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  • Help needed for a new bike.

    Hey friends,

    This is going to be my second post in xbhp as and when the thread is approved. I have been going through the threads here and this defeintely is a wonderful place to be. Well coming to the point straight away, I need to buy a new bike and am confused.

    A little history first to help you guys understand my query better.

    I used to ride a Kinetic GF 170 Laser once. But that was long back and off late have been driving a swift. Now my wife has got a posting at a place 20 Km from where we stay and is not very well known for public transport. Since I m on leave, I can afford to drop her and pick her up. But my swifty (being a petrol) would simply burn a huge hole in my pocket daily. So the next best option was to get a second ride, which would be cheaper on the pocket. As I always wanted to get back to riding bikes, I put the proposal of buying a bike to my home ministry and luckily the proposal was approved.

    So now I m out on the search of a Bike. My requirements would be in the order below.

    1. Good for City ride but not exactly bumper to bumper traffic with occasional long rides with a pillion rider.
    2. Comfort for the Pillion rider.
    3. Should Look good.
    4. Right mix of Performance and efficiency.( I ll be riding close to 80 Kms a day)I would be happy if it could give me above 50. But 40-45 kms is acceptable if the performance is good.
    5. Would keep the bike for min 3 years, so has to be reliable. (have had a very bad experience with Kinetic A.S.S. Dont want a repeat of the same experience)

    Budget would be in the range of 70 K OTR Delhi. Can extend till 80 if something is really that good.
    I know with my budget the choice becomes pretty limited and not all that exciting, but thats what I can afford as of now.

    Oh yeah my physique, I dont know if I m medium or heavily built, I weigh 80 Kgs and am 5 feet ten inches tall.

    Looking forward for suggestions..

    Cheers
    Ride Safe
    Its not always about speed.

    Avenger 220 DTSI

    -----------------------------------------------------

    Blabberings

    Call of the Ocean

  • #2
    Topic Approved.

    Look out of Honda Unicorn and Suzuki GS 150R in the around 70k budget. These bikes are good enough for long rides, and give acceptable mileage too. GS150R's forte is a sixth gear for highway cruising and mileage. Unicorn's forte is a Monoshock suspension for good handling and comfort combination.

    Otherwise, other good alternatives are Discover 150 and Yamaha SZ R. Also test ride Discover 125 ST and see if its ok with your weight and that of a pillion too.
    ---
    Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
    Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

    Comment


    • #3
      Honda Unicorn would be the best choice and will fulfill your all the requirement.
      Replace the words "I have to" with "I choose to" and notice the difference in how you feel.

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for the suggestions, Samarth and Dhiraj.

        I am surprised why none of you have mentioned the Pulsar? Any specific reasons? I guess the Pulsar 150 comes below 70K OTR Delhi. Even the 180 cc may be around 73.

        Then I was also pondering over the Avenger 220. My search tells me it should be available at just over 77K OTR delhi. Correct me if I am wrong.

        My ride as I said before although in the city would rarely be in bumper to bumper traffic conditions. Most of it would be on 6 lane roads. Will be using to ride it between Dwarka and Gurgaon mostly. So I assume I must be able to get close to the highway figures mentioned.

        I know the avenger is a different segment compared to the likes of unicorn, Pulsar etc. But I would be riding mainly in the range of 70 Km/Hr, so does nt Avenger present a good case for itself?

        Infact I m smitten by its looks, though my wife prefers a Pulsar.

        Confusing times indeed...
        Its not always about speed.

        Avenger 220 DTSI

        -----------------------------------------------------

        Blabberings

        Call of the Ocean

        Comment


        • #5
          Yamaha Gladiator,

          Since you are running 80 kms daily, you need a bike which gives you both power and mileage. Gladiator/SS will give you both power and mileage and exactly suits your @~100 km run daily.

          And about Yamaha engines, the more they run, the more they perform

          So best choice for you.

          And it will also suits your pocket.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by vibbs View Post
            Thanks for the suggestions, Samarth and Dhiraj.

            I am surprised why none of you have mentioned the Pulsar? Any specific reasons? I guess the Pulsar 150 comes below 70K OTR Delhi. Even the 180 cc may be around 73.

            Then I was also pondering over the Avenger 220. My search tells me it should be available at just over 77K OTR delhi. Correct me if I am wrong.

            My ride as I said before although in the city would rarely be in bumper to bumper traffic conditions. Most of it would be on 6 lane roads. Will be using to ride it between Dwarka and Gurgaon mostly. So I assume I must be able to get close to the highway figures mentioned.

