Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

Hi,

Your choices seem interesting. Learning on a pulsar 200 ns would not be a problem. And since you're giving a 8-9 months gap before taking it on tours, you can actually do a few thousand kilometers in the city and highways. This bike is awesome for highways and you can cruise on it with enough over taking power. Just get used to the height and weight. Start riding on Sundays when the roads are free and then slowly during weekdays. This will be good for any bike to learn on. Have a rider friend while you practice.

Gixxer is awesome and there was one with me on a 170km breakfast-ride on a sunday morning. It was brand new and matched so well with the road conditions. It crusied without getting stalled or facing engine seizure. There were only very little breaks during the ride. But still you would find the need for a sixth gear or more power while cruising once you get used to it. But NS won't make you feel like that soon. In the same ride, I rode an apache 180 abs and it was new then. I had this confusion while buying my first bike and I ended up buying it for several reasons.

1. It looks cooler to me. It has its own identity. You can't mistake an apache for any other bike from long or short or any distance.
2. TVS showrooms are plenty and you just need to find the right one. There was a proper one near my place.
3. It's spares are available for cheap and plenty almost in every state.
4. The vibration part is a little exaggerated. Once you start riding it, you'll get used to it.
5. It has a good fuel economy for the power it has to offer. I actually now needs a 6th gear. Otherwise it's fine. And yes, to begin with, you ll find any 5 geared bike easier.
6. It grew on me in two days. I did not take a test ride before ordering it. I am a bit taller and I faced body pain initially since I didn't test ride it. It's cheaper and robust than many bikes. It's engine is so robust and powerful too. I was inclined towards power and it catered the inclination.
7. It has ABS, useful in the 1000km I have done with it till now. Very much in every roaring situation and pothole filled roads. The low seat height and the pillion comfort would interest you too. The power is controllable and irrespective of the tyre size, it handles much better than many bikes.

You just need a right service center and trustworthy dealer.

1. I ruled out gixxer because it was less powerful.
2. I ruled out pulsar 200 ns because I was carried away by the line that 'it's a copy of duke'. I personally found it's build quality lower than an apache or a gixxer. Maybe the NSs I saw were poorly maintained? Pillion comfort is also lil tight and really high raised pillion seat.
3. Also it did not offer ABS but more power for the price. ABS is so much useful for beginners. I can assure you that.

You should try Karizma and it would be controllable too. Don't get deviated by the weight and higher engine capacity. It was so refined and easy when I rode it. But it just is heavy for my built. It has unmatched pillion comfort for long rides you have mentioned and it can cruise!!!

I think you can try fz16 V2 as your first bike. Just the design is different from fzs and that tiny visor for the meter is plain. The naked console is cooler B). It has fuel injection right? Some piece of tech for the higher price youre paying. Like the gixxer you ll find the need for more power but a bit early and it needs a 6th gear too! But there are so many who tour on that. you need to find it for yourself. It has a better pillion seat cushioning too. It's nice. The build quality is excellent.

Finally, you can consider the duke 200 too. I have had enough of debate on learning on it. Since you're going to practice before taking it out on long rides, you can consider it. But pillion comfort? Head to pulsar 200 ns for this :P :P There was a duke 200 in the ride I have mentioned above. I rode it for sometime and it was so comfortable. Just add a windshield from ktm powerparts and you can cruise comfortably. It is awesome for city too. You just be careful initially if youre considering it. Since you've mentioned that the pillion is going to be tiny then you just try it. Maybe a nice experience trying? Also that luggage mod won't be possible.

If price is not your constraint then buy cbr 150r which satisfies your touring and pillion needs. Only the luggage attachment mod you wanted might not be possible. Also, if possible wait for CBR300 or if 250r is still available then just try them before you jump to any conclusion. I would strongly recommend you to try cbr 150r because:

1. It's Honda.
2. It's apt for touring. It's good for city too. It's easy to learn on.
3. Pillion comfort!!!!
4. It has amazing top speed and cruising ability with liquid cooling and rider comfort!
5. In almost all the places you've mentioned (maybe ladakh an exception) you can find Honda showrooms and svc. And yes there are tons of riders who ride on CBRs to ladakh and beyond!
6. It's frugal!
7. It's amazingly refined.

