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**xBhp** · 12-03-2019, 11:24 AM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

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**#bpk** · 12-03-2019, 04:30 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by Gollum View Post

I currently use a KTM Duke 125 for my office commute. I ride 30kms daily. 20minutes in the morning. 35-40minutes in the afternoon.

I bought this without giving much thought on how it would perform when it comes to daily commute.

What are my findings?

What I need:

Comfortable riding posture (so no race posture).
Power at lower RPM (I ride anywhere between 40-60kmph). In traffic I need to ride the clutch a lot and cannot afford to be stuck in neutral.
Power at higher RPM (At least to maintain 80Kmph without struggling)
Refined Engine - I hate vibrations.
Reliable bike - I intend to use it for at least 2 years without issues
Good Suspension - Indian roads have many potholes and illegal speed breakers

Which bikes I'm considering
Yamaha MT15: (Test ride done)
Pros: really refined engine and good power - but hard seat (I have ride-on-air). 40+ claimed mileage. Slipper clutch and VVA on 150cc woot!
Cons: 1.77L in Bangalore and you only get Single Ch ABS. Hard non adjustable rear suspension.

Yamaha FZ25: (Test ride done)
Pros: somewhat refined Engine at low RPM - soft seat and adjustable rear suspension. Dual channel ABS. Costs 1.74L
Cons: Low on mileage 35-40Kmpl. Old design and 5 gears only. Not so good headlight. no slipper clutch.

Yamaha R15 v3: (Test ride done)
Pros: has Dual channel ABS. Same power and parts that MT15 has.
Cons: hard rear suspension and riding position is something that I will absolutely avoid.

Hero Xpulse 200: (not seen in real life yet)
Pros: ADV bike so has to be smooth (assumption)
Cons: Don't know yet. Non tubeless tyres? I don't really like its looks.

Points to consider:
Good Headlight is required
ABS - single is also fine. Dual would be great
I'm a fan of Japanese bikes and gave a try at KTM - makes me hate the bike and perhaps the brand even more.
I have ride on air seat cushion
This is my office going bike and grocery shopping bike. Expect pillion seat to be occupied 50% of the rides.
Mileage is a factor and I cannot compromise with it.
This is not going to be a touring bike. I have R3 exclusively for that.

So please help me narrow down on my list or perhaps add to it so that I may not miss out on a bike that could have been great.

Buy the 1604v fi BS4 edition.it has 55 watt powerful headlamp, smooth engine and it's the most powerful bike in aircooled segment, kyb soft suspension with oil seal protector cover .

Bdw, i loved your YouTube video on diy of suspension travel in duke 200, similar diy i will do in my hornet too.
Thanks.

**alkemyst** · 12-03-2019, 05:16 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

I agree with the above suggestion of Apache 160 4v.

Also, For comfortable riding posture with power, you could try Avenger too. Its a decent product.
Or if you could compromise on looks, Intruder 150 is a good option too.

One question, if you already have a touring bike and you are looking for only a city bike, then why not an automatic like Activa or Jupiter?

**niteshtilwani** · 12-03-2019, 05:19 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Was stuck in the same dilemma here myself. Considered NS200, FZ25, RTR200 4V and MT15.
Did a test of all, found the FZ25 most practical and VFM. Also there is a MotorBeam video on Youtube comparing drag race performance of NS200, D250, FZ25 and RTR200 which was very helpful in understanding the top ramge performance and expectations.

Would be receiving my FZ25 this week.

**alkemyst** · 12-03-2019, 05:22 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by niteshtilwani View Post

Was stuck in the same dilemma here myself. Considered NS200, FZ25, RTR200 4V and MT15.
Did a test of all, found the FZ25 most practical and VFM. Also there is a MotorBeam video on Youtube comparing drag race performance of NS200, D250, FZ25 and RTR200 which was very helpful in understanding the top ramge performance and expectations.

Would be receiving my FZ25 this week.

Glad that you could come to final choice soon. All the best mate.

