Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

Query Approved

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

Hi Amit, I ride a zmr that's in great condition and for a while now even I was considering an upgrade, coincidently the choices you mentioned were the very same that I was considering. But after much thought I have decided to wait a little longer and go for the n650, it is priced at a little over 5 lakh in blore (ex showroom).
My reason mainly being that once I upgrade I dont want to feel the nedd for an upgrade for say atleast the next 4-5 years and though each and every of those other bikes you mentioned are great in their very own right, the n650 seemed to be the only one around that can quench my thirst for sportiness and touring.
Having said this, if you want to proceed with your purchase right away than wait longer I would recommend you decide between duke 390 and the n300. Both these bikes are very different and you need to decide which one suits you better. The ownership experience threads would help greatly. The only reason I dont recommend the TB 500 is because IMHO I don't think the transition from a ZMA to a RE is most comfortable, I say so, having done this journey the other way around.

Cheers!!

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Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

Hi Amit,

If you have money to buy N650, then it is your best bet. One of my friend has N650 and he uses it for weekend rides & long tour. He is very satisfied with it and says that during his weekend rides he is able to keep up with busa.

If your budget is less then you can take TR of duke390 & tbts500. I am also in same situation wether to go for Re cl/tb 500 or duke. I have taken TR of tb/cl 500 twice and though it has good power but not enough to excite you. I am yet to tr duke390. My fav pick would be N300 but it looks too expensive more so after duke 390 launch.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

Hi Amit ,

I was also confused between Duke 390 or TB 500 or Ninja .

Now after much of thought process Still not sure what to buy.

I already own Duke 200 but now wanted to upgrade it , My bike will be used mostly in city .

Took test ride of TB and it doesn't excites me , wanted to buy TB 500 badly but now after test ride i know that i am not a bullet guy .

Ninja is way more expensive , more so it's not VFM.

I am now confused between D390 and Iron 883.

But still thinking is it worth spending 7.5 lac (for 883) for a second bike or should i simply go with D390 and play safe ( n easy on pocket ).

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

I am also very much inclined towards N650R. Just not sure as it is little out of budget for me now. May be I will wait for another 6 months and buy it on finance after that.

I already had a test ride of TB 500 and I felt its a little less thrilling and sporty for me. So that is out of my list now. I will try to get a test ride of Duke 390 and N650R this weekend and then take a call.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

How about 250R as well for the list. . ?

Cheers!!!

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

^ amen!!
CBR250R is welcome in the list for amit
1.8 onroad

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

You wont get a new N250 right now, unless you are going for used ones. Why don't you consider the CBR 250? It would be most appropriate, or if you really want to go for a good upgrade, save up more money and get the Ninja 650.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

Going solely by your intended use & keeping the budget constant, you can consider either a CBR 250R or D390 (rule out N250 if not used, my 2 cents) based on what your body can handle - weight, riding posture etc.
If there's no hurry and you are willing to increase your budget and you want to settle with something good for the next few years, again going by your intended use, I would anyday suggest N650 - For the price, nothing beats a tourer like this, atleast in India.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

[MENTION=5316]Amit[/MENTION] Currently going through the same dilemma as yours buddy. When duke 390 was launched I was dead sure of purchasing it as it featured all the goodies (ABS, tourqey engine, insane acceleration etc...) after my 2009 P200 DTSi but after seeing it in reality and taking opinion from better half (wifey) I am saving more money and going for ninja 650. As per my research it is one of the best sports tourer machine available in India plus its a beauty (but also disappointed on the non-availability of ABS on Ninja 650).

Also the price in Delhi (on-road) for Ninja 650 is 5,53,000/- as per KTM/Kawasaki Showroom in CP. So, finally dead sure of buying it by mid next year.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

You should definitely think of upgrading to a middleweight (600cc)... the N650 is also perfect for your needs of touring, riding fun and the occasional commute. makes even more sense since you already own something in the light weight category with the ZMA. Hang on for a bit... I think a lof of us folk out here biding our time to save up for a fat upgrade... I'll probably have my own middleweight by next year or early 2015.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

My opinion goes for CBR250R. It is very much relaxed machine which is an mile muncher just like you current ZMR. I doubt how good upgrade is this machine over your current one as they both showcase 250cc engines, of course later one would be better. This makes CBR not so creditable upgrade for your ZMR, sorry, I think I am myself confused over my own opinion

Still, out of given options and additional CBR into your list CBR should suit you best. N300 itself is way far ahead of your budget; Duke 390 is a beast which takes time to tame and not cup of tea for everyone (though a big thumps up to its packaging and technology) ; liking a Thunderbird would need slightly more appetite for forgiveness, patience and service center visits.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

CBR250 - is pretty much a jack of all trade and master of none, kind of bike, which does almost everything pretty good, still excel in nothing. this makes it a very good all rounder. a very good general purpose bike. you can even sell your existing karizma and use the money for downpayment. you will use it for a couple of years till you are again thirsty of more power. also comes with ABS.

Ninja300 - is costly. if you can afford one, go for it. more power than CBR, and costly to maintain too.

Duke 390 - if you can live with naked bike and upright riding position. it is for you. power and performance at an affordable price.

RE500: opinions can vary.

Re: Duke 390 or RE TB 500 or N250R

One thing I don't like about the Duke390 for touring or weekend rides is its petite tank size... Given the power and FE, it'd feel like a nice powerful city commuter (like the RX100 in its hay day). But that's just my opinion...

The CBR like [MENTION=15693]princesirohi[/MENTION] said is a very capable, reliable and loveable all rounder... I own one and would never sell it even after upgrade. But since you own a ZMA which can probably be juiced up by RACE concepts for another year of fun.

The N300 is a very good machine that's a pleasure to own... But if its a Ninja, then just hang on and go for the 650... It'll feel like a very legitimate, solid upgrade from the 250 category.

TB 500 - Actually poses an offset in your list of choices... All other being non-cruisers (higher rpm range bikes with radiator or oil cooler). But if thumping along at a cruiser rpm with that bulleteer air around you is what you're looking for then this is it...

My suggestion is if you can wait for it and gather the dough then the N650 is something that's bang on to your specs and powerful enough to be a pack apart from most... But if finances is an issue, then the Ninja 300 is the best upgrade you can get out of these three. It'll give you more power than a CBR, more range on a full tank than the Duke whilst also setting you apart with its looks.

The ride position and wind resistance on a naked bike is something to think about too... Might not let you utilise the power fully.

Cheers.






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