Hi Guys,

I am looking to buy a bike in during October-December 09'. My requirements are:-

1) Reliability
2) Excellent acceleration
3) Good A.S.S (in Hyderabad)
4) Good ride comfort
5) Fuel efficiency of 35-40kmpl (40 is preferred)

I am 5feet 8 inches in height and weigh 55kgs.

I am riding an 1986 model RX100 for the past seven years, which was handed down to me by my father. 22 years and trouble free performance. So my first requirement is reliability. I cannot afford to lose sleep and waste time visiting service center on every full moon.

Those of you who have rode an RX100 would know, it has a spirited acceleration. But somehow, I am not too impressed with its 0-40 capabilities. So the bike I want to buy should have good low end torque.

I have a weak lower back (courtesy-7 years on an RX100, the bone crusher) and I need something with good functional shock absorbers which doesnt expect my spine to do the job.

I cannot tolerate crazy FE figures of 25kmpl and figures like that.

Now, the positives and the negatives of the bikes (my perception) I have shorlisted

Karizma
+ves a) Reliable, good ride comfort
-ves b) Bulky, poor FE (reported)

R15
+ves a) Novelty factor, light weight, technolgy jing bang
-ves b) Rusting (as reported by guys on this forum), rev hungry engine, reported poor low end torque, all this making it overpriced?

RTR Fi
+ves a) VFM, relatively light weight, fantastic riding position, good flickability like my RX
-ves b) Poor A.S.S, concerns regarding vibrations, power loss in certain RPM band

Having listed out all that, I must say at this point in time I am positively biased towards RTR Fi. Only thing stopping me is A.S.S and vibrations issues. Infact, if I can decide on RTR Fi I can buy the bike as early as May.

I request all of you to help me make a decison. I have not short-listed Unicorn or Pulsar because they are very bulky and Unicorn especially feels like a ship.

Sorry for the long post.