Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Query Approved

Since you mention a 10k annual limit, i think it would be sensible to opt for a 300cc motorcycle rather than going for a 600cc bike. Also your past biking experience...

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Alright, couple of questions -
a. Would a 600 (on maintenance front) be more than 10k, since on some ownership threads I noticed typical service costs are under that limit, however, if you are indicating the wear and tear expense/accessories,then yes...I think it'll breach the limit...
b. For 300cc category,could you throw some light on the choices I mentioned...
c. Any take on the dealerships in the city...

P

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Regarding costs, i will focus on the tyres. Depending on riding style etc. Tyres can last anywhere between 5-8k km. A set of tyres can set you back by a good 20k. Now think how many kilometres you will clock in a year!

On a big bike, your per km tyre cost is more than your per km fuel cost

Read this thread - http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/superbik...sbk-india.html

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

One sensible option if you are looking for a 600+ category would be Ninja 650. Wait for few more months, you will get the upgraded ones and shouldnt cost you a bomb. In terms of maintenance cost for a 600, 10k is way to less (I am considering only service cost here, not operations cost like fuel etc). You will get bills anywhere between 12-18k per year + your insurance and wear and tear parts ( subjective to ones riding style).

If you think thats costly for you, Ninja 300 will be enough for you in all categories. A good tourer and a city commute too. I dont know how does it pan out in your city traffic. Maybe owners can throw some light on its city performance.

If you can stretch your budget, go for Honda CBR 650f. A beautifully crafted machine for touring, just like the N650, except it sports a inline-4 opposed to the parallel twin on the Ninja. Maintenance wise should be same compared to the Ninja,

If you need more insight, check out this thread by our fellow inmate here - @rachitkdogra

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

I will sort of just give an overview of cost incurred on the CBR650F by me over the last 18 months. I can also give an overview of costs incurred by a close friend on his Ninja 650 over the last 18 months. Both of us got our bikes within a day of each other.

CBR650F: Clocked 10K Kms.
2 services done. Each costed around 3200-3400 Rs as CBR comes with first 3 services within a year free. Free here means no labour charges. Now, I will only get 2 services free because I got only 2 done within the first year. Since I will be getting the 3rd service out of the first year, I will have to pay for it. Should be around 5-6K.
Tyres are still good for 3-4K Kms. In addition to this no extra cost. I am not adding accessory and cleaning costs.
Average Fuel consumption around 21 KM/PL.

Ninja 650: Clocked 12K Kms
3 services done. Each service costed around average 5-6K, since there is not free service concept with Kawasaki. The tyres had to be changed since by mistake my friend rode them under inflated for some KMs. Cost of Tyres, 22K for the set of Pirelli Angel GTs. Nothing extra. Not adding Accessory costs here as well.
Average Fuel Consumption is around 21 KM/PL here as well.

One pretty good contender can be the new Duke 390 and the BMW G310R, in case you end up deciding for a 300cc category motorcycle.

Best of luck!!

Rachit

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Thanks for the note on the tyres, I doubt crossing the mentioned KM mark in an year, given the monthly travels I've to endure...nonetheless, its worth considering...



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To be honest, just like most of the folks here, I had my eyes set on Ninja 300, however, given the experience, lack of 'real' updates and maintenance costs (stated on other threads), I stayed away and tried other makers.

On a CBR 650f, I felt timid and hence, didnt even opt for the test ride....nonetheless, have read [MENTION=17658]rachitkdogra[/MENTION] thread and enjoyed it thoroughly.

been travelling since past 2 weeks, so hopefully should get down to considering the options once again...appreciate the guidance.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Thanks for the note on service cost, free service is a nice one by Honda and had noticed on your original thread....

310R should be worth the wait, I guess...

Will update once I've further clarity on where am I headed...

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

You can cut down the service costs to an extent. For most bikes, the first service at 1000km would involve oil and oil filter change. One can do this at home and he/she would only need to pay for the consumables. There are loads of DIY video available on the net for guidance. This time around I servcied my Ninja 650 myself and only had to spend Rs.3184 for 2l oil, oil filter and a bottle of Motul Motocool Expert. Along with the generic service, also did a complete coolant flush. Plan to do a brake bleed in the near future.

