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Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

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  • #1

    Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

    I am 40 years old, 5’7” and slightly heavy built (80 kgs). I reside in Pune and primarily use my bike for my office commute which amounts to 15kms daily in moderate traffic. I intend to add atleast one Sunday outing every month and atleast one long road trip every year henceforth. The last long road trip undertaken was a Manali-Leh-Jammu trip 8 years ago with my wife. Most of my riding is done solo, but I will have my wife as a pillion sometimes on Sunday outings and surely on the long road trips. So to summarise, my driving would be around 500 kms monthly, on City roads with moderate traffic and hopefully about 1000 kms annually on highways.

    First, a bit of history...

    I have been riding bikes since 1996. I learned to ride on a Kawasaki Bajaj RTZ 100 (about 9 years old at the time) and a Suzuki Samurai (Brand New), both belonging to my elder brothers. Soon, both my brothers migrated abroad, and I had two bikes. Reluctantly, I let go of the RTZ as it was the older of the two. I used the Samurai for 10 years and then upgraded to a TVS Apache 150. I have been using the Apache for nearly 12 years and am now itching for another upgrade.

    My Requirements

    Reasonable Pillion Comfort, Fuel Efficiency around 30-35 kmpl, Comfortable commuter vehicle, alteast 250cc / 25ps, Dual Channel ABS preferred. My leaning has always been towards Street bikes, but I am not very rigid about the type of bike I want to buy. Budget is 2 to 3 Lakhs, but might extend a bit if I really succumb to temptation. I would love to buy the Triumph Street Twin, but will probably be kicked out of the house if I even try…. I want to have my new bike at Diwali (7th November)

    Bikes in contention

    All of the thought process is based mostly on research done online and seeing the vehicles on the streets. None of the vehicles have been test-ridden yet, and the final decision will be made after test-rides.
    1. TVS Apache RR310: Looks fabulous, fills all of the requirements. Only doubt here is pillion comfort. After using the Apache 150 for 12 trouble free years, I figure that the RR310 can only be too different. Also test rides are very hard to come by and there is a long waiting period.
    2. RE Thunderbird 500 X: Not so confident about reliability. Lack of ABS is a concern. In terms of looks, I prefer the Thunderbird X over the Classic.
    3. BMW 310R: Pricing is the main deciding factor here. How much of a premium is acceptable over the TVS Apache RR310 just for the BMW badge??
    4. Yamaha YZF R3, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Ninja 300: All excellent bikes but I am not sure if I want to stretch my budget that much.
    5. RE Interceptor 650: I just might stretch my budget for this one, but when will it be launched here??


    Bikes ignored by me:
    1. KTM’s (they never appealed to me),
    2. Honda CBR 250 (dated looks, refreshed graphics just made them worse, lack of ABS),
    3. Bajaj Dominar (even though it is better than other Bajaj bikes, it’s still a Bajaj),
    4. Mahindra Mojo (over-designed, after-sales support is a concern)


    I am looking forward to plenty of valuable advice to help me decide.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

    Topic moved and approved.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

      Originally posted by svbhende View Post
      I am 40 years old, 5’7” and slightly heavy built (80 kgs). I reside in Pune and primarily use my bike for my office commute which amounts to 15kms daily in moderate traffic. I intend to add atleast one Sunday outing every month and atleast one long road trip every year henceforth. The last long road trip undertaken was a Manali-Leh-Jammu trip 8 years ago with my wife. Most of my riding is done solo, but I will have my wife as a pillion sometimes on Sunday outings and surely on the long road trips. So to summarise, my driving would be around 500 kms monthly, on City roads with moderate traffic and hopefully about 1000 kms annually on highways.

      First, a bit of history...

      I have been riding bikes since 1996. I learned to ride on a Kawasaki Bajaj RTZ 100 (about 9 years old at the time) and a Suzuki Samurai (Brand New), both belonging to my elder brothers. Soon, both my brothers migrated abroad, and I had two bikes. Reluctantly, I let go of the RTZ as it was the older of the two. I used the Samurai for 10 years and then upgraded to a TVS Apache 150. I have been using the Apache for nearly 12 years and am now itching for another upgrade.

