Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

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Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

If you are unwilling to let go of the off-on road benefits of your Impulse/Xpluse then KTM Adventure 390 is the clear winner, as it will provide you the same riding experience but at a much higher level of performance and thrill. It is also much more spacious & comfortable compared to all other KTM models in India.

None of the other options you mentioned match the balance, lightweight chassis and power of Adventure 390. All of them would mean compromising with one or more biking aspects.

Interceptor 650: Excellent for cozy touring BUT only on smooth tarmac, quite unbalanced and bumpy in corners and potholes. Overall outdated chassis and suspension makes it a bouncy and unreliable monster at high speeds, braking is spongy and scary. Also a big headache to ride in the city, too tall gear ratios for city traffic.

Honda H'ness: Just a cheap imitation of RE Bullet, with matching low power, low balance and hyped to justify over-pricing. Its electronics is too simple and inadequate compared to the Cornering ABS, traction control, slipper clutch AND quick-shifter of KTM adventure.

Mojo: I can't comment on it, owners are totally satisfied with it but worry about lack of SVC, parts and overall future. Also it can't be taken offroad.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Hi,
Have you considered the Dominar twins? They are touring oriented and generally considered a jack of all. The Dominar 250 is even touted to be considerably easy to ride in the city considering its lighter and has slimmer tyres.
Also, if you can look beyond that hideous and useless headlight, please take a test ride of the Mojo. Its very refined and built like a tank. Sure, there are concerns about how long Mahindra can keep the brand afloat but its a solid product nonetheless.
Third choice would be the RE Himalayan since you are already familiar with ON/OFF Road bikes.

Also, since you own an Xpulse, would you mind telling me if the bike sits happy between 80K and 90K. I am planning to sell my Avy 220 street and go for the Xpulse for its suspension and go anywhere ability. I am not a top speed person but it doesnt make sense if the Xpulse struggles at 80-90Kmph. I have watched and read many reviews and some say the bike cruises at 120kmph which is a joke and some saying the bike cant go beyond 80kmph which is an even funnier joke. Hence would want your inputs since you are an owner.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Yea I agree to most of the points there.
But I just got the xpulse and it has been good for the money . I can't let impulse go at all because thats how it all began.

So I am probably in a lot of dilemma and contemplating if having 3 bikes with sorta similar characteristics makes sense.

I am so much inclined towards the mojo. Sure it has a polarising design but it is a cult classic like how the Impulse turned out to be.

Out here in Pune, where mahindra has its R&D center is giving prospective buyers a chance for an extended test drive of like 40-50kms and they get the bike to your home and take it back from your home. That's the nice bit

However the ASC is a major issue. They didn't even pick up my call when I just wanted to check on quick availability of spare parts. So that definately puts me off

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

I haven't considered them. I definitely think in bs6 Avatar they would be better than before. However I don't think they have that road presence.

Ofc mojo is polarising but thats what makes it an interesting proposition. But like you mentioned I also have serious reservations about the spares and service. I own impulse made by one of world's largest motorcycle company. Still I am struggling with spares and service having to stock certain parts. So I can just imagine how it could be for the Mojo.

Regarding xpulse. It simply cannot cruise at 100 right from the off. Probably it might cruise at that speed after the engine settles down a bit. 80-90 would be the crusing speed you should be looking at around 7k rpm. I have heard bs6 xpulse is far more refined and responsive. However its still has an excellent chasis and great suspensions (slightly firmer than impulse but you can adjust the monoshock to make them lil softer for a plush ride).

Also crusing speed wasnt the issue for me initially as I was just staring to tour on impulse. So in a way i have gotten habitual to lower cruising speeds. However now after a couple of years and expeditions I think I am capable enough to hold high cruising speeds.Thats where the xpulse and impulse both fail in a way. However they still have a lot going for it and the pros outweigh the cons.

I hope that helped

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

I live in Pune and am a fellow Mojo (XT) owner.

The technician who services the Mojo is amongst the most qualified in the country. I haven't found the quality of service to be lacking. However, your spares concern is valid. Still, it only takes atleast a couple of days to get parts in if they're out of stock.

If the SVC is lethargic in their response to parts which they often are, a quick call to the MTWL folks gets the ball rolling.

We also have multiple sources besides the SVC to depend on. NAFS motors in Bangalore usually ships any parts across the country if the local SVCs can't support you.

Also, given how there is only one person to attend to the numerous bikes in the city, we usually call up the technician in advance to schedule a visit so as not to remain waiting.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Owning an Impulse I know the perils of sourcing parts and getting service. Hero has a vast network of ASC but I was surprised when a lot of them just told me that they can't service it coz they didn't have a sidestand or other equipments. Basically a lot of them were reluctant.

Despite that I am absolutely happy with the bike and so much so that i like the extra trouble of sourcing parts and stuff.