            I know the avenger is a different segment compared to the likes of unicorn, Pulsar etc. But I would be riding mainly in the range of 70 Km/Hr, so does nt Avenger present a good case for itself?

            Infact I m smitten by its looks, though my wife prefers a Pulsar.

            Confusing times indeed...
            Yes Bajaj avenger 220cc is available at around 83k on road in Delhi, If you like the bike, go for it, In case of comfort, power and looks this bike has everything, except mileage, being a 220cc you can expect 30-40kmpl, Also I think there is no comparison for avenger or else I suggest you to go for GS150 or Unicorn/Dazzler, all these three machine have comfort, mileage and power.....

            Take a test drive all of them and then decide...
            KTM RC390 - Current
            Yamaha R15 v2 - Sold
            Hero Hunk - Sold
            An IT Engineer by profession and a rider by soul.


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            Comment


            • #7
              The more I think of it the more I like it , the Avenger. So I m now prepared to extend my budget to include the Avenger and am OK if I get higher 30 ish mileage on it. But the problem is wifey is adamant on Pulsar . I ve tried reasoning with her about other good bikes being available but she is not ready to budge no bike other than Pulsar .

              Finally she s OK if it is Avenger.

              Now Friends, I m looking at the Pulsar 180. How would the Pillon rider comfort compared to the Avenger. A test ride may not highlight all the issues related to comfort. I intend to test ride both in the coming week.

              Although Unicorn, Dazzler, GS 150 R are good options, they are all out of the equation and I am now stuck with only two basically..
              And so there goes my budget criteria for a toss

              Moreover, is avenger ride quality as bad over bad stretches as it is made out to be?
              Last edited by vibbs; 06-17-2012, 10:43 PM.
              Its not always about speed.

              Avenger 220 DTSI

              -----------------------------------------------------

              Blabberings

              Call of the Ocean

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by vibbs View Post
                Hey friends,



                1. Good for City ride but not exactly bumper to bumper traffic with occasional long rides with a pillion rider.
                2. Comfort for the Pillion rider.
                3. Should Look good.
                4. Right mix of Performance and efficiency.( I ll be riding close to 80 Kms a day)I would be happy if it could give me above 50. But 40-45 kms is acceptable if the performance is good.
                5. Would keep the bike for min 3 years, so has to be reliable. (have had a very bad experience with Kinetic A.S.S. Dont want a repeat of the same experience)

                Budget would be in the range of 70 K OTR Delhi. Can extend till 80 if something is really that good.
                Vibbs, The main thing here is you are prone to car style drive and comfort, becuase you are driving Swift for long. You prefer car over bike that can be seen in your post, the only thing now which matters you is
                1. Mileage (Petrol is expensive so would be getting an average of 14-16kmpl with Swift, which is hard for daily drive 40kms+addionally you added 40kms more as your total is 80kms.)
                2. Safety for your wife and you on daily ride!


                Comfort won't come with average that's for sure, but there are few options which can help you in this, but with little avearge mileage i.e 40-45kmpl overall.

                1.RE TBTS/Electra(not recommending CL becuase it has long waiting period and it's rear seat is not that comfortable!)
                2. Awenger


                Now RE is out of question becuase it's over 1L OTR.

                So only one winner i.e Awenger.

                Awenger is very nice bike, literally a family bike. Average of 40-45kmpl. Riding comfort with pillion too. Car feel ride, as it's pure cruiser style.
                Awesome Looks.
                220cc engine oil colled proven engine for more than 5yrs and yet loveable by people.

                Bajaj Servicing anywhere! and low cost of maintenance. improved qaulity on awenger!


                Test ride it with your wife see. If you can go for RE then even it's nice. but average there would be little less as compared to Awenger over all!!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by vibbs View Post
                  Hey friends,

                  1. Good for City ride but not exactly bumper to bumper traffic with occasional long rides with a pillion rider.
                  2. Comfort for the Pillion rider.
                  3. Should Look good.
                  4. Right mix of Performance and efficiency.( I ll be riding close to 80 Kms a day)I would be happy if it could give me above 50. But 40-45 kms is acceptable if the performance is good.
                  5. Would keep the bike for min 3 years, so has to be reliable. (have had a very bad experience with Kinetic A.S.S. Dont want a repeat of the same experience)

                  Budget would be in the range of 70 K OTR Delhi. Can extend till 80 if something is really that good.
                  I know with my budget the choice becomes pretty limited and not all that exciting, but thats what I can afford as of now.

