Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Topic Approved.


For your needs, you should be looking at 150cc and bigger bikes, but the bigger the better (usually).

You're looking at CBR 250 if you want fewer gearshifts & an overall more comfortable ride. It can maintain 100 kmph very easily.
And now CBR is getting very common, so you better be looking at some less attractive paint schemes like black, etc and you should be good to leave it. CBR I believe can return 40 kmpl.

An alternative could be Pulsar 200 NS, which has almost everything you need except ABS. So, that makes it a very strong choice here.

Duke 390 is it, if you respect light powerful machines & can extend your budget slightly beyond 2 Lacs. The Duke is smooth enough, if you're in the right gear for the speed. It does attract some attention even today though, being orange and all.
This bike can't be serviced in every city, but you do get a Pan india tow service insurance from KTM at just some Rs. 800/ year, I guess (will have to check this).
Duke will return 40 kmpl on a smooth highway ride at 80 kmph. Normally, in city it returns 25-30 kmpl regularly.
But it has its own share of demerits like bad pillion seat, less low end torque and hence, lower gear riding in the city (not too bad though),
Although with ABS and high performance brakes, chassis and tyres from the company itself, its one of the safest Indian bikes to ride fast.


OTHER: You can also choose Hero Karizma-R, the half faired one. Not only it can do 90-100 kmph almost the whole day, that too smoothly enough, but it is better supported by mechanics than other rides in the premium market. A powerful front brake is also an icing, although rear disk & ABS is missing. Karizma ZMR is almost the same bike but with a fairing, rear disk, tubeless tyres, etc. so it will grab attention.
You can get ABS in Apache RTR 180, but it vibrates so heavily in the 4-7 krpm range, that even habitual Pulsar riders get a shock. But Apache RTR is a lightweight & hugely entertaining ride but if a smooth 70-100 kmph ride is in your mind, you can skip this bike. Beware of stock tyres too, they don't grip too well.


Finally, I suggest you go for CBR 250R.... Second choice would be Pulsar 200 NS. Third choice, Karizma-R.

Not mentioning Duke 390, because it seems a little out of your budget. But wait, even Inazuma was, right?

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Thank you samarth for detailed reply.

Bajaj 200ns does sounds like a good option but I am skeptical about following,
1. what about the low end torque? As per the displayed figure, Karizma makes peak torque at much lower RPM. Does this makes Karizma better option in the city?
2. How does it compare with Karizma/CBR on engine refinement and overall vibration? Target is below 100 speed.
3. Bajaj got a bad name on long term reliability and engine smoothness degrades over time. Its been three years for 200NS so I believe these issues are sorted out. Please correct me if this is not the case.

I would have jumped on new Karizma R but lack of rear disc sounds bad. I believe comfort wise, Karizma is better than 200NS.

This leaves Karizma ZMR and CBR 250. Both are faired which I am not too enthusiastic. It just seems to be a overkill. Also, how does these faired bike fare in city commute. Does it feel too heavy for bumper to bumper traffic with bad roads of Gurgaon?

All my knowledge through reading so am not sure how it translates in real world. I guess test drive is must for above options.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

+1 for CBR250R, it ticks all you requirements, is the most comfortable, is the most reliable, most smooth and robust engine (people have gone to Leh and back on these and have made a mince pie out of bullets on hills). Its not that flashy, and with a full black color scheme it should be even more stealthy.
Coming down to bumper to bumper traffic, I thought the same thing when I upgraded to R15 from splendor, and have ridden friend's 250R often, I felt no difference whatsoever. The bike moves effortlessly through traffic. Its the comfortable for touring and fun to ride around in city.

200NS is good too but comes nowhere near Honda in terms of smoothness, reliability, build quality and fit and finish.

Take test rides and then decide.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

+1 for CBR250 !!
However, you can also wait for news of suzuki launching Inazuma 250F.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Any source for this? It may come out this year, or next year, or in 2017!

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

I am planning to buy bike by this week itself. I waited too long for CBR300R and Bajaj 400CS.

I will be taking test drive for Bajaj 200ns, Karizma R and CBR250R today. Lets see how that goes.

I am not too comfortable in having fully faired bike and that coupled with 1 lakh difference in price with 200ns making the decision difficult.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Nope I am not sure, but since owner was considering inazuma and 250 F was launched in UK market, I thought providing that info to OP would be justified.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

I would say CBR250R ticks every single one of your requirements except the mileage part. 40+ is difficult on it but not impossible though. People have done more. In terms of bad roads, Ive had the bike for a month and a half and although thats not long, theres not a single pothole that this bike hasnt absorbed. The suspension is amazing and its made for Indian roads. With CBR becoming more common, attention shouldnt be a problem, especially in a black colour model.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

There are not many options apart from the CBR250(we are yet to hear something concrete about CBR300 from Honda).
If you are not inclined towards fairings, can check out the Karizma R. Karizma offers a calm and composed ride just like the baby CBR.
And that leaves only the REs(TB/Classic). They are good tourers but does not suit your requirements.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Thank you for the replies guyz.