So if you feel that you can do some of these by yourself, then you should not breech the 10k barrier for servicing cost.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

But to save 2k in labor, we void warranty and later may have to pay 20k. Anyway, people spending 8L+ for bikes shouldn't have to crib about 2-3k service costs while in warranty, IMHO.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

You can wait for the new Kawasaki lineup of the new revised ninja 650 and z650 ,should release pretty soon. It looks a lot better than the older versions and I think abs is standard but not sure about that. Also someone on this forum indicated the 2016 models of the CBR 650f were slashed by a good lakh soo now its 7.1 with the 2017 one set to come after a few months, you can also consider z800 as its just a bit more expensive than CBR but CBR being more comfortable, see your riding style , usage and decide. Also consider your coming from a fz, its a lot better to go for the 300cc, do keep a lookout for the new 2017 duke 390, looks really fresh with the added TFT display looks really mouth watering. R3 is a fantastic tourer, you can live without ABS but they offer it atleast as a option , I suppose you gotta wait for the 2017 r3. OK guys ive had this issue with Yamaha for ages, I'm tremendously disappointed they don't have a mid segment motorcycle, like the fz07 , only the fz-09 being priced at 10-12 lakhs, the fz07 could be priced between 6-7lakhs will make it a attractive proportion but Yamaha continue to ignore this segment.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

I gave that option since OP has a limited budget of 10k per year. I started doing the servicing post the warranty period.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

ok guys...am still here and the hunt is still on...I hope some of you might relate to this state of indecisiveness which is typical of making such an 'investment' in a BIKE!
Anyways, I'd dropped my plans in the last 3 months but felt the urge (rekindle) & the cash register's support...so where am I at this stage -
1. Checked out the new line-up of Kawa, especially the Z650 (Rideventur, Langford Rd, BLR)
2. Checked out the new 302R at Vinayak, Langford Rd, BLR)
3. Visited Triumph again - mainly for the new striple

Kawasaki
A lot has changed at Kawasaki, must say for the sales...(have already mentioned the lack of interest or customer leading at Khivraj).
I've visited them a couple of times and was finally able to get the test ride (once their bikes got registered) last week (early Aug'17)...Needless to mention, I went for the Z650...really nimble and easy to ride is how I shall word my exp...definitely, the tilt has increased to go for this one...

At Benelli, there's a lot of interest for the 302R, I guess the resurgence of the fully-faired bikes (in the under 5 lac category) with the absence (momentary) of the R3.
Again, my 3/4 visit, they're a nice bunch, even though I was late for my request to test ride (reached there around 6 pm), they were welcoming to offer a ride on both TNT 300 and 302R...Post the Z650, things of course were quite different...I guess TNT looks a lot pale now...but 302R is a nice refresher...

have requested for a longer ride at both places, let's see...planning to make a decision by month end...

have to do a thorough reading of the ownership threads of Kawa & Benelli (recommendations are most welcome)

Meanwhile, the good bunch at Triumph (Keerthi) remain in touch for the Street twin

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Thanks [MENTION=64547]TheArcher84[/MENTION] the new line-up at Kawa is definitely cool...I've shared my views (on another post) and the comfort level is certainly there on the Z650 - riding style, weight, maneuverability, over-all dymanics, size, shape, etc...offers a lot more confident to an almost newbie on a 600cc...

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

First of all, getting a 300 is no brainer if your budget can accommodate a 600.

Looking at the fact that you mentioned your annual budget for service is 10k, I will recommend CBR 650F. It is a very sweet bike with plenty of power for city and highways, sounds great when you fit a aftermarket exhaust, returns decent fuel efficiency and costs similar to a 300 to maintain. The tyre wear is also not much so you wont be spending that much on tyre replacement either.

Benelli 600i sounds fantastic and it too does'nt burn tyres fast however the service intervals are too close that make it more expensive to maintain. If you really want to get one, market is full of great condition 600i's for less than 4L.

Z650 is a great buy too however it will cost you more than 10k annually to maintain. You will also miss the inline 4 roar.

Re: YamahaR3 / TNT 300 / wait and jump to 600 category?

Gentlemen, very happy to share that I finally went for a Z650...a dream come true last monday and an awesome feeling that I'm sure is going to last for a really looong time

Though sounds very formal, but I really thank everyone for their valuable inputs...as with my other bikers, I too have gone through the insightful (and the not so insightful, yet passionate) posts on this forum and become better informed towards making the final call!

More than ready to help others with their decision making/buying process, wish every one a great Dussehra and HAPPY RIDING!!!