If your mind loves the 220 then just go with it, it is still a very good buy for the price it is offered at. I got my 220 when the 200 ns was about to hit the market. A newer and better bikes will always be there in the market, so waiting will take forever
i did a trip last week and with speeds around 105-115kmph, with short bursts of 130+ speeds for short distances, top speed touched was indicated 146kmph without proper crouching which is great. Total was 800+ kms and the total fuel 220 gulped was 1300 rupees (75.xx a litre in bangalore)- (Calculated from reserve to reserve) so the efficiency is 45+kmpl even at those speeds which astonishes me.. Heck its better than my ex-P180 too. This is really an apt bike for highway in this price bracket, its really a great VFM.
You get the projectors and the semi fairing too which helps in highway cruising. So bottom line is, go with your heart if it says 220. I did and i'm not regretting!

I buy your point Somen. When I started this thread, I mentioned 40k because apart from Joel's kit, every body panel of my ZMA had to be replaced including fuel tank, sidepanels, headlight. So 40k includes Joel's kit and the body kit. But I did otherwise, waited and saved some money and got myself a CBR250 3 months back.

The person in question here just wants to get his bike joeld which will cost him way lower than 40k.

@Krish : Think wisely while you go for these mods. Don't get the kit to your place and get it done by your mech. Take your bike to Joel. Best of luck.

Thanks sid85 and congrats on the CBR. If I decide on the mod route, then I will take the bike to Joel and get it done, rather than depending on someone else.

Others-: The reason why I want to mod the ZMA is for the extra 10-20 kmph cruising speed; not top speed. The position, comfort and stability of the ZMA is for me unmatched; just as was re-affirmed in my 550 km ride this weekend. I dont want to change any of those qualities.

The Pulsars for me are too un-refined; though it may seem harsh to Pulsar fans; my main criteria is a smooth and silent operator which the ZMA is for me. Yet to see a like-to-like replacement for the ZMA

Krish, if you want to cruise at 120-130, only a 250cc bike will do that. Modifying the bike is a risky affair. If everything sets in, its fine but anything wrong, you end up coughing up lot of money and also peace of mind. Just a caution.

bro , i would recommend u to go ahead with ur m0d plans of ur zma.... i seriouslly hate the pulsars.. mainly lack of engine refinement and brakess... even if u buy a bajaj by the end of the year you will sell it because the engine isnt as good..

Hold on to your bike till next year bro.. Modding an engine never gives you peace of mind.. And since you are riding a karizma now i would not suggest you to go for a pulsar.. Never.. You'll only be satisfied by its pull, top speed blah blah.. But you'll miss your comfort and refined feel. So wait for other launches. However if you are planning to replace the entire engine block instead of modding the current one then do go for it. But never do any modifications like upgrading bore and all as you will not get that peace of mind if you face problems due to improper installation by the mech..

I beg to differ only on one ground! Pulsar 220 is indeed a very good bike with a good base engine and refinement is not that bad. i have to give it to Bajaj for making a good bike. Newer lot is even more refined. Although the cornering capabilities are still not brilliant.. but overall the package is quite good.

Regarding mods: If you do intend to go for the RC mods, want top speed, reliability and easy maintenance, go for the tune ups directly from Joel. Ensure that the base of the engine is checked.. replace if anything is needed. Most important thing is to check the health of the crank, crank pin and the clutch plates. If the base engine is good then you are good to go. Correct installation is a must.. otherwise the kits will fail for sure.

Read FZ18 thread regarding run-in procedure and advises against doing WOT for over very long distances... Proper read out will give you a good idea of how to do it safely and at a fraction of a cost. An advise: research properly before doing any kind of mods. I am doing it coz i know what can i expect, i know they are reliable and also i am bored with stock bike's performance.. with the official warranty now out of the window i can do what i please (not that i ever cared about the warranty).. plus i have seniors to guide and help me through installation and troubleshooting so it is nice and easy peasy for me !!

