Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Bro, you can't go wrong with CBR 250, ideal sports tourer for you. If you play the wait game, it always makes you go crazy - even if you buy something next year, a few months later something new will pop-up. CBR 250 on the other hand is well received and serves all your purpose well.

About Dominor, thing is its not like 80% people face that issue, but the ones that you hear from. People say the same for NS200, but whatever issues they had, they have improved a lot over the years. I was personally going for one, but due to comfort and easy maintenance I've booked P220 (less complicated stuff - less problems + less expenses).

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

One thing I've learnt in the last 8 years of riding.

"QUALITY MATTERS"

Get quality stuff, it'll last long and be reliable.
Don't look for only power or price.

Usually what we pay is what we get.

If you like touring, CBR will not let you down.

Even on race tracks, with a good set of tyres, cbr rides really good.

And don't keep waiting for stuff, if you like it and if it makes sence, Get it.

Now a days with so many options increasing almost everyday one can easily get confused.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

The current one on sale is upgraded a few months ago. upgrades include full LED headlight unit and new color and graphics schemes. The engine and internals remain the same. I don't think the bike will get any upgrades for the next 2-3 years. This is the best time to get a CBR250, if you are planning to buy one.



Check the above link out for limited edition bikes as well.

Regarding the CBR250RR, that's not gonna happen. At the end, all that matters is which will sell more an activa or a RR. The activa will always bring in more money and RR will always be a gamble. Honda does not like to gamble.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Let me share my 2 cents on RE since the terms "RE" and "RE Bashing" are synonymous.

And let people not judge me as a RE fanboy....I love anything on 2 wheels RE or otherwise.

Being a RE owner for 20 odd years from CI to AVL to UCE can provide you an honest feedback..not pointing out anyone but there is a lot of feedback floated based on word of mouth or feedback shared by RE owners who do not understand RE as the bike it is !

I currently own a 2015 RE TB which is at 72k on the odo. My monthly running is 3000k and daily run is 160 k all 5 days of the week apart from weekend riding or touring.

Had owned a RE TB AVL extensively and have a RE CI at home beonging to Dad.

For your requirements :

RE500 - Lets set expectations right as far as maintaining touring speeds on the 500. It is comfortable between 90-100 kmph (you will still have mild vibes creeping in). Above 100 is a riot and shakes like a demon out of hell and will give you a free of cost massage. On our Indian highways 80-100 is best speeds. With all the new gadgetary, etc even if you manage to stop in your tracks at those speeds or control the bike you will have someone rear-ending you anyways (indian drivers are a separate topic of discussion)
Its got loads of torque to pull like a locomotive all loaded on inclines. Again maintaining constant pulling speeds.
The worse gripe with RE's is the Tube tyres and have countless experiences of being stranded with a flat rear wheel (note - it is the rear wheel which is problematic). Do not go for alloys as RE and Alloys are definitely not suitable, the bearings on alloys wear out. Not sure of the company fitted ones on the "X" model however the company advertises the "X" as a city bike. On highway speeds you hit a pothole and the alloys are a recipe for disaster. Solution - Fill "Slime" tube sealant. Have been running on "Slime" for 5k now without any leaks
Fuel Pump Issues : is something which is problematic on the classic models onwards. If you are okay with the Standard 500 it has the same power (a nm of torque less I guess) but in real world conditions delivers the same output. You will not get the rear disc. The seat is far comfortable than the split ones. It is carburetted hence less issues. You can always make loads of customization as per your choice.
The thing with RE's is people expect output as per the rupee value they pay in comparison to other bikes in the market. I see RE's without their registration plate but with ear popping aftermarket exhausts, ripping the hell out of an engine which has not run in. Result the bike develops snags some kilometres into their life. Run in is super important, and riding the bike the way is supposed to be ridden is the key. You cannot ride a RE like a KTM and vice-versa.
My current TB at 72k has 1 clutch plate and 1 chain replacement, rest is stock. I have had negative experiences with my TB AVL which was sold at 65k, however still ran like a daisy at those kms on the odo. My Dad's CI still runs on stock bore and piston.

Let me again say, I am not a RE fanboy.

P220 - My previous ride before the current RE TB. It is one hell of a machine if you can utilize its potential. You can mod it as per your needs. Have done 50 k purely on highways, ripping the heart out of it, but it never gave up. I would have kept my 220 if I had an option or buy another if I have an option. Not sure of your current ride's status, but you can mod a 220 for sole touring purposes. For external kits check Sahyadari.

