Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

Thread approved.

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

Do you want the bike right now ? Or ready to wait for 1 year?
Jawa's won't be delivered until next year or even longer for the Dual ABS model with no proper roadmap, first will be Drum brake variant deliveries for this year, whereas the FZ25 is available instantly.

Jawa is yet to prove the bike on-road ridability, majority of the us have not got to test ride it, but engine is a built like a gun as we've seen it perform on the Mojo.
FZ25 makes a perfect all rounder bike, no non-sense bike with Dual channel ABS.

I'd say get a proper test ride of the Jawa, than just going by numbers and photos on paper.

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

I think FZ25 has better off road capabilities which I think will be important for you.

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

The Indian market is truly devoid of retro looking bikes capable of touring(below 500 cc).
What you can do is opt for something which is tried and tested instead of going for something for which touring capabilities have not been proved. FZ25 has been there for some times now and roadside garages can assist you in case of emergencies. The addition of ABS was something which was missing but no more. And I feel FZ25 has enough power for a sedate rider to take it to any corner of the country. Also, apart from those long rides, you also need to take into consideration the daily usage of your bike for which more power will not be utilized.

Else, since this will be your first bike, you can get a 150 cc and. In the next two three years, surely some exciting models will come out from all the manufacturers.

P.S. - I wish Yamaha manages to bring out a retro/classic in the 250-300 cc range.

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

For the first te biker, don't jump to 200+cc bikes straight away. Get a 150-180 cc bike, that should suffice for you to learn riding and gain some experience before going for the big guns.

Since you want retro looks with straight sitting, I'd suggest getting Avenger 180 or V15. Still, if you want straight onto the big guns, try Avenger 220, Jawa 42 (Mojo engine - well received and reliable) RE Himalayan. But these should be the second bikes not straight away. You can get a second hand first bike, it'd be good to learn riding as well as basic maintenance (must if you plan on Himalyas).

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

Agree with the general sentiment that lesser displacement bikes might be better for someone new to this world. I made the mistake of starting with a heavy-ish bike and the general difficulty of dealing with the weight and throttle control damped my enthusiasm quite a bit. I only truly discovered the joy of riding when I sold my first 200cc (only!) and jumped onto a 100cc "shaan ki savari". That was so easy to ride! I could actually lift it out of tight spots if needed! Since then I have been gradually inching up the cc ladder.

My suggestion to you would be to do a lot of test rides and get a feel for what fits you. For long rides, comfort and confidence to go the distance matter more than what will look good.

Edit: I thought I should add that I myself booked a 42 last year but now that the new dominar and FZ will be out (and also the 300 honda) I have been seriously thinking of dropping my booking and heading that way. While I too like the retro looks of 42 but the head says that once behind the handle bars, all I will see is the road ahead and looks will matter less than how good the machine underneath me is. On that front, the 42 is a wild card while the yammie and bajaj are well known. I think I want the swag of riding a 42, but in my heart of hearts I know that if I end up using it (instead of posing with it) I will care less and less for how I look. I have been riding some pretty unglamorous bikes till date and that hasn't stopped me from loving them. Just a personal anecdote. Not making a statement for how people should feel about bikes.

Re: JAWA42 +Dual ABS OR YAMAHA FZ25 +Dual ABS

If you can wait , the MT 15 will most probably launch by March 15 . Delivery expected to commence april , it's 150cc and has the same tech as the R15 V3 .