Yesterday I went to Bajaj and Honda showroom for test drive. CBR 250R was not ready for test drive so just sat on it to get feel of riding posture and weight of the vehicle. Both of these factors went in the cons list.
1. Weight of the vehicle is easily being felt when the vehicle is standstill. I heard it just vanishes in motion but that is not the answer in slow moving traffic.
2. The forward posture seems to be putting enough load on the arms. I would imagine this will be difficult in long run and while frequent braking.

Afte Honda I went to see 200NS And both of the above mentioned items were answered spot on. It confirmed my hesitation towards faired bikes. I did take a short drive in 6 pm traffic. Not much conclusive but low end torque definitely not there at lower speed. The clutch was pretty heavy and gears shift was not as butter smooth as I was expecting. I am driving 2010 FZ16 for last few days and power delivery of 200NS felt in the same league at lower speeds. Though vibrations were much lower and engine much more refined.

Though the test ride itself was not so pleasant experience, I am still more inclined on 200NS just because of not so ideal test drive condition.

Today I see a new pulsar teaser coming on Bajaj website. It seems like a faired version but with FI and ABS. I might give it a slip but seems like things are getting interesting in 2015.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

You're welcome. I'll reply pointwise:

1. I've only ridden the older Karizma extensively. The older Karizma has better low end torque, that's a truth. However, its gear ratios are a bit funny.
First 3 gears are short, then the rest 2 are long ratio-ed.
Result is that you'll feel rpm dropping a bit more, when you shift from 3rd to 4th. And you'll need atleast 45 kmph, to maintain 5th gear, if you're riding solo. All due to the tall 4th and 5th gear.
Plus, its long wheelbase and respectable weight are also factors to be considered. For these reasons, its an ok-ok city bike.

I haven't tested the Pulsar 200 NS or the newer Karizma, but Duke 200, the donor engine for 200NS, has good low end torque.


2. No idea. Will have to confirm from owners. Older Karizma was one of the smoothest in the speed range you mentioned.


3. Most on-launch issues have been sorted out well. There's some rear disc brake noise issue, I guess.
However still, few customers have any serious problems with a Bajaj bike. Reasons are not clearly known. Some blame it on service, some blame it on maintenance required.
I myself have a 2007 Pulsar 180 UG3, which did extremely well all its life. Its still with me, except that I have Duke 390 too, so I ride Duke mostly. Its running as smooth as it was the first day, give or take.

All I can suggest you is to take good care of your ride and it won't disappoint.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Samarth actually the Duke 200 engine doesn't really have good low end torque. But in the Duke it is masked by short gear ratios and that huge rear sprocket. Whereas, in the NS it is prominent and very much distinguishable compared to any other bike.

@ Threadstarter

Though the NS has poor low end torque, I felt it was still ridable in city unlike the CBR150R. The previous generation Karizma has the best low end torque in its segment without a doubt. Roll on even in 5th gear is fantastic. You can be at 5th gear and still be able to accelerate out quickly from even 30kmph. And I don't think the new Karizmas have lost that to a big extent. In my test ride of the new Karizma R I saw it pull from 2500rpm with a pillion without any fuss. Only concern to me was the looks and refinement. Not saying it is a harsh engine but putting it in context with the previous version, yes it is a bit rough. However, I think the bike is still reliable. Not many failures have been reported so far. If nothing works for you, you could consider a used previous generation Karizma R (which would still have a semi fairing). I think your requirement list pretty much describe the previous gen Karizma R. However, NS should also do the job for you.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

Hello Guyz,

With everyones help, I have zeroed down on black Bajaj 200NS. The dealer in Gurgaon (GSM Bajaj) quoting 102500 INR including following,
1. Bike plus all the paperwork done by the agency
2. One helmet, seat cover, sporty looking small front leg guard, small saree guard
3. One year insurance included

Can you please help me with following,
1. How much bargain is possible while buying a bike?
2. What are the other accessories I should be looking for?
3. Can I change the present eurogrip tires with better one while buying itself?
4. Any other inspection point while collecting the bike. Dealer saying that bike will be manufactured in 2015.

If above mentioned points are explained elsewhere then kindly point me to the same. Thanks a ton.

Re: Inazuma no longer the option: Hence the question... what bike?

It actually picks up torque right from 2500 rpm. You can feel it, irrespective of gear. Yes, its not a torque monster. But it does the job well, for a sporty motorcycle at least.
Maybe the torque is not too high, but its not flat either. There's a "climb" of torque, right from the very low.

But yes, you're spot on about gearing though... It sure is low. I compared the rpms once, and it was too close to my 16 bhp Pulsar 180.

With all my experience on the older Karizma, I don't feel like riding it below 45 kmph in 5th gear. Even if its rideable @ 30, there's no point.
Talking about the long term, I feel that, most owners still ride in lower gears if they can't get proper torque. R15 can putter a speed of 40 in 6th gear, but this is just mentally straining for any rider, and most riders would choose to shift to 4th...