Dominar - A friend has it and has recently done GQ. An excellent vfm machine. Have been associated with pulsars in my stable since Gen 1. If you are looking to keep it for long or build kms on the odo, not sure how the Bajaj would age as the odo piles up. RE's in comparison if kept well, age damn gracefully. Its definitely a fast sports tourer and any day better if compared overall with RE's, but the choice is yours friend. It has the KTM block so the engineering is different and if you keep it well, will last miles.

CBR 250 - An excellent machine, reminds of Karizma. But be prepared to deal with the Honda SC's. They care a hoot whether its an Activa or a CBR with a nonchalant attitude. Also the current pricing is a bit high with lack of features, but if you are looking for a simple bullet proof machine, with not much fun but reliability it will run till your balls shrink with age. However at that price point you have other choices.

KTM's - Definitely not a touring machine, but people have ridden it to all corners of the country. Depends on the rider how he handles this machine. Is definitely a hoot to ride. Comfort ability depends on the person. You can be super comfortable on a KTM if you are suited to it. Its not tourer but you want to reach places fast and have super fun while doing it this is your choice. Also consider for any breakdowns on the highways, if it is a KTM, Dominar, or CBR, the roadside mechs will not be of much assistance. The same goes for RE500 FI. The Standard Carburetted 500 can be fixed anywhere.

Choice is yours but if your heart is on RE you can go for it. Its not as bad as people keep bashing it. People who have lived with RE's are busy riding highways or on roads, rather than sit and contribute to bashing threads.

Again to reiterate I am not a RE fanboy.

Asli power dil mein hoti hai...I have a Jupiter at home on which I have covered 30k on the highways, and people have done GQ and countless rides on a CT100 and Platina. Its about understanding your and the machine's capabilities and tuning them.

Cheers !

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

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Have you considered revamping the P220?

Mines a 2015 Model which has undergone some mods, prominently;

1. Discover 150F Handle Bar conversion.
2. Undergearing, 14-40.

The motorcycle is uber comfortable to ride and has way more usable torque down low, can thump around in 50 kmph in final gear with luggage without skipping a beat and can climb to 130+kmph with a crack of the throttle, vibrations are non-existent due to the handle bar mod, plus the handlebar enables me to use P180 RVM's which are the best in terms of visibility, fuel efficiency hovers around the 50 kmpl mark I presume.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

If Bajaj improves and their quality department is at par with Hero / Honda, I'll be glad to become an owner some day.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Not to start a dick-fight, but I guess you lack experience working on motorcycles because after TVS, Bajaj tops it as far as part quality goes.

Hero and Honda have top notch suppliers but their QC is way below par, Honda being the worst.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

I don't know if I'm late for the party but I own a 2015 desert Storm and my experience have been good so far. I have gone through 4 chain set in 30k KMS but I have never maintained the chain properly. If you have access to a good service center, then there should not be any issue. My commute is daily 100 KMS and never left me stranded.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

4 chain sets in 30k/3 years? I wouldn't call that durable bro. Besides, from your daily commute pattern, you do 2k each month or 24k each year.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Only the best can bought is
CBR 250 R , as Dukes aren't bad but they are offering only a 12 month warranty; heating problems and no proper service centers (in general).

Not to offend anyone here, RE aren't maintenance free bikes! I've seen many of my friends and the fellow bhpians complaining about the RE's reliability!

As your budget is above 2L ,CBR is the only option available !

If you're okay to face maintenance issues you can go to TB500 as it's wiser than classic and 350's [emoji1360]

Cheers,
Ride safe.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

I would agree.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Yh, Dominor or CBR 250 R is your best bet.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Okay.. so I spent major part of today asking the showrooms in and around south delhi, including Noida about the availability of cbr 250... And surprisingly, none of them have it..not even on display!
The abs versions price is the same as re 500 classic abs
I will have to get a hands on feel of the bike at the very least if not a test ride (which technically i should before investing 2 lakhs into it) .. so basically, hit a road block here

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Write an email to Honda India about this. Mention the dealers names.

Re: Upgrading from P220 to RE..wise choice?

Yeah CBR 150 already removed and seems 250 s also vanishing day by day!!

If you can wait for few months,you can buy the all new Dominar 2019 with more updated features.

Still the old Dominar 400 is good but with some changes (almost same design) it's gonna rock n roll in first quarter of 2019 !!!

Or you can buy the RR310 APACHE , that's too a nice sports (race) bike !
(You may get test rides in Delhi,I guess).