ZMR has inverted GRS shocks which are damn cool and do their job perfectly!! Telescopic front like al other bikes but butter smooth when you push it down... Overall, shock absorbers are good...

Greetings all! Here’s yet another xbhp-worm; thought I’ll peep out a little and seek some gyan.

I’ve been considering getting a new bike in the <1L category and have been reading through many threads here. I’m basically looking for a bike that’ll ride well on Bangalore roads (and you ought to know that’s no mean ask given the potholes, bumps, craters and what-not that decorate the roads here). An average Joe in build, I’m no wheelie-popper/street-racer but I do enjoy maneuvering my way through the maddening traffic here (might be doing max 60-80 km/week along with the customary, occasional, long rides). So, good suspension, decent power-to-weight ratio, nimble handling with comfortable riding posture are my primary expectations (not-so-pocket-burning FE and not-so-torturous pillion seat being secondary). Stiff ride/suspension and crouching-tiger riding stance are preferably no-no, in the process of which the Duke's almost ruled out, although I was tempted initially to stretch my budget. (And I personally don't care much for the bike's looks or exhaust note.)

I did TD on the Impulse, Unicorn and Apache 160/180 sometime back.
Impulse - suspension’s mouth-watering good! Yeah, the killer punch’s kinda missing in the engine but the ride (on some very harsh surface) compensated extremely well for it. (The finger to BBMP!)
Unicorn - heavy; sluggish; boring
Apache - the thrust was quite good but the riding stance and vibrations were big turn-offs.
I also have the FZ-16/S in mind but, sadly, the dudes at the Yamaha showroom didn’t have a bike for TD. The display model did show signs of very good build quality.

I had almost distilled my options down to Impulse and FZ16 until some weeks back. And then I happened to read about NS-200 that has a whole bunch of features to offer at 1.01L and that’s not too big a stretch over the Impulse that works up to something like 85K on-road here. I’ve read the reviews and owner experiences and the positives appear to out-weigh the negatives easily. My hesitation, though, arises from my previous experience with Bajaj (Khivraj on Kasturba road, to be more specific) that has been dreadful (and that’s putting it mildly). And though I’m yet to take a TD, from what I see and read, the bike’s riding stance appears to be more on the aggressive side and I’m not too sure if the suspension’s the way I’d prefer (‘spongy’!) either. On the other hand, however, the features and specs appear to be awesome for the price it’s selling at; the primary reason for me to still have this on my list.

Mighty impressed with the Impulse that I am at the moment, it might probably take only a little reassurance (given the on-and-off talks about the bike being discontinued and all that) for me to take the plunge. I don’t see myself selling the new bike anytime sooner than 6-8 years, so I’m guessing it’d be handy if getting spares wouldn’t be too difficult in the future.

I do intend to TD the FZ16 and NS200 as early as possible. In the meanwhile, I thought I’ll pop the question here and seek some alternative perspectives and suggestions. Can you guys share some thoughts on these two bikes - FZ16 and NS200 - and how they'd compare with the Impulse (considering the preferences I've listed above)?
Also, if there’s a thread where showroom/dealers are discussed, can someone please point me to it? Like I said before, my past experiences with some dealers have been terrible and it’d sure be a relief to find (at least) a reasonably professional and knowledgeable dealer.

Thanks and cheers!

You wrote a good grant all over!! ...lol..

BTW why din't you introduced your self in Who AM I Section ?? There should be your first post. So we can greet you well

Second, You are writting your requiremnt in a different person's requirment section dude!!

More or less when you are planning for bike which won't be sold before 6-8 yrs then it's better to go with a bike which has the most features in your budget.
I see your budget is upto 1L so NS200 makes the deal !!

Stiff suspension helps in cornering and handling. So i guess you can go with Duke too, if you can shed 1.4L. Duke's seats can be altered for comfort.

Impulse and FZ are outdated bikes INMO. becuase they lack dual disc/FI/Radiator. Where NS200/Duke scores in.


Think wisely Bro!!

Didnt know 200NS runs on FI though.

