Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Yes, Obviously the Dominar will be expensive on the long run, but the fun factor will equally be more. It's easily the most fun you can have right now below the ₹2lakh segment.

Yes the Dominar will feel heavy initially, but you will get used to it in a week or two. It's just a matter of getting used to. That heaviness and long wheelbase is what gives solid stability and handling in highways and ghats.

Also the 35 Nm engine will easily pull with pillion and won't feel strained like 150-200cc motorcycles.

Yes, Apache 200 ABS is the most sensible upgrade and the cheaper one too. But will it feel like a more fun and enjoyable one as the Dominar, I don't think so.

Please take long test rides and go what with what pulls your mind and heart equally..

Cheers!

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Yeah, test rides will clear things out. That's is the only choice left now. No matter how much I appreciate the bike, at the end of the day, if I don't have a connect with it, it will be just a waste of money. Do dealers allow for long TD of bikes? I don't think so.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Most dealers do, around 4-5 kms. If they give you only 2 kms. Take multiple test rides too. But if you need more longer, I guess renting one for a day would give you better assessment too.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Hmm..that is one solution. I live in Bihar and here, there's no such concept like renting a bike exists as of now. :|

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Well just because your achiever is 150cc, it doesn't mean gixxer, hornet are in the same class. Gixxer, hornet, R15, apache 160, these all are premium 160cc category motorcycles. The only similarity between these and achiever is that both have (approx) same capacity of cylinders, that's it, rest everything is different, right from the gearbox, tyres, forks, swingarms, riding geometry etc etc. Please don't mind, I am not trying to belittle your current ride, I just want you to consider these motorcycles also due to your back pain. More sportier the bike = higher rigidity and dampening of rear suspension, so I wish you stay away from mono-shocks in general.

I would suggest you to test ride apache 200 on bad roads to check the comfort levels, and better if you go for a dual spring suspension setup, the difference in handling is not worth the back pain. I don't think you will lean in every corner with sparkly knee sliders. Your current motorcycle is best in terms of rear suspension comfort, if you upgrade to a R15, NS200 etc from that, it will be too harsh for your back since the rear mono-shock will keep transferring every mm of road undulation to your spine!

P.S. I am 6'3" tall and back pain is my arch nemesis, I know what I am talking about. Those mono-shocks sound good and feel a little sportier initially but in the long run, you start hating it.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

I do understand what you are trying to convey, and the difference between Achiever and premium bikes. They are a different ball game altogether in every department.
Here, what I meant by upgrade was "significant" difference in power and performance.

Coming to RTR, I have ridden it on bad patches only, trust me when I say this, there's nothing like smooth road in my city, all are riddled with potholes.
I did not find the suspension stiffness to be any different than my current ride.

I haven't ridden any of the premium 150cc up till now, so won't be able to comment about it.

What I am looking for in a bike is that it offers comfort, ABS, touring capability along with being commuter friendly. Hence, Dominar is topping the list. It has excellent ergonomics, seating triangle is well managed. Though the suspension is set up on the stiffer side, it has everything I am looking for, barring the mileage which is less by 10kmpl w.r.t. 200cc category.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Yes, the low mileage is one thing that you have to make peace with. It gets worse if your daily commute is filled with traffic jams and stop and go traffic. My friend's Duke390 gives as low as 18 km per litre, that is worse than what a basic car gives you. But that is something that is expected of such a big engine, you will have to live with it.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

I am glad you understood my point without getting peeved. Now how many kms did you ride the apache 200 for? In my experience, our body doesn't recognize the minor bumps and discomfort when we test ride a motorcycle for a short period. When you drive a motorcycle for 10+ kms or drive 2-3 days continuously then the excitement settles down and we start feeling the discomfort.

BTW Dominar is just too heavy for city usage especially since your city has potholes like the Moon. Please consider a lighter motorcycle. Lots of my friends bought dominar out of excitement but now loathe it due to non-maneuverability and overall weight. Remember the Dominar's TV ad showing dominar like a YZF-R1 compared to others on elephants? Irony is that Dominar itself is an elephant compared to others. Ultimately, dominar's handling is exactly like the pulsar family, Rev and rev or else you will keep struggling to keep it steady.

