I would like to set few things in the context before starting it:


* Distance: 3500+ Kms
Duration: 2.5 months appx


* I am an IT professional who commutes 30-33 kms(route dependent) to my office (one side).




* Route is 10 Kms normal ride (50kmph), 10 Kms busy 15kmph ride (bumper to bumper 3-5Kmph in rain), 10kms smooth 75Kmph ride




* EX-ride: Passion Plus




I Will skip the pre-delivery part and would concentrate on my 2 months experience.
* Some pics may not relate to the headings
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The First Ride and The Priest
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Got my beauty on 28th July, evening. You will definitely feel that - Woosh!, a hard torque wave when u roll the throttle and make a movr for first few times until u are used to it. It is such an amazing experience which this 223 CC bike manages to provide. Although I had already experienced it during the test rides, but your own ride means special.




After the pooja at temple, my Dad decided to give 200/- to the priest without listening my mother who insisted to give 100/- . To our utter shock, the priest demanded 500/- saying "It's a ZMR na!!! we charge more for these bikes :O ". On that my Dad said to my Mom - " Forget about him going for the Vegitables and Grocessories from now, ZMR na!!!! :P :P".




The American Design
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My cousin says, people look it like a "girl with mini skirt", some keep looking at it and some with big ego steal the glances like they are not intersted.




The Bike is a straightway rip-off of the EBR 1190 . Some criticize this, but I look at this way - I am riding an EBR Mini
We are used to the Japs. This American design took some time to grow on us from the DUBAI LAUNCH pics, but you will fall in love it the very moment you see it. This peculiar yet awsome look has made thousands of head turn, eyes widen and mouths muttering constantly - "Kotha ZMR ra bhai, emanna unda!! "<the hyderabadi="" for="" -="" oh!="" look,="" that's="" the="" new="" zmr,="" what="" a="" look="" bro!"="">. The so called "Ugly Front" and "Too big Visor" gives the bike a real super bike look that even kids get interested. The Angel eyes(DRLs) are my favorite part of the bike narrowly beating the sexy tail.My White fury gets the name from these scintillating DRLs which to me and friends give the bike a look of "Toothless-Night Fury" from the Hollyood toon flick "How to Train your Dragon".





The Side profile is sleek, the stickers around the engine and the black fibre part combine to suggesting the speedy nature/intent of the bike(Will be missed in Black which has other advantages)


We got a new,spectacular American Design with a trusted Japanese Engine running on a bike which says "Made In India".






Engine/Power/Acceleration
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I Show off at only one place - Traffic Signal!!!
"I always wanted to be the last one to make the move, but once I pick-up...everyone should be left behind by long"




ZMR 2014 is perfect for that.HMC claims 0-60Kmph in 3.6 secs, I bet that it is true and is easily achievable. The engine is smooth and you never feel that you are hurting it. You can crank upto 50-55Kms at 3rd gear without hearing any nasty engine cry or body vibe, similarly 75+ at 4th. Even the reverse is true, 40kms at 5th gear and the bike stays stable.






The bike is torque monster as I said. It takes little effort to climb up hills.




Vibrations
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You would have some low end fairing vibes until a speed of 30Kmph. After that forget them. Again Since, you have a very long visor and has the mirrors fitted on it, the image in the mirror is not clear at low speed still it satisfies the purpose. But, in bumper to bumper traffic, if a cute girl is just behind you. You are disappointed :P






High end vibes - You don't feel any vibe at all until 95Kmph but during those last 5 figures you start feeling something, I hope these small vibes don't become big post 112Kmph (My top speed).






Seating and Pillion riding
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2714Kms and no "signs" of saddle sore or Back ache. But, It took some time to adjust to the aggressive seating position, a drastic change from my ex ride. Initially I had slight wrist pain for almost 3 weeks, but then People corrected my seating position asking me to sit as far as I can from the tank keeping the spine straight and just sort of holding the handle instead of pushing it. Sitting far from the tank also reduces the groin sore and a possible injury.





The wrist pain sometimes springs back during very long duration bumper to bumper traffic For eg. Sometimes while returning home when it rains, the particular bumper to bumper traffic 10km segment (which I mentioned earlier), it takes 45mins to cross it. I could only imagine the plight of the R15 guys. I hope, it's the same case with FZ and 200NS.




The pillion part is something a lot Karizma lovers are finding it difficult to digest. So, I will explain it this way




My aunt fell at a speed breaker from pulsar, carelessness on part of both her and my bro who was riding.
ZMR 2014's pillion seat is lot better compared to R15 in all aspects, say comfort, lesser in height and has cushion at the split area (I actually feel that Yamaha purposefully made it to discourage pillion riding)
So, if u want to buy this zimmer, there is a compromise. But you can easily handle that. Drive carefully and slow. Ensure your pillion wears a helmet too (I ensured that in my passion too). And I feel if a Hero bike of this category has started perched pillion seat, It's gonna be a trend. So, u have to deal with it.One more problem, Short ladies particularly wearing saries will face issue while climbing.