But watch out for it's price and the newly anticipated facelifted version. Please contact showrooms for details! If not for the price, then I would ve gone for it :|

Finally I would like to recommend to you the following bikes in the order I view as a beginner's priority clubbed with your requirements (I am a beginner too)
1. Honda CBR 150 R if price is not a matter.
2. TVS Apache RTR 180 With ABS because of ABS and the good motor. Also it's under a lac and you can buy quality riding gears for you and your pillion with the remaining money
3. Yamaha FZ S or FZ 16, whichever appeals to you, because its yamaha quality and motor and its easy to learn. But its at the bottom of the preferences because it has lower power for the price and its limited cruising ability.

Hope this helps you and once you learn and visit Chennai, try to let me know so that I can see your new ride in person

Have a safe ride!

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

Thanks for the long reply [MENTION=73995]srinath2494[/MENTION].You've given me a lot to think about!


I like the Yamaha's. I think they're really well built, and emit of a sense of good workmanship. But the Gixxer is more powerful, cheaper, and more fuel-efficient to boot. The only area it lags a little behind the Yamaha is in pillion comfort. So, the Yamaha FZ series doesn't make sense.

I like the Apache, because it's more powerful than 150cc bikes, and the seat is low enough for me to be comfortable on. The pillion seat is pretty comfortable too, and it's got a 16l fuel tank, while the Pulsar and Gixxer have 12l ones. But the vibration and stability issues that have been reported are off-putting. Also, it just didn't wow me like the Pulsar did. But it is a very sensible choice, and I had considered it briefly, and will think some more about it now.

The Karizma R. I don't like the way it looks. And it's priced very close to the Pulsar NS200, but is far less powerful (on paper). Plus the instrument cluster looks dated compared to everything else. So, unless it's very easy to ride, I don't think it makes a lot of sense to buy.

The all black Pulsar NS200 blew me way. I love the way it looks and how it felt really grounded and steady while accelerating and braking. But, it's a Bajaj, and a Pulsar, so quality is an issue, and it has the shortest warranty period. Also it's a little big for me. But I could learn to deal with that. Features wise, it's got everything I want. Looks, power, fuel efficiency at cruising speeds, powerful headlights, disc breaks, large tyres and a comfortable ride. But it's the most expensive of the lot, and also the one with the most questions about it's quality, and longevity. And possibly the hardest one to learn on.

The Duke 200 is brought to us by Bajaj, so I believe it won't be as reliable as a Japanese product. Plus it's got a higher saddle height than the Pulsar, and is probably too powerful for me to learn on safely.

Regarding my budget, it's a max of 1 lakh, and I'd like to spend as little as possible. Both now, and on maintenance in the future - in time and money.

That said, I wouldn't mind paying a small premium for reliability.

When I went to the Honda showroom, I did ask about the CBR150, but it wasn't available then, and I didn't pursue the matter. But honestly, it's too sporty for me. But I will have another look at it, and the Yamaha YZF-R15 V2 before I buy anything. But I'm not sure that they're the bikes for me, but considering their brands reliability, they are interesting options that I will consider seriously.

I'm 38, (5ft8 or 9in tall, about 58kilos, and frankly, a little puny) and while I don't want anything boring that even my doodhwala rides, I don't want something so sporty that I look like I'm having a mid-life crisis!

Thanks for your advice. I was torn between the Gixxer and the NS200, and leaning towards the Gixxer (and upgrading to something more powerful if/when I outgrew it), because it seems easier to ride (and Suzuki's seem to depreciate less than Pulsars in the second hand market), but now I'll do a complete rethink!!

My purchase was held up because I lacked any address proof for Pune. I should have something acceptable in 7-10 days, and will pick up a bike soon after that. And come pay you a visit in Chennai not too much later!

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

It was really very helpful ..Thanks for such advice.

