and catch a bus to office.

what we are looking for in a bike, ordered in priority:
1)SELF STARTER
2)pretty large bike with a genuinely wide wheelbase.
3)Budget: Rs 40,000-50,000
4) Sturdy, robust and reliable.
5) decent fuel economy 60-70 kmpl.
6)no non-sense bike.
7)non Hero Honda(P.S: we have no personal grudge against HH)

So our choices till now,ordered in preference:
1)Yamaha Libero G5
2)Yamaha Alba 106
3)Bajaj Discover 100 Dts-si.

So if I could know the pro's and con's of these bikes, i can make a more informed decision. Thanks in advance!!..

__________________
1986 SUZUKI AX100R
1999 KAWASAKI CALIBER
2006 TVS APACHE 150
2010 YAMAHA SZ-X

Aryan

Topic Approved.

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

Priyatam

I would suggest all new Discover DTS-Si. My dad recently purchased Disco and I abused it when I was at my home town for the festival.

Pros:
1. VFM bike with lots of goodies.
2. Mileage (I'm not sure about the exact figure)
3. The engine is damn smooth and refined.
4. 5 speed gear box
5. DC headlight
6. No vibrations even at 70-80 kmph (I gave it full throttle )

Cons:
1. Horn (I replaced horn with our Wagon-R's horn and it sounds better now)
2. The read drum bake makes weird noise when applied brakes very smoothly (May not be the case for all the bikes, can be rectified in first service)
3. Seat is narrow and doesn't have width like the Passion seat, it looks too small

It pulled effortlessly me & my dad in 5th gear @ 30 kmph.

Bajaj has a winner in their hands now

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Once human-being, now Biker.

thunderbird_m6

Seeing your dad's weight & age factor, my suggestion will be NEW ACTIVA bcoz he is turning older day-my-day & with knee pain facto, 52 age, bulky weight...u must not let him struggling between changing gears in present traffic scenario. Activa will be best bet for all your needs except mileage, he can thumb-start it, sit relaxly with legs up & just right hand is enough for acceleration/braking.

Further, if u still want a bike for him...then my suggestion is to increase ur budget a further & go for discover 135 dts-si as that is a far more powerful when compared to your finalised options of 100cc plus u get a disk brake, 5speed, stunning design & mileage almost what u expect.

One last news since U are looking for a mid-range bike :

> Honda is coming up with new versions of Shina & Stunner, also a premium version of Activa migh come up with Front Disc & Alloys ala Aviator.
> Suzuki will also be coming up with refreshed versions of Heat & Zeus and it can be better in all aspects when compared to older version.

apacherenator

Thanks for your input. The problem here is, my dad is a pretty big person and he has been riding the Kawasaki Caliber(which is a big feel bike) for the past 10 years. So am still not sure if he will like the Dicso when it comes to the size of the bike and you have also mentioned 'narrow seat'....I also had Disco as my first choice, but i really can't picture my dad riding it...and somehow i don't feel Disco as a sturdy, rock solid bike....

__________________
1986 SUZUKI AX100R
1999 KAWASAKI CALIBER
2006 TVS APACHE 150
2010 YAMAHA SZ-X

apacherenator

Thnks for your valuable inputs..some problems here are
1). My dad is dead against scooters..He has a very big ego when someone comes to mention his age.. . The truth is that my Mom and I are forcing him to get a new bike because we are seeing him struggle with his old bike. He has no intentions of a new bike, so we know what he will say if we suggest him a scooter.
2)We need a bike very urgently..can't wait till 2010 for the Honda Launches.
3) My dad won't spend a penny on the bike after purchase, on things like Service, spares etc...So we need a bike with the least maintenance and hence least gizmo's like disc brakes which will need periodical maintenance.
4) Suzuki 125's would be way too small for my dad with their small wheelbases.(1230mm)

__________________
1986 SUZUKI AX100R
1999 KAWASAKI CALIBER
2006 TVS APACHE 150
2010 YAMAHA SZ-X

Thunder

All your Requirement can be filled up only with the following two bikes

1 - Discover 100 DTSi : Excellent Robust engine - as i myself rided it for a non stop 80KM ride and its output was really nice
5 Gears, Nitrox Shocks, Full Black Treatment, Self start, Trip Meter, Good Styling.......all will match ur Dad
Sure mileage of above 70kmpl

2 - Star City110: Has a little bit more power that Discover, It also has an excellent robust engine
5years of warranty period, 5 step shocks, Self start,Excellent Headlight ,4Gears - Solid Bike for Commuters
Sure mileage of 70kmpl


Its better that you end up in any of the above two

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.......Just a Biker.......

apacherenator

Ok, i will test ride the Disco today and get a personal view..

anyone who owns or has ridden a Yamaha G5??..please give your inputs!!...

__________________
1986 SUZUKI AX100R
1999 KAWASAKI CALIBER
2006 TVS APACHE 150
2010 YAMAHA SZ-X

dhairya

Have you considered TVS Star City?

apacherenator

TVS star city is a good bike. But its very common out here in Tamilnadu. Want to get something for my dad which is not what everyone else on the road is riding!!...I am the one who has convinced him on the new bike..so has to be something nice!!..

__________________
1986 SUZUKI AX100R
1999 KAWASAKI CALIBER
2006 TVS APACHE 150
2010 YAMAHA SZ-X