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Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

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  • #1

    Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

    Hello Everyone

    I am looking to buy a bike, the price range between 1.5L to 2L/2.5L.

    A quick background, I started riding a bike when I was in my 10th std - started with a Hero Honda Passion, this bike was a workhorse it worked hard, expected less or almost no fixing/tinkering except the service cycle - it was a great bike.

    Then moved onto every indian guy's dream bike RE C350 (AngryBoy) in 2010, I was the second bike in my city - happiest I ever can be at that moment. I enjoyed every moment I rode the bike and felt like burning the whole company (RE) down every time I had to go the service center.

    It was like the opposite ends of a rainbow owning/riding a Passion & C350.

    Had to relocate to the US of A for work, sold both the machines and bid good bye to riding.

    FFWD to Current Date. Back to India. Its been six months. I hate driving car in our traffic. More than that there is a unquenchable thirst/urge to get back on the saddle.

    Been searching for a bike test rode the naked Dukes 200/390.. I never learn never ever - test rode RE H. I almost decided to buy a RE H, after reading XBHP ownership exp thread on REH and believing almost all of the new RE H version bikes where void of most issues and then came the damn BSIV (its good but my timing.. hence damn). Now I reminded of my nightmare days in RE SVC centre with my C350 bcoz the RE H is going to be new EFI (+ other updates) prone to have million problems (skeptical...).

    Naked Duke or RE H, its like apples and oranges but still the Dukes refined bikes with nice gizmos/gadgets - on the other hand RE H the big stallion stance and damn wonderful feeling of having an RE (never fades from an indian mind..)

    So any other suggestions from experienced riders would help me or make me decide of any of the two

    I am a big guy 5'11 & 110 KG with a knee ligament recently mended due to a too ambitious football turn kick.

    Req: Daily Commute around 40 KM and Weekend rides.

    Thanks & Cheers!

    Hope I did not violate any forum norms, this is my first.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

    Query Approved
    Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

    Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

    Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

      Riding the elephant is awesome, feeding it is painful - elephant "driver".

      If you have time to visit the SVC now an then, go with the Himalayan. If you wish to buy a blazing fast motorcycle, with modern tech and gadgetry, Duke 390 it is.

      Also check out the Dominar 400 by Bajaj, it's got a good following. ABS too.

      Both these bikes can kick the Himalayan's ass in highway cruising, and still make it to Leh and back without much ado.

      Heck even Honda's CBR 250 can reach higher speeds than the Himalayan.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

        At 5'11" 110kg and a knee injury, you are looking for something which is comfortable. The Dukes don't really score very high in the comfort department.
        Biking is not about what you have between your legs, its all about how well you use it!!!!!!!

        Give your details here if you want to help your fellow xBhpian stranded in your city

        Touring Blog: Cycling in Mongolia!

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

          Considering your knee injury, Duke wont be a best option. As you right said, RE H is coming with EFI and without ABS and prone to initial problems.

          You can consider Dominar , FZ250 (No ABS), Apache 200 (but no FI/ABS launce in India)
          Hodibaba (Caliber 115)
          Pulsar 150 (2008-2016)
          Chevrolet Beat (2010-)
          Desert Storm (2013-2017)
          Yamaha Rayz( 2016-)
          D390 2017 - Current

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

            First of all - Sorry for not replying on time. Was out of town for couple of weeks with zero connectivity.

            Thanks [MENTION=21789]The[/MENTION]Monk for the approval.

            Thanks to [MENTION=58594]leech[/MENTION] and [MENTION=56242]reeavees[/MENTION] for your suggestion.

            Here at my city Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. I called up all dealers KTM for naked 200/390, RE for H & Bajaj for Dominar - everybody has a wait time of more than 4 to 5 weeks.

            And I am in dire need of a bike, so shifting a bit from initial choices and based on suggestions, looking at Yamaha FZS/FZ25 or to quench the RE Fanboy urge TB 350. As these are the only two bikes which is ready - like pay the money and take the bike ready.

            Valuable comments or suggestions pls.

            Thanks
            MC

            ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

            Also an additional info, my primary use would be city commute 200+ KM's a week in a comparatively lesser traffic than Chennai/BGLR.

            Thanks
            MC

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

              You can consider the Dominar 400 Abs.
              Royal Enfield Bullet Standard 350cc 1989, Bajaj Avenger 200-2009, Pulsar 200 NS 2015.

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                If you are riding in city only then 200NS is a great option.
                For 5.11 guy , NS will be just perfect with not so rear set foot pegs.
                On highways too NS can perform better than RE-H

                No one else has mentioned NS, don't get me wrong, I suggest you NS considering two factors- your height and knee issue.