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Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

I think DUKE's fuel efficiency is not good. It is a bike for riding as well as off roading (if modified) but its costly as well

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Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

I guess I missed out your age and budget or you didn't mention it in your previous posts. Anyway, under a lac, NS is a good choice. I wouldn't have recommended any of the CBRs or duke had I known your budget before. Sorry about that. If you are comfortable sitting on a CBR then apache wouldn't be a problem. Because CBR is so comfortable and apache is inbetween full leaning over and upright riding postures. I doubt if R15 would satisfy your pillion requirements. If I hadn't doubted that, then wouldn't have I recommended that along with CBR 150? Learning on duke 200 wouldn't be a problem as with it's height too. Like I said have a rider friend with you and also do it on weekends. slowly you'll pick up speed and control. It's an amazing bike for everywhere! I too did not like the look of new karizma's so ruled it out.

Since I own an apache, I can say you can depend on it's stability on highways but just that you'll always need a 6th gear once you cruise. Youll feel you need a better bike to cruise comfortably, just that.Vibrations are not a problem at all and it's a bit exaggerated everywhere. It's all a matter of getting used to the bike. Even the above mentioned 200 cc nakeds vibrate similar to it. Running in period in any torquey motor is troublesome. Sometimes I have felt the need to change my new apache because the new engine is so raw and hard. I have heard similar stories from duke 200 and 390 owners. People who do not go through that phase often say this vibration problem. Just like a relationship, the first few months are the difficult ones with such bikes :P :P Maybe you have this notion? spending more than a lac for your bike is not so good idea? If that's so, just think beyond that and reconsider CBR 150 R. It seems to be the only bike which satisfies all your requirements( maybe except a few) without any fuss. The 1.5 lac price tag is just okay-ish for me. But since I'm 19 and I have no money out of my own, I had to go with my parents' decision and get a TVS. Moreover ABS attracted me and it still is holding me and grounding me to the bike. I feel secure only when I ride my bike irrespective of other small bikes I ride. I am planning to upgrade to a bigger bike (again with ABS :P) in a year or two with a good bump in power output and some attractive looks Once you ride bikes with torquey motor with raw power output (which includes vibes and the heavy feeling on handlebars while riding) you'll feel smaller bikes like toys and you will find it easier to ride bigger bikes. That's one another advantage which lets you to adapt to any bike quicker. I now feel gixxer and fz are so much easier, like a child's play. Before I used to find even a splendor to be tough to ride. So you'll definitely find the need for more power earlier if you go with those bikes on highways. In the end it's only about contentment and satisfaction. A biker who is satisfied with his sub 200 cc bike may not feel completely with a 600 cc bike. So go with your gut feeling and get the bike which you can relate to! It works during the time of confusion. And yes, you're welcome to Chennai anytime!

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

So, after almost a month, I got the address on my LIC policy changed, but all I've received is an email acknowledgement. Will that suffice?

The documents I have are:

1) Index II of the Pune flat in my mothers name.
2) Electricity bill and Gas bill of the Pune flat, in my mothers name as well.
3) Both our PAN cards
4) Our ration card, with my entire family's names, but our Bombay address.
5) The email from LIC with the Pune address.
6) My passport/voters ID, with my Bombay address.

Are these going to be enough? And if there's a problem with the RTO, what happens then?


I'll be paying a visit to the Bajaj and Suzuki showrooms tomorrow or the day after to make my payment, and will decide between the two then.
My heart wants the Bajaj, but my head's telling me to get the Suzuki because it'll be easier to learn on, and I can always upgrade a year or two later when I feel the need. And it seems that there are a bunch of new players entering the market this year, so there should be a lot more choices a year or two from now.

I don't often listen to my head, so I really don't know what I'll land up buying, but I think that unless I'm really unlucky and get a lemon, I can't go wrong with either of them, even though they're in different categories.

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

I say Pulsar 200ns. The heart wants the bajaj so just go get that damn bike dude!! What'll you do with something that's easier to ride?? Get the 200 and tame that beast!! Do post pics with your new pulsar....hehe (get the blue one)

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

Chats.. I have a Pulsar NS 200... recently completed a 1900 kms ride in 4 days on it..
1 word about the bike s performance -- flawless..

