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Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

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  • #1

    Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

    Hi All,

    This is my first post on xbhp. I am Arshad and am from Sri Lanka.

    For the past few weeks I have been researching and reviewing bikes and scooters for my first purchase. And I have not still touched the ground in finding the right choice. I am here to get expert advice from veterans and land on the right wheels.

    About Me
    I am 28, 5'8". Never before have ridden a bike/scooter on a regular basis (in fact, I still have my license pending) .

    Travel details
    • My office is 12km away from where I stay
    • I have to go to mosque daily about 2/3 times which is about 2km away.
    • Once a week I go home which is 40kms away from my place.
    • And once in a while I may go to the hill countries about 100km away with my other friends who own FZs.


    The roads are typical Sri Lankan paved and tarred roads in and around city limits.


    So far my choices are shifting around (but not limited to) Honda Dio and Bajaj Pulsar 135 LS.

    Pros for Dio
    • Easy riding (since first timer)
    • Under seat storage
    • Can ride even with 'lungi'
    • Good looks
    • Durable Honda


    Cons for Dio
    • It is a scooter and not a bike
    • Not good for long rides


    Pros for P135
    • It is a bike and not a scooter
    • Friends saying P135 is more manly than a Dio.
    • More control than Dio in faster speeds
    • Good for longer rides


    Cons for P135
    • Vibration is pretty much a standard.
    • Not so durable Bajaj.
    • Unable to carry goods.
    • Difficulty handling in city traffic.


    Above pros/cons are what I read/heard from the internet and friends. I understand they could be wrong.

    I also welcome suggestions of other bikes within the same price range. Dio and P135LS cost here 212,000 and 236,000 Sri Lankan rupees respectively.

    I am expecting a plethora of advice

    Thanks all.
    Last edited by Divya Sharan; 05-16-2014, 05:58 PM. Reason: Extra spaces removed(between paragraphs)
    Tags: bike, dio, pulsar, scooter
  • #2
    Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

    Dilemma approved!

    First of all, welcome to the forum Arshad. (That needs a different thread though.)

    Now, coming to your query;
    I'd reserve my comments on Pulsar 135 being more MANLY than a Dio, but the rest of the pros and cons would be applicable for all scoots vs motorbikes.

    Take a test ride of both and decide. BTW, since your trips would be no longer than 100-150 odd kms, a Dio would do good too. Just that you'd need to give it regular breaks.
    Also, maintain the ride well after purchase. A badly maintained Honda or Bajaj or any make fare the same way!
    Got a $5 head? Get a $5 helmet.
    Because everyone who passes, isn't a martyr!

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    • #3
      Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

      First, Welcome to xBhp

      After reading your post, I will keep my advice to 2 lines. Also note that this is purely my opinion.

      If you want to ride, get a bike
      If you want to commute, get a scooter
      The way you ride is the way you are..

      My Harley baraat!! |       Ooty through a bike's perspective | KTM Duke 200 : A 20000 km experience

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      • #4
        Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

        Thanks Divya for the approval and the welcome

        Originally posted by Deathmate.Zed View Post
        First, Welcome to xBhp

        After reading your post, I will keep my advice to 2 lines. Also note that this is purely my opinion.

        If you want to ride, get a bike
        If you want to commute, get a scooter
        Thanks for the welcome Deathmate . I want 65% commute and 35% ride. But again, is it a good compromise for that 35% if I go for a scooter?

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

          Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
          Thanks Divya for the approval and the welcome

          Thanks for the welcome Deathmate . I want 65% commute and 35% ride. But again, is it a good compromise for that 35% if I go for a scooter?
          I don't know about you, however I prefer to own a scooter per house(per location):
          Reasons
          - I take to super market for monthly groceries and provisions
          - comes handy while picking-up/dropping relatives from/to nearest bus stop
          - commuting vehicle for family members
          - ease of commuting for a stressful job

          simply put : mini auto
          There is no honest path to prosperity - KoKa
          Useful Resources Over Internet

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

            Originally posted by SparKot View Post
            I don't know about you, however I prefer to own a scooter per house(per location):
            Reasons
            - I take to super market for monthly groceries and provisions
            - comes handy while picking-up/dropping relatives from/to nearest bus stop
            - commuting vehicle for family members
            - ease of commuting for a stressful job

            simply put : mini auto

            Agree. But still I am not convinced with the fact that scooters can be ridden by 'real men' . In the sense, when you watch movies, nowhere it is shown the lead hero riding a scooter. Chances are every movie has its heroine riding a scooter.

            Plus, can I take a scooter with a pillion to 500m above sea level destinations by snaky roads?

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

              Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
              ... But still I am not convinced with the fact that scooters can be ridden by 'real men' .
              Real men don't bother about what others think, like reel men do.
              Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
              Plus, can I take a scooter with a pillion to 500m above sea level destinations by snaky roads?
              It really depends on the elevation(road angle), combined weight(bike/scooter + rider + pillion) and peak torque from the engine.
              There is no honest path to prosperity - KoKa
              Useful Resources Over Internet

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                I have decided to go for Honda Dio. I am waiting for the guarentors to prepare the documents.
                Usually how many years durable a Dio is? (with average use with timely services).

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                  Posting as a proud owner of a Honda Dio .
                  Do I have to drive slowly for the first 500km? People keep saying this but I didn't see this in the user manual.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                    Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
                    Posting as a proud owner of a Honda Dio .
                    Do I have to drive slowly for the first 500km? People keep saying this but I didn't see this in the user manual.
                    Congratz on the buy

                    Those people are saying for your rides health. The time till 1000-1200kms is called run-in period and its better to ride slow.
                    Atleast till the first service follow this. After that, you can ride as you wish.
                    Ride safe and ALWAYS wear helmet while riding.
                    Ride safe and have fun.
                    Regards
                    Nadeem

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                      Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
                      Posting as a proud owner of a Honda Dio .
                      Do I have to drive slowly for the first 500km? People keep saying this but I didn't see this in the user manual.

                      for the speed limit, please read manual. check under runnin

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                        There it is not mentioned a speed limit. Rather it advises not to go full and rapid throttles.
                        Originally posted by Infiltrator View Post
                        for the speed limit, please read manual. check under runnin

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                        • #13
                          Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                          Yes, it's is not about speed. It is about rpm. They would have mention half throttle, 3/4th etc.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Trying to decide on the first bike/scooter to buy

                            Originally posted by Arshad Mohamed View Post
                            There it is not mentioned a speed limit. Rather it advises not to go full and rapid throttles.
                            Yes, it.is not.about.speed. It's about rpm. They would have.mentioned half throttle, 3/4th etc.
                            And.am sorry I.couldn't reply as I was too busy. Just downloaded the app and got active again.

                            Comment

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