Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Hey, maybe you can have your dad test ride the Gixxer! Then he can decide if he really is uncomfortable with the bike! And I never meant to sound like I was suggesting you take a decision without your parents' consent. I was merely saying you can buy the Gixxer if that is what satisfies you. You should be able to convince them of the decision if you really want the bike. Nothing comes without a price. The Gixxer will demand a younger body and a surer mind. And the Unicorn sacrifices style for reliability.

But hey, I've ridden along a 55 year old man who was on a Triumph Tiger XC 800. He rode it much better than I currently could. And take my word for it, that is a HUGE bike, with a lot more weight, power and seat height than the Gixxer. Point I'm trying to drive is, I'm sure your dad can ride the Gixxer too. Maybe a bit difficult for you mom to get used to the bike though.

Do get them a test drive and inspire some confidence in them before you take them for the test drive.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Thats a good suggestion.

The reason is because before the Discover we never had a bike. My dad has always driven a scooter (Chetak, Vespa, Activa, Access and Jupiter) and he rarely uses the discover. So the Gixxer might be troublesome. I am not sure whether he would be able to shift gears also on the Gixxer. Anyway I will take him along once again and test drive so that I can get a feel of the pillion seat.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

In my opinion, when both the Honda and Suzuki are there as options, and that you are comfortable with both, take a call as to which one would be easier to live with for a longer time. The Gixxer and Unicorn are equivalent in almost everything. But if looks are the sole concern, the initial euphoria will die soon and then the regular and sundry things like comfort, mileage and service and maintenance costs come into the picture. Both are even except that the Honda would give a little more peace of mind than the Suzuki in terms of after sales.

Considering your dad might sometimes ride your bike if need be - he would definitely be comfortable on the Unicorn. The Unicorn 160 isn't that bad a looker. Yes, it pales to the Gixxer but as a stand alone - I do like the front head and rear tail lamps and the digi console also looks interesting.

It will be a safe and practical option too as you will be more comfortable during long distances and the chain cover guard will also save a lot of muck and dirt from being splattered during monsoons and perhaps maybe a little better resale value than the Suzuki as with most Hondas. These are just the few things that take mind over the heart.

I am not sure about Suzuki but with most Hondas all you need to do is only do the oil change and routine servicing at the correct intervals. So it is pretty easy.

As much as the looks of the Gixxer are enticing - for me ride comfort and a hassle free and affordable cost of ownership becomes of more concern which would push me towards the 160 even if I have to sacrifice the looks of the beautiful Gixxer.

All the best with your purchase and wish you a safe riding.

But if excitement is what you want perhaps the Gixxer will always bring a smile on your face plus it is more proven in most parameters.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Frankly, I would go with the Gixxer today. The only down side to it is the narrow pillion seat with less padding for the overall seat and a bit stiff suspension. I would also like to bring to your notice that the bike has low ground clearance and the center stand hits bumps or when you go over a big pothole, personally felt that when you have a pillion, but not so when riding single. The clutch and the gears are indeed a tad hard when compared with Yamaha.
I really disliked the Unicorn 160, the seating position is way too upright like on a scooter and the handle bars are narrower (personally I prefer wider handle bars). The engine is smooth but when you try going on long rides you will realize the the FZ is the better of the lot, but in city I might lean on Unicorn or a Gixxer.

P.S: I went with an SZR because it was cheaper, had soft suspension, returned better fuel efficiency and haven't spent a dime more for anything more than regular or periodic services. If you get a chance at test drive, do check out the Yamaha SZR, its the most apt bike for the city.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Are you in Madipakkam area? o.O

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Firstly hearty congratulations to you for getting a test ride on a Unicorn. Either you are a celebrity or the Honda showroom near you is new. Within no time they will learn how to talk to customers as if we are beggars.

Yamaha products are expensive early on but the maintenance is pretty cheap on pocket. Honda products are built to last even though the spares are comparatively expensive than Yamaha and Suzuki's are known for "jack of all trades". In all the 3 The most horrible service centers are Honda's, because of over sales and less staff.

Currently the Gixxer is rocking the sales charts.

The big question is have you bought the bike ? or still looking.

Not a bad suggestion at all, infact for the very purpose of this thread, it fits the bill although its not as popular as others. There is a lot of confusion here with the SZ-S, SZ R and the SZ RR2.0 though.

Also check the Yamaha SS125 which is the Gladiator of yesteryear which was an excellent bike overall but didn't sell much.

Hope I managed to confuse you more benryu

Do let us know the progress bro. Eagerly awaiting your update.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Right, I am also wondering on what bike he finally decided upon.

All SZ engines are same as the FZ, but the sprocket is different, The new SZRR2.0 comes with tubeless tyres, has lighter alloy internals and tuned for the torque to hit at a higher RPM meaning slight less load pulling at lower RPM but results in better mileage expected about 45-50kmpl. The older SZR is the disc brake variant, SZ and SZS are the drum brake variant with tvs tube tyres. The old SZ, i.e mine returns 36-40kmpl in city rides or when I rev hard, to 45kmpl on highways or ring roads.

The SS125 is really a good advise too, comes with o-ring chains, disc brakes, rpm meter, engine kill switch etc apart from good performing engine, something thats not seen in 125cc category, but is now being slated out with the new 2015 Yamaha Saluto (125cc) drum brakes, which I don't have an high opinion of the two.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

No bro. I stay close to walltax road.

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Just a quick update. There was a medical emergency and so out of funds now.

I am looking to buy in 150cc segment. Dont want any in the 100 or 125 segment.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Reviving this old thread. Test drove the Pulsar AS 150 today. Almost decided on the Gixxer. Only confusion is whether to get naked or faired version. Please throw some light [MENTION=19657]xbhpian[/MENTION]s

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Both bikes are really good. There should be no confusion since both belong to different classes. If you like Naked bikes go for Gixxer, if you like faired bikes go for SF

Besides on one of the review videos its been confirmed that the SF actually gives a slightly higher fuel efficiency than the naked version for some apparent reason.

Other than that both the bikes are the same performance and comfort wise. (Comfort because the riders triangle; handle bar position, is the same for both)

Although if you are getting the SF, make sure you get aftermarket Frame sliders installed because showrooms dont have that accessory, atleast in teh showrooms I checked

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

What are frame sliders.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Frame sliders are crash guards. Google "Frame Sliders" and you will get an idea of what they look like

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Saw them.. But i also read that they might cause frame to bend or break

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Half Knowledge is dangerous. Did you read what causes the FRAME (not the fairing) to bend or break? Let me just say it to save you some time. If your bike falls at a higher speed like 60 or 80 or more, the Slider MAY act as a Pivot and throw off the bike (this does not have to happen everytime, it depends on lots of other factors besides speed). But of course, if you are travelling at that speed, you would be careful of your surroundings and of yourself right?
Sliders are meant to protect the fairings from breaking or paint from get scratched in case of a mild accident at nominal speeds or from a stand-still where you might have dropped your bike. This can save you a lot of money. But if you meet with an accident at speeds in excess of 100, your bike is gonna get totaled anyways whether you have the sliders on or not

Now if you still argue that sliders are not good for a 155cc bike, what would you tell people who own 1000cc bikes with Sliders installed on them.

Re: My second bike (First one with my money)

Bro thanks a lot for that detail. Anyway have decided to get the naked version. Gave it a lot of thought and concluded that maintaining the faired version will be hard since my office parking is very crowded. Bound to be scratched within a month.

Have booked the Blue Gixxer. Delivery on Wednesday.