my take on this thread

owning the r15 for the past 28 months, i can vouch for its build quality, its superb. running costs there are 6 free services and 6 paid services for r15. in the free period no labour charges are taken, you pay for consumables only.(oil,lubrication,coolant etc.) for 1st service its a little expensive as you have change the oil filter etc. my first service bill was around 1600, still have all the bills with me till date.

after free servicing they charge 350 as labour plus your consumables.
paid service cost break up-
(1)labour- 350
(2)oil-470 for semi and 260 for mineral.(yamalube semi 15w50 is nothing but motul 5100 in an yamalube can, its perfect for the bike, also if you invest in motul fully synthetic15w50 its better and cheaper in the long run. would suggest to keep off the mineral for these bikes.)
(3)coolant top up- 60 or 80.
(4)chain lubrication-160.


as for spares the front tyre(oem) costs 1900/- and the rear 2100/-, best tyres for this bike all seasons do not put anything else on it. they will last between 12,000 to 15,000 kms for the rear as front will go more than 20,000kms easily.

brake pads front-430, rear something around 1000+ don't know the exact amount. they last really well if you are a good on the brakes. my front pad lasted for 15478kms after all type of abuse, rear still going strong.

you can do saving from the first service itself by doing some odd jobs at home, such as-
(1)lubrication- motul chain clean 450 inr/- and chain lube 480/- these cans easily last for 15+ sprays and they stick to chain quite nicely in the wet too.
(2)coolant-motul coolant cost around 350-370 for 1litre, will easily last for at-least 1 year.
(3)main stand oem from yamaha-900/-
(4)rhs and lhs cowls or fairings- its a three part assembly if you include the front visor and cowl too it costs around 3000/- for each side, so total around 6000/-.(does not include headlight assembly)
(5)tank-don't know specific but more or around 4000/-
(6)headlamp bulbs- stock lights are pathetic would suggest to go for an hid on the upper beam. i am using an 35w hid from navnish(tourer gear) for more than 1.5 years its the best output i have seen or you can go for Philips diamond vision 1200/- is also worth it.
(7)logos(oem)-30 rs/- each for the ones on the tank and 10rs/- for the small one.
(8)indicators(oem)-122 rs/- each.
(9)polish-the best option collinite 845 wax at 900/-, as for cheap the turtle wax 250/- is the best. micro fiber cloth 100/-

all prices are latest and inclusive of taxes.

as for ktm or r15, the r15 is the best handler after so many new launches we have seen its the most precise and (fast enough) till date. it handles like a dream. also on highways its the best option due to all its aerodynamic design the wind flow is the best. put your head on the tank in an nice position i have seen 144km/hr on the speedo.(i know rubbish figures from the speedo but make an correction of 10km/hr, still its good.)

from pune, bought the bike from monarch Yamaha at tilak road, they have given exceptional service to me from day one, no hassles and no cheating on the customer. they have also the all the equipment necessary for the bike(i have personally seen it, the r1 and r15 have an air cooled different unit for servicing here) and last but not the least the mechanics here are well trained and feedback is taken by phone on each service, i cannot ask for more from yamaha(except for more and nice bikes part). they have surely delivered that yes Yamaha service to me.

ohh almost forgot- kitna deti hai?? kiti deti??- for me after doing an nice running in its 40-42 in the city and if maintained in good rpm on highway its easily 45+, i have got more better figures than that on patient and controlled riding after a lot of experience myself.(twist the throttle and what i said is all rubbish, but you will still get respectable figures.) and forget the cbr even if its free..(my personal take, its not worth it,no offense.) so no fanboy replies please..

as you mentioned heavy type rider i myself am strong build 90kgs, 5'8. need i say anymore??

at mods- no personal interest in any brand or person, just my experience after many years.

Go for R15... Duke is very new in the Market Whereas R15 is a proven Product....Also it looks Great...

@vrugonnab - Hehehe mate yes you caught me there.
See for me both the bikes are equal, can make them go fast around a corner where iam comfortable with, only thing hits me is the repairs. Yes windblasts and all are issues.

Noisy is fine, should feel the engine is alive and roaring. Crouching position for long strenous hours does not hamper the ride. Yeah that Austrian is F***ing fast in pickup.

I am not targeting any segment as such.
CBR 150R does not appeal me, its like a scarlet on roads, you know they are fast because the society says so, unlikely to go fast you are behind the bars. I tried this one out but couldnt feel anything, it was like oooo thats a different bike and not wow thats a serious upgrade now.

Bow down in front of you sir,
This is what I was looking for, so these are the maintenance costs. Thats quite okay and affordable by me, Yes about those home tips i already do that since 3 years on my current steed.

You have given me minute information i was looking for. Thank you Sir. Yes iam from Pune, ill be heading to Monarch Auto today after work, if free drop by. Around 7pm.

Yeah, tell me about it.

