Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Query Approved

The new R15 is outdated?

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Try out the new Apache rtr1604v!!... Excellent performer in its segment!!...

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

I meant the R15-S. Miscommunication probably.
I felt it was outdated because it lacks a few features like LED headlights, LED indicators, a gear shift indicator etc.
Would it make sense to wait a few months to see if Yamaha would do something about it?

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Yeah, my eyes on that too.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

@Suprajeett

From your requirements I can ascertain that you are looking for a comfortable bike for daily commute.

You also seem to want a kill switch in your bike along with latest features like LED headlight, LED indicators and Gear shift indicator.

You ruled out R15-S, Gixxer, KTMs and REs but you are open to a specific selection on Hondas.

Your budget is 1.4 to 1.5


My suggestion: R15 V3 sits nicely within your requirements except the turn signals which are not LED. But thats not a deal breaker.

Another option is FZ25 which is within your requirements except turn signals and gear indicator.

New Hornet is also a good option minus the turn signals and gear indicator.

You can also checkout the RTR 160 4V and 200 4V

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Hello, MotoBlizzard.
You are right in ascertaining that I am looking for a comfortable bike for daily commute.

But, I did not rule out the R15-S. I prefer it to the R15 V3 because of the pillion comfort. Pillion comfort is also an issue and hence the R15 V3, RC, Gixxer etc., scores low in my table.

I drove the Fz25 and think it is a bit big and not as nimble as I would like for a beginner bike. I think the 150cc variant of the FZ is good. What is your opinion on that?

And also, do you suggest the Apache 160 or the 200 variant looking at my daily usage?

Cheers 🥂

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

The RTR twins (160 and 200) will suit you best.
Both are refined, nimble and easy to handle in city traffic, good pillion comfort (At least better than the faired ones), and both come with ABS as an option (I think).

The 160 would be good enough as a beginners bike, but if you are the kind of person who gets bored easily, the 200 will keep you happy with its power for a long time and you won't have to upgrade so soon.

Check both of them out and choose the one that suits your riding style the best.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

I really like the Rtr 200 but am confused between Carb and Fi. I really like the Fi but I don't know if I'll miss the ABS offered on the Carb variant.
As I'll only be riding in the city, is ABS absolutely necessary?
And what are your thoughts on the R15-S as it is the only faired bike that I like.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Its a good bike with solid credibility. But IMO its very outdated.

Go for 160 4V if you want an entry level beginner bike with power that you can control. But also test ride the 200 4V before making final decision.

Unfortunately for some stupid reason TVS is not providing ABS in FI variant. So in such a situation I will prioritize ABS over the Fueling option. Hence opt for Carb+ABS variant. Dont wait for FI+ABS if you cant wait.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Sure, MotoBlizzard. I'll be sure to test ride them both.

Cheers [emoji482]

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Well my ideal ride would have both FI and ABS. Find out if TVS is planning to get a version that have both. If yes, and you can wait a few more months, the wait would be worth it. If you need a bike right now, The Carb with ABS should be the one to choose. You see having a FI engine is cool, the throttle response is so crisp and out of this world, but on regular day to day commuting there is no major difference felt. ABS on the other hand is a necessity in our Indian road conditions. There are dogs, pigs, cows and other animals running in the middle of the road, people behaving like dumb animals, jay walking, talking on the phone and not looking where they are going etc etc. Any of these situations will have you grab a handful brakes, which will result in sliding and you kissing the mother earth. This is where you need ABS. In my nearly 9 years of riding, the only two falls that I had were due to a stupid man on phone crossing the road without looking and a stationary cab turning right without any indicators. Both of the falls could have been prevented if I had ABS. We daily face the above situations, sometimes several times in a single day. So ABS has higher priority than the FI (Atleast for me).

Coming down to R15-S. I own a March 2014 R15V2 and it has completed 4 years with me. It is absolute best in terms of engine smoothness, reliability, dreamlike handling and quality. The only problem is lack of ABS and power. For me anything that can do triple digit speeds is good and the R15 can do that happily all day long. So I have nothing to complain about it and am perfectly happy and satisfied with the R15 even after 4 years and the only reason I will upgrade in future will be ABS. I am absolutely happy with the power it gives, it is more the enough to keep me happy. If you think you don't need more power and are willing to spend a premium amount on it, then yes go for it. But remember there are much more powerful bikes with lesser price tags that you can get. 4 years ago, I did not had this many choices. All I had to choose from was R15 V2, CBR 150 and the duke. CBR looked ugly and duke had so much niggles and problems that I would have burned it down right in front of the KTM Bajaj showroom (I demand absolute quality for the money I spend),so the only choice was the R15. If I had to buy a bike today, I might have chosen something differently (or maybe not).

What I am trying to say is R15-S is a very very good bike. A perfect balance of power and poise, but now there are other more powerful and cheaper options available and I don't want you to regret you decision when others brag about their power figures. If you are not bothered by that. Go for the R15.

Feel free to ask any other specific queries regarding R15, I'm more than happy to help a brother.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Bro for your usage I suggest you to buy apache 160 4v, good mileage, better pillion comfort and quite fun to ride too.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Yes, I will definitely take a TD of that.

Re: Looking to buy my first bike.

Thank you Ankey for elaborating very well the ABS vs Fi in this condition. As I said, I will be riding only in the city and will not take the bike to the highways (at least till the next 3-4 years). I don't yearn triple digit speeds as I don't have the location to cruise. I will be riding only in the city in slow moving traffic (sadly). Is the R15-S good at moving through traffic? I really like a faired bike but don't want to lose out on pillion suitability too and hence don't choose the v3 (which looks absolutely awesome btw).

Coming to the RTR 200. Do I really need to have ABS when I slowly filter through traffic? I don't have enough experience to know the difference. Maybe I'll take a test ride of both the Carb and Fi variants.