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Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

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  • #1

    Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

    I love motorbikes, have been riding them for 20+ years and despite owing cars, two-wheeler remains my firs preference and love for commuting as well as occasional long distance touring (going to Ladakh next month - though using rented Bullet from Manali).

    As of now I use Unicorn (2008 model) and in the past I have used Yamaha RX100 and Suzuki Shaolin. Except for a minor problem long ago, Unicorn has been pretty reliable - but it is boring. Besides, I find Honda vehicles under featured and overpriced. It didn't excite me as much as the bikes I owned earlier (well, they were 2-stroke and had awesome pick-up).

    So I am looking forward to replacing my Unicorn with a do-it-all bike that I can use for daily city commute in traffic and also something that I can use for long tours. I need to carry pillion - so driving comfort as well as pillion comfort is critical. I am not a big fan of crouched riding position either. And I don't want to use different bikes for different purposes. I want a single bike that's primarily used for I am just starting my exploration, so not shortlisted bikes as such, but here are my likes & dislikes.

    I Don't like the way Duke looks, and I also think that it does not practically have a pillion. Not a big fan of Bajaj either (though I like the way avenger looks). I like Thunderbird but not sure about its reliability as I get annoyed by niggles - spending more on regular maintenance is fine. Visiting service-centre often due to unexpected, frequent problems is not something I enjoy/tolerate much. Besides, I am not sure how practical Thunderbird is for daily commutes and negotiating traffic. I wouldn't mind considering CBR-250 but not sure if they are updating it - again it is quite bland/under-featured for its price. Too much fairing as well. But CBR-250 is something I am considering otherwise.

    I am quite smitten by RTR-200 based on reviews here and my general soft-corner for TVS (bro has older Apache and it's quite good), but FI+ABS is nowhere in the sight. I just asked today, and salesman in TVS dealership here told me it might take 3-4 months. I have already looked at other threads, but I think everyone's perspective and needs are different. I am looking at combination of -

    1. City commute - 80%. I don't want something heavy that would be difficult to manoeuvre.
    2. Touring - 20% - but that's when I'd really enjoy my ride to the fullest. So don't wan to compromise here either.


    My budget is ₹ 200,000 as of now, and it is a bit flexible. I don't want to stretch it too much though - so 3L is out of question. So I am throwing this question open to our members and hoping that the discussion would help me gain some clarity. Please suggest, recommend or share your experiences as you finalized your bike.

    TIA,
    - Manish
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

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    • #3
      Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

      As per your requirments bud i would say you go and test drive the Mahindra Mojo it isn't as comitted as the ktm's has a lot of tourer genes in it. By the reviews i can also say that its a good daily commuter too with great comfort on rider as well as pillion seat. Well i gotta admit it looks quite qwirky though. As per your bikes suggested yes i would place the tvs rtr 200 followed by the cbr250r(great touring machine) .
      Cheers
      V 12

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      • #4
        Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

        From what I read from the rtr 200 ownership thread fi/abs will be available by September end. So 3/4 months is probably the dealer trying to offload built up stock. The bike should do fine for short rides.

        For longer ones cbr250r (tried and tested) or mojo(though not sure of the future prospects of Mahindra Two wheelers).

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

          Originally posted by Dovahkiin View Post
          From what I read from the rtr 200 ownership thread fi/abs will be available by September end. So 3/4 months is probably the dealer trying to offload built up stock. The bike should do fine for short rides.

          For longer ones cbr250r (tried and tested) or mojo(though not sure of the future prospects of Mahindra Two wheelers).
          I wouldn't buy Mahindra EVER, had horrible experiences with Flyte few years ago. Is CBR-250 good for touring as well? I saw one on road yesterday and had a careful look at it - too much fairing. I am sure must be costly to repair it in case of some odd fall, or even minor accident. Knowing Honda, maintenance must be expensive as well - not that I have problems with that - but it didn't look like much of a touring bike to me. I could be wrong.....what makes it great for touring?

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          • #6
            Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

            Originally posted by manishh View Post
            I wouldn't buy Mahindra EVER, had horrible experiences with Flyte few years ago. Is CBR-250 good for touring as well? I saw one on road yesterday and had a careful look at it - too much fairing. I am sure must be costly to repair it in case of some odd fall, or even minor accident. Knowing Honda, maintenance must be expensive as well - not that I have problems with that - but it didn't look like much of a touring bike to me. I could be wrong.....what makes it great for touring?
            Why is CBR good for touring?

            Relaxed engine, superb stability at 130+ kmph, tubeless tyres. Reliable. Good mileage of 40+ if you stick to 70-80 kmph on the highway.

            I just completed 30k on my CBR and I use it daily. Many seniors have done 50k+ and swear by the their CBR on long rides.


            I've had 5 odd falls, 2 skidding slides, and one rear ending of a wagonR at 35 kmph in 3 years of riding and had to replace 1 mirror at ₹470, indicator bush at ₹80, clutch lever local at ₹90, right side clip on handlebar at ₹850-1000 each. Plastic parts cost 2-5k, I haven't bothered to change them coz after all these falls, they only got scratched.


            3 years of ownership and I spent ₹470 on cam chain tensioner, ₹800
            on front fork seal, ₹269 each on 2 air filters, ₹350 on 2 oil filter, ₹110 for painting the rusted exhaust. ₹20 on rear brake bulb, ₹18 on license plate bulb.
            Last edited by leech; 08-05-2016, 01:22 PM.