If you want higher top end then besides performance kits mods you will have to change the stock sprockets of your ZMA which will effect the gearing and acceleration of your ride. Others can help you out with that.

Cheers,

This was the best option or choice a person can go with ??

crusing at 120-130 without any strain can be done by 250cc easily which indeed can go upto 150+kmph... SO a wise decision is to get a CBR 250 for cruising at 120-130kmph which is 10-20kmph more to Karizma and with a better life ahead.

@TS:
I was just thinking how come Karizma is stable on high speed than P220 ?? P220 is any time a better engine as compare to Karizma, apart from refinement. But how much difference does this refinement makes ?? Crusing 120-125kmph is easy on P220 with a Dual Disc which gives better control on speed. WIll Karzima would behave same with same Drum brakes at rear ar speed 120-130kmph ?? Will KArizma be that stable as P220 ?? Will Karizm's mod engine would have a life of keeping it for more 3-4yrs with out any issues ??

IS really Karizma's comfort more better than P220 ?? I thought it's almost same!!

already your bike is almost 4 yrs old but 18k that doesn't mean it's new and Blah Blah... This is time to change ...
And how much it cost to mod your bike as you want ??

Erm just because its 4+ years and 18k kms old doesn't mean its life has come to an end mate. you follow the manual and replace what is needed and she will run many more kms without giving you any trouble. If 4.5 years is all the life a bike had.. all the 10-20+ year old RXs and RDs should have been dead by now.

If it is all about straight line speed then no doubt Pulsar 220 has an edge. However in terms of proven tourers there are more than enough posts on xbhp to verify that a ZMA is an insane tourer with comfortable seating.. If top speed is the benchmark of a good engine then i don't agree with the view. Honda's engines are definitely more refined than Bajaj.. But Bajaj is slowly and steadily getting there improving step by step which is commendable for an Indian manufacturer.

if one doesn't believe me about the raving of zma's reliability and popularity amongst touring lot, check the tourer's section on xbhp.

ZMA costed him around 88-90k.. selling will yield about anywhere between 25-40k max. A CBR with all the hots like ABS will cost 2 lakhs so there is indeed a price barrier the thread starter will have to look into. Not that a CBR 250R is bad.. Honda has done a lot of ironing out of issues found since the first lot. And no doubt with latest technology it is a good bike. But with such a low mileage the ZMA the thread starter owns still has a lot to go and give and on a personal note i still don't see the point either to opt for a 250cc ride spending 1.6 lakhs+recovered money from selling ZMA for 30kmph more speed! then in that case 40K with all the changes and replacements (if at all required) along power up kits is a better solution...

In terms of hot roding, kits life, whether good an no good, whether reliable or not reliable, whether worth it or not worth it... i shall leave it to the thread starter to do necessary research and take a call whether to go for it or not.

If the thread starter wants more power and more speed then may be waiting for a 375-500cc ride makes a sensible option both financially and emotionally having more power between your legs is a different experience all together.. you can ask me.. i tried Ninja 250R!!. Till that time either stick with the current ride or decide to get some extra kicks by hot roding ofcourse after doing proper research.

Cheers,

I won't agree with 2 points
1. ZMA is tourer's favourite
2. 4.5 yrs bike is not old!!

Bro now people change the bike in 3 yrs there are may in this forum itself who changed their bikes in 2 yrs only.
Surely any bike can do good years and kms , Mine bike is Aspire which is 11 yrs old and still used for city rides and earlier i use to use it for highways too... With happy 90kmph -95kmph top speed
Still running good, one kick start!!

Some change with need some with mind!!!

ZMA is a good tourer but Where does P220 lacks apart from refinement dude!!

Who says P220 is not comfortable for touring ?? My friend does man touring all time and i guess there are many people here it self!!

Not only here but if you see on roads today there are P220 more than ZMA or ZMR any given point. This would be just becuase of less costly and good features in that price range!!

