Re: Long Ride with Mileage

We both are two very different people when it comes to bikes I guess And I mean no offense by that.
At my age and minor back problems, I would seriously consider a commuter-tourer/cruiser over a sports tourer, irrespective of the nametags or even power it offers. My major touring days are behind me and I dont think I will be needing that kinda power anymore.
Will be talking about the dominar at the end of this post as I wanted to talk about all the bikes I test drove today.

I agree with you on that brother.
However, the tables totally turned when I asked my wife to sit as a pillion on an apache in parking lot (just for a trial so that she would know whats the height of bike etc) and she struggled with it (oh shes a tiny one) and later declared that if I buy sucha sporty bike then I should better get a girlfriend as she wont be sitting on it. Now, getting a girlfriend would be another huge financial blackhole, so I think its better to stick to the one I already got and get something which is enjoyable for both of us.

Today, we both got some time off and test drove below bikes -
1. Xpulse 200/200T - Financially this is the bike which makes most sense for me, in terms of seating posture and power I might require in city and on highways. If I have to eventually cruise at a 80-90 kmph range then why burn holes in the pockets. Anywho, both bikes are decent with Xpulse's seating and handling better than 200T. Seats are narrow and they would require some aftermarket work. Wife was okayish comfortable on the bike as well. I liked driving it but there was something off with the overall experience, as in I was not totally convinced even it was a good choice on paper.
2. Gixxer - I visited 2 showrooms but both of them did not have a Gixxer 250 (naked) for TD, but I just wanted to test the ergonomics of the bike so ended up testing 150cc naked and mahnn, it was smooth. It was a class apart from the Xpulse I had just driven and wife was pretty happy with the bike's overall performance too. But, the high pillion seat and sporty rider seating is something which is making it difficult for me to go for it. Wifey mentioned that mounting the pillion seat was difficult for her but once she got on it, she was much more comfortable on it than Xpulse, but still the mounting-dismounting would definitely be an issue. Cant even think of the day when she wears a sari and I have to take her out. Impossible!
As a bike, its perfect for people who are looking for something in this segment but I dont think it would work out for me with next 10 years in mind.
3. RE Thunderbird - Seating was comfortable but handling was not. Its very heavy and I could feel the vibrations and bike's weight getting to me even in a 300m mini test drive. So, its definitely rejected. Thought of getting a TD of their Classic but the showroom TD vehicle couldnt switch on due to dead batteries.
They also did not have Himalayan for TD, so that is pending as well. I thought of retesting it with pillion to check the overall comfort as I have already exhausted most of my options.
4. Jawa 42- Now, in my earlier experience I found this bike unmanageable but that was my first TD at the start of my search and I had very high expectations from a vehicle. I have come to terms with the reality of my requirements and the options available, so when I test drove it with a pillion, I found the handling a lot better than any other bikes today. It took some time to convince the showroom guys to let us both take the TD, instead of their representative joining me as a pillion, but I am glad they allowed it. I will say that in terms of refinement and overall handling it comes second to Gixxer but if I have to look at all my requirements, I found this one the most comfortable.
5. Dominar - I was almost at the end of my day, when I reached this Bajaj showroom in Koramangala which did not have a TD vehicle ready (some battery issues as told). The sales rep still allowed us both to sit on the vehicle as I wanted to atleast check the ergonomics of it. I found it more comfortable than Gixxer, as in I was in a lesser aggressive posture and the pillion seat was not very difficult to mount/unmount (still a lil diffcult though which can be deal breaker after Jawa TD). So, I gave them my number and asked them to call me once they have a TD vehicle ready or I will try to visit another showroom tomorrow. I have not test driven it, but I felt that I had similar posture and a feel of heavy bike when I sat on Mojo. So, if my TD with Dominar goes successful, I will have to revisit Mojo showroom again, as I have read all positives about that bike (except after sales support, which would be an issue with Jawa too) I was told at the showroom, that we can reduce the seat height and get handlebar raises for dominar (obv aftermarket) so thats another thing to consider.

Now, after an exhausting day of test drives, I have 2 clear winners so far -
1. Jawa 42 - Now this is my fallback option.
2. Gixxer 250 - I would consider this as an option, if I can find enough data that the pillion seat height can be reduced and handle bar raisers can be installed without affecting the overall structure, stability and handling.

