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Best touring city bike?

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  • #1

    Best touring city bike?

    I motor the Chennai's peak traffic for 40 km a day at 30 - 60 kmph, adding a steady 250+ km every fortnight at 50 - 90 kmph. I am looking for a bike that would be comfortable and not too heavy for city traffic, but also good enough to take on the cross winds at <= 100 kmph cruise with a compulsory break after every hour or two. I prefer kick start as I have had very bad experiences with battery running down at the dangerous of times. A steady rider shifting gears at a low rpm, looking for a city touring bike. Suggestions on Pulsar 220, Karizma R, Karizma ZMR, Fazer, Unicorn 160, Avenger. Big No No's are R15, Gixxer and anything naked. R15 doesn't breath a long drive. I think, naked aren't good at cross winds and make me tired on long rides, is that correct? My budget can be extended to 1.25L on road. Looking forward for the replies. Thank You.
    Tags: avenger, fazer, karizma, karizma r, karizma zmr, pulsar, unicorn 160
  • #2
    Re: Best touring city bike?

    Query approved.
    (Been There Done That) x 3.25

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Best touring city bike?

      Originally posted by hitdarbway View Post
      I motor the Chennai's peak traffic for 40 km a day at 30 - 60 kmph, adding a steady 250+ km every fortnight at 50 - 90 kmph. I am looking for a bike that would be comfortable and not too heavy for city traffic, but also good enough to take on the cross winds at <= 100 kmph cruise with a compulsory break after every hour or two. I prefer kick start as I have had very bad experiences with battery running down at the dangerous of times. A steady rider shifting gears at a low rpm, looking for a city touring bike. Suggestions on Pulsar 220, Karizma R, Karizma ZMR, Fazer, Unicorn 160, Avenger. Big No No's are R15, Gixxer and anything naked. R15 doesn't breath a long drive. I think, naked aren't good at cross winds and make me tired on long rides, is that correct? My budget can be extended to 1.25L on road. Looking forward for the replies. Thank You.
      Check out Thunderbird 350 for steady, 100+ kmph cruise
      Couple of years back, I wanted to get one and booked for it. But for some reasons I had to cancel it.

      If you are looking at bajaj's then look for newer bikes like AS 200 or NS 200 which I think has more refined engine. Anyway I have P220 and if you have to face strong crosswinds then I don't know if P220 or similar would be very efficient.

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      • #4
        Re: Best touring city bike?

        Originally posted by Pulsar220F View Post
        Check out Thunderbird 350 for steady, 100+ kmph cruise
        Couple of years back, I wanted to get one and booked for it. But for some reasons I had to cancel it.

        If you are looking at bajaj's then look for newer bikes like AS 200 or NS 200 which I think has more refined engine. Anyway I have P220 and if you have to face strong crosswinds then I don't know if P220 or similar would be very efficient.
        One thing that plagues me about Bajaj is the quality of parts and a kind of plastic feel. Are the Bajaj long lasting? I understand it is all about the maintenance of the bike.. still, the nightmares of kicking the pulsar 150 as hard as I can and her refusal to fire after a shower during night, makes me jittery. And I learn AS200 or NS, don't come with kick start.

        And yeah, just the usual cross winds, not real bad ones. :P

        Thunderbird looks good, but, slightly above my budget and the upper maintenance costs on long term ownership is something to ponder. I am looking forward to get on a good 80,000 km on the odo or 5 - 7 years, which ever is earlier.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Best touring city bike?

          Originally posted by hitdarbway View Post
          One thing that plagues me about Bajaj is the quality of parts and a kind of plastic feel. Are the Bajaj long lasting? I understand it is all about the maintenance of the bike.. still, the nightmares of kicking the pulsar 150 as hard as I can and her refusal to fire after a shower during night, makes me jittery. And I learn AS200 or NS, don't come with kick start.

          And yeah, just the usual cross winds, not real bad ones. [emoji14]

          Thunderbird looks good, but, slightly above my budget and the upper maintenance costs on long term ownership is something to ponder. I am looking forward to get on a good 80,000 km on the odo or 5 - 7 years, which ever is earlier.
          In that case you may check Honda Unicorn or the new hornet

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Best touring city bike?

            Originally posted by Pulsar220F View Post
            In that case you may check Honda Unicorn or the new hornet

            Hornet looks awesome. Wouldn't I find it a bit under powered with wind bashing my face on the long highways?(naked). Any suggestions on Karizma R or Fazer? Why and why not?

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            • #7
              Re: Best touring city bike?

              Originally posted by hitdarbway View Post
              I motor the Chennai's peak traffic for 40 km a day at 30 - 60 kmph, adding a steady 250+ km every fortnight at 50 - 90 kmph. I am looking for a bike that would be comfortable and not too heavy for city traffic, but also good enough to take on the cross winds at <= 100 kmph cruise with a compulsory break after every hour or two.

              P220 - Good road presences and stability. Good power delivery. No issue for a tourer. 4/5

              Fazer - Good refinement. Stable. Trust worthy. Less powerful as compared to p220. 3.8/5

              Gixxer SF - Great motor. Stable. Faired bike. Tried and tested. enough power. 4/5

              Overall i would recommend Gixxer SF. But P220 is evergreen option
              Its not the Bike that makes a Biker perfect, its a Biker who makes his Bike perfect :)
              Connect with me on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MahapatraAbhijeet

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Best touring city bike?

                Both the Gixxer SF and Uni 160 should do fine for your requirements. Both of them are having good motors, great build quality and comfort. For pillion comfort though, the Uni 160 is a step ahead.
                A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.

                Weekend Rides Around Kolkata
                My Ride To Sunderbans -                 Hemnagar & Samsernagar
                Saagar Kinare - Bakkhali Calling

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                • #9
                  Re: Best touring city bike?

                  I think P220 doesn't come with kick start. +1 forGixxer SF.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Best touring city bike?

                    I have driven the Gixxer and it was pretty good. I suggest you test driving bikes to get a feel. After owning a Bajaj bike i have decided to stay away from them. My personal experience has been bad even with my very good maintenance. Also choose one for which service centre is close to your house.

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