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**Noor** · 06-23-2011, 06:57 PM

Thread approved

**pravu** · 06-23-2011, 07:08 PM

I find no reason why R15 would not soothe your needs just cuz you are slightly under weighed. Believe me, R15 would suit you more nicely then and you gonna be damn contented with it.

Only part is accln for which you need to shift first 2-3 gears very fast to cross 5k rpm. Thereafter you would experience the new character of the babe.

Yamaha is reliable with its promising quality and my bet would be R15 any day over other picks.

Call is yours anyways.

GOOD LUCK

**xionite** · 06-23-2011, 07:10 PM

the R15 seems like a perfect bikes for ur needs.

**Wanted DoA** · 06-23-2011, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by xionite View Post

the R15 seems like a perfect bikes for ur needs.

R15!! Tailored for your build!

**Vishwas Bharadwaj** · 06-23-2011, 08:21 PM

How about the 2011 Karizma R?!Can tour quite a bit on it,the pillion seats are comfy and the gearbox is smooth.
It might feel a bit sluggish while cornering but it is a neat package overall.You can learn to ride from your mates.How ever,I do not know about the attitude of the dealers at your part of the country,so can't comment on that part.
Personal opinion-The Apache vibrates a LOT,which will/might irritate you in the long run considering the fact that you drive the Honda.But,it is so accelerating to drive that you forget about everything.
Edit-Read about the R15 part now!If budget isn't a concern then go for it.It is the best bike for students produced here IMHO.

**111diablo111** · 06-23-2011, 08:51 PM

after reading all your requirenment only one bike ccame in my mind & that is Apache 180(it'll be better if u'll go with ABS version)..its not heavy like ZMA..it got awesome pickup..smoothness won't be as like in ZMA but u'll start loving it after sometimes

though only thing which goes against an Apache is "touring" where ZMA scores over any other bike in its category..

**Guru_DTSi** · 06-23-2011, 08:56 PM

You've got a quite list of bikes there that might suit your requirements. But pointing out the best.
1) Apache 180RTR (with/without ABS) (Vibes, vibes, +ves : crotch rocket)
2) Karizma-R (Most refined engine, damn costly spares)
3) Pulsar 180,220 (The everlasting reliability question, it will not breakdown without warning though)
4) FZ, Fazer (You'd need to have deep pockets for the fuel bills)
The R15 would be out of your budget, which I see is 75k-85k.
Test ride each of them. Bulk of the bike is something which you'd get used to. There are guys thinner and shorter than you who do just fine with even an Enfield.

**madhavparashar** · 06-23-2011, 08:58 PM

Bajaj?

Hey... As it is your 1st bike, why not go for a pulsar 180 or 220?
It suits all ur needs, within the budget, good enuf for touring too.

Apache is not comfortable at all for long drives, specially for the pillion.

Won't R15 be out of your budget?

**saipranav** · 06-23-2011, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by Wanted DoA View Post

R15!! Tailored for your build!

Isnt r15 out of his budget?
But in case he can stretch it... its perfectly good
@prateekm
if you can stretch your budget, go for the r15(keep in mind that a 2011 rxx is doing the rounds and a price cut is also possible...
Otherwise apache ABS/P220 are the chief options.(i feel karizma-r is verrrry outdated)

Would like to know when you are planning to buy the bike... it would be easier to decide...

**bilalans** · 06-23-2011, 09:59 PM

Go for a Pulsar 220 its slightly costlier than your current budget but as I have heard its a VFM and reliable.. and after-sales services varies from place to place .. u ll hear complains from everyone... I personally ride the Yamaha FZ.. it took me a very long time to decide about it since even I had plans to keep my bike with me for very long.. I avoided pulsar because i had a 150 DTSi and I was bored of watching pulsars on all the traffic lights and in every lane so I needed something different...

Your plans for Apache 180 ABS are not bad though... if you feel like buying apache dont listen to me .. and just go for it..

**chip** · 06-23-2011, 10:22 PM

why not test drive all the vehicles?
your friends might be having some wheels, test drive them and decide what you want.
I own 220f(my 1st bike after activa), i weigh 60kg., initially it appeared very heavy, but few month down line, now I enjoy riding it!

**vickks** · 06-23-2011, 10:25 PM

Originally posted by prateekm View Post

Hello Guys !

I've finally broken the age-limit barrier and am now in the market for a new bike. I currently ride a Honda Dio (gearless license, you know) and planning to sell it and get a new bike within 75,000-85,000. So let me pen down my requirements in the next few lines and hope you guys can guide me to the right bike for my demands.

