Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Since he isn't keen on big engines and is looking for 40kmpl atleast, so best choices would be
rtr160 4v or 2v ...Or
pulsar 125 or 150 ...Or even avenger 160 for comfort ! All these bikes provide value for money and satisfy your mentioned requirements [emoji3577]
"Don't buy fz v3 (too costly, down on power and boring to ride) "

CHEERS !!

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

hi all, thank you very much for sharing your valuable inputs. i came to understanding that for mileage to be 40 kmpl, i should stop looking at bigger CC bikes. I love rearset foot pegs, because of my height 6 ft. they are extremely comfortable..like knees position will be below hip position.. i donot like aggressive position like R15 though. eliminating available choices, i narrowed down on

1. hero extreme 160r
2. pulsar ns160
3. apache 160 rtr 4v double disc

after riding 10 years of pulsar, i dont want to go for pulsar 150 neon again. i wont go above speeds of 60 within city limits. i wont do above 80-90 on highways. very sedate rider. thats how iam extracting 55 kmpl for a stock pulsar150. 10 years with same stock engine and clutch plates, thats my riding style. i have done 300 kms long drive in a single day on my present pulsar. expecting reliable machine to replace my pulsar. now coming to these 3 bikes, which would need less maintenance over 6 to 8 years? i dont mind paying more for services, bt i donot like frequent visits to service centres. being new bike, i will go only for authorised service centres for initial 4 or 5 years for whatever bike i chose.

i would have added hornet 160, if its available in bs6, that would confuse me more

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Xtreme 160R is a new product so it's reliability is unknown, both apache 160 4v and NS 160 are proven products. I would suggest you to go for NS . Because of easy availability of parts and cheap maintenance cost.

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

All BS6 'top' variants:

1. Xtreme 160R - new bike. Reliability isn't proven yet. Should be same if not better as the previous gen. Which is a good thing.
Specs: 15hp @ 8500 revs, 14nm @ 6500 revs. Weighs 140 kg.
This means that it will have some mid range , but not as strong as your Pulsar. And a decent pull near the top end.

2. Apache RTR 160 4v - has been around for a while. Nothing major to worry about. Exhaust note is arguably better of the three bikes.
Specs: 15.8hp @ 8250 revs, 14.12nm @ 7250 revs. Weighs ~145+ kg.
This means, it will have grunt in higher mid to top end, with a little less character at lower revs. But it would be fun wringing it out.

It may or may not suit your riding style, do take a test ride. Again, the characteristics of this bike are not at all like P150.

3. Pulsar 160NS - has been available for a while and initial niggles have been ironed out. Reliable as long as taken care of, well. Applies to all vehicles, not just this one.
Specs: 17hp @ 9000 revs, 14.6nm @ 7250 revs. Weighs ~150 kg.
This bike needs revs to go anywhere. Stark contrast to P150 in riding dynamics but it would have the most VFM services and spares experience of the three in your list.

P.S : 2/3 bikes have 4 valves and thus by design, they won't have low end grunt like the older 2 valved P150. Don't let this discourage you - take a test ride and decide!

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Xtreme 160R has 2 valves. I think FZ V3 will suit him more. FZ has good low end, and fantastic mileage figures. 138 kg lerb weight only !!. Also reliability is proven .

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Very well put mod. I'd also suggest OP to consider Pulsar 180, it has the low and mid like you desire, it'd be an upgrade to the 150.

Also, TR Avenger, I'm suggesting this as it has good enough power delivery for your riding. And, it'd be helluva lot comfortable compared with all the other choices.

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

i couldnt believe, 4 vavlves have poor low and mid range torque or power bands. i thought 4 valve engines are way more superior. but it seems opposite in real world. i would not revv until high rpm. iam a sedate driver and keep engine at 5k rpm max in city, even on highways, my p150 never seen over 7k rpm. i wont exceed 90kmph on highways.