                👍
                Cheers.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                  Hi. I am a proud owner of cbr250r abs. I am 176 cms in height. For your requirement, a cbr250r abs would do. Firstly, the C-ABS works great. Braking has never been felt so confident for me. With minimum lean angle, it gives you the comfort of commuter bike with power and feel of a sports tourer.
                  Duke is a very aggressive bike, it is good though. Yet quite aggressive.
                  RE H is a great bike to ride, no doubt. But then eventually, SVC issues and few minute issues that always comes up in a RE.
                  But then do take a test ride first. We are here to help and suggest. Hope you make a wise decision and hope you get your ride soon.

                  Take care. Cheers.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                    Originally posted by MC_AngryBoy View Post
                    First of all - Sorry for not replying on time. Was out of town for couple of weeks with zero connectivity.

                    Thanks @TheMonk for the approval.

                    Thanks to @leech and @reeavees for your suggestion.

                    Here at my city Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. I called up all dealers KTM for naked 200/390, RE for H & Bajaj for Dominar - everybody has a wait time of more than 4 to 5 weeks.

                    And I am in dire need of a bike, so shifting a bit from initial choices and based on suggestions, looking at Yamaha FZS/FZ25 or to quench the RE Fanboy urge TB 350. As these are the only two bikes which is ready - like pay the money and take the bike ready.

                    Valuable comments or suggestions pls.

                    Thanks
                    MC

                    ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

                    Also an additional info, my primary use would be city commute 200+ KM's a week in a comparatively lesser traffic than Chennai/BGLR.

                    Thanks
                    MC
                    Dominor - if you pay full cash they should be able to deliver in 5 days i believe
                    Hodibaba (Caliber 115)
                    Pulsar 150 (2008-2016)
                    Chevrolet Beat (2010-)
                    Desert Storm (2013-2017)
                    Yamaha Rayz( 2016-)
                    D390 2017 - Current

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                      Originally posted by IamAditya View Post
                      If you are riding in city only then 200NS is a great option.
                      For 5.11 guy , NS will be just perfect with not so rear set foot pegs.
                      On highways too NS can perform better than RE-H

                      No one else has mentioned NS, don't get me wrong, I suggest you NS considering two factors- your height and knee issue.


                      👍
                      Cheers.
                      Thanks! Will plan for a TD this weekend and also check availability... one question though would FI make a diff compared to Carb.

                      MC

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                        Originally posted by MC_AngryBoy View Post
                        Thanks! Will plan for a TD this weekend and also check availability... one question though would FI make a diff compared to Carb.

                        MC
                        Not much! I own the same engine with F.I (RS200) .

                        The adv with N.S being carb is that no need of keeping 2-3 litre petrol.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                          Originally posted by Ave2592 View Post
                          Hi. I am a proud owner of cbr250r abs. I am 176 cms in height. For your requirement, a cbr250r abs would do. Firstly, the C-ABS works great. Braking has never been felt so confident for me. With minimum lean angle, it gives you the comfort of commuter bike with power and feel of a sports tourer.
                          Duke is a very aggressive bike, it is good though. Yet quite aggressive.
                          RE H is a great bike to ride, no doubt. But then eventually, SVC issues and few minute issues that always comes up in a RE.
                          But then do take a test ride first. We are here to help and suggest. Hope you make a wise decision and hope you get your ride soon.

                          Take care. Cheers.

                          CBR does looks good and Honda machine are always reliable even when it was with Hero making 100CC workhorses, I loved my Hero Honda Passion (first bike) for its reliability. But cannot find any updates about CBR 150/250 on honda website moreover its not even there. It's getting a upgrade is what am thinking. But I looking for something readily available to be bought in a week. That's why had to take CBR out. Thanks!

                          MC

                          ----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

                          Originally posted by IamAditya View Post
                          Not much! I own the same engine with F.I (RS200) .

                          The adv with N.S being carb is that no need of keeping 2-3 litre petrol.
                          Spare my lack of knowledge but one more on the same topic. I might travel out of country for few months during that time nobody would be using my bike (gonna be stored). Previously when I had my CL350 (2010) and when I had to travel - I would just empty the tank and unplug the batteries, that's it. When I am back would get the battery recharged, fill the tank and it would start after few kicks and cough but it would run. So I can take it to SVC. Would that same apply in the FI world.

                          Thanks
                          MC

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                            Originally posted by MC_AngryBoy View Post
                            CBR does looks good and Honda machine are always reliable even when it was with Hero making 100CC workhorses, I loved my Hero Honda Passion (first bike) for its reliability. But cannot find any updates about CBR 150/250 on honda website moreover its not even there. It's getting a upgrade is what am thinking. But I looking for something readily available to be bought in a week. That's why had to take CBR out. Thanks!
                            Spoke to the Honda showroom owner today. The company hasn't given any clue as of now for the cbr. Expecting 2-4 months from now for the new cbr launch he says.

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Re: Duke or RE H! Req Guidance or Other Suggestions.

                              Checked with Bajaj dealers at Faridabad and NOIDA. Dominar is available off the shelf, all three colours

                              Comment

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