couldn't go and get a test ride of any bike today..will try sometime during the week (if possible)

btw, I'm somewhat concerned about the availability of spare parts of SZ-R, 4 or 5 years down the line? Is it possible that Yamaha might completely stop supporting the SZ-R's ?

And if possible, can someone list out FE's of the following bikes (just so that I can revisit the values for my convenience) :

Unicorn
Unicorn Dazzler
CBZ Xtreme
SZ-R

Also, given my riding habit - max speed 70, 99.9% in city driving (ring road/hosur in B'lore), wouldn't it be a better idea to go in for a 125cc? I'm so confused over this bit!
and if so, which would be a good choice considering the mileage?

Among unicorn and dazzler you should go for unicorn as it has got better mileage figure and looks somewhat better to me. CBZ- I find it killer in looks only, not in any other deptt. You will notice it while test riding.

About spare-parts, in my city it is yamaha- which is best in maintaining spares. You can get even spares of RX on order within week. And bajaj and suzuki is worst. Bajaj guys says- sir, for how many models we maintain spares, comoany change models every 6 months. Bajaj recently stopped Platina 125.

Mileage- Unicorn is beest among the mentioned models.

Unicorn>Dazzler>SZ>CBZ

Good question and one that I too asked before I got the Yamaha bike. Its easier to get yamaha spares as they keep stock of every bikes. Its one of their mottos to provide service (Yes Yamaha!) even parts for like Libero are in stock at my SVC and those not available can be shipped from warehouse soon. Also I don't really worry much as the bikes engine is the exact same as that in FZ, Fazer, SZ i.e 153cc.
P.S: I have read in th FZ16 ownership thread here that Pacer Yamaha SVC don't stock proper supplies like even oil filter and told customer oil filter change not required , upon forcing they told they did not have it in stock. So make sure you give it to service at a good SVC. I go to Bangalore Wheels.

Its same with Bajaj and Honda too. They too maintain almost all range of parts. But sometimes it does get delayed to get parts.

The worst at parts supply is Suzuki, and TVS. They dont keep stock of even the latest bike parts! No wonder many shoguns and fiero uses make do of yamaha and hero honda parts!

For your second question, the fuel economy is as above and these are actual ones that most of my friends get on road in real condition. The unicorn gives good mileage but at sacrifice of torque, sz-r gives good pick up torque (sacrifice of mileage.)

I stay in malleswaram within city, and travel everyday to college near Yelahanka Air Force via Hebbal on Devanahalli Road.
I too thought about going for 125cc to save cost but the Shine actually gives just about 50kmpl in city(about 105 more than 150cc bikes) and on highways these bike with 4gear system feel too stressed specially when you cross 60kmph and the mileage drop is very significant and its less than the 150cc mileage! If you want check out the Shine or dazzler ownership thread here in xbhp forum for more details.

So after test ride of the Dazzler, shine, discover all which are 125cc I felt Sz was way better in city and highway! Few km mileage drop was not my concern here. Note: One SZ customers at the SVC were surprised at my mileage, he got only 38kmpl. I suggested him tips to ride properly, seems like he was depending heavily on half clutch! Also recommended to go for normal shell petrol(personal experience, not that the fuel is good or anything but I can be sure I get exact 1lt).

So until I test drive the bikes this weekend, theoretically its between CB Unicorn, CB Unicorn Dazzler and SZR

Now theres something that I'm a little confused about:
Unicorn and Dazzler share the same engine but Dazzler is tuned to give more performance. Dazzler has all the features of Unicorn plus the *current features* like Digital console, disc brake x 2, 'improved looks' (totally subjective IMHO) etc

Keeping all these in mind, why is the price gap between the 2 only around 4k (bangalore)? What is it that Dazzler is lacking or is it just smart strategy on the part of Honda?

{I mean they could have hyped up/valued all these 'features' as something out of this world wrt their product line and probably sold it @ 80k (say)...hope I've made my doubt clear }

Why not Test ride the Ug4 p180 and post Repies ?

its a decent Bike with 45kmpl milage , makes your city commuting a breeze !

just try to ride the p180 ug 4 which is a good replacement for your p150 ! , forget xtreme or sz or wat ever ( personal openion )

You can actually look at SZ-R/Discover 150.. they come across as good 150cc bikes tuned for city use, generate torque relatively lower rpms compared to their costlier 150cc cousins.

Discover 150cc looks bland, but is very functional, it scores well on mileage when compared to SZ-R, while SZ-R's mill is very smooth, but it costs extra 5-7k when compared to D150.

IMO, Unicorn/Dazzler doesn't justify your kind of usage and the very reason why I suggest SZ/D150 are they can't exactly be called as downgrades from your current ride, but they will surely be light on your pocket (both to buy and maintain).

+100
The reason I got SZR was that I could enjoy a mixed ride almost similar to unicorn/pulsar. Cost was 10k lesser and mileage was okay i.e better than FZ. So for daily commuting this was better than discover or shine which were my initial choice.

You can also look at Honda Shine which is also like a miniature Unicorn with a good refined engine and good FE and ergonomics. HeroMoto have borrowed this engine for their Glamour which you can check out because it has an unconventional styling.

Agreed! But then the shine looks outdated and the price point is too high for an 125cc.

Now that Jan 14th is nearing (some inauspicious duration is over..gah the superstitions), I can resume my hunt for bikes

Will be going on a TD spree tomorrow..

And offtopic:
I'm getting 33k for my 21-odd kms, 5year old pulsar...is it a good deal?

EDIT:
can someone explain what paper work needs to be done to complete the process of selling the bike?
(sorry to drag it so much OTT)

So finally got to TD SZ-R and man! was I impressed!
The ride felt smooth and I didn't feel any vibration or anything..got a quote of 67,500 odd but they said that the price would increase by nearly 1k from 18th Jan or something..so basically, 68.5k OTR (plus around 2k for accessories)

After SZ-R, I went to a Honda showroom .. the bike sounded smooth as hell but didn't feel comfortable with the no-heel gear lever...wonder why that heel shit is not there on the gear lever :|
Anyways, got a quote of 74,666 OTR for Unicorn and 78-odd for Dazzler and waiting time of 1month for both.

With just 6k difference, i'm finalizing on Unicorn

guys can someone point out the necessary paper work that needs to be done for selling my current bike? {post #25}

the buyer has to transfer rc and insurance paper to his name.i guess you have to sign form no. 29.rest of the work will be done by the buyer.you have to be present at the rto on a specified day to get the paper transferred to buyer's name

thanks for the info Sayank10

Guys I've finally brought my Unicorn home. Here's my first experience on my Uni..

Hi bikernoob
See according to me the best bike will be..
Discover
Apache
hero honda shine
As these bikes have great mileage and low maintenance will cost less to your pocket.