      My Requirements

      Reasonable Pillion Comfort, Fuel Efficiency around 30-35 kmpl, Comfortable commuter vehicle, alteast 250cc / 25ps, Dual Channel ABS preferred. My leaning has always been towards Street bikes, but I am not very rigid about the type of bike I want to buy. Budget is 2 to 3 Lakhs, but might extend a bit if I really succumb to temptation. I would love to buy the Triumph Street Twin, but will probably be kicked out of the house if I even try…. I want to have my new bike at Diwali (7th November)

      Bikes in contention

      All of the thought process is based mostly on research done online and seeing the vehicles on the streets. None of the vehicles have been test-ridden yet, and the final decision will be made after test-rides.
      1. TVS Apache RR310: Looks fabulous, fills all of the requirements. Only doubt here is pillion comfort. After using the Apache 150 for 12 trouble free years, I figure that the RR310 can only be too different. Also test rides are very hard to come by and there is a long waiting period.
      2. RE Thunderbird 500 X: Not so confident about reliability. Lack of ABS is a concern. In terms of looks, I prefer the Thunderbird X over the Classic.
      3. BMW 310R: Pricing is the main deciding factor here. How much of a premium is acceptable over the TVS Apache RR310 just for the BMW badge??
      4. Yamaha YZF R3, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Ninja 300: All excellent bikes but I am not sure if I want to stretch my budget that much.
      5. RE Interceptor 650: I just might stretch my budget for this one, but when will it be launched here??


      Bikes ignored by me:
      1. KTM’s (they never appealed to me),
      2. Honda CBR 250 (dated looks, refreshed graphics just made them worse, lack of ABS),
      3. Bajaj Dominar (even though it is better than other Bajaj bikes, it’s still a Bajaj),
      4. Mahindra Mojo (over-designed, after-sales support is a concern)


      I am looking forward to plenty of valuable advice to help me decide.
      Go for fz 250 slightly less power but more than enough torque. Xtreme 200

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

        Originally posted by #bpk View Post
        Go for fz 250 slightly less power but more than enough torque. Xtreme 200
        You can try hinalayan too, nice bike

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

          Originally posted by svbhende View Post
          I am 40 years old, 5’7” and slightly heavy built (80 kgs). I reside in Pune and primarily use my bike for my office commute which amounts to 15kms daily in moderate traffic. I intend to add atleast one Sunday outing every month and atleast one long road trip every year henceforth. The last long road trip undertaken was a Manali-Leh-Jammu trip 8 years ago with my wife. Most of my riding is done solo, but I will have my wife as a pillion sometimes on Sunday outings and surely on the long road trips. So to summarise, my driving would be around 500 kms monthly, on City roads with moderate traffic and hopefully about 1000 kms annually on highways.

          First, a bit of history...

          I have been riding bikes since 1996. I learned to ride on a Kawasaki Bajaj RTZ 100 (about 9 years old at the time) and a Suzuki Samurai (Brand New), both belonging to my elder brothers. Soon, both my brothers migrated abroad, and I had two bikes. Reluctantly, I let go of the RTZ as it was the older of the two. I used the Samurai for 10 years and then upgraded to a TVS Apache 150. I have been using the Apache for nearly 12 years and am now itching for another upgrade.

          My Requirements

          Reasonable Pillion Comfort, Fuel Efficiency around 30-35 kmpl, Comfortable commuter vehicle, alteast 250cc / 25ps, Dual Channel ABS preferred. My leaning has always been towards Street bikes, but I am not very rigid about the type of bike I want to buy. Budget is 2 to 3 Lakhs, but might extend a bit if I really succumb to temptation. I would love to buy the Triumph Street Twin, but will probably be kicked out of the house if I even try…. I want to have my new bike at Diwali (7th November)

          Bikes in contention

          All of the thought process is based mostly on research done online and seeing the vehicles on the streets. None of the vehicles have been test-ridden yet, and the final decision will be made after test-rides.
          1. TVS Apache RR310: Looks fabulous, fills all of the requirements. Only doubt here is pillion comfort. After using the Apache 150 for 12 trouble free years, I figure that the RR310 can only be too different. Also test rides are very hard to come by and there is a long waiting period.
          2. RE Thunderbird 500 X: Not so confident about reliability. Lack of ABS is a concern. In terms of looks, I prefer the Thunderbird X over the Classic.
          3. BMW 310R: Pricing is the main deciding factor here. How much of a premium is acceptable over the TVS Apache RR310 just for the BMW badge??
          4. Yamaha YZF R3, Benelli TNT 300, Kawasaki Ninja 300: All excellent bikes but I am not sure if I want to stretch my budget that much.
          5. RE Interceptor 650: I just might stretch my budget for this one, but when will it be launched here??


