Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Query Approved

You ride an Apache and want to move onto a bike with no vibrations. Yet you have the T'bird and the KTMs on your list. Am i missing something here!

You find the RCs and R15 too aggressive and the Dukes too straight!

From your requirements a good 150cc would actually suffice and also help you save money both on commuting and buying a new motorcycle.

My suggestion is you cannot find a motorcycle which you love enough to 'upgrade' to, then just shift laterally onto the Gixxer and you will be pretty happy.

Currently, as per me, other than the KTMs there is nothing in the market worth upgrading to. So buy something else, save up and then get a whopper

Also, please do have a look at the ownership threads of the respective bikes for a lot of first hand information which might help you decide.

Cheers

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

I would keep it short and simple.

R15 and RCs are not meant for touring purpose or city riding, position is not so comfortable. Though people use them for those purposes, but they aren't meant for it.

If looking into REs, go for 500cc ones, at least a respectable amount of power they have, vibes are there, but very less compared to 350s. Then again reliability is always an issue with REs. Do check out Continental GT, comparatively very few vibes and engine is quite good.

CBR's production has ceased, if possible, wait for upgraded model. But it will certainly have a price hike.

Best upgrades for 150, 160, 180 users would be P200ns/as/rs (though you mentioned not to suggest pulsars, but these are worth it), Duke twins.

I, an owner of P180, have myself upgraded to D390, waiting for the delivery.

We, at the forum, could only suggest you by mentioning pros and cons. Do take test rides in different traffic conditions.

All the best.

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Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Forgot to mention, Karizmas, not worth it. The quality is gone.

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Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

No. My Thunderbird 500 is 13 k km/2 year-old. Here is the uptodate cost of maintenance.



I have never faced these niggles in my bird.

I wish you all best, whichever bike you choose to buy.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

From the first statement I take it that the KTM's are not Vibe free.I have taken test rides on Duke ,RC and R15 and I find the position of RC and R15 quite good.Its the stories about them that are frightening me.Although the test on the RC was a short one I could not make out anything about the vibration part,same about the Duke too.But as you are suggesting that vibes exist with a Duke ,,that is going off the list . I took a long test ride on the R15 and I loved it,no vibration and seating position quite good for me.But the only thing bothering me is that the R15 V2 is around 3 years old.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

For your requirement, i would suggest you to choose from (in order of preference) - RE Continental GT, RE 500 or Gixxer/Gixxer SF. If you are considering KTM twins, do have a test drive of AS200 and RS200. Pretty refined than earlier Pulsars and costs less than KTM's with same engine. Or if nothing works better wait for Yamaha R25 or Honda CBR300.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Buy a Gixxer SF since there's a lot of rumors of updated Cbr250/300. It looks good and feels mighty fine to ride. Since you are wary of vibrations stay away from KTM and run like hell from Royal Enfields.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Being an owner of an R15, I would suggest you to go for it. To answer your question about cons- no there is none other than the high pillion seat. The bike is rock solid no niggles or hassels handles like a dream and gives a complete sports bike feel. I too live in Bangalore and ride to and fro to office which is about 30 kms from my apartment. So that makes daily commute of 60 kms. I ride at 65 -80 kmph and get around 55 kmpl avg.Ignoring a bike just because was launched 3 years ago, makes no sense. I think its quality and reliability is proven as the time passes by. The build quality is second to none, the engine is robust, rev happy and smooth. So if you like it, go for it.If you have any more questions about long term ownership, feel free to ask.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Hi ,
Thank you for your encouraging words.After taking a test ride on the R15 even I second your opinion on ignoring a bike because of its age is foolishness.The FE mentioned by you surprised me ,and that to in bangalore.What route do you take to your office everyday,is it more of an highway? And any advice on how to run in the bike during its initial period.I found it very rev happy and I think keeping it under 3-4K rpm will be difficult ,since taking off my eyes from the console for a couple of seconds made the bike go to 6-7k rpm during the test ride.

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

well brother, I travel from K. R. Puram to Electronic city via marathalli. So yes it is mostly highway. Its clear in the mornings traffic in the evenings is so bad that even highways get jammed. Still the fuel efficiency is more than what I expected when I bought the bike, so I am more than happy with it.

For run in period, just follow the manual. less than 5k rpm for first 1000 kms, than gradually increase the Rpm after every 200-300 kms. ie 5k rpm for first 1000 kms, than 6k rpm till 1200 kms, than 7k till 1500 kms. giving the bike short bursts of speed (70-80 kmph) keeping it there for a few seconds and than coming back to your cruising speed every few kms is also advisable for the first 1000kms, to make engine smooth on all rpms.

Follow these steps and your bike will be smooth and give good mileage. The uncles at my building think I'm trolling, when I tell them the mileage figures of my bike. They look at the big sports bike and then look at their activa and think I'm telling white lie .

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well brother, I travel from K. R. Puram to Electronic city via marathalli. So yes it is mostly highway. Its clear in the mornings traffic in the evenings is so bad that even highways get jammed. Still the fuel efficiency is more than what I expected when I bought the bike, so I am more than happy with it.

For run in period, just follow the manual. less than 5k rpm for first 1000 kms, than gradually increase the Rpm after every 200-300 kms. ie 5k rpm for first 1000 kms, than 6k rpm till 1200 kms, than 7k till 1500 kms. giving the bike short bursts of speed (70-80 kmph) keeping it there for a few seconds and than coming back to your cruising speed every few kms is also advisable for the first 1000kms, to make engine smooth on all rpms.

Follow these steps and your bike will be smooth and give good mileage. The uncles at my building think I'm trolling, when I tell them the mileage figures of my bike. They look at the big sports bike and then look at their activa and think I'm telling white lie .

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Thank you...that will be something I will keep in mind...do you have any specific dealership that you suggest....even i stay near HAL

Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Glad to see you made R15 your choice...I'm sure you will not regret it.
[MENTION=69523]Ankey[/MENTION]: 55kmpl...seriously?

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Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Damn, In my experience of 20k Kms with the R15 V2, The average I get is around 38kmpl and the maximum I have got is around 42kmpl and that too during pure highway rides.[emoji28]


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Re: Help and advice required to choose a new Bike..In a completely confused state now !!!

Guys thats current Gen R15 v2 which runs on closed loop.. It gives an average of 50kmpl whereas mine averages at 42kmpl :/