Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Approved.

I think if 70 kmph is the maximum you're considering, then its a waste to consider bikes above 150cc. You must look at 125-135cc segment.

I suggest you test ride the Yamaha SZ RR Ver 2.0. If you're looking at better looks and a half fairing, you can look at Hero Ignitor or Honda Stunner.

You must have done a tour on the TBTS 350, but if you're talking about 80 kms commute within the city, I would strongly suggest a lighter and better handling vehicle than this.
One of the smoother bikes in the higher segment, closest to replacing a TBTS, is the Hero Karizma R.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

May b I should test drive both the bikes u have suggested but I would prefer a naked bike than a fared (mindset, no other reason). I was considering Gixxr before but am not sure if it would be good to take a 135-150 cc bike on tours + comfort level while riding so long on them.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

I think the Classic 350 would be a wise choice for you. Unless and until straight posture strains your back.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Hi there,

The only issue with your choice is 80kms within city with anybike other than light commuters like Unicorn160 or Hornet etc will simply not be as easy as with these, but then those bikes will not be as easy going on light tours with 70-80kmph cruising.

Hence looking at your budget & slightly wide requirement I'd strongly suggest you to save up a little & increase your budget by another 50k & then consider Benelli 250. You'll get good comfort, a better bike & one which will be good even for light touring. Sure it'll be a little heavy at 150kgs & maybe not as nippy as P135 in peak traffic but I'm sure you can live with it.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

That wouldn't be any problem as you have mentioned earlier that your touring distance will be roughly 500km. The premium 150cc bikes can take this distances easily. You can also look for Honda hornet as the specifications look good in paper. If you want to spend some more then you have options like KTM duke 200 and honda CBR150.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

I don't mind buying classic either. It would be good for touring but am not sure how easy it would be to ride it in city specially when am doing close to 40kms in city traffic with an attention stance. My back has been pretty much surviving P135 for over 85k kms now :-)

I saw Beneli 25 review on YouTube. Bike looks really great but I don't want to get into that premium category mainly coz of maintenance and limited options of getting it serviced(since I would be riding it everyday and I do clock 100kms at times within Mumbai). Add to this extra 50k on budget mainly coz of obligation to buy a car in next month. My mechanic told me new unicorn engines are not that great. I had an eye on hornet but would it survive for 200kms touring at a stretch? (M being a noob here)

Duke is ruled out coz of pillion riding a lot of times. Trust me duke has been my love at first sight. It has that looks, power and can be easy to ride in city traffic too. M not considering CBR mainly coz of faring.

Thanks Abhi, Kaushik & Shashank. I really appreciate u guys taking out time and breaking up my query in each points. And in fact that is making me think more on deciding option other than Thunderbird. For good reasons obviously.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Why dont you try Pulsar AS200 and RS200.They both have extreml comfortable seating positions and also gives a good mileage.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

The RE doesnt strain your back even in bumper to bumper traffic. You need not be worried about it. The Classic is considered to satisfy both city rides and touring as it has both capabilities.

Regarding the Benelli TNT 25: It might be a good bike but the maintenance is on the higher side. FE is not that great as well. The service interval is short and will cost a bomb. PS: I own the TNT 300.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Only consider ns based platform bikes for highway and stay away them using in the city there are better options available in the market.
Bajaj ns based engine is best only after 60kmph speed and below this you can feel no power.
Test ride the hornet,gixxer,

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

If you are riding with a pillion most of the time then hornet is a good choice. It has comfortable seat and the mechanic saying that engine is not good is just hearsay.unicorn is doing good sales with the same engine of course sales numbers do not mean a reliable bike but still it being a Honda you can trust it.it also looks quite big when compared to gixxer

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Consider Apache 180 or Hornet.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

Hey Harideep.

I own an Apache 160 and the riding posture is not straight. It is a little aggressive/sporty. Just wanted to let you know that 80 kms would surely strain back, elbows and wrists.

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

It is because these bikes are tall geared.try other bikes after 70 kmph and see how the engine sweats.NS doesn't even break a sweat ....and thats a sign of a brilliant engine

Re: Suggestion on new bike under 1.5lac

I actually gave it a thought to get TNT 25 after seeing the review. I was considering RE coz I have used TBTS for one ride and it was good experience with zero pain even after riding close to 200km at one stretch. I am not confident about Classic coz of sitting posture, have driven it for only 4-5kms at a stretch. One of the mechanic told me to adjust/change seat & handle of Classic and it won't give any kind of pains. I am aware of maintenance costs of RE if not taken proper care, having said that I can also look at a used one in RE. What would u advise?

Staying away from Bajaj as my after sales experience is not good. Also p135 was a blunder. So many bikes having problem in first 10k rides. They messed up with 4 valve and half baked technology. I will test ride hornet this week but only thing is I will not be able to tour on it. I like Honda as their After sales is pretty good in Thane where I stay.

But two mechanics and one of them who was in Honda showroom before told me not to buy new version. This was a year back and I was planning to get it then.
I have seen lot of Apache wearing out pretty soon. Any idea about their after sales service?

Yeah, that's also important. The thing is my requirement is so weird that its difficult to say what would be a good option.