Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

So you mean Bajaj CS400(Kratos) is getting launched before two months?? This is priced less than 2 Lakhs.
CBR is out due to outdated model.
KTM 390 is out due to price.
TNT 300 is out due to ownership issues.
Mojo is out as this is tourer bike.

I think you must en-cash the available chance by laying hands on any TNT300/Mojo/CBR and njoy the ride forgetting all glitches in head, for the time being, till you graduate and feel the need for a bigger bike. Hope by that time you will be wealthy to go for higher capacity bike.

Cheers!!
Please read this as well on CBR, getting phased out.

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Yes, the Kratos 400 is getting launched this November. And I've done plenty of research to say that it will be priced below 2Lakhs.
(There will be 2 variants, ABS and Non-Abs)
And the ABS variant will go maximum upto 2.10 Lakhs INR. (No reason to price it 2.20 lakhs as people will rather buy Duke 390 as it has the same engine but the power and torque is more. *Bajaj decreased the power to make it a good tourer.*)

That's why I'm so confused between these two. Should i take the risk and go with the Kratos 400 or buy a 5 year old CBR 250R?

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Good, reliable bikes are always a pleasure to ride. Take the pulsar 220, that's 8 years old, but still people buy it. It's a classic. The kratos is unknown, so you are gonna have to bite the bullet. Which ever bike you buy, you're gonna get bored of it in 3-4 years, be it Splendor or Hayabusa. It's human nature. What remains then is the fun you have on the machine, the smell of the road, the feel of the bike beneath you and the thrill of speed.
It's also human nature to get annoyed whenever some niggles pop up on your vehicle. Take the Duke 390 overheat issue on the earlier batches. Some guys got so annoyed by the fact that the bike cannot even do what an Activa can, which is tackle Indian traffic conditions, that whatever love they had for the vehicle evaporated into thin air. They sold their rides. Ofc, KTM rectified the issue in later models, but by then they were in no mood to touch KTM in the next decade atleast.

*Before KTM guys jump on me for comparing Activa to Duke390, I must state that I believe when a company manufactures a vehicle fit for a purpose, it must perform. No excuses. Neither KTM nor HMSI do proper road tests of their vehicles before launch. Don't these guys have beta testers or something?

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Risk is luck. Tried and tested is always an enjoyment because it's niggle free, as pointed out in many replies. Make sure that CBR IS NOT GETTING PHASED OUT. Since in European market Honda wants to discontinue CBR 250 due to EURO 4 requirements. Small engines are a struggle to keep up EURO 4 norms. No research done on Honda by me as entire line up of Honda was dropped by me due to not in my taste. Even though it is tried and tested, with nation wide services, ease on pocket and every good thing with it. So I can't say much except to give general guidance.

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

I completely agree with you leech.
Completely!
About the tests, it's like They have to sh*t somewhere. Otherwise their purpose won't be fulfilled.
And yes, i agree that taking a new bike arrived in market and then selling it will definitely drive me away from that brand forever.
I seriously hope something like that doesn't happen with me. If not Kratos, I'm definitely going for the CBR.
Thank you so much for wasting your time, explaining a rookie all this.
I really appreciate your explanation.

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Some weeks ago, my friend visited a Pilot Honda showroom and he was like, Sir there's waiting for CBR 250R. (I don't know if that's a marketing strategy to hurry people up in buying or it is actually in waiting.)
Another thing, Honda has cancelled plans for the launch of CBR 300R or 250RR. (This is confirmed.)
So phasing out the only good bikes, 250R and 150R, what will be Honda left with?
Nothing.
So conclusion: Pretty sure Honda ain't planning to phase CBR out.

Do you think this is logically correct?

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

I am also looking for 250 CC or higher bike and facing similar dilemma. Couldn't agree more about CBR 250 being outdated, newer colour scheme looking way too cheap as compared to older red+silver or black+silver on CBR 250. Besides, CBR 250 console looks way too simplistic even when compared to Hornet selling at half its price.

I was contemplating CBR 250based on reviews here, but it was not available here for a long time. However, I saw a red one today in showroom here (MyWings) and disliked it - new decals are BAD. BTW, CBR 250 is 2.21 L on road, but not available for last 6+ months here in Pune!

TNT 25 is decent, but it is the lowest end bike for Benelli - and that shows in its console and lack of available accessories for TNT 25. There is only 1 service station here and that is roughly 25 KMs from my home. As a result, I have postponed my purchase as I don't find good enough 250 CC option available for 250+ CC.

Kratos seems to be an interesting bike, but even i am not sure about Bajaj quality.

I think it's high time motorbike manufacturers realize that 250+ CC is the next hot segment without any really good offerings, and jump at it. I would have really liked TVS to offer 250 or 300 CC bike under 2L instead of RTR 200 4V when they already have RTR 180. I'd even like Suzuki to offer something in 250 CC segment around 2L and Yamaha can very well offer premium (and slightly bigger) FZ with more powerful engine - 250+CC.

Yamaha R3 is way too expensive and CBR, like most Honda bikes is somewhat under-featured and overpriced!

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Manish, are you sure the CBR isnt available in Pune? Have you sent an email to Honda with the dealers name and their comments?

I hate the new Colors too. It looks gay. The black one seems the least hideous compared to the other two. Why can't these design jokers sitting in HMSI take some cues from Kawasaki or Yamaha?