So far I have heard great reviews from the mojo owners and even the sales team approach in Pune is good. However the skepticism regarding the service and spares is justified as the sales head himself admitted that there aren't much service centers in Maharashtra. But he said they are paying up technicians really well to keep the service afloat and ensure they dont leave.

Also when I tried to connect with service center, no one picked up or called back. So that would put off prospective buyers in way and the bike is already in a niché category. I did inform that to the sales team as well and they would look into it.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Also I see parts listed on 'm2all' app which is Mahindra's official app. So have the existing owners tried to order parts from there? If yes, how long does it take. Are most of the parts in stock when you order them?

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Looking at the kind of riding you've done, I think you'll be disappointed with RE Meteor (again will lack top end performance) and RE 650 (not a great setup for touring. Seat too narrow, suspension too soft).

Your best bet will be KTM 390 ADV, Mahindra Mojo or if you're ready to take the dive, BMW 310 GS which got a big price cut.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

I agree. I really wish mojo had retained the dual exhaust and got them both a lil upsweft. Also slipper clutch and updated meter console ( gear indicator and distance to empty) would have been excellent additions for touring purpose.
That would have made it really good

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

I dont think Interceptor should be an option here for touring. It doesnt have the riding comfort (riding posture, handlebars, seats etx) and tank range to be a tourer.
Same can be said about Honda Highness which will again have a comfortable cruising speed at 80-90 kmph. It would be a great long term product though looking at honda, but service and parts availability would again be a concern looking at it being launched from bigwing.

In my opinion, the real contenders for you are -
1. KTM 390 adventure - dont own one, and whatever reviews i have heard about it, it doesnt fit my requirements and doesnt seem VFM to me, but please do your own research as my opinions are personal.
2. Dominar 250/400 - a lot of people do call it a great tourer, but i never found the riding position comfortable. Its an aggressive stance which ends up tiring the rider, but again its personal choice. Apart from riding stance i have nothing against it. You could test ride it and decide for yourself.
3. RE Himalayan - owners claim that a comfortable cruising speed is 90-100 kmph, which should be good enough for indian conditions. and you will have everything in one bike (offroad + tourer) instead of owning and maintaining multiple bikes.
4. BMW G310 GS - Price has reduced bigtime for the BS6 ones and they became value propositions for a lot of touring enthusiasts now. I personally wont go for it, looking at puny tank range, but it can make sense for you, hence suggesting as an option.
5. Mojo - I own one myself and parts and service would definitely be an issue. They do have RSA (road side assistance) and all, but that is just a drop to a nearest location which might not be very useful in a lot of scenarios. As a machine, its an amazing proposition overall. Can maintain 110 at 6k rpm in 6th gear without any fuss and goes till 120 very easily. pple have claimed to take it till 150+ and some of the mojo owners continuously ride at 140s, but i dont see myself very comfy at such speeds and hence cant comment on that. Vibes are definitely there, but much lesser than Himalyan and Domis in the same rev range, which dont get uncomfy ever.

if you are among those, who buy a product and dont want to live with the service hassles then Mojo/BMW/KTM might not be for you.
but looking at your impulse experience, I think you are impulsive and gonna take a decision with heart (j/k. no offence)

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Yea I am not someone who would ride at 140-150. I think with this I would easily be able to cruise at 90-110 in relaxed manner. The ergonomics are what i would definitely like coming from ADV's. I am pretty much sure I would be sold after i take the test drive and would might take a decision with heart and not the brain.
(Having the impulse might just get my mojo back[emoji12])

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Definitely helped. Today I saw an article that TVS had registered the name Zeppelin R which was showcased at an Expo a couple of years ago. Also, there are rumours that Suzuki will launch a 250 CC version of their Intruder. It will be awesome if that bike doesnt suffer from the chicken legs syndrome of the 150cc bike.

Re: Search for the near perfect tourer

Rider triangle is very good in Mojo. I do wish that the footpeg positioning was a little more forward than what it is, but its still quite comfortable. that wish was just my hangover of avenger.
Another thing i have experienced with Mojo (and looking at other tribe members) that it handles offroads pretty well. it has a good ground clearance and suspension is quite apt too. Handlebar and tank positions are very helpful in standing up on footpegs, hugging the tank with legs and ride it offroads. I dont see much advertisement from Mahindra on its offroads capability, but in practical scenarios, it wont leave you wanting.
And at the end of the day, in whichever price range you pick a bike, you obviously have to compromise on certain factors. So its your choice and priorities which matter. The things you love in a bike and the issues you are ready to live with in a bike will help you take your final decision.
I would recommend you to focus a little bit on calculations too while listening to heart, so that you dont feel remorse after the purchase.

God knows when Zeppelinn will be launched. It will be a 200cc one, so its just going to compete with Avenger, thats all.
Suzuki intruder 250 cc would be an amazing option, if it ever hits our market. But again, we never know when that will happen.