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novel way to post a question! I'd suggest a Yamaha Fazer or if you can wait for a few months, wait for the Honda CB150 streetbike (NOT CBR150)

Welcome to xbhp.

Now to your query - you don't want Fazer/BAL bike.
Budget - 90k OTR BLR.

Ride pattern - 40 kms daily in Bangy. I assume a few weekend blasts on the highways would follow soon.

Options available now - (not necessarily in the same order)

1. Suzuki GS150R for that weekend highway ride. You'll love the 6th cog. A bit bulky for city.
2. Yamaha FZ - no bulky dome here, light weight and zip past vehicles in city. Not ideal for highways though.
3. Honda Dazzler - decent all round performer.
4. Pulsar 220 - I know, you said no BAL products. But this can't be neglected for the balance b/w city and highways it provides.
5. Karizma ZMA-R - Old tech, gem of an engine, rest same as above(4). Can't be neglected. (shoots the budget by 5k though)

Take a TR and decide.

Thanks for the compliments and suggestions bbsrailfan! Saw the specs of Honda CB150 Streetbike, Nice Specs for a 150cc bike! Just wowed! Any idea on the release date, many say its Feb end,but dont see any revelation coming up anytime soon! And it does look like the headlight is same as that of the Honda Dazzler, am i right?

Thanks for the invite Divya Sharan!


1. Suzuki GS150R - Yet to do a TD, but i really dont want to, since the looks are not to my liking!
2. Yamaha FZ - Yet to do a TD, Doing a TD today and will update it ASAP.
3. Honda Dazzler - TD done, pickup was ok, everything was smooth except the fact that the bike sounds like a Bajaj Autorickshaw! Just my opinion! Hence a big NO!!!
4. Pulsar 220 - TD done on my friends bike, Got to say, this bike knows how to pick itself up! Zipped past 90kmph within secs and i didnt even know i was doing 90! Comfort was good, But still i am little bit annoyed seeing 5 other pulsars on the same road, lacks individuality! Also had a weird feeling when i saw the fact that the dome is stuck and hand-bar is freely movable, so weird! So this bike is bit of a backup for now if i dont find anything good!
5. Karizma ZMR - Yet to do a TD, but this also has a bit of a big dome, the reason for me not to go for a bigger dome bike is because of the heaviness and non-compactness it causes to the bike, like its impossible to squeeze the bike in between traffic if i have a bike like ZMR!

I feel the headlight rather resembles a Yamaha FZ unit. But anyway, everything else about the bike will be superb. And though it will have the same engine as a CBR150R, this will be a streetbike, hence tuned for an erect riding position and better torque at lower RPM. Expected to be announced officially in India around mid-March and expected availability in showrooms would be around June-July.



Replies in bold above

Karizma ZMR and ZMA-R are different bikes. I was referring to the carb model.

Hope they release it soon, i am dying to get a TD on that bike!

Saw the 200NS and it really looks like a better modified version of Pulsar 135LS, but it has disc brakes on front and rear and i have heard and seen disc locks happening now and then on bikes which has these front and rear discs like Honda Dazzler. Isnt that the case with 200NS? And as usual i know about Bajaj parts are cheaper to get because its all plastic, what abt 200NS? And also i have noticed in my friends Pulsar that its has more affinity to wear & tear like you will feel parts getting little loose and the bike starting to give on vibrations after 2years of use. Do u think 200NS is also subjected to this?

Yes, my fault, while typing i missed 'A' out! It has that weird handle bar and doom is still jarring for me.

In addition to that rode the FZ16 today, Man its the best comfortable bike i have ever driven! And because of its big tire's and very low seat level cornering is very exciting and it feels so much grippy on the road! Only one problem which i faced in the bike was the transition of 3rd and 4th gear, the bike really coughed a bit moving from 30kmph-60kmph. So the Lord of the Street is pretty much good in almost all aspects except the 3rd and 4th gears!