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

One thing is for sure, Indian manufacturers are unable to keep up quality like Japanese counterparts. Japanese bikes are purpose built with quality with good after sales and services. That is where Bajaj, Mahindra have failed in other Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia. They are surviving in India just because they are more affordable than Japanese bikes. I dont think any of bajaj and mahindra bikes are purpose built, they are simply built to sell in market nothing to do with sports, touring, sport cum tourer etc. All design are with glitches never being rectified. For them sales is more important than the purpose of the bike.
Indonesian market is comparatively developed than Indian market in two wheeler segment, hence bike launch in Indonesia may/may not see the same launch in India, by Japanese manufacturer.

Hence make up your mind to purchase a bike which will give you more fun to ride, more joy and happiness with smile at the end of ride, and not on who is manufacturing. Better wait and test ride both the bikes before you make a final decision. Hope this helps.

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

All said & varied discussion ... few pointers that everyone forgot to mention ...
1) know your limits
2) know your bike's limits
3) anticipate the other's moves (will come with experience)
& last, but not the least
4) You MUST be the master of your beast, not vice versa ...!!! Keep a leash on it ...!!!

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

First of all let me state that am a CBR 250R owner.

I will advise you to go for CBR for one main thing, for an average to heavy user it's cheap to maintain, the spares are easily available of the shelf(most of the common spares, still major parts like radiator and stuff needs ordering but that's the case with most manufacturers in this segment). And for touring it had already proved that it will take all the beatings with ease.

I mostly go with this proverb A known Devil(CBR) is better than an Unknown Angel(Kratos)

And once you get a bike you can easily convince for an upgrade after a year or 2(if really needed) rather than wait and loose the chance

Ram

Sent from my C1904 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Colors of CBR 250R 2016?
Go here: Colors | CBR 250R
Also go through posts of Zeeshan in this thread and you'll fall in love with the Pearl White. (Black is ruined by those Golden Blingy Decals and Red is well, too Red)
Cost of CBR 250R - Its 2.10 Lakhs for the STD ABS here in Mumbai. So the price you're talking about must be of the Repsol Edition.
Also there's no issue of colors if you go with the Repsol Edition

Benelli - If you're ready to pour money for each servicing. Go for it.

TVS- Wait for another 4-6 months for the launch of Akula 310.

Suzuki - Launching the Gixxer 250 after mid 2017.

Bajaj- Take the Pulsar 220 or Avenger for example. Still going well after 8 years. So it not upon Brand but upon the person who uses it.
Yes, there will a little dip in quality as afterall it is the Desi Brand. But again there's a dip in money too.

Finally: Depends on the time you can wait for and brand you'll go for.
My personal thoughts on the looks of bikes:
Gixxer- Looks like a toy.
Akula- Too Sharky.
Kratos- Naked and Good.
CBR - Comfortable and really well built.
Benelli - looks like the combined model of Yamaha YZR and Duke 200.

On Engine:
This can only be told after a day of riding on every bike.
But after all it depends on the person who's riding it and not the bike.

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Well, CBR is still worth the option i agree with that.
But to be honest over here, i like taking a little risks in my life.
(not too much of a risk that it will make a hole in my pocket.) xD
So I'm thinking of waiting till the launch of Kratos and then i'll decide to go with Kratos or CBR.

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xD
Indian, Japanese, Australian, Italian no matter what they are they will always fail in the first batches.
No matter what we expect, things like that will always happen.
And when it comes to Indian manufacturers, Majority of people in India are concerned with the price more than the specifications.
So no wonder why the manufacturers are focused more on the prices and less for the purpose.

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Whatever may be the name of the brand,the engine is a detuned proven product and the chassis is the overbuilt NS200 thing-just keep in kind that when u extract only 35HP from something that reliably puts out 44BHP in the KTM390,you are only increasing the ELF-the engine life factor(the beloved measure of the irrepaceable DILIP BAM ji) -of the product.
The only variable may be if the Bajaj boffins have downgraded the engine component steel specifications to handle the lower power-but i don'think that they are stupid enough to mess with success and not reap the enormous profit the enhanced economy of scale which increased production output in the form of Kratos400 will bring to this engine range
So absolutely go for the product -I most probably will-nothing like a test ride to convince yourself-i guess we'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Okay, understood your entire message but not the last line.
What do you mean by laughing all the way to the bank?
Do you mean the test ride will be so bad that we'll be laughing or it'll be good so we'll be laughing. xD

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

Good.. So good that you will go happily to the bank to withdraw cash

Re: Bajaj. Should i trust this brand for my first bike worth approx 2 lakhs? (Kratos 400)

So 2 days before i visited a dealer in chembur, went to pick up my friend's new avenger 220.
I asked him whether he knows anything about the Kratos VS400.
And then i got the most amazing answer from him.

"Arey! Kuch nai! Wo sirf NS ka engine bada kiya aur usme laga diya hai. Uparse fairing lagaya dusra aur usko VS400 naam de diya."

Next thing i said by looking at my friends was.
"Dude, get up. This is enough for today. We're leaving from here right now."
I was hoping to get some inner information from him as he was a dealer and then he said this!
I was like, Its common sense dude! How can someone turn a 200cc engine into a 373cc engine! Even if it was possible, Why would they do that!
How can you even not think for a moment before showing your intelligence in front of everyone. xD

It Happens Only In India.