Topic Approved.

Hi Ramesh,

Ninja is great for touring, except that if anything breaks down, you'll have to get Probiking mechanics for it. Also, its riding and pillion seat aren't the best in the business. Similar for R15. But one of my friend has done solo tours on it, about 250 kms/ day or so.

Karizma does the job well. I found its pillion seat good, but then I have a smaller figure, a waist of about 34" something... so can't generalize. Karizma ZMR is the same Karizma, but more suited to touring with more mileage, tubeless tyres (self repair puncture), etc. but some people complain about its heating issues.

And CBR is like a larger Karizma in terms of touring, with a good midrange.


I would recommend you to consider CBR and Karizma.

As on today, the CBR250R is the best touring bike money can buy. However do guage the feedback of Honda service at your location. Back here, the service absolutely sucks.

The Karizma ZMR - is probably as reliable as it can get and is a neat package for touring. However the spares for it are pricey. The ZMA is esentially a ZMR without the gadgetry. Again a solid engine wrapped in fragile plastic.

The Old war horse P220 on the other hand has cheap spares, and with the projector set up is THE most potent tool for Night riding

The Ninja 250 is a great machine, but not really an 'affordable' tourer. Take it from someone who tours on a 650, the cost per mile on these bikes are way expensive than the smaller machines, and if you ever spill it then its a HUGE hassle. However these machines are virtually bullet proof. I have never heard about a Ninja breaking down (minus an incident where it bogged down due to bad fuel which clogged the injector, and in one case a relay of the radiator going kaput)


If I were you, I would put my money on the CBR

For now, ZMA or C5; later TB500/Triumph Bonneville, probably. Other than this, nothing is close to your requirements.

Personally my suggestion is, go for forward leaning posture & get used to it; you'll love it. You know how I started & switched.

On bad & potholed roads, no one comes closer to C250R & on highways no one comes closer to N250R (probably bigger bikes, but that's ruled out on your requirement)

PS - Wondering how come you've such a doubt; you should've finalized things by now man!!!

Satyen, sure? Last I heard from ZMA owners here in Chennai that, after the reincarnation of HMC, the spare prices have fallen & the availability is increased; how's the scenario over there?

Since you mention that you are 36 years young, I would knock out R15 and Ninja out of the list. Don't want to strain your back.

Perfect for you would be the CBR, or if you are on a budget the ZMA.

Except if you want to stick with RE's. Then I have no suggestions because you probably know more about them than me

Disagree on reasons for rejecting the Ninja . If not in the mid 30s, what else is the ideal time to get yourself one? Back strain can be avoided by back strengthening exercises, not by avoiding THE best 250 in the world .

@Ramesh Madhavan: As for your requirements, all I can say is +1 to Satyen.

@RG spares of all bikes which are not Splendor and Passion are not available at HMC SVCs.

If you love faired oned ninja is your choice, if you like naked ones the KTM 200.

Though honda has issues but its engine is good.

Would suggest you R15 but i prefer V1 any day more than V2 which the company doesnt sell anymore.

Could you please enlighten us with the reasoning behind this preference? Genuine Query.

CBR-ABS, you will have a bigger, more powerfull, comfortable tourer with the safety of an ABS.

The V2 pillion seat is uncomfortable as compared to V1, and again the flickability point the V1 wins hands down as compared to V2.
Since the guy is in mid 30's and a family man, so i suggest not to go for R15 V2.

Did you happen to have a look at the CBR150R? What did you feel? Given the choice as a mid 30s family man if you had to pick between the R15 V1, R15 V2 and the CBR150R, which one would you pick (ignore price difference)?

I asked you this because I have never compared the CBR150R with the R15V1 side by side. But AFAIK, the 150R pillion seat is better than v2. It also has grabrails for the pillion to hold onto which both R15s don't.

Any day R15 V1 bro. let it cost as the current price tag of v2

Check the V1 again and you will see the grab rails are there.

Why none of my friends here recommended Bajaj Awenger???

It's best in touring now apart from RE's.

@TS as you mentioned "Fill it/shut it/ forget it" this can go with Awenger as it's parts are low cost with 35-40kmpl and rough tough nature.

CBR 150 250 are good bike but at a price.

I feel Awenger would be more best tourer than CBR or Duke.

Yes Awenger is a low bike so it's ridding and braking needs a practical exp.

So I guess Awenger is also nice.

@ all - thanks for these inputs

argee - Still am confortable with my CI 535 on the highway, but again this is the age old machinery, you need to do DIY stuff many of the time

Day before on our Jodhpur trip, due to vibrations my carb's AF screw got loosened and it had to be attended, while coming back, my lights went off and had to ride with my Parking light and the xtra lights fitted directly from battery. Fed up with these kind of small pains.

@ R15 - Somehow am not convinced with V1 or V2 (Though am a family man, my wife hates bikes and she does not sit in the bike)

@ Karizma / CBR 250- I had liked the ZMA, the only concern I had was the plasticky & not sure if that would withstand the vibrations at our roads

@Ninja 250 - Love it, somehow not ok with the silencer position (has enough power in it for exploring)

@ Avenger - Am somehow not convinced with this, had used it for around 200 Kms & it doesnt go good on long tour at 80+kmph

@ all Other 150s - Anything less than 250 is not suitable for touring (this is my opinion)

Ninja 650 - This has been just lighting up some fire around (anything else around this bracket with more power & consistency)

TB500 / Bonnie - Need to wait and watch

The Ninja 250R's riding position, is SHOCKINGLY similar to that of the ZMA, inspite many people dont feel so, due to the split handles and all that stuff.