Q : When i saw through all the bikes which you have mentioned above, one thing i noticed is none of them have ABS and i was thinking, isnt ABS really that necessary for all bikes with disc brakes???

I think you didnt ride it proper.. Fz is one bike which has good linear acceleration till 90 km/hr. Rev it more in 3rd then go to 4th.. There is no power lag in any gear till you hit the ceiling of 90 km/hr. After that you have to crouch to raise it more.

I would recommend you a RTR 180 fed with synthetics! It becomes smoother than its genetic character. Will have good power, looks fine, tyre upgrade required for confidence on corners.. I dont think in bangalore stock will disappoint you in any corner.

The next options would be ZMA, 200NS, 220.

I have ridden a P200NS for 800+ kms and all I can say is - it isn't "just another pulsar". It's character is very different from older gen pulsars, and that sporty grown from the engine simply encourages you to rev more and more.

Regarding niggles and rattles, all that matters is - how YOU handle it. Every bike in the world starting from the TVS XL moped to the Suzuki Hayabusa is prone to rattles and niggles. Like a girlfriend, a bike needs dedicated pampering. Keep the chains leaned and lubed, keep the coneset well adjusted, keep the engine within it's limits, keep a check on her oils and she'll continue to give you all the pleasure you'd ever want from her!

Coming to locking of rear discs - most people are accustomed to rear drums and hence, when they apply rear brakes, they just stomp on them - that is what causes wheel locking in case of rear discs - coz discs require much lesser pressure compared to drums.


Right now, the only 'affordable' bike with ABS is the CBR250. Considering that an ABS-equipped is 4 kg heavier and costs 30,000 more than a non-ABS model, most bike manufacturers skip the option to keep a check on costs (which is a very important factor in a competitive market like India) and to keep the bikes lightweight. I mean, come on, 90% of the average Indians buy a bike with mostly 3 major factors in mind - (price, mileage, looks). So, would the average Indian customer buy a 4kg heavier bike (which affects mileage by 1 - 2 kpl) for 30k extra, when he can get the same model and same style for much less?

The 'pampering' mention really made me smile! Its is so true!
My point was to stress on the the maintenance that it needs, whether it needs to be pampered a lot or in moderation!

And on the mention of disc locking, i agree with you stepping too much on the brake, but isn't this what ABS should take care of?



I thought Apache RTR 180 was the most affordable one!

I spent just around 20mins with the bike and shifted gears while I was riding somewhere in between 5000rpm-7000rpm. I definitely felt the difference when driving from 30-60kmph , maybe one more round arnd the road anyways will not hurt, will try it again and will let u know!

Hmmm, i never thought RTR would suit me, but seeing its specs and the obvious ABS, now i am thinking of adding it the list of bikes!
I think i am now inclined towards the following bikes.

1. FZ16 - Everything good, Comfort is the main aspect of this vehicle as far compared to its competitors!
2. Pulsar 200NS - TD yet to be taken, showroom in Bangalore are running low on stock and its getting difficult for me to do a TD!
3. CB150R - Only Honda knows when they will release it!
4. RTR 180(ABS)- Newly added! TD yet to be done.

I checked my Fazer's 3rd gear and it was munching 50 on 3rd.. so you definitely shifted early.

RTR180 ABS would easily suit your needs. Test ride one. You may take a couple of days to get used to the vibes around 4K RPM. Same thing when it comes to the seating position. If you learn to brake properly on discs, you can easily avoid wheel locks(in case of non ABS ones). AFAIK, both the new and the classic model are being produced simultaneously. So, you can pick the design of your choice too..

Damn, you are right! My bad - I completely forgot the RTR180ABS.

If ABS figures high in the list of your priorities, RTR180 should definitely fit the bill.
Where do you stay in Bangalore? AFAIK Popular Bajaj at Koramangala does have one for TD. You may also check with Khivraj at Domlur.
Regarding CB150R - all I can say is - if you are looking to buy your new ride within a month or two, you may strike this one off the list, as its expected only in Mid-Q2 (Jun-July)