Re: which super bike confused ????

Query Approved

Re: which super bike confused ????

P.S - I don't own a SBK.
Talking from a biker's POV, I think you should realise if you want a cruiser or a sports. Who are we to decide your likes and dislikes?
BTW, sports break one's back on long rides.

You do have a few options <8L - HD Superlow, N650, GT 650R/N/Aquila etc. Take a TR and decide.

Re: which super bike confused ????


Apart from decent rider comfort, touring requires a vehicle with an engine which remains stress free while not losing smoothness as it runs non stop for long distances. Besides riding position, engine smoothness or the lack of it can greatly affect riding comfort and this is experienced more when you tour. General theory aside, comfort could still be subjective from rider to rider. If you love sportbikes more, then you will "feel" more comfortable on a sportbike since you prefer that. Otherwise, anything with a more upright riding stance is more suitable for long distance riding. Secondly, you are going to carry luggage so make sure that the motorcycle you choose has enough space to accommodate stuff, lots of it! Since your budget is 8 lakhs, you choices are limited to Ninja 650, HD Superlow/Iron883, Hyosung. Triumph is speculated to launch its motorcycles in near future, so you might want to wait for it. Its Bonneville could be a very good choice to consider. All these motorcycles have a decent enough braking performance. Personally, I do not like Hyosung. Also, try to buy a brand new motorcycle.

Re: which super bike confused ????

Thank you for your reply

I love superlow but ground clearance is a major concern.
N650 is not my choice.
Looking for second hand MT01 or FZ1 or maybe new iron 883.

Bonneville is the machine I want to see in flesh before deciding on it.

Re: which super bike confused ????

The Bonneville might just be the bike for you. Wait for it before you take a plunge. A no nonsense bike.

Being inexperienced on big bikes is no problem as long as you have your head placed very firmly on your shoulders.

Re: which super bike confused ????

With all due respect, figuring out which kind of bike (cruiser or sports) should not be left as a question to the public but should be pondered upon by yourself and after much insight and thinking should you come to a conclusion. IMO you should ask friends here suggestions about the model that you want to buy but not suggestions about the kind of league of machines you want to buy. Because quite frankly, everyone would try to persuade you into buying one in the league they are more attached to.

I humbly request you first come to a conclusion about "What kind of biker are you".

Now having said the above, let me give my 2 cents on this. In the requirements you have mentioned, 2 things (Love touring + Comfy Bike) which do not go with a all out aggressive sports bikes like the R1 and the likes. All other aspects such as braking, reliability etc are pretty much equivalent in all the machines when you go north of 5L range (Honest opinion).

Now since pure bread Sports bikes won't suit your kind of riding (Touring mainly) you have 2 options left. You could either go for a Sports tourer (like the 250r you already have) or a pure bred cruiser (HD and the likes).

In sports tourers, at least in Xbhp and otherwise everywhere else, the Ninja 650 is a worshiped machine and will fulfill your touring taste and also give you a kick of adrenaline when you want it.

If however you want a pure bred cruiser, well, HD is again the worshiped brand here and even in my opinion, when you are spending 8L+, i suggest you go with HD only. You may like the design etc of other offerings, but i only advice you to make a very wise step.

The most important however, no matter what kind of bike or model you buy, i STRONGLY STRONGLY advise you NOT to get a used machine. It's not worth spending so much on a used super bike unless you know the history of it.

Regards!

Re: which super bike confused ????

Get a HD, it will be the best bike for your budget and preference. I would have suggested Ninja 650, but since you are willing to spend more why not get a HD? You might as well wait for the Bonneville from Triumph. There is also news that HD is releasing 500 and 750 cc models so you maybe able to get them for lower price than the current ones out there. I would avoid getting a second hand superbike if I were you.

Re: which super bike confused ????

Okay , lets break this down for you.
Firstly in India what you buy is completely dependent upon your budget. Now what you get in that budget may not be what you want.
If i had to answer your query in 1 line , i would say pick up the Ninja 650 and start touring.
It has enough power to keep you happy and a fantastic setup to tour our country.
Now touring is a very vast term. I do alot of touring and have covered close to 25,000 kms on my bike in the last 2 years. I ve taken it up to the hills like manali and also flats in Rajasthan and gujrat. Though often I had the wrong bike for the job but thats a story for a different day.
What kind of touring do you do. two up or single . group or solo. iron butt or leisurely ?
Secondly , your preference of motrcycle. Faired , naked , classic . The engine configuration , in line , parallel , v twin etc.
These are the things you need to answer yourself.
I would suggest you find answers to the above questions . That will give you some clarity in terms of what you want.
Once you have that clarity , we are always here to help you out with your decision making.

