There is nothing achievement in it; anyone can do it even on ZMA/R, RE, R15 or any other motorcycle. It just happened to be me & CBR, that's all. I'm very sure any bike & ride can exceed or do the same.

BTW, one simple suggestion, pls leave the topic right here if you don't like it; never hate any brand even if you hate a motorcycle; you never know when the brand starts making things seriously. For instance, Honda (or any Japanese) had a very rough entry into United States in the 70s when they started selling their vehicles. But now, Toyota is biggest threat with just few products under their belt to GM which has huge collection. If one hates the brand, then, no matter how much great product they make in the future, we might simply miss them due to prejudice.

Exactly...
You took me seriously again !!! When a 100cc/150cc can do a saddle score then those trips too!!
Yeah Yeah !! I got the vibes where you are pointing to ....

But my friend, All depends on our own perceptions, not on others suggestions!! right!

@Sampat:
Why don't you try Suzuki GS150r, it's a nice all rounder. Very comfortable ride as compare to other commuter segments + excellent average which will help you in long tours! And priced at right place!!

Firstly,Somen & argee- Relax gentlemen!No sweat plz!

If i want an 150 then i shall stick to my unicorn itself

Took a test ride of P220 yesterday.It really is a beast and the riding position was acceptable,as in i think my body will adjust to the slightly forward position over a period of time.Based on this i am planning to wait till i get to ride the 200NS and buy that instead

The next surprise is that i got to ride a CBR250 and boy,a peach of a bike.Superb combination of Power, comfort and technology.

Hence,i have decided to wait till 200NS is launched and then buy it or the P220...or wait till the year end,accumulate some Vit-M and go for a CBR250 in Jan.

Hope you have taken TEST Rides on the THREE Musketeers!!!

Since already some Noble souls have guided and advised you there is no point to add or confuse but a small suggestion.....

Prefer the one for which you have a better and reliable SVC and near to your place.
Am a lazy family man and not much into DIY stuffs.

At least for me this was one of the big deal breakers along with the dealership also.

Open 7 Days a WEEK and honestly I am not complaining!!!
Thoroughly pampered there and not planning to move out of this HMC.

P220 is not a right choice when P200NS is available. Also, I heard P220 is going to be discontinued soon (or I am sure it will be soon). Down the line service issue definitely come up.

I am surprised you didn't even consider taking a test ride of Karizma. Even if you don't buy it, just ride it to have a proper opinion about it.

NS would be any time a right buy in that price range over P220.

P220 stopping production! can be possible, as now NS is there to replace it and Avenger with same 220cc engine.

Right !!! Feel NS too and if you are keen on NS range then it's absolutely perfect one!!
Exactly if you can wat and go for CBR then undoubtedly right choice!!

Satyajitrc- You have avery valid point.Will surely consider it when i go ahead.


Raviji- I am going to test ride it during the weekend for sure

Reason to ponder about!!

200NS is supposed to behave completely different! (than all the previous versions).

For some reason I do believe its going to be the CBR250. Might as well go for the ABS version, even if it means you have to get one by march 2013 .

Its a wise decision provided you can afford to spend 2 lacs...remember...CBR is anyday better than NS but then it also needs different kind of attention and maintainance cost is higher than NS.

@Sampath, the first evaluation you need to do is what kind of touring you would like to do..
At your age would you like to explore the unknown and go beyond where no roads exist. Like we have some tourers from Bangalore who took their bike to places like kodachadri and on roads that lead to Hebbe falls. it has an adventurous touch to it. It is dangerous, a fall or a slight slip could do some damage to the bike. Also such terrain is taxing for liquid cooled engines, have read of an R-15 heating when taken to kodachadri. If such is the kind of adventure you are looking at, then i'd suggest the Pulsar 220 first and then the Karizma. (solely based on replacing plastics in case of a fall) A CBR or a R-15 for that matter might prove expensive in case of a fall.

If your intention is to purely cover places where roads exist, that includes broken roads. If this for just the pleasure of biking and the urge to hit the road and leave the maddening city life, then i'd suggest the CBR 250 or other bikes that is comfortable to the butt..

Just my take on it. The 220 I have has taught me more about bikes and biking. You'd always want to do something to it. Just make you get the right answers to the when, what and why

Very true Sid, also depends on where one tends to ride it. As with Honda tradition, most of their bikes are very forgiving. I have always been a Honda fan ( also a fan of so many other manufacturers).

Like most of us, my time is important to me. Dropped the CBR because of attitude issues at the dealer end, lack of spares. Mostly attitude.

I would say, the cost of ownership with a Ninja 250 would be way above the CBR.

But, its not fair to compare the Ninja to the CBR .

Sir if you're ok with a powerbike then NS200 is a hell lot of bike you would get in a lakh. And also its not true that NS is better than Cbr250 or vice versa. Both are good products and better than each other in their own way. cbr250 has an added advantage of being proved for 2years. In fact no bike is better than the other. It depends on a riders reauirement. But if you want full return of your hard earned money and good mileage as well as power atleast ride NS200 once. Unlike the earlier pulsars this one has a smooth refined engine and a true streetfighter. Personally I feel its overall the best product in India (my personal choice). It would win your heart probably.

Hi,

I believe my fellow bhpians have already put quite a lot of good suggestions on the platter.. So let me just serve the pudding

ZMA/ZMR: are the proven tourers on xbhp. Good seating, reliable honda shared technology for the engine, relaxed position and servicing wise also has the largest hero service network all across india. If your budget is limited to 1L then this is definitely a good option to look at.

Honda CBR250R: is a good touring bike. Fellow rider AARGEE has already clocked 30k kms if I remember correctly. Has a good seating position and a good honda mill to take care of munching down the miles. My only prevailing concern are the parts availability and early eating away of the brakes before 10k kms. I would recommend the ABS model if you can stretch your budget.Initial lot of CBRs d a lot of issues but by now Honda has taken care of most of it. I would suggest to go through the ownership thread once to get yourself a broader idea about the bike. But I guess it is out of your budget!

Pulsar 200NS: Is literally a new kid on the block. The initial reports from xbhp first impressions look promising but till the ownership reviews start posting in the respective experience from across the country.. It is bit difficult to judge it. However, with liquid cooling and good seating position and price point is very lucarative. Pulsar also has the backing of SVCs right after Hero all across India so that is a plus.

KTM Duke 200: Is an insane animal, with DOHC engine and short gearing it is lightning fast, a proper street fighter I must say!! However, with its seating position, I am not too sure how comfortable would it be for long distance rides. Shares a good network of Bajaj Backed SVCs but not as much as Hero or the NS. I guess at 1.37 lakhs it is out of your budget.

If I may... Go ahead for a test drive on all the mentioned above and then decide coz end of the day what makes you feel right sitting on the ride will be your soulmate for the miles ahead. If I were in your position based on the budget scene, I would rate the bike based on SVC backing and the overall reports of the rider reviews. In this case both ZMA/R and 200 NS are the most probable short lists.



Cheers,

IMO, CBR is the next incarnation of the Karizma. It has all the USP which the Karizma boasted of in the last decade plus many changes demanded by time. If you do decide on the CBR, give a thought for the ABS version as it is definitely a good safety feature.