200NS is not FI and runs on a carb - but you will notice the absence of FI. Duke on the other hand, has FI.

I dont think the stance is too aggressive, and compared to the R15, it is much more relaxed.
Compared to the duke, the 200NS has a softer suspension, but it cant be called ‘spongy’!
Do take a TD of the 200NS.

Thanks in advance for the welcome, Somen! I'll try to get around to the W-A-I section soon.

NS200 and Duke are quite visibly superior bikes when compared to Impulse or FZ (or any other standard 150cc Indian bikes); wouldn't deny that one bit. However, from what I see in many reviews, both the bikes have scored ordinarily in suspension (and seat comfort), which to me personally, is among the top requirements at the moment. Having a kickass bike but suckass roads is gonna make daily life hell, me thinks (again, these are my perceptions from reviews; these might change after the TD). It's in this regard that Impulse is making so much sense as a daily commuter. The dilemma still remains, though. Aiming to sort things out within a couple of weeks.

And can someone please throw some light on this:
"Also, if there’s a thread where showroom/dealers are discussed, can someone please point me to it? Like I said before, my past experiences with some dealers have been terrible and it’d sure be a relief to find (at least) a reasonably professional and knowledgeable dealer."

Yeah, I'm gonna take the TD this week, that's almost for sure and I'm looking forward to it! (but something tells me that Khivraj is gonna play party-pooper )

Always go to Auto Service, Banshankari for service. Sales for 200NS I guess is through Khivraj so for that you have no option.

As for choice of bike, if you really have a road condition problem around your place of stay, stick to Impulse/Karizma. Among Duke and 200NS, the NS will fare slightly better than Duke on the worst roads.

^thanks for the suggestion, Antz. (I did consider Karizma initially but kinda dropped the idea due to its weight).

Folks, can you guys pop up some names of other good dealers in B'lore for Hero/Bajaj/Yamaha/TVS? If this wouldn't be the most appropriate place, can someone please help create a new thread for this topic? Thanks!

What Phanikar ?? ...too funnny bro!!

I think you read my post correctly to get the point, but to have fun you wrote it INMO :P

I don't think Bangalore has such bad roads where you can't ride NS200 or Duke. But still it's your choice, NS200 or Duke can anytime be more better on highway compare to impulse with performance and handling.

impulse is a good comfortable bike but it's only 150cc, where as in future you would lack the power, down the line 390 Duke, Yamaha 250cc etc are about to be launched and if you have 150 then it's far behind compare to 200/250cc in future!!

TD and see which one fits best!!

And for SVC catch up the respective ownership thread!!

Did that sound funny???? apologies then. As far as my memory went, knew that the NS200 came with a carb. But since i was off the internet for some time, didn't know if Bajaj had got a FI version of the NS to the market and that most of us were unaware of.

P.S: Please don't edit the posts. Most people here will be deprived of so much information and thoughts that might go down the drain.

ROFL !!!....

Oh even i din't know that NS200 is a carb version !!!

If you see my post then it states clearly that I am pointing the TS to buy the best bike in naked version, as he is loving inclining towards Impulse or FZ.
But some where he is ready to buy a 1L bike too. So in that price range he will get NS200 as a best buy and if he loves NS200 then he can look for Duke too which is more better.
Any buyers should look for best features in particualr price range!! If you deny then i can't help it.
And i am thinking where did i say NS200 has FI ?? Even i din't known that, Do you have some internal contacts ??

Don't you think the bold part speaks loudly over best features missing from FZ and Impulse compare to NS200 and Duke ??

If you are still confused then sorry I can't explain the A-Z, or there might be some one else to help you out!!
Do you think TS don't know the difference between NS200 and Duke as per spec ?? I don't think he got up from bed and came to write it here, neither do you!!

Ok Fun over !!
Phanikar enjoy other things too in Xbhp bro!!

Thank You for all the explanation. God bless you.

"Kabhi Has Bhi Liya Karo!! " God Bless you too!!

Pulser 200NS would be the best choice