Re: which super bike confused ????

i think FZ1 will fit ur requirements

Re: which super bike confused ????

There are a few Bandit 1250's in the used market at about 5.5 to 7.5 lakhs. The bandit is a nice machine worth keeping for a long time and it does most of what you could want from a bike very well.

Re: which super bike confused ????

Be very aware that this is just a detuned R1 engine, which basically means all the madness that the R1 is famous for, nd having ridden a couple, if you want a reliable naked bike always pick the CB1000, better service and much more refined. The FZ1 is just the crazier younger brother in this case

An awesome choice but the looks do take some getting used to
I think bigron has covered most of the technical choices, dont forget that when it comes to these machines, whether cruisers or superbikers it is always a case of heart over logic. Logically speaking an R1 is not meant for daily riding, is a pain in the ass when it comes to maintenance, but I love it, so I will take it out even if it is for a 200 m drive to go drink tea.......I think most superbikers who have saved their money have always had one dream in mind, figure out what is yours and go for it. I mean if xbhpians can do the iron butt challenge on an R1 in India then you can always do anything

Re: which super bike confused ????

Dear all

Thank you for your valuable feedback.

After couple of G2G with super bikers and mega G2G at Mapple Gurgaon (Flicker Ride XBHp)

I have figured out my requirements.

1) Practical to ride
2) Easy to maintain
3) Touring capability
4) Availability of parts
5) Good looks (so not Bandit, I know its ideal for me)
6) No parallel twin (sound does matter when one is going for super bike, No offence to ll twin owners)
7) Ground clearance (Superlow is no no)
8) Legal

Bikes shortlisted in second hand category:

1) FZ1
2) CB1000 (ABS)
3) CBR1000RR (ABS) (Purely due to ABS)
4) Hayabusa ABS (My all time favorite, If i can find one in 10L of budget which I feel is next to impossible)
5) Monster 796 ABS (If available legally)


One query for SBK owners
I have been riding CBR250R ABS since 1.5 years and now I fear switching to non abs machine that to a SBK. In 1.5 years there have been 3 incidents where ABS saved my life Big time-
1) Speed 140km/hr NH-1, reason- cow ran in front of me, action- panic braking, Result - Bike smoothly stopped well before my expectation
2) Speed 80+ gurgaon coty, reason - Auto rickshaw took U turn, action - panic braking, Result- Was able to turn while hard braking
3) Speed 120 with pillion (wife) Delhi Rohtak highway, Reason - Bike suddenly took left turn, action- panic braking (hardest ever, heart almost stopped as my wife was pillion), Result - Even ABS struggled to prevent the bike from loosing control but saved us both.

My braking skills are not so good or I should say strictly average. My tendency during panic is of braking rather the taking sharp cuts.
So my question is:

Are super bikes controllable during panic braking? Should I go for Non ABS SBK?

Also can any one tell me at what price I can get the above listed SBK's?

Thank you
Regards

Re: which super bike confused ????


The answer to the question is in those two words I've highlighted in your post.
Which of those two did you enjoy more?

If you had 2 lakh rupees today, what would you rather buy(RE TB 500 or CBR250)

If the answer is the former, go buy a cruiser, and if its the latter, go buy a ......................(well nothing, TBH)
Look, if you moved from RE TB to CBR because the TBs no longer appealed to you, the cruiser is just going to amplify the hate. In that case scenario, just save up and get a used MultiStrada.

The bikes you have shortlisted are
1) FZ1
2) CB1000 (ABS)
3) CBR1000RR (ABS) (Purely due to ABS)
4) Hayabusa ABS (My all time favorite, If i can find one in 10L of budget which I feel is next to impossible)
5) Monster 796 ABS (If available legally)

Now with 1-3 &5, you cant tour. Period. And they're damn uncomfortable.

Re: which super bike confused ????

I've seen a couple of SBK owners who have owned REs in their past and even now inspite of owning the finest liter-class bike they still miss their RE. It might sound funny to lots of people here but truth is always crazy. Even You have said the same that You miss Your RE TB. So deep within Your heart You have the answer.
Lots of SBK owners here and every where else own their machines just because they love doing triple digit speeds. But, biking is not just about doing triple digit speeds or scrapping the footpegs.