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I never thought i would be facing this dilemma. It was all written out for me. The 220 - my first bike - the culmination of a childhood dream of buying my own bike - my love - my companion on innumerable trips - was gonna last me a lifetime. A few years down the line, a big brother SBK would be giving it company. The plan seemed foolproof. Sigh.
4.8 years later - the lady in red - CBR, the wicked oranged KTM and the Ninja twins spoilt it.
What i do with my bike:
Primarily touring, God and manager willing. My office commute is less than 10km, to and fro.
I am not really a speed junkie and enjoy the evolved and aware state of being when riding. Cornering is not my forte and neither do i have any thoughts of excelling in it. Though, sometimes i do go berserk with the speedy syndrome. One important point is that my wife rides with me as pillion on rides and we have even toured Ladakh on my trusty 220.
Why i want a new bike:
The 220 is showing its age. 19 horses cannot be flogged to death. A Joel FFE has given it some more juice but a single test ride of any of the above mentioned bikes puts things in perspective, pretty rudely
So, over the last few months i have been dilly-dallying around - flipping my bookings among these 4 bikes
The KTM:
Absolute fun to ride and priced well within my budget.
Not great for pillion so useless for my touring purpose.
The 220 has to stay to do touring duty.
Like'o'meter: 7/10
Ninja 250
The bike which revvs around my vision all the time and makes me weak kneed when i see it in the showroom - the predator among the KTMs lying around.
Will not be able to use it as a tourer on the higher himalayas - its too precious.
Price is such that i can just about manage it by emptying my account.
Impractical, brash, very overpriced and oh so sexy
Plus the looming threat of a KTM 375/350 at the end of the year which might be priced similar to this.
Like 'o' meter: 8/10
Ninja 650
Its a 650
Cannot take it to ladakh - have a fall - and not go sick in the stomach and in the bank.
Will be very high maintenance stuff - along with that EMI. No private parking.
220 will have to be used for most purposes- which kinda defeats the purpose.
Like 'o' meter: 8/10
CBR250
Practical, efficient, boring.
Aargees FAQ thread on t-bhp makes me wanna book one ASAP.
Quality is iffy (my impression is from last year. Have heard that things have improved)
Ticks most of the touring requirements apart from the tyre which isn't supposed to be very great in the slush and gravel.
Can replace the 220 - as my all purposes bike.
Like 'o'meter: 6/10
So here it is. My current dilemma. Have bugged kurtrules, dcs(Rohit), taken inputs from jalva (team-bhp), animated discussions with Niks_devil and have scourged the threads on both the forums.
I am not looking at the Hyosung 650N(not enthused by the vibe issues and the paper-thin service network) or any of the bullets(Have had bad experiences with the Electra and have sworn off them for good)
So people, let me know your thoughts - now that i have laid down this private dilemma out in the open. Looking for some perspective from owners of the respective bikes too with regards to touring on gravel/slush and in the hills.
I plan to close this by Saturday!
4.8 years later - the lady in red - CBR, the wicked oranged KTM and the Ninja twins spoilt it.
What i do with my bike:
Primarily touring, God and manager willing. My office commute is less than 10km, to and fro.
I am not really a speed junkie and enjoy the evolved and aware state of being when riding. Cornering is not my forte and neither do i have any thoughts of excelling in it. Though, sometimes i do go berserk with the speedy syndrome. One important point is that my wife rides with me as pillion on rides and we have even toured Ladakh on my trusty 220.
Why i want a new bike:
The 220 is showing its age. 19 horses cannot be flogged to death. A Joel FFE has given it some more juice but a single test ride of any of the above mentioned bikes puts things in perspective, pretty rudely
So, over the last few months i have been dilly-dallying around - flipping my bookings among these 4 bikes
The KTM:
Absolute fun to ride and priced well within my budget.
Not great for pillion so useless for my touring purpose.
The 220 has to stay to do touring duty.
Like'o'meter: 7/10
Ninja 250
The bike which revvs around my vision all the time and makes me weak kneed when i see it in the showroom - the predator among the KTMs lying around.
Will not be able to use it as a tourer on the higher himalayas - its too precious.
Price is such that i can just about manage it by emptying my account.
Impractical, brash, very overpriced and oh so sexy
Plus the looming threat of a KTM 375/350 at the end of the year which might be priced similar to this.
Like 'o' meter: 8/10
Ninja 650
Its a 650
Cannot take it to ladakh - have a fall - and not go sick in the stomach and in the bank.
Will be very high maintenance stuff - along with that EMI. No private parking.
220 will have to be used for most purposes- which kinda defeats the purpose.
Like 'o' meter: 8/10
CBR250
Practical, efficient, boring.
Aargees FAQ thread on t-bhp makes me wanna book one ASAP.
Quality is iffy (my impression is from last year. Have heard that things have improved)
Ticks most of the touring requirements apart from the tyre which isn't supposed to be very great in the slush and gravel.
Can replace the 220 - as my all purposes bike.
Like 'o'meter: 6/10
So here it is. My current dilemma. Have bugged kurtrules, dcs(Rohit), taken inputs from jalva (team-bhp), animated discussions with Niks_devil and have scourged the threads on both the forums.
I am not looking at the Hyosung 650N(not enthused by the vibe issues and the paper-thin service network) or any of the bullets(Have had bad experiences with the Electra and have sworn off them for good)
So people, let me know your thoughts - now that i have laid down this private dilemma out in the open. Looking for some perspective from owners of the respective bikes too with regards to touring on gravel/slush and in the hills.
I plan to close this by Saturday!
)
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