Also, I need to test drive Dominar (and Mojo too probably) tomorrow. Hoping to find a clear cut winner by tomorrow EOD.

Thanks a lot you all, for your valuable inputs in my confusing times to find a proper steed.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

[emoji106][emoji106]. Super waiting for your delivery.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Lol brother. If I go for Jawa, 5-6 months is the waiting period, so the feeling of this delivery should be similar to delivering human babies I guess

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

[emoji23][emoji23]

Bdw, I've one another bike suggestion for you. If you are happy to cruise between 70 to 80kmph range, then test ride the apache 1604v, it has comfortable and lower single seat and softer suspension with oil cooling and 16.5bhp of power . Alternatively, you can checkout the fz v 3 too , it is too a comfortable bike, otherwise both dominar and mojo are superb.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

During the initial days of my search, I read good things about Apache 160 4v, and had my eyes on it, hence I was showing it to my wife in apartment parking and asked her to sit on it, thats when the girlfriend moment happened. So I dont think Apache is an option anymore.
Thanks for the recommendation though.
I have noticed that all your recommendations are quite valid and useful. Kudos

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

[emoji16] Thanks [emoji120]

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Why don't you give Pulsar 220 and Avenger 160/220 a shot.

These are good for everyday use. I personally never thought I was going to buy 220, but for me it ticked lots of boxes.

It's a soft sprung, good punch, faired (helps with windblast when you near triple digits, esply after 85kmph). And being an air-cooled engine, it gives some noobies like me a peace of mind, being easy to maintain.

And being in market since a decade and selling in good numbers, spares availability is not an issue, and spares cost are pretty low that you won't have to buy cheap aftermarket knockoffs, as they are in the same price range.

Just give it a try and see if it suits you. Mileage, you can expect 40kmpl. I drive harsh and weigh a lot more than you, plus some mods have added weight on the bike and I still get 37kmpl.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Thanks for the suggestion, but I already own an avenger for 7 years and I think I am kinda done with it. Bajaj After sales service isn't great either, maybe that's why I am a little skeptic of Dominar too. In the end, if overall product is pretty good then I can still forego the thoughts of after sales serive issues, like I am swaying towards MOJO again and again after reading all the positives about the quality product it is.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Yesterday thanks to the sporadic drizzles I could not go out for another round of test drives and by the evening I read more stuff about Dominar's front being heavier and difficult to navigate in traffic. So I made up my mind and went to Koramangala Jawa showroom and booked a Nebula Blue Jawa 42. I am not sure about the color yet but as the waiting period is 5 months, I still have options to change it any point of time. This is the only bike which ticks the most boxes for me as of today.

Meanwhile, my avenger started troubling me even more and I was told by service center today that the engine oil is leaking to the insides of engine, resulting in affecting the spark plugs and they would need to open the engine to rectify the issue which should cost 7k-14k depending on the issues once engine is opened. The resale value of my vehicle is already down, and I wouldnt want to invest more than half of its resale value in it anymore. That brings me to the issues of a 5 months wait period for Jawa, which has the capacity to exacerbate the situation by showroom announcing that it would take even more time for the vehicle delivery (read that its happening with a lot of people)
So, I went crazy today and went for a TD of Mojo (that has been in the back of mind all this time) and found that -
1. Its not as heavy as it seemed in the earlier test drive. Maybe a direct jump from Avenger to the Mojo had left that heaviness impression earlier.
2. Engine is very smooth and responsive. With its weight its very stable too.
3. As I got majorly stuck in traffic on my TD, I was able to test my doubts regarding its front-heaviness and flickability but I found that its quite nimble in traffic with decent suspension setup. I even easily swerved to avoid a major pothole, which sometimes is difficult for me in my avenger itself. So I dont have any more doubts regarding its traffic maneuvering capability.
4. I was in an upright seating position and the front pegs were a little ahead for relaxed seating position.
5. The pillion seat looks high but my wife was able to mount/unmount it easily after 2-3 attempts and claimed that she can totally manage it without embarassing herself. She found the pillion seat quite comfortable as well.
6. I would have preferred a lower seat height. Also, if the gear shifter also had rear clicker for upshifts if would be great for me (I dont know the exact terminologies here but I kinda hate putting my foot under the gear shifter for upshits, which is a formal shoes killer IMO). These are not exact dealbreakers though.
7. Its waiting period is ~ 2 months and ONR price would be 2.42 (must have accessories - crash guard, pillion back rest, teflon coating : approx 10-20k more)

