Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Only think worrying about Avenger is, the random reports of spare parts availability problems, parts quality etc. I hope 2019 models will be better. Anyways, I'm not in a hurry. Will probably wait for April after ABS mandate comes in.

Wouldn't the dealers sell non-ABS stocks before April? Will there be any discounts expected.

The resale value of TVS is far worse than Bajaj, despite good engine and parts quality. What is wrong with 2nd hand market? My 2009 RTR is getting maximum of 20k in quotes!.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Took a test ride of Hero Xtreme200r. It is a good bike, sedate power delivery. But, I am riding an Apache RTR 180 and the way you can ride through with good throttle response makes you cringe on Xtreme200r, despite being a 200cc ride. I am waiting for a test ride of Avenger 220 street ABS. They called me saying Cruse 220 test ride is available. Small town dealers..you know. Test ride bikes arrive after a week's gap.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Why not try the Apache 200, as you currently own the 180? The difference is more than just 20cc and 3bhp. It has far less vibrations, handles sigificantly better and has a bit taller gearing. The riding posture is also a bit upright compared to the 180.

You can also consider the Apache 160 4v. Despite having 20cc less, it is an upgrade to the 180 in all aspects, including performance. It is more upright than the Apache 200. I think it is the Apache with the most upright stance.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Below mentioned bikes are best for you purpose.

1. Pulsur 220F
2. Hero Xtreme 200
3. Avenger 220
4. Honda X-Blade
5. Apache 160/ 200 4v

please inform which bike you chose or suppose to be choose.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Will surely post what bike I did choose.

Yeah, after thinking for long, I understood one thing - despite the age, I don't want a uncle ji bike . I am riding Apache RTR180. What I want is a good handling and brakes - a bike which has some power to filter through city traffic. And also suitable for short trips (~200kms max). Pulsar 220 - I remembered this bike after long time. Searched online and it seems carburetor model is not available now? Only Pulsar 220F is available?

With Avenger, I researched a little bit. It's a good model. But, seems like getting a step motherly treatment from Bajaj. The sudden braking accident videos of Avenger especially when cornering really kept me away from this bike, despite being a cruiser. It may have been fixed with the new ABS models.

I know this is a old and still running model. Some doubts:

* Is there a carburetor model ? Does Pulsar 220 got any heating issue.

* How hard it is to maintain Pulsars? You know that people have a general perception of Pulsar's having low quality parts and short engine life? Any changes happened in the recent times? How is the parts quality/QC now a days? For comparison - I own an RTR180 2009 model and it's really very very good on build quality especially engine. Is it comparable to TVS.

* How good is the plastic/fibre parts including the covering? Will they rattle after some time.

* How is FI model? I remember there was niggles in the old models. Does it needs more maintenance compared to Carburetor model.

* Is it worth buying an ABS 220F now, considering it's an old model, when we have RS200 and NS200 available (I have no interest in those models). My plan is to keep the bike for a long time and am not that keen on regular maintenance. The RTR180 I have is almost 10 years old now.

* Is there big difference in riding posture of RTR 200/180 and Pulsar 220? I think Pulsar 220 has more of a relaxed riding position? And Pulsar 180? Does it have an oil cooler?


Thank you for the recommendations

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

you can also buy a used karizma V1.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

If you want a horse for long run then go to Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha (Japanese 2 Wheeler Giants) which far better than TVS & Bajaj (Desi Cheap Material). if you stretch your budget little more, you can also consider Yamaha FZ25 or you can consider Gixxer also. these both machine are perfect for both riding condition (City or Highway).

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

Karizma v1 is fantastic machine, even i had Karizma R V2 and i recently sold it. but its outdated now.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

I have to break it – Japanese reliability is a myth, at least in the last few years. The Gixxers have oil leakage issues on the magento cover side and Hondas suffer compression loss issues. The build quality of the Yamahas is going down iteration by iteration. The Apaches and Pulsars seem to have better build quality, refinement and less engine issues.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

https://youtu.be/gOWigrsfeRM

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Exactly there are blind followers of Japanese bikes in india. TVS has the best quality of materials used in 2 wheelers in india. Multiple issues of engine seizures in brand new gixxers are present online. Search fz v 3 accident in YouTube, it has poor quality alloys, touch and feel side panel of r 15 v3 it's too flimsy! Ride tvs latest 160cc engines along with hondas new gen 160cc engines, the difference will be clear. Some Japanese fans point about vibrations in pulsar 220 fairing, but the same people will not admit rattling sound produced by hondas hornets console.
This double faced mentality will only harm new buyers .

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

Even if u buy the best brand whether indian or imported if the service is not proper it's as good as trash. Unfortunately the case with indian brands.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

I think 220F is also a Carburettor one. There is no FI in 220 AFAIK.

FI in Bajaj stable starts from RS200.

F doesn’t mean FI in 220F. It was named as Fastest Indian and so the name.

Please enthusiasts correct me if I’m wrong here.

About Bajaj quality, they have improved much better now. However, there are still some niggles.
If you maintain well, it will show some good serving period.

My friend near my place has NS and RS in his garage for his personal use and for modifications. He won’t keep the bike for long run. He will get an used one, use it for sometime, services it and will sell it. So not taken much care in maintenance.

Gear shifts were not smooth in those NS and RS.

But, his dad owns a 220F and it’s still a charm and there is no rattle or chain sound issues. His dad maintains well.

So at last, the maintenance of the vehicle depends on the user and the mechanic. You have to find a good mechanic, either Bajaj ASS or local mechanic.

I don’t have idea about maintenance cost though.

Compared to Japanese, Indian brands are not equal in terms of quality, however, we are not much behind too. Quality of TVS and Bajaj is improving every year.

I heard that on the other hand, Yamaha quality is getting low nowadays. Especially, there is lot of difference between R15 (V2&S) and V3.

Honda’s are known for their not so good service part. However, my dad owns an Activa and we have a friend at Honda dealership. So we have not faced any issues with their service personally.

Take time, check ownership posts of every bike and then choose the best for you. The one which is best for me will not be the best for you and vice versa.

Thank you.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

If you don't know how to service a motorcycle than don't be a biker, buy a car instead! And in my place both bajaj and tvs offer better service than, yamaha, honda and suzuki.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

That is what I was trying to convey. That rather than having uniformly acceptable level of service at all ASC they have at only few places. Precisely the reason why I had to move away from tvs Apache.

Re: A 150-220cc bike for city ride and occasional short trips - tight budget

I'm going through the ownership threads and considering few models. So far, I've test ride Hero Xtreme 200r and Avenger 220 Cruise model. Both are sedate rides. With Avenger, handling and braking power seems inadequate especially in dusty roads. Hero Xtreme200R OTOH has a 70000kms or 6 years warranty IIRC as the dealer says. But, it's an air cooled old mill refined from old CBZ?

My plans changed afterwards.
Current choices:
1. Pulsar 220F
2. RTR 200

Pulsar 220F has simpler mechanicals including engine as well as parts cost compared to KTM engined models. Is this holds true? But, this bike is really old model from 2007-8 and I wonder how many years more it will exist? Considering an used P220F is worth the trouble? I believe many are owned by youngsters who mostly would've rashly handled it (not generalizing).

I already runs RTR 180 and service quality is pathetic here. They ruined my bike's clutch cover by over tightening a bolt!. I do the service in local garages now. For a good service I've to take to a dealer in another town 20kms away. Add to it the numbing vibrations. If I travel even 40kms on above 70kmph speed, the bike vibrates a lot. The positive is very reliable engine and quality parts. But, owning the same bike looks cliche.