@shv18

I think I'll go with the FZ/Fazer.

Before finally deciding, will try the 200NS once. The 200NS is just Rs 4k more than the 220 (found that out yesterday)!! Poor pricing strategy by Bajaj. That doesn't make any sense. Probably they'll discontinue the 220. If it is reliable, I don't mind waiting for it for a few more days so that I can save up some more money.


@sayank10

The white and blue combination looks awesome. But is it still available?

White and blue combination is Competition white FZ-s and is available.

I think sayank was referring to new blue color for FZ 16.... It is indeed very good color.

yea ive had back aches for the first few days and i got adjusted to it, the onroad cost in chennai was 95,960INR.

Hi everyone, my Dad has agreed to increase the budget by Rs 20-30k. So the R15 and the Karizma ZMR gets included in the list. Now I have a couple of questions.

R15:

What is the mileage in city?

Is the maintenance cost very high?

How costly are the spare parts?

Will it last for 6-7 tears?

What is the minimum amount of fuel that should be present in the tank so that the FI system works without a problem?


ZMR:

What is the mileage in city?

Is the maintenance cost very high?

How costly are the spare parts?

Will it last for 6-7 tears?

What is the minimum amount of fuel that should be present in the tank so that the FI system works without a problem?

Is there any vibration?

Is the weight difficult to control in stop and go traffic?

If the bikes are high on maintenance and spares are expensive, I’ll get the Fazer (black with golden alloys)..

I don't recommend R15 in city, because of it's riding position.
Spare parts are higher as compare to other 150cc bikes.

Surely it can last 6-7 yrs, but isn't it too much, now we are getting more better options every year!!

In Any FI bike 2 liters should be as a mark, So that +/- can be handle!! Else it fry the fuel pump by mistakenly goes below expected mark.

in city you will get 35-37kmpl. And you won't be able to ride over 4-5th gear!!

ZMR is better than R15 in city. mileage figures of ZMR are too on better sides as compare to R15.

ZMR brake pads are almost same or little over R15 ones.

But i guess rest parts are not that high. Though Check it ! ask in ownership of ZMR.

ZMR is comfortable ride bike.

comfortable pillion seat as compare to R15.

ZMR is 1.10L OTR where as R15 is 1.3L +/- 2-3k

I would not suggest r15 for city.. You may be prone to wrist pain or back-aches.. ZMR is damn comfy when compared to others.. Mileage which am getting rite now is 42kmpl in city and 47kmpl on highways.. Vibes were present in my bike as i had a fall but now its rectified.. But i do not think vibes are too much.. My ride to coll is abt 20% city and 80% highway.. But in this last week due to hols i've been roaming around in city ALWAYS and trust me. Once you get used to the bike, riding it in city is a piece of cake.. At least for me it is.. The only problem you'll face is parking in congested areas and pushing your bikes in narrow gaps in traffic. As per maintainence the ony major problem i had was a puncture and i've done 22+k kms. Apart from oil, air filter and spark-plug change i do not think its a problem on maintaince. If your considering fazer then i would say have a look at this too. Better you take a TD first and decide if you are comfortable with the riding position.. Only then shortlist it.. Else the FZ or Fazer. TD every bike before buying one.. Specially for comfort

@somen1984

Hi, have you faced any kind of problem with your bike till now? Can the R15 soak up potholes without problem? Is the suspension on the FZ/Fazer better?


@abhi7013

Will test ride it soon. What kind of maintenance the FI system requires? Any engine over-heating issue with your bike?

Well there's nothing doing with the fi system.. It has not caused me any problem till now.. And in the run-in period there will be a slight heating problem. The tank sides get heated up. This is because the radiator is positioned just below the tank.. Even now the tank sides warm up a bit but that's all normal.. Nothing to worry about in that. And thanks to the GRS shocks the ride is smooth..

aren't you forgetting the street-fighters i.e.=ns 200,rtr.

If you think so much then you won't be able to buy a single bike !!! All bikes have some or the issues, buy accepting it.

AFA suspension is concern i think R15/FZ/Frazer shares the same, but the front suspension of FZ/Frazer are more broader.

No bike can take potholes easily!! If a bike is bashed frequently on any potholes then it will give some kind of issues!!

If there are traffics then there will be engine heating too, because they ride on low gears which makes engine hot. Other part is some non stop kms at high speed!!

Commuter bikes are not that prone to heat, because they are made for commuting daily. though there would be little heat.

Don't keep thinking on issues, buy one which is suitable and handle the issues later with smile of riding!!

Yeah.. Buy the bike which you are comfortable with first.. Give that your 1st priority.. Only then break your head about the problem which that particular bike has..

@sayank10

200 NS is VFM but I'm worried about Bajaj's reliability. I can't afford to change bikes frequently else my Dad would throw me out of the house. It should run for at least 6 years without giving any major problem. I have seen so many Pulsar-s in the service centre with serious engine issues. Not to mention about the niggling issues. There is a neighbour of mine, who takes really good care of is Pulsar 180 (2009) and has clocked a little over 30k kms and he is having engine trouble. Some local mechanics say that an engine made by Bajaj looses its charm and starts giving problem after only 25k kms. I have hardly seen any Honda, Yamaha or Hero owner complain about anything serious.


@somen1984 & abhi7013

That is exactly what my cousin said today. :P Will test ride the 200NS, ZMR and R15 and then decide.

busting the myth=pulsars are reliable as anyother japs.it just needs a bit more attention,which it deserves.

@anishbora :

Bro ever thought of avenger 220 ?? I trust it would fit your budget, brilliant ride, and decent mileage too !! why not consider this one !!

Hi guys, couldn't reply for a looong time.

I test rode the following bikes in the meantime:

1) Pulsar 200 NS:

This bike is really meant for tall guys. I'm 5' 10" and felt uncomfortable with the seating height. Only the toe-end of my feet reached the ground. With a heavy pillion, it could get worse. Anyway, I
went to Rolta Bajaj (Kolkata) and they did not have any test bike and gave me a brand new bike for the test ride instead. It is pretty shocking.
The fit and finish of the bike is really good and not like the old generation Pulsars.
The riding experience was not very pleasant, as the bike always kept on stalling, especially in lower gears. Even after warming the engine up for some time, it did the same. It just would not idle.
I thought that it had something to do with the carburettor tuning. But the showroom guy said that this problem is there in almost all new 200 NS bikes and that it usually gets rectified after the first service. In higher gears, the acceleration is pretty good and the ride is smooth.

2) KTM Duke 200:

Although this bike is out of my budget, but couldn't resist to ride it. In one word, it is 'awesome'! It is very light, yet felt stable. The acceleration is excellent. It just needs an analogue tachometer to make it complete. :P

3) R15:

Went to Yamaha Factory Shop, but unfortunately, the test bike had some problem with the battery and the bike would not start. They gave a long explanation for it. Anyway, the test ride is due and they have promised to give me a call, as soon as they fix the problem.

I think I'll be buying the R15. Please tell me about the maintenance of the bike.
What extra maintenance it needs when compared to an FZ?
How much does both free and paid services cost?
What about the durability of parts and the frequency of changing them (like the steering bearings/ball racer)?
Does the fuel pump last long?

Does it needs to be revved hard in low gears? Is the torque good for stop and go traffic?


Is it worth waiting for the fuel injected version of the 200 NS?

Thanks in advance.