Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Thread approved.
According to the requisites listed, we believe that the CB300R will be the best bet. We haven't got to ride it a bit so even we are short on the intricate details, but according to the overview, that is the way to go.
But then, we are not the ones who is going to be riding the bike, you are. Take a test ride when available, see if it talks to you and then make a decision.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Honda bikes have stiffer suspension, if you can compromise on power rtr 200 abs is a good choice or pulsar 220 abs or avenger street 220 abs.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

@BuckyBlue: I am almost in the same situation. I have to commute 50 kms one way daily for the next year and have to commute the first 25 with my wife as pillion. Plan to tour across India with my wife. Did Ladakh 5 yrs back, but on a rented Thunderbird 350 (and 4 years back on a cycle).

Yesterday, I test rode the Himalayan, Enfield Classic 350, Thunderbird X 350, Interceptor and Continental GT. I alternated between being a rider and a pillion with my friend. Thoughts:
1. Himalayan - The most practical one for my purposes. Good handling. Low vibrations. Extendable for touring. Go through the ItchyBoots youtube channel’s 10000km Himalayan ABS review. Found it be a very authentic review. You can go through other videos in the channel. She bought the Himalayan ABS and toured from Delhi to Malaysia on Myanmar and is now doing Middle East.
2. Continental GT - Never liked on my laptop, but looks the most beautiful one in person. The hand position and sitting posture didn't seem comfortable for a long commute. The low end torque seemed to be great for rushing as the signals turn green. Ride was smooth. Bigger issue is 5 months waiting period.
3. Interceptor - Seemed comfortable for the test ride duration. Handling was good. Footpegs are weirdly placed. I kept hitting them on both my legs when standing in traffic. Rest low end torque seems great. Butter smooth ride. Again the big issue is 5 months waiting period.
4. Thunderbird X 350 - Have rode Thunderbird in Ladakh before. We had one classic 350cc too. Among the two hated the 350 and loved the thunderbird. But renting and owning are two different things. For touring, definitely TB 350 classic is better compared to TB 350 X. The X forces me to lean a bit. With all the vibrations, the test ride was very bad. If I have to lean, I will lean on a Yamaha/Honda, not TB. Low end torque is poor.
5. Royal Enfield 350 cc - Had bad experience in Ladakh with it. It doesn't feel bad at all in small test rides, except one issue that the vibrations make the rear view mirror shake, like a lot. In long distances, in my experience it tires both the rider and pillion.

I have never owned a motorcycle (own a Giant Defy cycle). Did trips with rented ones only. So, resisting from investing in Suzuki VStrom 650XT or Kawasaki Versys 650, which seem to tick all the boxes perfectly.

Plan to test ride Yamaha and Honda bikes today and share with you my experience.

Encourage you to go and test ride. From an anthropological perspective, all bodies are different to some extent. You won't find what suits you before riding.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Thanks for the suggestion! I requested them for the test drive through their website 2 days ago, but no response from them yet. I'll visit their showroom next weekend.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Thanks for the heads up about Honda. And as far as power goes, there should be enough to do 90-100kmph vibration free, and I think street focused bikes will struggle at it.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Do you think Himalayan can do as a city bike? Given I don't prefer riding like a snake through traffic anyway. I usually have no problem waiting with cars at signals either, since there's not too much traffic here most of the time.

And yes Basanti has been impressive for sure, in fact, her channel is one of the big reasons I'm considering the Himalayan.

Just a question about VStorm though, if your budget can stretch this far, why are you even considering a RE? I would not think for one second if I could stretch my budget even to the GS310. Speaking of GS you could have 2 of them for both of you at that price lol.
Edit: Read the post again, I got it all wrong.

Waiting for your views on the Honda

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Rtr 200 , fz 250, p 220 are comfortable in doing 90 to 100kmph vibe free, even my puny 160cc hornet does 80 to 90 kmph easily that too with pillion! The above mentioned bikes are good and affordable choice for touring,among which 220 is the best.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Test ride p 220, fz 25 and rtr 200 back to back and see if you're comfortable with them, otherwise go for 2019 domi or himalayan( just put anti puncture liquid, as it doesn't have tubeless tire options!)

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

I do want to go for Himalayan, waiting for Dominar is also an option, I've read they have worked on the engine as well.
But I think I'll stay away from FZ or Apache, their design is too busy for my liking. Pulsar has clip-ons, and I'm trying to avoid anything that wants me to lean even one bit.

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

You'll love dominar. It has everything you want. Power has also increased to 39ps which is equivalent to twin cylinder ninja 300 [emoji3]

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

That's great! I really like it in its white avatar, just people saying it vibrates over 4k rpm was putting me off, since the Bajaj I own also has the same character. But let's see how much they've improved

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

It has DOHC setup similar to cbr 250r ninja etc, it will be smooth, just test ride it and let me know . [emoji4]

Re: Commuter + Tourer, High on comfort

Sure, Thanks!