Now, I am back to my drawing board because -
1. Both the vehicles share same engine and will face similar after sales service issues
2. Both are in different segments, but are ticking all my boxes and we both are comfortable on both of them.
3. Mojo over Jawa - Mojo is more tech upgraded than Jawa, provides a better seating comfort and a higher comfortable cruising speed on highways. Mojo is in its 5th iteration, where Mahindra has made it better every year and I atleast have some datapoints to consider there, which are totally missing in Jawa being the first iteration this year and increasing the risk factor.
4. Jawa over Mojo - Looks. Though wife can get used to of sitting on Mojo, Jawa's lower seat height would make it a breeze for her. Also, even if they both share simiar kerb weight, Jawa feels leaner and Mojo has a big bulky appearance. Price wise I will be left with 26k more to get the teflon coating, seat modifications and backrest very easily.
5. I am not going to do a lot of offroads so that wont be my major point of concern. I am expecting an almost similar mileage too as the engine is same and tuned similar.

I have been rummaging my brains a lot on this, but not able to come to any conclusions at all. I know, this journey I will have to make on my own as all of you have helped out a lot already, but I still thought of jotting down my experiences/thoughts just in case it can help others.

I hope to come to a conclusion soon, and once done, I shall share it with the brethren

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Go for mojo , it has tubeless tyres and better handling than jawa. Jawa's pillion seat is small, hard and uncomfortable than mojo. Also, jawa has quality issues like rusting, poor paint quality etc.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

I heard about those rusting issues in previous batch, but I had read that they fixed that part. Is it still something to worry about??
The more I am thinking about it, the more I am inclined towards Mojo. Wish Mojo was priced a little lower to make it things easier for me.
Still contemplating!!!

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Another major reason for choosing mojo is because of it's bigger and good quality tubeless tyres. Trust me, you don't want to be stranded with your loved ones in any unsafe place. Nowadays many unfortunate things are happening ! So think the extra money spent in mojo as a measure of self protection. Also, fuel gauge of jawa's are highly inaccurate ! Mojo is a robust motorcycle. In my view, wait for sometime increase your budget but buy the best motorcycle in that budget.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Mojo does dismal numbers and if you are into touring, finding even the minor parts is a problem. Same goes for Jawa.

After sale service depends on your dealer more than the brand manufacturing these motorcycles, which is where Mahindra fails again as the service network is very small.

Want to tour difficult places and remote villages with complete peace of mind ? Get a simpler motorcycle or learn about your motorcycle, don't rely on service centers. This is where Bajaj scores, parts availability is robust.

Goodluck.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Those were my thoughts too. Buy a fancy firangi bike or even a unique Desi proposition, and you have the spares availability issues pop up. I for one wouldn't want my ride to be stranded in the middle if nowhere coz I can't source a part locally.

Re: Long Ride with Mileage

Reason why I am still stuck on a P150, wanting to upgrade but I need a simpler motorcycle. And nothing like DRZ400 sells in India, or the KLR. Himalayan looks sorted but friends who own these are having some issues too regarding parts quality.

Last tour we did Mana village, not a really remote place, but suzuki has no spares, no mechanic or anything even at a populated location like Chamoli district. So, I seriously don't expect them to know anything about the Mahindra 2 wheelers.

Next, the mechanics there had good knowledge and even spares of a new TVS motorcycle (160 4v), and the Bajaj NS200 / Dominar. Surprising !
They told us that Bajaj, TVS, Hero, Honda (small bikes) and RE sell well and they stock parts for these motorcycles.
Yamaha is also somewhat available, but Suzuki is very tough to come by.

The issue was a broken and choked carburettor, luckily a totalled Suzuki was lying nearby in the dumpyard, we had to exchange parts with that one. Sheer luck, there were just 2 suzukis.

Goodluck.