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Your perfect place to start - xBhp.com : What Bike

Why dont you check out the R15?

Shrinath, does R15 suits...
AND

Its plain and simple bro... there is only 1 bike which can match your priorities and thats the Apache 180 ABS... i would have suggested p200/p220(without fairing)... but since you prefer tvs... just go for the abs boy...

why you always suggest only R15 to everyone irrespective of buyers needs?

@topic -
Apache180 - best in city condition..won't stand in comparison with other two on highways

Karizma-R - best sports tourer..with ample power for Indian roads..can cruise over 100k's while on a tour..best in comfort among its segment..

P220 - better power delivery in straight line among all mentioned bikes with potent touring capability..

what i can interpret is you need a powerful bike mainly for city purpose. the rtr 180 will suit the best. (good torque, decent flickability) and since you have mentioned a pillion for only 5 kms, coincidently, the rtr's seat is best only for that distance.

if you have touring anywhere in your mind, the p 220f will probably suit you the best. put a Pm to @antz.bin .The zma (old one) is also a good choice. frankly, to chose between these, chose what you think looks better. however, both have fairings.

Ps: what i can feel from your post is that you like the rtr 180. if it is so, just buy it . It can be used for long distance touring

the rtr 180 abs will be a good buy for the great combo of safety and power . its seat height would also be good for you and it is light in weight as well .

Well what made you to suggest him Karizma-R or 220 again this both also have fairings which are bigger than Fazer.

@topic starter- check the new RTR 180 with ABS.

P220 also comes without fairing in its streetfighter avatar..& ZMA i mentioned cuz it suffice his needs & comes with in his budget unlike R15..

From Yamaha there is no such bike which is 150+ and comfortable for one sided pillion.
Among TVS and Honda these are the bikes which fulfill your cliteria

1. Apache series
2. Honda Unicorn/dazzler

It seems you have zero'd on Apache 180 ABS...then go for it, what is your confusion.

deciding on..

Friends,
Thanks all for your responses for the 1st post of mine.

In Erode,Tamilnadu the OTR road prices of Apache are:

RTR 180 - Rs.79K
RTR 180 with ABS - Rs.89K
and RTR 160 about 70K.

I have a few doubts:

1. The ABS costs approx 10K over the 180 RTR. Is it worth? Will the ABS by TVS be reliable? (asking because I read about 160FI problems here in XBhp) Will ABS (being a new tech in Indian Bikes) require maintenance/ costly spares or any major disadvantage?

2. If you do think that the ABS is not worth for 10K, should I go for Apache 160 or 180? Specifically, does Apache 180 has anything superior to 160 version other than the increase in CC?

3. As suggested by @aargee, using bike selector in 60K to 90K price band the following Bikes come other than Apache series (omitted Avenger,etc):

Honda Dazzler
Karizma R
Pulsar 220F
Yamaha Fazer (forgetting the fairing/pillion requirement)

Does Apache 180 ABS offer VFM when we take these bikes into consideration?

4. Does Apache 180 have any major undue problems to date that I should bear in mind?

I'll take a test ride of Apache very soon in a few days.. and find if it suits me..

Thanks again for your help!

both the pulsar 180 and 220S are good apart from the decade old styling..
they both have been given new tweaks to make them better,more modren.. 220S if you want power over FE and 180 if you want FE over power (180's power is no less,but less compared to the 220),both also have split seats and saree guards as standard...

Oh,i just now saw that u do not have bajaj on your list

as for the honda stable,
Dazzler,will run like a dream for many many years...

The Suzuki gs 150r is no less if you r lookig for alternatives for the Unicorn....

as for the TVS range, i prefer the rtr 180 over the 160...

if you just want power,rippin,etc go for the rtr 180,but i have doubts abt the bike size (i am 6.1",maybe for me)
i still suggest the p220S for your req,but if you hate the styling and the commonality,who can blame you... if you can,go for the Test Drive of the 220S before you decide.. i was a honda fan boy (used a uni for 5 years) before i bought a 220F,i was amazed by it's capabilities...

if you want the best of all world's,and drive a bit sedately,
go for the Dazzler or the GS150r (got a 6th gear,will be of help on the highway)... the Dazzler will pull,but won't be any thing close to the 220 or even the rtr 180.... will be a buttery sedate band...

hence, conclusion,

Go for the test Drive of all the possible bikes,no harm done,just some time spent, look arnd in the forums,and then before you book/but post final destination...

@topic starter

I wouldnt recommend ABS for a 10k premium, ABS is said to be a little unpredictable where the road conditions are not good. You should be happy with the one without ABS. RTR is a great fun bike, peppy, maintain it well, also it has vibrations.

You can consider Hunk/Xtreme also and if its really not too much of a problem to get a bike with fairing, go for Karizma R. And moreover all vehicles that have been discussed will serve your prupose so hop on take a test drive and decide