will xtreme 160r be peppy enough in 0-60 kmph band as advertised when compared to tvs rtr 160 4v ? i ruled out tvs rtr 160 2v because of vibrations. i donot see yamaha sales or services widespread as hero, else fz would be good option. As, iam going to service only at authorised dealer showrooms for next 4 or 5 years, iam inclined to go with xtreme 160 r. as there is dearth of 2 valve (good low and mid range torque machines with atleast 40kmpl). avg riding per day would vary from 40 to 60 kms. please suggest any cons of xtreme 160r or any alternatives which are trouble free, donot want to go with pulsar again, its great bt iam bored of it, it wont die after 10 plus years, more confused between rtr160 4v and xtreme 160r, iam looking available power under 4-5k rpm or 0-60kmph only. i donot consider top end grunt,as i wont be revving motor to that extant. please suggest me. thanks to all again for chipping in with your knowledge and experiences. Is 4 valve engine better than 2 valve without vtvt / tubulence tech? also, how reliable are 4 valve engines compared to 2 valve, i just need vibe free (under 6k rpm) and reliable engine and bike with rearset foot pegs.

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thank you sir, i omitted avenger because of way relaxed / front set foot pegs. i considered p220 instead of p180, but for the fairing and center stand issues and not sure of their future in wake of ns160 and ns200. also, i started liking naked / compact designs for parking n driving ease in traffic. i would have blindly gone for pulsar 180 if it didnt come with a fairing. i remember, there was a street version of pulsar 220 earlier without fairing, which is now discontinued. i am riding pulsar from 10 years, love it for its troublefree nature and dirt cheap maintenance.

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Recent hero products are not so trouble free as earlier models. You should choose between 160 4v and NS 160. They're peppy motorcycles. FZ is perfect for you, according to your uses. It's peppy and more fuel-efficient and also reliable . YAMAHA service is also better than Bajaj and TVS.

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

How about Duke 125 or even a 200?

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

I don't think op even considerd those bikes..

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Iam not considering ktm's . Ns200 is cheaper alternative for Duke 200, dominar 250 is cheaper alternative for duke 250..dominar may be heavy weight.. Still..weight up to 150kg is fine for me..max fz25, gixxer250, apache 200 range also fine..i won't ve revving post 60 kmph max or 90 kmph on highways.. Hence downgraded my search to xtreme 160 r, rtr 169 4v.

Max budget is 1.80 lak if product is too good.. Intend to keep 2 wheeler for long duration..10 years atleast

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

how about ns160 and apache 4v 160 , both twin disc models? Iam planing to get one in 3 or 4 weeks. Will both of these bikes feel upgrade over existing pulsar 150? I need very less maintenance. i can spend more, but the frequency should be long, which would be better among these two in terms of ownership costs? Are 4 valve engines weak in low and mid range power / torque figures compared to 2 valve engines? Any difference in front and back suspensions (front fork dia) - suspension travel between ns160 and apache rtr 160 4v ?

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

I'd request you to please first take a test ride. Then ask for opinion.

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

Both have their own pros .
Pros. Of Pulsar.
1. Cheap servicing cost.
2.Spare parts availability.
3.Highest power figure ( 17 PS !!)
4. Balanced suspension.
5. Presence of kickststart, which is a big plus.
6. Halogen headlights which can be upgraded easily and is better in rainy and foggy conditions than led's on apache.
7. Smooth engine as apache.


Cons:
1.Higher pillion seat.
2.Tyre size is 1 step below apache's.


Pros of apache.
1. Best suspension setup from showa.
2.Slightly better build quality.
3.wider tyres.
4.Smooth engine.
5.Single piece comfortable seat for bothe rider and pillion


Cons:
1. Heavier than Pulsar.
2. Parts availability
3.Some quality issues with the engine. ( you can checkout the Apache thread.)

Re: upgrade from pulsar 150 2011 model

I will suggest u to seriously consider fz25 and fz v3.
At least take a test ride . i just like u like rear set foot pegs(i am 6'btw) and after trying apaache 1604v ,ns 160 and fzs found fzs to be much more comfortable. Apache have slightly front set foot pegs also they are set comparatively higher than other and thus slightly awkward riding position (personal opinion) otherwise its perfect. Now talking about ns it has thinner, smaller seat(maybe i felt like that because i tried it just after dominar) and also clip ons which makes it slightly less relaxing, also i found foot peg position to be bit awkward (again maybe dominar effect)
Now coming to fzs it has most comfartable and relaxing ergonomics by far amongst all the 150-160s (i own a unicorn and trust me i find fzs to be better ergonomically)

Thus test ride fzs and if it feels short on power take a look at fz 25 but u will be compromising on mileage with fz 250 but will get a much superior product with double channel abs .