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Please help me to choose my first bike....

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  • #1

    Please help me to choose my first bike....

    Hi xbians,
    6 months back I was planned to buy a bike. My target was KTM 200 duke . Now I am ready to buy it. But I want your suggestion before proceeding further.

    I am 5.7 feet ,58 kg.My home town roads have frequent ups and turns, and most of my rides are in the city.I may go tours on my bike but not more than 500kms.I never mind about hard seats and suspension.
    My average speed will be 85kmph and maximum 100(may be while overtaking those fzs and r15).And most of the time my pillion seat will be blank.

    Now,
    1. Am I chosen right bike?
    2.Its already 2 years after launch of Duke 200,Is there any bike in the market that has same performance as duke 200 in the same price range.
    3.If I buy duke 390 it will extend my emi to further 6 months but I think I will never utilise it s full potential. Only I feel is ,200 duke don't have abs.Is abs life saving? and is that must have feature for a bike?(apache 180 has abs for less cost).

    My first ever bike depends on yous guidlines.Please help me....
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

    Query Approved

    Your heart seems to be already set on the Duke 200, go for it then, you won't regret it
    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

    Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

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    • #3
      Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

      Go for the duke bro , 6 months ago i was searching for my first bike and i got my duke. Its a nice machine, and satisfies all your needs. I dont regret after buying it.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

        As the mod said, you have your heart set on Duke 200. Go for it brother.

        ABS is good to have, and there are rumors that it will be made mandatory, but that could take a while(read 'never') considering its India.
        99% of Indian bikes dont have ABS and they seem to be working out pretty well.
        My advice, listen to your heart, but take test ride and then decide.
        All the best.
        I would like to thank my legs for supporting me, my arms for being always by my side and my fingers; I could always count on them.

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        • #5
          Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

          Ya...my mind is on duke 200 but one of my friend who buyed Royal Enfield told that, never use heart but use your mind while buying bike...

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

            Originally posted by bjuttam View Post
            Ya...my mind is on duke 200 but one of my friend who buyed Royal Enfield told that, never use heart but use your mind while buying bike...
            Bro first test ride both re 350 and duke 200 then decide and more important is the re 350 gives you 40+kmpl on the highway and 35+kmpl in the city.
            Point to be noticed :::::test ride both the bikes again and again then decide because you mostly ride under 80kmph on the highway.

            Sent from my GT-N7000 using xBhp Connect mobile app

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            • #7
              Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

              Originally posted by bjuttam View Post
              Ya...my mind is on duke 200 but one of my friend who buyed Royal Enfield told that, never use heart but use your mind while buying bike...
              Using mind may seem good but it'll be tough to satisfy your heart later. To buy a first bike, it should satisfy heart first because even bikes require proper care.. It's you who is going to own n ride the bike till it's gone..so satisfy your heart first..else you'll find fault at every aspect of bike. Give your fav bikes a td and choose the best among them with your mind

              Sent from my ST18i

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              • #8
                Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                Originally posted by bjuttam View Post
                Ya...my mind is on duke 200 but one of my friend who buyed Royal Enfield told that, never use heart but use your mind while buying bike...
                Riding duke is always a fun no matter whether it is in city limits or on the highways. I don't like riding RE bikes in cities (read bumper to bumper traffic) since it is very difficult to maneuver but when it comes to highways and long distance riding, it is a good bike.

                PS: Also you had mentioned that you weigh just 58kilos so I feel that RE wont suit a lean guy like you. just go for Duke, you will never regret
                2009-2012 Apache RTR Fi (Sold)
                2012-2014 Pulsar 180 (Sold)
                2017- **** Duke 390

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                • #9
                  Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                  I have test ridden CBR 250,re,200 duke....in that I most liked 200 duke (attitude of the show room guys too)..in both re and CBR show room guys sat behind me.KTM guys just thrown key at me and said enjoy.[emoji4] [emoji4] .....while riding cbr and re my mind was not free as showroom guy sitting behind me....CBR found heavy in traffic ,felt like driving Volvo bus.!...RE is OK but I can't compare its analog meters with ktm s cockpit..So my heart getting firm on KTM 200 duke...

                  Is there any other bikes I should test ride before going to 200....?

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                  • #10
                    Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                    Originally posted by bjuttam View Post
                    I have test ridden CBR 250,re,200 duke....in that I most liked 200 duke (attitude of the show room guys too)..in both re and CBR show room guys sat behind me.KTM guys just thrown key at me and said enjoy.[emoji4] [emoji4] .....while riding cbr and re my mind was not free as showroom guy sitting behind me....CBR found heavy in traffic ,felt like driving Volvo bus.!...RE is OK but I can't compare its analog meters with ktm s cockpit..So my heart getting firm on KTM 200 duke...

