Dream come true

Hello guys,
This is my first post in Xbhp. This is an awesome place for bikers, i have been following the posts from quite a few days and its very informative.
I got my ZMA R 2011 (gray), 17th last month. From SAI motors,bangalore.
It's always been my dream to own this angel from a very long time, now that i have it, i'm enjoying every bit of it.
Have completed 1100 kms on it. maintaining an average rpm of 3.5k during the run-in. the bike performs really well, superb acceleration,handling,throttle response, and superb smooth engine.
But i have a few bothering concerns
1.At the time of delivery the SS guys filled in 1 lt of fuel, I got it filled completely at a shell outlet (Shell normal petrol). the maximum i could fill was 16.2lts, considering the capacity of the tank at 17lts this is normal.
And after a few days of riding i completed 630 kms, i had to change to reserve, so i thought i was good for another 80kms atleast until the bike completely runs out of fuel as there would be 2 lts left. but to my surprise the bike ran out of fuel at just 50 kms. how could that happen?

2.First service done at 650kms. As i had to go somewhere i asked the HH SS guys to only wash the bike, change the engine oil, and check the spark plug. but from that day on the bike doesnt seem so smooth,there is knocking even in the 1st gear. the throttle response is not at al free.
Had been to the SS, they said it is normal after the first service.Could this harm the engine in anyway? Engine oil level is also OK.
But why is this happening? please help me out guys.

did you read the line saying that RPM goes to 3 when i start it in morning.. and sorry i apologise for not giving information that choke cable is not working.. also you might have read that RPM needle don't stay fixed.. it drops down to "1" after a ride.. for more information, i had covered 17,600 kms on my bike..

congrats sagar..Btw how does the new grey looks.Share some pics of your ZMA!

EDIT:Saw grey just couple of moments ago..Was looking good,but among the newly launch colour,
red looks awesome!

Planning to get a New 2011 model - Karizma R

Hello Guys,

I have been riding Avenger 200 for last 2.5 years and now planning to change the ride. I was pretty happy with my bike but its slowly loosing its refinement and its pain and annoying in long rides. So many of service station visits didn't do any help so I thought its better to change it.

Now I'm looking at 2011 Karizma R and loving everything of it. ZMR is not so appealing with that price tag and its completely a personal opinion . Now I got few question here.
1. Am I doing a correct thing with this upgrade as a tourer?
2. Is the ownership cost of the ZMA is at higher side i.e. servicing, change of parts which goes off in regular wear and Tear.
3. Is spending extra 20 k for ZMR is worth of what we get as end product?
4. Is the stock tires are good to go for atleast 25,000 kms before I upgrade to new one.

I am planning to book one in next few days and if you can clear my doubts, I may hurry up the whole process a little bit fast .

Nishant

here are my comments :-
1) you possibly cant go wrong with a ZMA when it comes to touring PERIOD. So dont even give it a second thought if its touring you are looking for, blindly go for it (though would suggest a few upgrades which are imperative)
2) well ZMA Is literally bullet proof when it comes to engine ironically thats the only thing which is good ,the fibre parts are simply AWFUL , i have had my bike for now 2 years and around 26000 kms , and theres not a single part which isnt broken ,if you dont mind a bit of DIY then mseal and feviquick would see you through. you cant really go about changing the fibre parts that often as they are priced ridiculously high and so are the other parts in general .
3) if you can live with the looks of ZMR then its a better package over all because it has the same engine as ZMA with FI and other goodies ,The FI makes the throttle response much crispier ,average goes up just a bit.
the down side is that you need to be careful with that huge fairing and being an FI it would be difficult to tinker with.
4) Stock tires are decent, they should last 25k am yet to change mine.

Bottom line :- sure if outdated when you compare it with rivals like p220 (which my bro has incidently) but if you dont mind the awful plastic quality and the overall costly spare parts ,just go for it even after these years a normal servicing is all it takes to get her in supreme state after all the hardcore fun.

bro karizma is all in one bike it gives a blend of looks,power,resonable milage as well as superior acceleration
1)upgrading to tourer is indeed a decision without regret even in longer rides...
2)Keep up cost is resonable for the meachine costing close/more then a lakh...
3)ZMR is a beautiful meachine if the rider is resonable as in 20k extra ull get full fairing + superb tail light + no starting problems + matcho handle bar + digital odo + perfect headlamp (phewwwwww) what else u can expect...
4)stock karizma tyres are not recomended as they cause bit slippery while on higher speeds(personal openion )i own zma 05 classic
Choice is urs we can only advise but its certainly worth if you can spend...

Thanks Guys,
To be frank, for me, answer to my first question is more important then other 3 . If ZMA is a good tourer and I love this bike then this 2 reasons are enough for me to get one of those. All the other thing I can take care. I appreciate your feedback and will keep this thread updated about booking, delivery dates and all.

Thanks Again

replies in bold

Avenger
yes, bajaj engines do lose their charm after a while.
if you want to rejuvenate Avy go to a good local mechanic, ASC is useless.
i don't know the actual condition of your bike nor do i know the things you have changed in last 2.5 yrs.

Karizma
first borrow one from friend and do a 300KM ride. coz it is very very different from Avy.
as a zma owner, i really love it, i don't recommend buying a new one.
considering the unavailability of spares right now, i'm unsure about the future.
also there are other options are available, equal if not better, like P220, r15.. or even save money for few more months and go for cbr250

carb zma and fi cbr250 will have same average kmpl.

zma has wonderful engine, chassis and brakes..but many things work against it too. eg plastics, H/L, spares, A S S, resale value etc.

I bought old zma from a friend and restored it to my liking. i love the process.

IMHO if it was my money i would go for CBR250 or P220.

1. Am I doing a correct thing with this upgrade as a tourer? Yes you are
2. Is the ownership cost of the ZMA is at higher side i.e. servicing, change of parts which goes off in regular wear and Tear. Yes, spares availability depends on luck, I mean spares availability is the real problem for Zma/Zmr.
3. Is spending extra 20 k for ZMR is worth of what we get as end product? Not Really, check for other options
4. Is the stock tires are good to go for atleast 25,000 kms before I upgrade to new one. Yes stock tyres are good hard compound material, if you maintain well and roads are good at place..you can use till 30,000kms..i have my friends who are using stock tyres at 38,000 on Odo.

To all ZMA owners:

I understand that ZMA comes with 35/35w headlight. Can ZMA take 60/55w bulb without any mods? Sorry for my poor knowledge on this section, i just read somewhere.

^^No, it cannot take

I'm running a 55/60 Osram for about a year now. It's a plug and play fit.
The benefits in terms throw are massive.

The stock electricals can take the higher wattage lamp, but it does help if one takes some care, such as not hitting the starter with the headlamp turned on etc.

It can take a 55/60...but over a period of time the reflector will loose the shine near the bulb,due to the heat of 55/60W bulb.A relay to actuate the bulb will be useful though as stock,.. ZMA can handle the requirement without the relay also.

Thanks Guys, still making up my mind and settling it for one choice .. will keep posting here about any updates from me !!! Thanks again