Re: 2 lakhs to 5: General Bike Buying Guide

Topic Approved

Please use this thread to list out the merits/ demerits of all bikes in the range of 2 to 5 lakhs. Do not indulge in brand bashing. Preferably post only about motorcycles which you own and not what you have heard from others. Thread will be closely monitored by me. Irrelevant posts will be thrown out without a second thought.

This thread's purpose is to direct repetitive questions asked in the 'What Bike' section. So please try to make your posts as comprehensive, covering all the aspects that a newbie requires.

Follow the format below. If you have anything besides this, then please feel free to add in your post.

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Re: 2 lakhs to 5: General Bike Buying Guide

Model - Ktm RC390

Year (Month) of Purchase- Feb 2015

Price when Purchased- 2.32l

Current Odo Reading- 4000kms

Positives-
Raw power/brutal acceleration
Low maintenance cost for a 390cc bike.
Riding ergonomics are spot on.
Loaded to the gills with features
ABS. A real life saver on indian roads.

Negatives-
The seat is HARD as a rock. Though I'm getting used to it, but will change it soon with a gel based seat.
Tank range should've been slightly more.
Mirrors manage ti get elbows right in middle, plan to fix this by extenders and/or blind spot mirrors or the last resort which i found out in international forums- bar end mirrors.

Rating (on a scale of 10, 10 being best) - 8.5

Major Expenses incurred if any- None

After Sales Service and Parts Availability - Excellent, though only specific service centers.

Mileage - City- 20-25kmpl
Highway(cruising at 90-120kmph)- 30-35kmpl


What improvements you want in this model- Well its a proper track machine, and its perfect for canyon carving sunday rides and even fair bit of highway rides. The front seat shouldve been properly designed, its good, but is hard. Planning to modify it with gel seat and center channel for ventilation and well, preservation of future generation😁

Would you recommend this motorcycle- Yes, but not as a beginner bike. Folks should hone their skills on something smaller and then upgrade to these a2 machines.

Re: 2 lakhs to 5: General Bike Buying Guide

Model - KTM Duke 390

Year (Month) of Purchase - 23 July 2014

Price when Purchased - 2.08 L

Current Odo Reading - 7625

Positives -

1. Crazy acceleration
2. VFM bike
3. Parts are not expensive and easily available
4. ABS which is huge boon for indian traffic atleast in my city where people jump from 3ft tall divider 😁
4. Awesome tyres

Negatives -
1. Some plastic parts around tank cover vibrates
2. Heat management is not up to the mark
3. Tank cap vibrates alot
4. Tank range is poor

Rating (on a scale of 10, 10 being best) - 8/10

Review - Great bike for highway touring with mad acceleration and great tyres. I think this is the best bike available at this price which has almost everything.

Major Expenses incurred if any - changed thermostat twice and radiator fan once which was covered in warranty. Leg guard bolt was broken from middle so had to be removed from lathe machine which costed me 80 bucks.

After Sales Service and Parts Availability - service is good mechanics are active and listen to your problems and every parts are available.

Mileage - City 25-27 kmpl
Highway- 29-30 kmpl

What improvements you want in this model - vibrations should have been minimised and heat management should be improved

Would you recommend this motorcycle - yes but who has significant experience in riding 150cc/180cc bikes because this bike has crazy acceleration which can lead you into trouble if not controlled properly. I have seen many crashed dukes and RCs in SVC of which major crashes was because rider was not able to control the bike's acceleration.


Ride safe 😀

Re: 2 lakhs to 5: General Bike Buying Guide

Model - Honda CBR 250R STD (non ABS)

Year (Month) of Purchase - June 2011

Current Odo Reading - 85000 Km

Positives (From my Experience)
Best suspension for touring; perfect product to demonstrate that takes rough with smooth & does offroading very well
Excellent FE; one full tank can give 300 Km range before the next refuel & still you'll have assured 60 Km to find another fuel station
Perfect compression ratio on the engine that is ideally suited to 91 RON fuel available through the country
Amazing torque to ride within city traffic that pulls better than few torque monsters
Engine is perfectly designed for both torque + high rev
Fuel Injection takes care of riding in altitudes
Easy to maintain as no twin cylinder & unnecessary electronics + the spares don't cost a bomb
Longer service interval (6000 Km) which means lesser visit to ASC
Easy to maintain (Paper air filter component is best suited to trap dirts & keep the engine clean; plugs are iridium ones that lasts like hell for over 40000 Km)
Best headlights (standard H4 DC 60/55) that provide wide spread of beam with reasonably longer focus
Has got plenty of power to smoke out even few cars on highways
Comfortable riding position that is engineered for both speed + control & designed to ride with fun all day long
Affordable quarter litre (compared to other manufacturers offering 250cc)
Honda reliability
Wide spread ASC through the country compared to any bike in this segment
Verdict - Affordable, Best Value For Money & Very Practical Motorcycle

Negatives (From my Experience)
Brakes on STD (not ABS) is pathetic from Bybre
ASC needs to learn how to treat the bikes with little more care
Stock Conti tires are horrible

Rating (on a scale of 10, 10 being best) - 8/10

Review - Honda CBR 250R Ownership Review | MotoHive

Major Expenses incurred if any - None, except the 2 of them
1. Engine replacement on 3rd day ownership - Cost none as it was replaced under warranty
2. Replaced sprockets, pads, general service consumables, plugs, steering system, fuel pump, tires, fuel filter, rear wheel hub, caliper kits, overhaul front suspension, tensioner around 84K as preventive measure that costed about 15K

After Sales Service and Parts Availability - Generally good, but depends upon the dealer who don't want to shoot up their inventory

Mileage - 24.6 to 46.1

What improvements you want in this model - Twin headlights; larger fuel tank; provision to fit auxiliary lights; Nissin brakes on STD model instead of stupid Bybre; Dual trip meters; may be 28 bhp without compromising on compression ratio

Would you recommend this motorcycle - Hell yeah!!

Re: 2 lakhs to 5: General Bike Buying Guide

There was a time when we didnt have choices and had to settle now there are so many choices that it spins your head.. I have ridden my Yamaha R15 v1 for around 40000 kms since 2008 when i bought it.. not much when you compare it with the adventurists out there.. I am now looking for an upgrade.. I was really exxcited about the ktm rc390 but sadly there arent any showrooms here and i dont wanna drive almost 200kms to get my bike serviced also theres the heating issue in the 390.. I wanted a no nonsense bike like my r15 which i absolutely adore and love.. next suggestion was for honda cbr250r which is available here but then again its not as exciting as the yamaha.. its docile.. thats how i would characterise it.. it doesnt plaster a smile across your face when you ride it.. third came the benelli 300.. again delhi servicing issues and its not a proven brand as of now.. last was the ninja 300 but its comparatively high maintainance and i dont exactly like the kwacker too much now that i have ridden it for some time..
Very very confused about an upgrade.. thinking of going straight with a 650 or wait for the duke 800 to be launched in india.. a higher displacement engine justifies an out of the way service in delhi acc to me.Any help? Rc guys?

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