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

Reason for comparison :
1. Japanese 250cc naked segment
2. Simple yet reliable engine architecture
Gixxer can't be compared to ktm 250/ CBR 250R because of huge price difference and high tech involved in them. So, there will always be comparison between them . In one sentence, gixxer 250 is the improved version of fz 25. Suzuki India always imitates Yamaha india, and in this process they make a superior product. Though performance figures of FZ25 can be compared to The Pulsar 220, still people buys it on the basis of sagar"s ( powerdrift ) 8.5 seconds claim !!!
Truth us that, even YAMAHA is promoting MT and R15 over fz25 !!

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

They obviously will... R15 and M15 are the premium products. The more premium the product the more margin. FZ25 is a budget product, it will be subjected to cost cuttings.

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

I'm surprised that the Duke125 has so many negatives going for it. It's doing decent numbers for itself. On paper it seems like a perfect city traffic carver.

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

Traffic Carver is the duke 200 and 390.
Because they have excellent low end power.
Low end power is the thing to have in the city.

125 duke on the other hand has very low power below 4000rpm.
This is a very significant issue on its own.
If you're gentle on the throttle, the bike struggles to maintain a constant rpm when you are in the range of 3-4k rpm.

Most people who buy duke 125 are either upgrading from a scooty or a low cc bike like a splendor. They may not even notice this.

The only thing good about my ktm is,
Good tyres grip wise
Orange rims
Brakes

The bad:
Power very low -14bhp is at 9.5k rpm. Major power surge starts from 7k. You never reach 7k in traffic.
Gears, very clunky - they don't shift. When they do, they swap places. Neutral will shift to 2nd and 1st will shift to neutral by itself.
Wiring harness- looks like they were assembled by an intern who didn't know what he was doing
Suspension - front is too hard (movement wise) and rear is too soft (compensating from hard seat)
Mileage - 38 to 40 when being gentle on the throttle. 40-43 when being aggressive. MT15 and FZ25 both seem better in this regard while giving better performance (power) at low rpm.

Overall a 50-50 package? Love it or hate it.(I don't love it anymore)

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

Great insight for anyone who is considering the Duke 125.

Cheers! Hope you find your ride soon.

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

I could care less for the 0-100 time. It's a fuel injected comfortable commuter with good torque low down, which I needed, and a lot of people who bought the FZ25 needed.

The MT, though good, is pint sized. Not comfortable for me at 6'.

Not much issues in the FZ25, basically just keep riding and change oil/oil filter/air filter. Don't let the SVC mechanics touch anything else.

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

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

Hi [MENTION=79452]Gollum[/MENTION],

Are you considering the Hero Xtreme 200 S or R?

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

Not sure, I think both are same, dynamics wise.

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

Out of curiosity, why dont you use the R3 for commuting?
I have used the R3 and N650 in Bangalore traffic for commuting (from GM Palya to JP Nagar everyday and prior to that from GM Palya to Richmond Circle and ITPL) (I think you stay near BEML Gate as I might have seen you) and found it to be great.

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

I have tried that and while it's just fine to do so, I cannot park R3 just about anywhere.
Although it can get confused for an r15v2 it still is risky for a nearly 4L bike to be parked in open spaces.
For daily commute and chores R3 feels a bit much. There is also a risk of getting scratches and damage in the bike in heavy traffic.
That's why I'm looking for something that won't give me a great attack everytime a scooty wala brushes past me.

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

The guy has specified the bikes he has considered. R3 is way way way above and beyond that bucket range.

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

I am not sure if you understood the context of the question.
I am not asking him to buy a R3 and commute on that.
I asked the question cuz he already has R3.
Please read and understand the context before replying/posting.

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

I'm considering getting the new r15v3bs6 and change the handle bar to mt15.
Just need extra research to see if it can be done. I'm even considering cutting the fairing to accommodate the wide handle.

I just hope Yamaha releases the bs6 version of mt15 with dual channel abs. That will be awesome!

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

Great descion,
But let me make something clear
The money and time that you'll need to collect spares and get it done will suffice the extra amount that you are paying for the mt 15.
V3 uses a split handle bar system, to mount a straight handle is no remove and fit process, you'll have to change the bridge plate, and re arrange the entire switch assembly wiring and accelerator/clutch cables..
The riding triangle will change and might not give you a comfort riding position.
I've done it on my zmr which uses a split handle bar, i had replaced it with a Himalayan handle bar.but then the riding position was leaned towards the front which gave me back pains, the cables and wires were stretched to the max, thus I had to lift my fron forks to give me a relaxed riding posture, which had helped me a lot for munching miles.