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            • #7
              Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

              Bro...tell us more abt issue in cbr ... what's the swingmachine type of noise.. that ever cebee suffered

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              • #8
                Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                Originally posted by jammbuster View Post
                Bro...tell us more abt issue in cbr ... what's the swingmachine type of noise.. that ever cebee suffered
                That's a horrible truth about every CBR. Every CBR owner sleeps restlessly at night, wondering when his beloved bike will start making the 'sewing machine' or 'coin jingling noise'.

                At 25k, my CBR250 started making that noise, and I wept in despair. Gathering my courage, I took the bike to the SVC and asked them to change the cam chain tensioner as recommended by senior CBR owners.

                After wiping the residue of my tears from the vehicle, the mechanic changed the CCT, and that dreaded noise disappeared!

                Cost me ₹450 plus labour which was ₹50?


                Another cause of noise would be from the shims, which have to replaced by a competent mechanic. They cost around ₹2-3k including labor. Shim changes reported by CBR owners are from 20k-60k.

                Both these noises will be minor at first, then become louder over time.
                The bike wont die immediately when you face these problems, but you better take the vehicle to a good asc soon.

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                • #9
                  Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                  There is one very narrow zone for a do-it-all bike and believe me there is none that can do both commuting and touring perfectly.
                  You would have to select which aspect you can sacrifice.
                  If you are not willing to sacrifice commuting (high mileage, light weight, low maintainance) than I think apache rtr 200 would be the good but you will loose touring points (low cruising speed, unstable in cross winds etc.)
                  I personally sacrificed daily commuting advantages for touring capabilities when I bought the duke390 but that is just me.
                  Think about this and others will be able to help you out better.

                  CBR250 is not doubt a very fine bike but, it is aging and Honda India is not looking too keen on expanding there high capacity motorcycle portfolio here.
                  Busy finding peace

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                    Originally posted by Hemant Singh View Post
                    There is one very narrow zone for a do-it-all bike and believe me there is none that can do both commuting and touring perfectly.
                    You would have to select which aspect you can sacrifice.
                    I understand what you're saying. That's why I am exploring and seeking inputs/experiences to make best of compromises.

                    I don't mind sacrificing on mileage, weight and no hassles with slightly higher maintenance on regular service intervals either. I am not comfortable with niggles/recurring problems and cannot sacrifice poor maneuverings in heavy traffic with bulky bike. It needs to handle comfortably on big highways as well as city traffic. I am not much into cornering or very high speeds - I am fine cruising on 100-110 Kmph on highways or when open wide roads permit. Don' need anything higher than that. I need fast pick-up to ensure I can drive it well in stop-and-go traffic. I don't like rev-happy bike either.

                    RTR-200 looks almost fine as city bike, but not so comfortable cruising at 100+. A naked bike which can handle city traffic comfortably (with pillion) and comfort on highway at 100-110 on highway would be ideal.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                      Originally posted by manishh View Post
                      I understand what you're saying. That's why I am exploring and seeking inputs/experiences to make best of compromises.

                      I don't mind sacrificing on mileage, weight and no hassles with slightly higher maintenance on regular service intervals either. I am not comfortable with niggles/recurring problems and cannot sacrifice poor maneuverings in heavy traffic with bulky bike. It needs to handle comfortably on big highways as well as city traffic. I am not much into cornering or very high speeds - I am fine cruising on 100-110 Kmph on highways or when open wide roads permit. Don' need anything higher than that. I need fast pick-up to ensure I can drive it well in stop-and-go traffic. I don't like rev-happy bike either.

                      RTR-200 looks almost fine as city bike, but not so comfortable cruising at 100+. A naked bike which can handle city traffic comfortably (with pillion) and comfort on highway at 100-110 on highway would be ideal.
                      In that case you should probably look for
                      TNT Benelli 25 (+decent power+Good handling for city+Good build quality-high maintenance cost)
                      Mahindra mojo (+Good power+Good pickup+Long range-low pillion support)
                      Avenger 220 (No USP, this is the perfect median between all bikes but with slightly low cruising speeds ~90-95kmph)
                      RE Himalayan(+Decent power+Good handler+good pillion support-Frequent SVC visits)
                      CBR250(+Good power+Good handling+Good pillion support-high maintainance cost-Very old)
                      My advice, if you HAVE to buy a bike right now, go for the Avenger
                      If you can wait, wait for bajaj CS400/BMW-TVS g310
                      Busy finding peace

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                        Originally posted by Hemant Singh View Post
                        In that case you should probably look for
                        If you can wait, wait for bajaj CS400/BMW-TVS g310
                        I can wait for few months, when is BMW releasing? Do you think it would be around 2L?
                        Bajaj is not very reliable - but low cost makes up for it! As I mentioned above, no Mahindra for me.

                        I am getting curious about Benelli 25, must check it out soon!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                          Originally posted by manishh View Post
                          I can wait for few months, when is BMW releasing? Do you think it would be around 2L?
                          Bajaj is not very reliable - but low cost makes up for it! As I mentioned above, no Mahindra for me.

                          I am getting curious about Benelli 25, must check it out soon!
                          TNT 25 is twice as costly in maintenance compared to CBR250, both being single cylinder.

                          Considering your speed requirement I would suggest CBR250 with abs or mojo. Or if you could get a Duke 200, that would do too.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                            If you are in a hurry, buy CBR 250R, C-ABS will be best if you can extend.
                            If not in a hurry, wait for Gixxer 250 to arrive.
                            Regards
                            Saikat

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Daily city commute & occasiopnal tourer around 2 Lacs

                              Originally posted by saikatbyte View Post
                              If not in a hurry, wait for Gixxer 250 to arrive.
                              When is Gixxer 250 expected?

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