Absolutely no issues with performance of any sort..

the things in favor of it are as follows:
1. cheap parts
2. cheap service..
3. hardly any maintenance required..
4. does not give you problems when on loooong rides..

Things not in favor --
less power (that is when you compare it with the D / RC 390.. :P

hope this helps..

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

Thank you everyone for replying to this thread and for your invaluable advice. .
And finally, since I was so undecided, I gave myself a tarot card reading. The answers I got where that if I bought the Pulsar, I'd be happy initially (though I'd have to beware of testing my limits), but would have expenses and issues to deal with later if I wanted our partnership to succeed. And if I bought the Gixxer, I'd be a tad disappointed initially, but it would serve me really well, and help me build my mastery. The cards also said that no matter which bike I bought, they'd help me broaden my horizons, and undertake voyages. No great insights, but they did concur with everything that's been written in the motorcycle experiences thread.

So, I went and booked a blue Gixxer today. I should get delivery on Saturday, Gudi Padwa.

What do I need to look out for while taking delivery?

Thanks again everyone for your inputs.

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

Better than anyone else, you are the best judge which bike should suit you best.
Best of luck! Keep us posted.

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

I got my bike!!!! Picked it up from the dealer in the afternoon, and rode it home...alone...15kms!!

I got used to it almost immediately, and changing gears and using the front brake is a breeze. I rode it home without incident, but there were a couple of times I felt I needed to slow down or brake, where I reacted wrongly.

I also noticed a couple of things about how riding a bike is different from driving a car. You have to beware out for people opening car doors, moving out of their parking spaces much more than if you're in a car. And, maybe it was the petrol pump I went to, but I think the petrol pump guys try to pull fast ones on bikers, and I haven't experienced that in my car in a long long time.

Handling the bike was really easy, and it's smaller size, lighter weight, and throttle response at low rpm's gave me a lot of confidence.

My bike had only 2.4kms on the odo, and the rear tyre looked a little more used than the front, which looked pristine. It had a couple of scratches on the pillion grab rails, which the mechanic said he'll change at the first servicing. They also got my name wrong on the insurance certificate, which the sales lady said they would correct at the time of giving me the registration. They haven't given me the user manual either, and the mechanic said that I'd get that also when I go to collect my registration. They hadn't installed the leg guard either, and said the person who did that was away, and they'd do that as well the next time I saw them.

I know there's supposed to be some kind of helmet lock under the seat, but I couldn't find it.

Anyway, now to my riding experience. While riding it home I didn't encounter much traffic, but was in 1st and 2nd most of the time, and occasionally in 3rd. I went into 4th just a couple of times. The road to my home has quite a few steep slopes, and there's one where car's have to be put into second. I climbed it in 3rd, and the bike never felt like it was taxed. The throttle was probably around 3000-3,500 rpms, and it did the climb like a champ.
The suspensions also pretty good, and I didn't feel most of the bumps on the road. I like that I can hear when the gear changes, and that it's a little hard. It let's me know that I've actually done a change. And I like the gear indicator.
What I don't like are the two rubber buttons under the instrument panel to select and adjust. They just look and feel cheap.
But, overall, I'm really pleased with the bike. I had a nice ride home, and it was pretty relaxing, and not tiring at all.
I'm dying to take it out some more, but my license plates are blank, so, for better or worse, I'm going to be restricted to riding it in the vicinity of my house for the next few days.

Oh, before I forget, how does one tackle those really small irritating speed breakers on a bike? I've got about 8 on the slope up towards my house, and every one of them left me a little shaken.

Here are a few pics of my bike. These are in my parking spot, but I hope I'll soon be able to post pics of it in far more interesting places.

Thank you everyone for your advice and support!!

Re: Advice for bike for a new rider for extremely long rides.

That's great!
Heartiest congratulations from me. Please follow proper run-in.
Ride safe.