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Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

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  • #1

    Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

    Hello good folks of XBHP!

    I am a former Pulsar rider , which I do not have with me currently. What I do have is a couple of petrol cars and that makes life a bit inconvenient in a city like Pune. So we (me and wifey) have decided to look out for a two wheeler again.
    Primary usage would be city hops , and sometimes for short leisure trips in the places around. We will be using the bike mostly on weekends, though the occasional 50km office commute is not ruled out either.
    What I am looking for is a bit of flair and panache from my purchase if its a motorcycle (as a personal preference, dislike 100cc commuter motorcycles). Ride comfort is also what we like. It doesnt have to be outright fast, but yes, enough power on tap to get around, given that I was using a Pulsar earlier. As few visits to the service center as is feasible (though its all a gamble with a used purchase).
    Now since this will be our only two wheeler, wifey would occasionally need it too. So that gets me thinking, what should I get ? A scooter, purely for her convenience, or , as she herself insists, a bike because I would like it ?
    Though my wife has been riding gearless two wheelers for many years now, she has no experience in bikes, but she says she is willing would be more than happy to learn. Her share in the usage, if at all, will be in the range of 5-10%. Shes 5'5 and has no problems balancing the weight of a motorbike. (Her claims, never been put to test).
    So I am in a quandary now , a bike or a scooter ? Heart says bike, head says scooter..

    Given my usage pattern, I am looking out for used vehicles only. Spending above 30k would start making me uncomfortable. Or am I aiming too low ?

    Short listed the usual suspects
    - Pulsar 150
    - Yamaha FZ
    - Honda Activa
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

    Query Approved
    Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

    Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

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    • #3
      Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

      When it comes to COMMUTING in CITY, there is no doubt that the automatic scooter is the best option.

      1. Its ridiculously easy to ride (just twist and go),
      2. Has got storage space for grocery shopping
      3. Anybody in the family can ride

      The only caveat is one has to be mentally and financially prepared for 35-40 kmpl mileage and that the road conditions that one rides on is not too atrocious.



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      • #4
        Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

        Originally posted by Mr.Besser View Post

        Given my usage pattern, I am looking out for used vehicles only. Spending above 30k would start making me uncomfortable. Or am I aiming too low ?

        Short listed the usual suspects
        - Pulsar 150
        - Yamaha FZ
        - Honda Activa
        If you were only planning for city rides then scooter was the best bet. Since you want to take it to office, I don't think commuting 50 kms on scooter will be that comfortable.
        You already know the pros and cons of Pulsar, so if you don't want it, then its just FZ. If your wife drives a car, it won't take much time to master the clutch and gear. FZ is not that hard to ride too.
        Again, I doubt whether you will get FZ at 30k.






        Sent from xBhp Connect for iOS
        None of Us is as Smart as All of Us

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        • #5
          Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

          Originally posted by rxdude View Post
          If you were only planning for city rides then scooter was the best bet. Since you want to take it to office, I don't think commuting 50 kms on scooter will be that comfortable.
          I dont really have that much experience with scooter. Wifey used to have a Kinetic Nova , and riding that for half an hour would give me neck pain. Kickstarting it every morning was also a massive pain. I have no idea if the ergonomics of other scooters are any better. Can a 5-10 min Test Ride of something give us a fair idea of it ?

          Originally posted by rxdude View Post
          You already know the pros and cons of Pulsar, so if you don't want it, then its just FZ. If your wife drives a car, it won't take much time to master the clutch and gear. FZ is not that hard to ride too.
          She doesnt drive a car, yet. But shes ridiculously gung-ho about the whole thing. It pleases me on one hand , and makes me a skeptic in equal portions.

          Again, I doubt whether you will get FZ at 30k.
          With the economy being what it is, and with the demand for new vehicles tapering off, I was expecting used vehicles to be available for bargains.. Looks like I am wrong here..

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          • #6
            Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

            Activa would be a intelligent choice
            "Life is all about burning petrol and the most efficient way to do so is by riding a bike"
            "A man who dreams of being an astronaut or a pilot, is yet to drive a motorcycle."
            "Often, I find myself in the middle of nowhere,Rarely, in the middle of nowhere, I FIND myself..."

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            • #7
              Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

              Just a minor update. We test rode a few vehicles in the past few days..

              A Scooty Pep, from 2006. I wonder why they call it the "pep" , because when riding with a pillion, I found it to have none at all. The vehicle was in superb condition (tyres, battery, body, electricals) though. Owned by a friend of an acquaintance. Both as a rider and pillion , I found the "comfort" factor to be a bit less. As of now, not considering it since its a bit down on power.

              A Hero Honda Pleasure, from 2008. It was black in colour, but the paint had faded from the front panel (maybe the owners removed the original decals). The button start was not working. Engine seemed very smooth. There was a slight rattle from somewhere. The power I found to be adequate, while wifey found the power to be "nice". Very harsh ride quality though. I am secretly pleased that the missus thinks it looks a bit small.

              Pulsar 150 from 2006. A genuine 31k on the odo. Owner is a distant acquaintance. Everything on it worked perfectly, the lights, electric start, new tyres. The engine feels similar to my old bike. And the owner says, "Dont worry yaar, pay what you think is the right price..".

              I am still as confused as ever.

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              • #8
                Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

                One thing I can assure is Scooty pep is not the one for you. Its just a city ride for doing daily chores.



                Sent from xBhp Connect for iOS
                None of Us is as Smart as All of Us

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                • #9
                  Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

                  Originally posted by Mr.Besser View Post
                  Pulsar 150 from 2006. A genuine 31k on the odo. Owner is a distant acquaintance. Everything on it worked perfectly, the lights, electric start, new tyres. The engine feels similar to my old bike. And the owner says, "Dont worry yaar, pay what you think is the right price..".
                  How much should I offer for the above bike ? The owner says that I can pay "Whatever I think is right..".

                  How about the Avenger ? There are a few on sale on OLX , but I prefer to buy only from people I know.

                  As of now, the plan is to buy a bike, use it for a few months and if wifey finds it unweildy or uncomfortable, get something else next year.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

                    Originally posted by Mr.Besser View Post
                    How much should I offer for the above bike ? The owner says that I can pay "Whatever I think is right..".
                    You have used a pulsar, so you are the best to quote the price too. Still confused take someone with you who can make a decision.
                    I don't know much about or neither don't want to know more about pulsars as I hate this bike like anything.


                    How about the Avenger ? There are a few on sale on OLX , but I prefer to buy only from people I know.
                    Avenger, I have read many people complaining about the back seat comfort in this forum itself. Take a look through the ownership experiences.
                    Its always better to buy from people you know. But it doesn't mean that if you buy something from a stranger its going to be a bad deal. After all there are good people in this world.


                    As of now, the plan is to buy a bike, use it for a few months and if wifey finds it unweildy or uncomfortable, get something else next year.
                    I think Pulsar weighs more and wont be light to handle for your wifey



                    Sent from xBhp Connect for iOS
                    None of Us is as Smart as All of Us

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                    • #11
                      Re: Used Purchase : Bike or a Scooter ?

                      Thank you rxdude.. I think I will go ahead and offer 27k for the Pulsar I mentioned above, which seems to be inline with the going rate for these bikes on used bike portals. If all goes well , I will bring the bike home over the weekend. The owner is going abroad for sometime very soon.
                      I think I will discount the usage by my wife for now. Might be negligible for all I know. Might be zero too. But I am mighty chuffed that shes put her own comfort and convenience on the backburner for my interest.

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