I have been researching for over a month and have been taking test drives for past 3 weekends (some of them i did twice) and still cant make up my mind about it.

**Zapps** · 12-03-2019, 06:12 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

I agree with fellow riders as above stated, of you want performance with fuel economy and comfort, TVS Apache 160 4V is a pretty good choice. Recent they have launched BS6 version for 99k ex-Sh.

**Gollum** · 12-04-2019, 04:31 AM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by #bpk View Post

Buy the 1604v fi BS4 edition.it has 55 watt powerful headlamp, smooth engine and it's the most powerful bike in aircooled segment, kyb soft suspension with oil seal protector cover .

Bdw, i loved your YouTube video on diy of suspension travel in duke 200, similar diy i will do in my hornet too.
Thanks.

Thank you for the suggestion and compliment on the video

I will check out the apache.

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

Originally posted by alkemyst View Post

I agree with the above suggestion of Apache 160 4v.

Also, For comfortable riding posture with power, you could try Avenger too. Its a decent product.
Or if you could compromise on looks, Intruder 150 is a good option too.

One question, if you already have a touring bike and you are looking for only a city bike, then why not an automatic like Activa or Jupiter?

You might have missed my signature.
I've owned and sold 2 scooters.
I get back pain with scooters.

I have certainly given it a thought. Avenger looks nice and never intruder.
I will test ride Avenger.

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

Originally posted by niteshtilwani View Post

Was stuck in the same dilemma here myself. Considered NS200, FZ25, RTR200 4V and MT15.
Did a test of all, found the FZ25 most practical and VFM. Also there is a MotorBeam video on Youtube comparing drag race performance of NS200, D250, FZ25 and RTR200 which was very helpful in understanding the top ramge performance and expectations.

Would be receiving my FZ25 this week.

Yamaha has not released the bs6 version of fz25 yet.
I think they may discontinue it.
The fact that it vibrates at higher rpm and owing to it's 5 gears and lesser fuel economy I didn't consider it above the rest.

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

Originally posted by Zapps View Post

I agree with fellow riders as above stated, of you want performance with fuel economy and comfort, TVS Apache 160 4V is a pretty good choice. Recent they have launched BS6 version for 99k ex-Sh.

Given all the recommendations, i have planned to rent these bikes and do a longer test ride.
Rented bikes are driven by people in all kinds of ways so this will be a real test of how the bike behaves or performs when it becomes old.
Also i could check all my requirements like comfort and perhaps even fuel economy.
I have postponed the purchase plans to April 2020 as many dealers would offer heavy discounts to sell off bs4 stock by then

**sparky** · 12-04-2019, 10:04 AM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

I think you should sell your old spendor and get the new splendor, it will run for next 10 years without problems with great mileage.

**niteshtilwani** · 12-04-2019, 01:49 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by Gollum View Post

Thank you for the suggestion and compliment on the video

I will check out the apache.

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

You might have missed my signature.
I've owned and sold 2 scooters.
I get back pain with scooters.

I have certainly given it a thought. Avenger looks nice and never intruder.
I will test ride Avenger.

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

Yamaha has not released the bs6 version of fz25 yet.
I think they may discontinue it.
The fact that it vibrates at higher rpm and owing to it's 5 gears and lesser fuel economy I didn't consider it above the rest.

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

Given all the recommendations, i have planned to rent these bikes and do a longer test ride.
Rented bikes are driven by people in all kinds of ways so this will be a real test of how the bike behaves or performs when it becomes old.
Also i could check all my requirements like comfort and perhaps even fuel economy.
I have postponed the purchase plans to April 2020 as many dealers would offer heavy discounts to sell off bs4 stock by then

Agreed the FZ 25 has only 5 gears but then the gearing is tall. It does 100 at 6000 rpm on 5th gear which the gixxer does at 6000 rpm on 6th gear (source: Zigwheels comparision video)... further it vibrates only after 8.5k rpm... given that it red lines at 10k rpm it's pretty standard.

