Topic Approved.

I am not sure about the ZMA's traffic abilities.

For your requirements Apachr RTR, FZ and Suzuki GS should be the bikes.
RTR could be bad at your no back-pain .. so GS or FZ.
FZ is absolute handler and a good power at lower end .. GS is more of sweet power machine .. giving good response through out the power curve without any stress what so ever.

Karizma/Fz

Definitely FZ16...

++1
this are the best bikes i would say if comfort is considered

u can go for pulsar 200cc if u want power
or for style fz is good !!!!!!!!!!!!

Chetan, Ken, Binoy, Rachit, Akshay thank you all for the suggestions.

Re: Pulsar - I like to stay away from them on and off the roads. Personally I can think of Bajaj only upto lamps, mixer grinders, geysers and toasters. They build those stuffs pretty good. Again this is entirely my own view and I will stick to it.

Re: FZ - Availibility of spares after 3 years. HH has a strong good record of spare parts supply. If I intend to keep the bike, I need a stable supply of spares, which Yamaha does not provide. However I will take a test ride per your suggestions.

Re: Apache - Not again. A company that only manufactures bike and does not provide spares is a big NO for me. I have suffered a lot getting spares for my Shogun from the same company and I have deleted TVS from my list for good. No more TVS for me.

Re: ZMA - I am going to take a test ride today or tomorrow.

If you are thinking of spare parts, you might as well find out about the prices. Coz the Zma spare parts are as expensive at times even more than my R1. Typical example would be the brake pads. There are others.

Looking at the factors that you pointed out, FZ is the best bet for you. It has good torque down low and pulls, even with a heavy pillion. Handling is superb in traffic. It is light and maneuverable. ZMA is noticeably heavier, especially in traffic. The shocks are a little stiff and it doesn't bottom out easily, if at all. The only negative for this bike would be the pillion seat which is a little uncomfortable.

My suggestion is take a test ride of all the above. And I suggest you loose the view point of staying away from pulsars, Bajaj, Apache, TVS or a particular brand. Give them a chance. Test ride and see. Also, that is my own view on your view. In the end, its upto you.

Regarding spares, you need them if the bike is unreliable. It has not been really long since the FZ released. If aftermarket kits are available for the bike already, I think spares would not be a problem.

Since its a new bike you are looking for and not a discontinued bike like the shogun etc.. guess you should not be having problems with spares for the near future atleast. I would say its the best fit to your requirements apart from the body pain that you might get as a result of the riding position.

After 3 years i don't know... but it's already available for an FZ... coz i met an accident last month on my FZ and (with luck or god's grace what ever u say) there was only minor probs... the handle bar need to be changed-230rs/- and paint on the silencer gone, and the headlight glass(900rs/- which i didn't changed ) and cover got scrached... i got painted these parts and all the cost inculing the changed handle bar costed only 530rs/- and there is no probs in the availability of spares...100% sure...

For my friend's ZMA when he needed to change the front farings... he had to wait for almost one month(don't know its in every place)...

I had an '88 model RX100 for the past 4 years... Shogun which i like best in suzuki bikes... u will never ever get the punch of a two stroke for any FZ or ZMZ(as u will know it)...

Hey can i tell u one thing??? If mileage and 80k is not a probs, y don't u go for an RD350(it really rocks man )...coz u told u r a 2-stroker...

Basu zma fits in perfectly great bike good durabilty and spares are easily available, yes i agree with you regarding the spares of tvs you know very well how i was running around for small nuts bolts when i chose the rtr disc set up for my RX its a big pain.

My take go for ZMA there's no displacement for this bike.

swingarm: Getting spare parts for the bikes mentioned in this thread should not be a problem for the bikes mentioned in this thread... In my opinion even three years down the line spare parts should be available... As ken cool said if spare parts in an important factor please do look at the price of spare parts too and not only availability..

I would advise you to go for the Yamaha FZ-16 or the Apache RTR for your needs... Both these bikes are good handlers and are relatively light when compared to the zma and thus will be easier to ride in traffic/ city conditions... As you like the shogun you might like the fz-16 for its low end torque which gives the bike a good pull, you might also like the apache for its free revving engine... So, Jus give these bikes a chance and take them for a test ride... As for the backache and pillion. Take a pillion along when u go for any of the test rides... Ask them how comfortable they feel... As for the backaches fz-16 would score higher there... But i would also suggest you to check your own riding posture before test riding these bikes... As i have heard( not to sure) that the shines riding position is good and does not lead to backaches etc... Sometimes the riders posture is wrong and thus the backache... Jus practice good riding posture before testing these bikes... Hope you have fun choosing your bike...

swingarm, as I see it's an FZ vs ZMA for you just like it was for me. Just refer to "Its 100% zma" thread on what bike to know the pro's and con's of both.

i bought a zma 3 weeks ago and have already finished a 1000 kms. you can imagine my average daily riding (i didn't use my bike much on off days - Holi, Weekends, etc)

Absolutely no back ache, it's the most wonderful and comfortable bike I've ridden till date.

It's a bit heavy no doubt, but I could get the hang of it in 4-5 days... have been regularly weaving in and out through the prime time Delhi Traffic with ease.

And there is sufficient +ve feedback about the pillion seat .

Only points FZ scores over Zma - the looks and fat ass tires, and excellent handling.

But Ppl who say FZ has great low end power aren't even considering the low end power of Zma

So make sure you test ride both FZ and Zma, and once with the pillion you intend to keep comfortable on the back seat
That might be the deciding factor - you never know