                    Is there any other bikes I should test ride before going to 200....?
                    I am planning to get a duke 200/390 or a CBR in march. Waiting for CBR300R. When I test rode the bikes, I found CBR more manageable,especially at red lights due to lesser seat height (since I am a bit short at 5' 6''). I saw from your earlier post that you are 5' 7'', and were you able to put your feet down on the duke? If so I will take a longer TD of the Duke.
                    Last edited by alchemist; 01-03-2015, 07:51 PM.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                      Originally posted by alchemist View Post
                      I am planning to get a duke 200/390 or a CBR in march. Waiting for CBR300R. When I test rode the bikes, I found CBR more manageable,especially at red lights due to lesser seat height (since I am a bit short at 5' 6''). I saw from your earlier post that you are 5' 7'', and were you able to put your feet down on the duke? If so I will take a longer TD of the Duke.
                      Hi alchemist,

                      Duke 200 is perfectly matches my height.....in fact in both the bikes height of seat is not a problem.But the thing is I am not looking for a bike which is extraordinary for highway riding.Because in my hometown highways are not like what you find in north India....straight and flat.....My area is hilly ,has lot of turns most of the time road clearance is a issue.

                      CBR is wonderful bike to ride on highways (What I think...) .But while I ridden in my city with heavy traffic I found difficult to manage it.

                      I hope you td duke again and share your experience.........thank you...

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                      • #12
                        Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                        Originally posted by bjuttam View Post
                        Ya...my mind is on duke 200 but one of my friend who buyed Royal Enfield told that, never use heart but use your mind while buying bike...
                        Well, get the Duke. It's light, it's agile and rev happy. However, I find your friend to be wrong, you should ALWAYS use your heart while you buy a bike. It is the extension of yourself, How you see the world. However, it should not be completely outlandish. Your heart will choose the right ride for you, you brain will keep a check on it

                        Originally posted by Puneeth max View Post
                        I don't like riding RE bikes in cities (read bumper to bumper traffic) since it is very difficult to maneuver but when it comes to highways and long distance riding, it is a good bike.

                        PS: Also you had mentioned that you weigh just 58kilos so I feel that RE wont suit a lean guy like you. just go for Duke, you will never regret
                        Sorry for OT:

                        No Bike is "made" for any guy. I am 5'3 and hardly 55 KGs. Still drive a CL 350 and have never faced gargantuan problem at that. Infact I can manoeuvre it through places where people don't take their Splendours.

                        Biking is a Bond between the Man and the Machine. Unbalanced Big Singles have a lot of Character of their own.
                        Sorry for the OT.

                        Regards,
                        Achyut.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                          [MENTION=73164]bjuttam[/MENTION]

                          Duke fulfills your requirement. you can do 0-100kmph in less than 10sec and also you can cruise at a good speed all day. RE is best for riding below 80kmph and if you go more than that , you will start feeling as if you are sitting on a vibrator and it would be difficult to ride for hours with such sort of vibrations. Go for the duke and you will enjoy every bit of it.

                          Originally posted by achyutish View Post

                          Sorry for OT:

                          No Bike is "made" for any guy. I am 5'3 and hardly 55 KGs. Still drive a CL 350 and have never faced gargantuan problem at that. Infact I can manoeuvre it through places where people don't take their Splendours.

                          Biking is a Bond between the Man and the Machine. Unbalanced Big Singles have a lot of Character of their own.
                          Sorry for the OT.

                          Regards,
                          Achyut.
                          Sorry fot the OT. I just wanted t share my views on this.

                          People have different views when it comes to choosing a bike. Definitely for most of them this "suit" thing matters other than performance,styling,price etc. I personally feel that bike should suit you as well. What would be your response if you see a 90lbs guy, well built,6ft tall riding on a TVS 50?

                          Regards,
                          Nikhil

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                            Originally posted by Nikhil Gowda View Post
                            Sorry fot the OT. I just wanted t share my views on this.

                            People have different views when it comes to choosing a bike. Definitely for most of them this "suit" thing matters other than performance,styling,price etc. I personally feel that bike should suit you as well. What would be your response if you see a 90lbs guy, well built,6ft tall riding on a TVS 50?

                            Regards,
                            Nikhil
                            "Personally" I won't "Feel" anything. and if I see he's happy as hell riding his own ride, I won't even worry about it.
                            Point is, Bikes are obsession. and anyone could be obsessed with any bike he/she likes. He shouldn't have to worry about "log kya kahenge". So much for OT, am sorry to start it off.
                            [MENTION=73164]bjuttam[/MENTION], how about the RC200? considered it? looks very good.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Please help me to choose my first bike....

                              Originally posted by achyutish View Post
                              @bjuttam, how about the RC200? considered it? looks very good.
                              Why would you recommend a track focused bike for city use? Not practical at all. Plus the Duke already heats up in slow traffic. One must expect more heat from the RC. Not that the bike will have a problem but it will cause extreme discomfort to the rider. Also the seating position is impractical for filtering.

                              @threadstarter

                              Go for the Duke if your mind is already set on it. You cannot get that kind of wild power delivery characteristic on any other bike in that segment. The 200NS has a more linear power delivery. The CBR though more powerful and slightly quicker, may not be as exciting for you to ride. I personally like the power delivery of the CBR. But if your mind is set on the Duke then go ahead. The gearing is short and perfect for city riding. Needless to say it is very much flick able. But expect engine heat in stop and go or crawling traffic. You shouldn't have a problem if you wear shoes and jeans when riding.
                              Last edited by harishkumarko; 01-04-2015, 11:48 PM.
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