Also as far as i've seen all the BS6 versions, they lack the power of their BS4 counterparts. So i dont see the motivation to update/wait for BS6. One would end up paying more for the same/lower powered goods.

**#bpk** · 12-04-2019, 02:55 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by niteshtilwani View Post

Agreed the FZ 25 has only 5 gears but then the gearing is tall. It does 100 at 6000 rpm on 5th gear which the gixxer does at 6000 rpm on 6th gear (source: Zigwheels comparision video)... further it vibrates only after 8.5k rpm... given that it red lines at 10k rpm it's pretty standard.

Also as far as i've seen all the BS6 versions, they lack the power of their BS4 counterparts. So i dont see the motivation to update/wait for BS6. One would end up paying more for the same/lower powered goods.

FZ 25 has more vibrations than Gixxer 250. So 6k rpm for gixxer is nothing, the engine on gixxer is stressfree. FZ 25 will give you many problems , just look at the problem fz owners are facing !
Pros of gixxer : 1. Better headlight
2. Stressfree Refined engine.
3. 6th gear which makes the cruising experience even better.
4. Bigger and better radial tyre.
5.Better instrument console.
Cons:
1. Useless pillion seat.
2. Slightly hard suspension.

**niteshtilwani** · 12-04-2019, 03:13 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by #bpk View Post

FZ 25 has more vibrations than Gixxer 250. So 6k rpm for gixxer is nothing, the engine on gixxer is stressfree. FZ 25 will give you many problems , just look at the problem fz owners are facing !
Pros of gixxer : 1. Better headlight
2. Stressfree Refined engine.
3. 6th gear which makes the cruising experience even better.
4. Bigger and better radial tyre.
5.Better instrument console.
Cons:
1. Useless pillion seat.
2. Slightly hard suspension.

From my personal experience (my friends bike which i used before buying my own) and reviews all vibes kick in post 8500 rpm... again the reviews state 9500 rpm but my experience says 8500 rpm.

However the gixxer demands 40K extra (on road Kolkata) which i dont find worth for these small benefits.

**#bpk** · 12-04-2019, 03:15 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

Originally posted by niteshtilwani View Post

From my personal experience (my friends bike which i used before buying my own) and reviews all vibes kick in post 8500 rpm... again the reviews state 9500 rpm but my experience says 8500 rpm.

However the gixxer demands 40K extra (on road Kolkata) which i dont find worth for these small benefits.

Ok, go with fz .

**alkemyst** · 12-04-2019, 08:00 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

You might have missed my signature.
I've owned and sold 2 scooters.
I get back pain with scooters.

I have certainly given it a thought. Avenger looks nice and never intruder.
I will test ride Avenger.

Given all the recommendations, i have planned to rent these bikes and do a longer test ride.

Oops, sorry i missed that earlier. Somehow, I never even imagined that someone could get a backpain on Activas/Ntorqs as whenever I thought of getting a good commuter, my friend circle suggest me Activa considering the traffic in Bangalore.

Btw, I like your idea of taking test rides on rented vehicles. I should have done that too. The showroom test rides I got were very very limited (except Mojo, where I was to allowed to even elope with it).
All the best mate!

**Zapps** · 12-04-2019, 09:47 PM

Re: Need a commuter with enough power to handle traffic and highway while being economical

How are you comparing FZ25 and Gixxer 250? There's a huge price point difference. And i think Gixxer 25 should be compared with an imaginary R25 or CBR 250. FZ series is seriously underpowered.

Originally posted by #bpk View Post

FZ 25 has more vibrations than Gixxer 250. So 6k rpm for gixxer is nothing, the engine on gixxer is stressfree. FZ 25 will give you many problems , just look at the problem fz owners are facing !
Pros of gixxer : 1. Better headlight
2. Stressfree Refined engine.
3. 6th gear which makes the cruising experience even better.
4. Bigger and better radial tyre.
5.Better instrument console.
Cons:
1. Useless pillion seat.
2. Slightly hard suspension.

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