1) Newbie: I did about 14k kms in as many months on my Dio but I don't know to ride a geared bike because I wanted to be 18 before I drive one. So, it should be easy to learn.

Its no problem at all. Any bike you take, its easy to learn

2) Weight: I'm 5" 8' but I am underweight for my age, 50-52kg. So, the primary requirement is that I shouldn't feel the bike to be bulky while city drives. I love the R15 so much, but I guess it won't suit on a thin physique like mine.

RTR

3) Daily running: I will do about 50 kms on an average daily on the Eastern Express Highway from Thane to Wadala, Mumbai. This highway is generally congestion free except on a few locations, so need something that can do 80kph without any sweat. Mileage isn't a concern but a large tank would be a boon.

RTR / P220

4) Touring: Yes, this is what I currently dream every night! Plan to do a BOM-BLR-BOM by this year end with a pillion rider on the 'yet-to-come' bike, so it should be comfortable and the headlights should be adequate for night driving.

P220 all the way!

5) Servicing: Pricing of the spare parts isn't an issue, but the attitude of the dealers and the service technicians is. I won't buy a Honda, thanks to their pathetic servicing issues I faced with my Dio. Similarly, resale doesn't matter since I would keep the bike for 4-5 years.

P220 again!

6) Reliability: It should be reliable. I don't want it to leave me stranded on a lone highway with no mechanic in site for the next 50 kms. Is the ABS technology in Apache reliable?

I would prefer the ABS if its not overpriced. Normal (without ABS) RTR 180 has the best brakes among all indian bikes, closely followed by P220. The soft compound tire of P220 is a boon.

6) Performance: Top-end doesn't matter me, but the initial pickup does matter A LOT. Should have good handling on curves.

No other <220cc bike's performance matches RTR 180's performance, short wheelbase makes it easy on curves. R15 comes no closer when we did the speedrun on the hairpin bends of western ghats.

In my mind, I have shortlisted TVS Apache 180 ABS as the next bike, but I am open to other suggestions too

I can wait a maximum of 2-3 months if there's a bike getting launched which meets my expectation and the waiting period is justified.

Thanks for reading, drive safe.

Prateek.

My opinions in bold.

I have experienced both the bikes. RTR 160 was my first bike, sold it 2 months ago due to the vibes, need for more speed and projectors, so took a P220. R15 is also good for highway runs and can do 140kmph+ with its 6th gear but its really pain to ride in city traffic with its low lowend torque + its a bit out your budget. Karizma ZMA is good too, but personally I dont like it, no clipons, not such a good headlight, battery issues. ZMR is like a elephant without any power. (no offence to anyone, its my personal opinion)

You already came till 85k... Increase it a little bit and take a P220. You wont regret. Take care of the bike and it will salute you on every occasion!

**harishkumarko** · 06-23-2011, 10:25 PM

Hey bro,

As far as I've experienced apache's pillion seats are utterly uncomfortable. Otherwise the bike is a great machine. As someone mentioned earlier the bike is a crotch rocket. Initial pick up is pretty good(one of your criteria). Mileage is around 40. needless to say handling is great and thus cornering will be great. The bike is light, so is easy to drive in traffic. Vibes are a problem if you see them as problem because I believe it is the characterstic of the bike. A lot of people in xbhp have done pretty long tours on RTRs so I don't think reliabilty is much of a problem. Check out the Overdrive's test for the ABS characterstic.

YouTube - ‪TVS Apache RTR ABS - Overdrive‬&rlm;

Pulsars have their usual reliabilty myth going on. I'm refraining from commenting anything as I'm not sure of this. But it is evident that a lot of people use P220s for touring here in xbhp. Projector headlamps are "boon at night": thats what I've heard. Needless to say the bike is beast with 21hp. But is heavy and that is very evident while cornering.

FZ is again a great bike but mileage of 40-45 is very low for a 150cc bike i believe. Also with a pillion on board, I'm not sure if it'll do 80kmph without breaking a sweat. Quality is tip top and relaibilty is close to cent percent. Cornering is a breeze and fun on this bike. If I were you I wouldn't even think of Fazer!! FZ is a better bet. Service is generally good in almost all places. Spares will be relatively costlier to Bajaj and TVS.

You've ruled out Honda's otherwise I would have suggested the Dazzler which is decent in all ways except that it is a heavier than the RTR.

Generally your confusion will be half solved when you test drive. Do that soon.
Choose wisley bro.

**eliksir** · 06-24-2011, 04:27 PM

get the FZ

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