You can try out the new Apache 160 4V, it's much more powerful and rev happy than other 160cc motorcycles. You know why I keep suggesting you 160cc category instead of 200cc+ ones? Cuz I can tell you for a fact that you don't stand to gain huge amounts of power from 200-250cc motorcycles for daily use, it's not like the difference between a 100cc and duke 390. Instead when you go for a 200-250cc motorcycle, you gain little power (day to day riding means driving at 3-5000 rpm's) but lose a lot of agility due to increase in weight. A considerable upgrade to 160cc category would be a Duke 250/390 or Yamaha R3 if you really wish to feel the power without losing nimble handling.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

After evaluating all the responses, it seems like a sensible option to withhold the idea of getting a bike for now. It think that it would be wiser to get one after new regulations come in place in April 2019.
Cause, I am not getting a bike without ABS (preferably dual channel) and which cannot cruise at 80-100kmph on the highways without straining the engine and burn a bigger hole in my pocket. I don't want to regret later by buying something which just doesn't serve my purpose.

Not much options in 160cc category with ABS, apart from Gixxer SF and Hornet.

Dominar will be an overkill primarily for city use, something which I am clearly aware of and will also put a strain on my budget.

Do let me know your thoughts guys.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Hi,

I think then check the availability of Apache 200 ABS and when will they deliver if booked. If they say less than a month get it.

If waiting time is more than two months, then wait till April 2019.

Cheers..

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Yeah, that's the last available option. Either wait for its availability or wait for the new regulations. [emoji58]
There's no clear cut answer to the availability of ABS version of the new RTR. Don't know why TVS is botching up their better offerings.
Same is the case with RR310. Limited production capacity, hence waiting period has shot upto, as long as 6 months.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Even I am on same boat.
I am planning a bike in next 2-3 months as well. I am 5'11 ft and weigh around 65 kgs. My budget is 1-1.4 lakhs on road.
I am sane rider as well and don't ride above what I could handle well. My requirements are more of a tourer rather than commuter like in 70:30 respectively as we are located in small city and we already have tvs jupiter, wagon r and 2006 yamaha libero g5 in the family. I am looking for a bike that could take mild off road with ease and cruise 90-110 entire day stress free. Fuel efficiency 35+ will be highly appreciated.
So we have the obvious choices

1. Pulsar NS 200 ABS
Like:
Most value for money
Easily available parts and service
6th gear for touring
Extra power than competitors for touring
Single channel ABS

Dislikes:
Sporty posture
Lack of fuel injection as hills are my favourite destinations
Looking for stress free ownership and ownership review states few popular issue and niggles
And my ex gf current bf owns one

2. Apache rtr 200 4v FI
Like:
Refinement
Well balanced bike
Looks
Feels bit premium
Highest ground clearance in segment
Bike with least defects and niggles in segment as per ownership thread.

Dislikes:
Lack of sixth gear for stress free cruising
No information with dealers about when the bike will be delivered.

3. FZ 25
Like:
Ample of torque at low revvs
The brand "Yamaha", and have kind of affection with it may be because my first bike was a Yamaha and learned riding over it properly.
Commuter like sitting posture so I can easily stand over foot pegs and ride hard broken or no roads.

Dislike:
Despite being a Yamaha it have its own set of niggles like tappet noise, rusted exhaust, weak head lights.

I find it overpriced.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Well, FZ25 happens to be THE cheapest bike in 250 cc category. I personally feel they could have increased the price by 30-35K with 6-gears and ABS on it.
Since you're not a fan of sporty riding posture, this might be you best option. Though RTR 200 is a competent and premium looking bike as well.

PS. I like your gf-bf reason for disliking NS200!

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

Well it's the way we look. I don't understand bore, stroke, compression much so I was comparing it with motorcycles with similar power output and torque figures. Hence I found it overpriced.
Yeah if we compare with cc figures it is definitely the cheapest one.
Yeah man whenever I think of NS 200 the image comes to my mind is of a more than happy girl posing while sitting as pillion on bike.

Re: Help me choose bikes within the price bracket of 1 lakh to 1.5 lakh.

I understand your emotions regarding the NS and your Ex relation.
It would be better if you just skip the NS altogether, RTR is a better package for you.
If you can extend your budget, Dominar is what you should be looking at.
Take a test ride, and see how do you feel about it.