                  Oh yeah my physique, I dont know if I m medium or heavily built, I weigh 80 Kgs and am 5 feet ten inches tall.

                  Looking forward for suggestions..

                  Cheers
                  Ride Safe
                  Honda Unicorn will be my choice (around 76k) Good mileage , Performance & good Option for Daily Commuters

                  or you can Go for Bajaj Discover 135 (Budget Bike)
                  Pride & Prejudice: Ladakh Ride,

                  Ride To Raajmachi - Highway, Off Roading, Tent fire & Dhamaal

                  Madness in Rajasthan - Travelogue
                  www.facebook.com/shahbaz008

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I ride a GSR150 and the best thing i like about the bike is the fact that it has six gears, awesome for big highways and awesome suspension. I say read this before making your decision.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      take a look at cbz,or go with a pulsar be it 150 or 180.
                      and the question remains why do i race?
                      every finishing line is the begining of a new race.

                      #i have learnt to manipulate my own adrenaline and the perception of biking is different.
                      #overkill is underrated.
                      #how random roads may appear there is always a destination.sigpic
                      #i don't subscribe to co-incidence,either it is the rider or the other moron on the road

                      (:)people keeps on saying add spark to life, bajaj got hold of that idea and added an extra spark to bike.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by sayank10 View Post
                        take a look at cbz,or go with a pulsar be it 150 or 180.
                        Originally posted by ryanvalles View Post
                        I ride a GSR150 and the best thing i like about the bike is the fact that it has six gears, awesome for big highways and awesome suspension. I say read this before making your decision.
                        http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/first-im...ts-tourer.html
                        Originally posted by shahbaz63 View Post
                        Honda Unicorn will be my choice (around 76k) Good mileage , Performance & good Option for Daily Commuters

                        Thanks for the suggestions friends, But all the bikes you have listed are good. But probably not what I am looking for.

                        I guess Somen nailed it perfectly.

                        Originally posted by somen1984 View Post
                        So only one winner i.e Awenger.

                        Avenger was what I wanted and it may be the right choice for me.
                        The heart always told to go for the avenger as the RE would be way out of my budget. But brain said why increase the budget to even accomodate avenger when good bikes could be had for less..

                        But at times it becomes difficult to go with the brain and the heart wins. I guess I have almost made up my mind on the Avenger. Wifey also likes it. Will test ride the Avy and see for myself the comfort levels for rider and pillon rider. Pillon rider comfort is important as my wife would be accompanying me for long. have heard views about narrow width of the rear seat making it uncomfortable for some. But that I guess can be modified.

                        Its with great difficulty I have managed to get my family agree for a bike, all were against it and were behind me for a car citing reasons like safety n all. This would be my last chance to be a rider again. So all the more important to and get what the heart wants. A 10K budget overshoot I can manage

                        Will let you guys know my final decision once I do the test ride. Most probably it would be the Avenger. If not then maybe Pulsar 220 or 180.
                        Its not always about speed.

                        Avenger 220 DTSI

                        -----------------------------------------------------

                        Blabberings

                        Call of the Ocean

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          You have almost decided 90% of your mind for Avenger, so dil ki suno, if you like it go for it, , and about pillion rider comfort as avenger has the best pillion comfort in the segment..

                          Think on your own as you are the only person who really understand what kind of the bike you like to have. So, if you like avenger the most go for it.
                          Replace the words "I have to" with "I choose to" and notice the difference in how you feel.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by vibbs View Post

                            Will test ride the Avy and see for myself the comfort levels for rider and pillon rider. Pillon rider comfort is important as my wife would be accompanying me for long. have heard views about narrow width of the rear seat making it uncomfortable for some. But that I guess can be modified.
                            Remember one thing Awenger is low lined cruiser, So any bad patch would be felt very effectly.
                            But if you ride the same awenger with proper low gear and suitable speed then it won't affect you in any sense. Riding it over bad patch with speed would certainly give a bumppy dummpy ride!! So avoid that!!

                            Rest everything is cool!!
                            and more thing it's a mean machine that anyone would race with it. it's pure cruising bike so no more cuts and overtaking like sports or commuter bike is adviced!!

                            perfectly fits your req and has better grip on roads!!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Friends thanks for your suggestions and tips. My Blue Avenger is home now. Watch out for a comprehensive ownership report soon.

                              Time to feel like God!!!
                              Cheers!!!!
                              Its not always about speed.

                              Avenger 220 DTSI

                              -----------------------------------------------------

                              Blabberings

                              Call of the Ocean

                              Comment

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