          Bikes ignored by me:
          1. KTM’s (they never appealed to me),
          2. Honda CBR 250 (dated looks, refreshed graphics just made them worse, lack of ABS),
          3. Bajaj Dominar (even though it is better than other Bajaj bikes, it’s still a Bajaj),
          4. Mahindra Mojo (over-designed, after-sales support is a concern)


          I am looking forward to plenty of valuable advice to help me decide.
          I would say the FZ 25 will be best choice. On a personal note though, I own a Dominar. I had second thoughts on this bike during the prepurchase stage. But the ownership reviews said otherwise. Now that I have, one I would clearly say it really is. You will never feel that Bajaj brings such quality to its bikes. It will be good choice, as dual channel ABS is currently available only on Dominar.

          But of you prefer the competiti9n still, I would say, FZ25 will be better pick. My brother is getting one and I too had that bike in my shortlist. Dual channel abs will be available post 2019 probably and since your tentative date is Nov, you could better wait a couple of months and have the abs one rather than spent on it later.

          I would also suggest the upcoming BMW G310, though the budget needs to be stretched a bit more for that. Since R3 and the B300 are there in your shortlists, the cash could better be spend on the BMW than on the others. Also wait for the 390 Adventure from KTM. It too is going to be a great bike.

          On a personal note I would suggest a couple of test ride on your desired bikes before you make the actual purchase.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

            The CBR does have dual channel abs.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

              Thanks for the approval of the post and for the advice.

              Originally posted by #bpk View Post
              Go for fz 250 slightly less power but more than enough torque. Xtreme 200
              Originally posted by ANIMATED View Post
              I would say the FZ 25 will be best choice. On a personal note though, I own a Dominar. I had second thoughts on this bike during the prepurchase stage. But the ownership reviews said otherwise. Now that I have, one I would clearly say it really is. You will never feel that Bajaj brings such quality to its bikes. It will be good choice, as dual channel ABS is currently available only on Dominar.
              I had never considered the FZ25 because of the lower power output, may be i will add the FZ25 and the Dominar too to in my list of contenders! However, both bikes have never evoked a feeling of desire in me. (That feeling is evoked every time i see An Apache RR310 or when i hear a Benelli TNT 300) I am willing to compromise somewhat on the pillion comfort, but will not be able to compromise on the sense of desirability!! After all i am buying the bike for myself and will be using it solo for about 80% of the time...

              Originally posted by #bpk View Post
              You can try hinalayan too, nice bike
              Also wait for the 390 Adventure from KTM
              I feel an adventure bike would be wasted with me as i do not intend to drive off-road!

              Originally posted by starman View Post
              The CBR does have dual channel abs.
              The CBR 250, Apache RR310, BMW 310R, Yamaha YZF R3, Benelli TNT 300 all have dual channel ABS.

              I would actually have had the Kawasaki Z250 on my list as well as the design and specs mostly match my requirements, but no ABS at the price & no update in a long time made me skip it.

              Originally posted by ANIMATED View Post
              I would also suggest the upcoming BMW G310, though the budget needs to be stretched a bit more for that.
              I think it's a matter of how much the budget would need to be stretched for the BMW. Also how much extra spending is justifiable for a BMW badge for a bike manufactured in the same factory with the same engine as the RR310. I have been very happy with my experience with TVS Apache so far, so i wouldn't mind a TVS instead of a BMW.

              Originally posted by ANIMATED View Post
              On a personal note I would suggest a couple of test ride on your desired bikes before you make the actual purchase.
              Most definitely a test drive will be conducted before reaching a conclusion!!

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

                Update: After lot of deliberation and multiple test rides, i had finalized the RE Thunderbird 500x, and also booked it. However something in mind made me wait a bit more an i finally succumbed to the temptation when the prices for the Interceptor 650 were announced! I booked it right away and i will be getting my bike later this evening!!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

                  You saved yourself from a big blunder!
                  Contribute to the environment.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Need advice on choosing an Upgrade for a TVS Apache 150.

                    Looking forward to your feedback on the Interceptor

                    Comment

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