Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

[akstorm]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum so please forgive me if the post is not ok and let me know if something is wrong.

So basically I am Ankit, from U.P. Living in Bangalore. Have been riding on 2 wheels for a good 9 years now, started with a LML NV, then moved through the pulsars (150, 150 again, 180, and now 200ns), i have ridden several other bikes over the years (Yamahas, hondas, etc, which i didn't own). I love to ride, and well that's it.

Now the help part.
I am now looking to up the game, i finally have the job which can afford a big bike. and i am confused. and therefore seeking help. My budget is around 6 lac (7 max)

I am 5'8", athletic built, 64kg. I am not an aggressive rider but am not a complete laidback rider as well. My primary use of the bike will be weekend rides(200+km) maybe twice a month and maybe commute to and fro to office (i generally trust my cycle in Bangalore, people from Bangalore will understand), so the commute will be maybe only once or twice a week.

I have some bikes short listed which i will list with what i like and what i don't, now i need help from you guys to help me decide.

1. Ninja 650R: I like the pulled back bars, comfortable sports tourer style, Good power, and the price. What i don't like is no abs available in India, don't like the exhaust note and from what i have read, it could have had better rubber and the headlight sucks.

2. Triumph Bonneville: I pretty much love the bike, i mean its a beauty, but then it has no faring and no windshield, i know touring speeds in India are never that high but those stretches on the highways will become painful.

3. Triumph Street triple: An absolute gem of a bike, but does not solve my purpose very well (being a naked street bike) and also it a little too expensive for me.

so here i am, Don't know what to buy, Please help me decide or are there any other bikes i should consider? Right now i am leaning towards the Ninja :P

Thank you in advance for all your help.

[Divya Sharan]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

Query approved!

Kawi's N650 is a good choice.

[I_Live2Ride]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

Hi Ankit,

I agree with Divya, N650 is good choice and [MENTION=61028]whymail[/MENTION] will tell you why... However, please understand that these top end premium bikes would shed out some money from your pocket during their service and while replacing the consumable parts. So get ready for that..!!

[Anuj_Gupta]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

It is easier to buy a elephant, and worser to maintain it.
You may be able to spend 7L₹ ,but go ahead only when you can spend least 7000-10000₹ per 6000-8000kms, in case of n650 ,And visit n650 threads, talk to owners..
Maybe the 400ss or rc390 or r25 can steal show for you. Look them out too.
If spending 1k on service of p200ns hurts you,then think thrice before going foe ninjas, they take a lot after purchase.

Sent while Riding a 10sec bike.

[whymail]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

@akstorm

[akstorm]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

Thank you Divya for approving the thread.

And thank you guys, i thought it would go the Ninja way, I dont mind spending 10k every few months, i totally understand that with a machine worth 5-6 lac you really cant expect it to stay tip top by itself :P
[MENTION=65015]Anuj_Gupta[/MENTION] : I did consider those and i know they will be out by the time i will buy the bike, but the reason i eliminated the rc and the r25 was the aggressive riding position, my cycle with its extreme position gives me enough back pain already. I want something more upright. Ideally the bike for me would be something like a gs or a tiger or a honda 700x but those are either too expensive or not available in India. I really never get why the adventure tourers don't have a market in India. I mean they are beautiful bikes and so very practial in India where half the normal roads are off-rods. The pulsar, well i haven't seen one in person but i guess even that will have the same riding position. I would love the cs400 but don't know how long i will have to wait.
[MENTION=61028]whymail[/MENTION] : Thank you for that info, that's a lot in just one post. I really wouldn't mind doing some upgrades, so my simple query to you, how much would this all cost. Cause i will put it in my budget itself and plan accordingly.

[whymail]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

@akstorm : basis where u buy these from & what brands...
brake lines: 8k ~ 14k
brake pads: 9k ~ 14k [if u change the brake lines alone, u shud be good. stock brake pads are good enuff and usually last for 20k~28k kms]
ricor intiminators + W5 Oil: approx. 18k
bulbs: 1.7k ~ 2.2k
morimoto bi-xenon HiD kit: approx 30k
once u get the machine, i suggest that u get on the k.n.o.g. on FB - loads of gyaan, group buy, general bakkar, yearly super-long ride G2G [this years was @ Nagpur where some 52 N650's rode from all over India] & weekend ride plans happen there.
cheers!

[akstorm]

Re: Hello note to the forum as well as need help investing in a good bike

@akstorm : basis where u buy these from & what brands...
brake lines: 8k ~ 14k
brake pads: 9k ~ 14k [if u change the brake lines alone, u shud be good. stock brake pads are good enuff and usually last for 20k~28k kms]
ricor intiminators + W5 Oil: approx. 18k
bulbs: 1.7k ~ 2.2k
morimoto bi-xenon HiD kit: approx 30k
once u get the machine, i suggest that u get on the k.n.o.g. on FB - loads of gyaan, group buy, general bakkar, yearly super-long ride G2G [this years was @ Nagpur where some 52 N650's rode from all over India] & weekend ride plans happen there.
cheers!

Thank you thank you.... I will keep those costs in mind.