@Guys thank you for your inputs.
Is there anyone with owns a KTM and can provide me information like the post mentioned above regarding costs?? please do so as that is the only point which iam looking for in these two steeds.

Its like i have had a bad experience with motorcycle parts, i love my Pulsar 180 no doubt but constant repairs made me go mad.

Thank you all.

I own both Duke 200 and R15

Regarding maintainance cost:
Spares of R15 is more expensive.
KTM spares(oil filter) etc are at unbelievably low price for an R15 owner!
only the engine oil will work out to be more expensive because its 0.4 L extra for duke200.
Regarding frequency of maintainance:
KTM duke200 feels more loosely put together than the R15.. Even though the service interval is @ 5000 kms for duke, i predict more regular visits in due course.
Cornering
They are not equal! R15 is a track tool! I miss the sharp cornering of R15 on the duke.. but the duke is not much far behind, the duke handles very well but as good as R15.. but the moment you start exiting the corner duke just pulls away!! R15 cant keep up with a duke on ghats.
Highway
I find both the bikes boring on the highway! but duke is more so.. stuck @ 138kmph. The r15 puts up a fight .. the speed varies.. 130-148..I would prefer R15 of the two..
Brakes
R15 is sharper due to stiff front suspension.. i.e you can reach full braking quicker allowing faster reaction.. If you do the same on the duke your front wheel will lock up.. the soft front suspension means you need to more progressive with the lever..not a deal breaker!

I cant pick a bike for you of the two..
R15 will refine your riding techniques and will change the way you look at corners.
Duke is just FUN!
Buy both!!

When ever i gave my R15 V1.0 it costed me Rs 1300 approx free service, which include Rs 720 R15 engine oil. And Rs 470 is FZ engine oil.

I am confused here. my friend.

Additonally chain lubrication cost me Rs 100. Oil filter not changed till date, it's 19300kms.

Every time he cleans it and fix it again. average 38-40km/hr, average speed of 80kms.

now my paid service goes to Rs 1600.

but i am sure R15 oil is not that cheap.

I have serviced my R15 from two different area service center and they charged me 720Rs only for oil. last service was on 3rd May.

@TS: Duke would be anytime better than R15. in all aspect i.e service cost, peformance and relaibility.

Only the delivery issues are main now, as most of the Duke Owners here have quoted that they have been delivered with lose fitments of nutes and bolts. Yes the only living issue is it's Hot engine. you have to bare it if you have a Duke. slowly you will start adjusting.

And I don't see any heating issues with R15 V1.0 even when i ride it to 250kms at a strech. little of heating is considered anytime but nothing lik Duke.

Go with Duke It's spare parts are less costly than R15 anytime as it is manufactured by Bajaj here

Thums Up Friend!! you are right in every word!!!

I see, thanks for your reply. Sharper eh on corners.

1600 for paid service??

I wish to only use Mineral oil and Main Labor.
Chain spray i have at home and regular stock is present, polishing also i take care.

Why is it 1600 any particular reason? oil filter can be cleaned and replaced i guess.

Iam assuming 450 for oil and odd 300 for paid servicings. Somewhere around 1000rs is fine. Correct me if iam wrong!

You have too much respect for mineral oil on premium bikes. This respect is about to be shattered very very soon .

Anyways, 'regular' maintenance is not *expensive* for any bike made in India. Its only parts replacement which silently bites you later in the ownership.

I would suggest you to get commonly replaced spares pricing from the respective SVCs. You already know what these parts are, if you don't, here is a sample list:

Air Filter
Oil Filter
Chain + Sprockets
Tyres
Brake Pads

Of course the tyres of the Duke will be more expensive than R15 (due to obvious reasons) but I doubt anything else will be even close. Rest all consumables required are almost the same for both (Engine oil, coolant, brake fluid(Duke uses DOT4), fork oil etc.).

I would recommend you to buy a Zero Depreciation insurance policy (if these are still being offered) especially if you go for the Duke so that you are covered against costs of parts damaged in accidents (if any, hope not) because the more exotic the parts, the more expensive it is to replace.

P.S.: My thumb rule is to go for the most powerful bike in your budget. Because thats the one which will keep you happiest for longest. Sood has a deal for an 'almost new' Duke for the price of a v2.

I like this advice.

+1 buy both

Hahahaha even if i wish i wont.

I am setting for the R15. Just need to get couple of things sorted out now. Finally got a direction.

@all Thank you for the time and your inputs.

@Mod you can close this thread.

Yeah, the seating position does somewhat remind you of a dirt bike (I actually think its more to do with popular psychology that "KTM = dirtbike" than anything else)........but the low CoG, the cramped seating, the sticky tires and the softer suspension with lower travel say its just a road bike and not a supermoto......which makes it fair game for a comparison here.

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@TS: Though you say that seating comfort doesnt matter much, I have a hunch that you will constantly be annoyed by your knee fighting for space against the tank extensions on the duke, as compared to the r15's more involving and less obtrusive ergos.