I have my self ridden ZMA and i fine it excellent but there are some drawbacks like missing rear disc brake, no oil cool, no projector, broader rear tyres , good power and speed. And even handling wise i prefer P220 over ZMA.

But still these is my own point of view on P220 Vs ZMA, there would be many who would love the refinement over power and features!!!

Yes going for CBR STD would cost him 1.6 and ABS 2.0L , but don't you think this is more better then modding ZMA ??Again this is personal choice!!

Normally people change their bikes in 5-6 yrs. And RX100 or Samurai or RD these all are legends but not seen so frequent. There are many who have sold their these legends and brought other bikes.. This would be again personal dedication to keep those. As we have many here who owns RX100 and Samurai etc!!

Money should be put in right place...What if TS thinks after a yr that 120-130kmphs is not that good need more ??

That time will he go with new mod or new bike ??

You or I both will try to get him to right investment!!

For those who feel P220 is very superior to Karizma in touring capabilities, I say only one thing; P220 is marginally better in power and thats it. Karizma's handling is as good as P220. It all depends on how effectively you handle the bike in situations. I have ridden both the bikes and there are positives and negatives for both the bikes. Ultimately it comes to the rider's choice. Going from Karizma to P220 is not a upgrade. Want to cruise at highers speeds, then get a 250cc mill.

If people think P220 is not that worth over Karizma, Then i am Shocked!!

Handling ?? Oh god does this defines a bike's capability?? Some say RE is also great in handling then does that become same for RE ??

Handling is what a rider can do, but main is how bike is repsonsing to riders attempts to handle!!

Still it's over TS what he thinks!!


250 is any day a good option!!

In the recent past, with onset of four-lane highways, the once good 100 kmph speeds are ending up on slower side. With cars and volvos speeding at no less than 120 kmph, a biker on 220cc mill ending up a slow mover on these four lanes. There is only one solution for this, get a 250cc or above to keep up. As I don't have the finances to upgrade, I started to strap on ear phones and enjoy low-volume music while cruising at 90-100 kmph (thats what I feel safer on Indian roads).

I am not thinking, I rode both the bikes and I experienced it. P220 is not a superior handler than a Karizma. P220 feels heavier to turn and Karizma feels very light and nimble than P220. The rear disc of P220 is as good as a drum brake. If you don't know, P220's frame is not any technologically advanced to give it a superior handling.

Buddy, Thanks for the advise but its not me who needs it. I have already made up my mind and bought a CBR250 this August. yeah, I agree to you that Pulsar 220's engine is not that refined but the adrenaline rush it produces is good. Again, the decision lies with the buyer, if he wants a longterm or short term companion, he wants to cruise comfortably or race ahead of the traffic etc.

Isn't this dangerous ??


Surely i don't know that P220 design , So what made ZMA design better than P220 ?? The only difference i feel in handling is riding position difference in both, there is slight difference in them!! Which makes P220 more confident to ride at higher speed than ZMA. But Still i am not by your point!! And Drum brakes can't be compare to Disc ever!! If person says drums are as good as Disc then i think why are Disc used now as a standard fitment in many bikes?? Drum can be little same only in initially few kms, where as Disc performs same untill they are close to death. Depends on rider tough!

Infact even I don't find P220 issue in city traffic, same as ZMA!! But on highway Surely P220 wins in all aspects eyes close!!

I am not at all a Bajaj Fan, Infact i would prefer Hero any day!! But the product is good then good, we can't deny that.

I have ridden P220/Karizma from Mumbai to Silvasa and back ans some small kms numerous times with pillion. Surely there won't be an upgrade if a person goes from ZMA to P220, But similarly i don't think even a CBR is an upgrade because it would be 20-30kmph difference with little more better torque!! But if ABS comes in then surely it's an upgrade INMO.

Nothing to say more bro!! But do you really hear ear phone songs at 90-100kmph on four lane highway ??