The pillion won't have wind blast problems in city but during highway rides you need to seat in a proper way (Google for the proper pillion stance for perched seats)






Tires/Cornering and Braking
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The wide rear tire make the rear profile even more superbikish. They perform their job perfectly. They grip the road nicely during the rains and you won't feel out of control. I clocked 50 Kmph on a 90 degree left turn (not a blind turn + on smooth, clear, empty road).




People cautioned me about the use of Disk Brakes. Guys also were worried that ZMR has a rear disk too, so double edged word!!. These made me apprehended and I used to brake with caution. But, trust me, these are awsome. The bike length and dynamics add perfection to the braking system.




I would say My Fury saved my life:
I had completed a week with my bike when one one day I was returning home at night 10 O'clock and it was raining cats and dogs. I was at a constant 50Kmph and there was a Scorpio just ahead of me also at the same speed. We were like this for almost 4 kms and it stopped abruptly. I was in all my senses and hard pressed both the brakes. The beauty just stopped dead straight inches from the scorpio's rear. Actually a nasty bike rider turned into our lane from nowhere and the scorpio guy had to brake without cautioning me. That incident gave me a lot of confidence about the strength of the disc and also about its reliability.






Night Vision
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I read that my bike's vision is better than it's older sibling. Inside city, I never had any problem with low beam. During rains, I switch to Hi-beam on an empty road. But at places with no street lights, I feel it it hard to ride above 60Kmph. So the stock bulb is still not preferable for highways(IMO)






Fuel Efficiency
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I maintained gentle ride until 1200Kms - no revs! , speeds not more than 50Kmph. I used to get 40Kmpl(2-3 fillings) during those days.
Now, the situation has changed. I go beyond 75 on free roads. Rains are finally here in Hyderabad so, the bumper to bumper thing is really hurting me and the mileage of my bike. But it still manages a constant 37Kmpl (more than 4 fillings). I don't have any issues with anything equal to or above 35Kmpl.




Haven't calculated efficiency on highways




Handling/Maneuverability
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Considering my ex-bike one would feel It would take some time to control this bike. But the stance makes it easier for the new riders. Be, it straight line driving, driving in rain, cornering or even in the bumper to bumper traffic, handling the bike is easy. The bike is big, but you can easily manouvere it even in heavy traffic. I actually managed to take it to the Charminar on the Eid night through heavy traffic(not just vehicles, jam packed with people, hawkers and even destitute asking for alms). If I could do it continuously for 2 hrs(with a 15min break in front of the splendid monument to take pics) then maneuvering this machine is easy.






Worst experience with ASC
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A 2 days before the first service, I felt some extra fairing vibe and reported the same to the ASC guys. I don't know what they did but the fairing vibe didn't stop and a new sound started coming from the engine part (I was not sure what it was, but it really pained me). I went to them to get it corrected and they told me that it is Tappet noise which needed the complete fairing to be removed. They insisted that, it's a "very" minor issue and they would do it during the second free servicing. I told them that this issue sprung after the service and I was pretty confident, but they denied.I just got the fairing tightened and returned. Fool I am, didn't even bother to research.




Fellow XBhpians noticed it and told me that Tappet clearance/valve clearance is a major issue and would cause a serious trouble to the engine if it is not corrected for a thousand kilometers. The "Valve" term made me serious (Tappet was a jargon) but I couldn't get it corrected for a week due to my office schedule. The noise increased with each passing day and I also noticed a change in the acceleration. With each passing second I felt the pain and guilt of not getting it corrected. Finally I took an unplanned half day leave and went to bash the showroom guys, they went on the back foot and immediately addressed the issue. I came back happily, to go to them again in two days. Now, the engine used to stall in the middle of the road at speed of 0 to 3Kmph during heavy traffic and also when I waited to take a U turn. I tried the process from Bike's mannual book but in vain. I went to them to give one more round of bashing and got the thing corrected.

Also, any ASC guy just does 3 things chain clean+ Lubrication, Engine oil change, Water washing... You have to look into the list of services they are entitled to and make them do all of those by being with the bike while it is being serviced.




Touring
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Highway riding or touring is addiction with this bike. Reason: That's the main purpose of this bike, IT'S THE ULTIMATE TOURING VEHICLE OF INDIA.
When you are at 65Kmph, you feel like meditation - Just you, Bike, Low Engine Music and the wind: Serene.
When you cruise past 75Kmph, you can hear your engine say - Common..Give me more dude!!! I am made for this.



The engine becomes refined after each ride. If it rains, trust me... GEAR UP and ride SAFE. But do ride in rain.... It will strengthen the bond even more.




Maintenance
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Maintaining White needs patience and I was totally prepared for that.




The only thing that was a shocker - The Absence of the rear tyre hugger




The rear section looks just perfect but beauty comes at a cost. A narrow stretch of muddy road creates total havoc on the just waterwashed rear part.
The complete under the seat, under-grab rail and saree guard gets dirty within minutes on a muddy road. The mud reaches the bum of the pillion

That's it... for avid friends who are confused about this bike, I will sum it up with a line which has become my cliche:




"Everyday in the morning, I fall in love with it again. And every night, I just say to my self - I just rode something special"

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