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ZMA/P220/RTR 180 for highway,commuting and the hills?

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  • #1

    ZMA/P220/RTR 180 for highway,commuting and the hills?

    Dear xBhpians,

    I just joined this ultimate forum and would like to get some gyaan on upgrading my bike from all the experts here!

    (@ mods, I am aware that there are umpteen threads to discuss which bike to get of these three but I hope that this thread would be approved on the grounds that each one's preferences and expectations vary )

    Some details about me and my riding:

    Build: 6.1 , 88 kgs
    Currently riding: HH super splendor (125 cc)
    Experience: Largely commuting, short weekend trips (~150 -250 kms round trip) over the past few months
    Riding style: More of a cruiser than a ripper

    Preferences:

    Well, let me state this firstly. I am somehow not for the heavy cruisers (i know its ironical given my riding style ) - RE, avenger, etc.. Also I don't want to get a 150 cc bike and hence Unicorn and GS150 are out.

    Now please help me to choose between the ZMA-R, P220 and RTR 180.

    -> The main purpose behind me getting a machine now is to really jump into some serious touring. So great touring capabilities is a must.

    -> I would also be using this bike for commuting to office (city roads - congested, potholes, waterlogged, et al)

    -> Budget strictly <= 80 - 85 K (and hence I am not looking at the ZMR at all)

    -> Decent mileage in the city

    -> Most of my trips would somehow end up in the hills. So ease of taking on the slopes,cornering, etc is another huge factor.

    -> Trouble-free in high altitudes. Though I would typically be riding in the western ghats, some day I hope to zip through the himalayas as well

    -> Resale value - Might not own the bike for more than 3 years

    -> Easy for an amateur - I do not have a great experience in touring. So it should be quite easy for me to adapt. (considering that I have been riding a super splendor)

    -> Great stability. I get a bit paranoid when I counter cross-winds.

    -> Top-end not a criteria. I would any day stick to 90 - 100 even on the highways and nothing beyond that.

    I shall certainly test-ride before finalizing! But still wanted to get some perspectives from experienced ppl here. I hope this doesn't trigger another brand war

    And ya, I need to mention that my heart keeps beating for the ZMA
    .... and I took the road less traveled!

    Travel tales of an insatiable wanderlust
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Topic Approved.
    :)

    Comment

    • #3
      Well after reading your post, ZMA seems the best choice. But it was launched long ago and also a new ZMA could be on the cards(I could be wrong). However, the new P220 also seems a good prospect. So you could test ride and decide between them. Both should be good for touring. When it comes to city, i feel RTR180 would be easier to manage cos of its dimensions, etc. So, decide on what you would be doing more often, touring or city riding and pick your bike. All the best.
      **MaSh**

      **Work to Ride and Ride to Work**

      Comment

      • #4
        Choose between P220 DTSi and Karizma. P180 may be uncomfortable for you for long rides due to its short wheel base compared to Karizma and P220.

        P220 DTSi is VFM at the price it is being offered. If you want refinement and reliable engine, go for Zma. And P220 got more power too.
        HH Karizma (Current) || CBF Stunner PGM-FI || Honda CB Unicorn Dazzler
        Honda Aviator || Kinetic Flyte || Kinetic Blaze || HH Splendor

        Two ZMAs, 9 Days in Western Ghats

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by ravi@17bhp View Post
          Choose between P220 DTSi and Karizma. P180 may be uncomfortable for you for long rides due to its short wheel base compared to Karizma and P220.

          P220 DTSi is VFM at the price it is being offered. If you want refinement and reliable engine, go for Zma. And P220 got more power too.
          zheeeema for sure
          ________
          Washington dispensaries
          Last edited by santoosh; 08-25-2011, 07:47 AM.
          sigpic
          00 Kinetic Style
          04 Pulsar 180 V1
          06 Hyosung Comet GT 250
          07 HH ZMA-R
          08 Yamaha YZF-R15
          10 Suzuki Access
          12 Hyosung GT-650

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          • #6
            As u said the first point is serious tourer ur choice goes only for ZMA...it is dedicated for the touring purpose...so go only for ZMA
            B o D a C i O u S

            Wander logue

            Grand Southern Raid | Munnar | Yercaud | Ootacamund

            The increase in performance is directly proportional to the size of the hole in your pocket :D

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            • #7
              For Commuting and Touring....Go for Zma-R....your heart beat !!!

              Comment

              • #8
                Thanks everyone for their suggestions already!
                Can someone throw more light on the capability of these three bikes when it comes to the narrow curvy roads in the hills? e.g. on the handling and braking in this context ?
                .... and I took the road less traveled!

                Travel tales of an insatiable wanderlust

                Comment

                • #9
                  Both the Karizma and Pulsar220 fit your requirement best. Bear in mind ,for night rides, the P220 has much better stock headlamps , the Karizma seats the pillion better and the rear suspension is better than the P220 , but many riders have faced issues at high altitudes ( Ladakh heights, not Sahyadris ! ) , the stock paper air filter seems to filter too much air . Free flow filters solve this high altitude induction issue though . Karizma spares are much costlier - especially if you crash it and damage items like the display console, calliper, tank , master cylinder ,though some P220 spares are pretty expensive ( wheels , headlamps ) as well. Karizma's front mudguard and rear fairings are known to crack at the mounting screw points due to road shock , other than that the plastics are no better or worse than the P220 but do cost a good bit more.

                  Regd handling, both are pretty much in the same ballpark . They're more stable at 100 than at 70 , but nonetheless crosswinds can cause some lateral shift/weave . Old P220 has weak rear brake, new ones are better I am told, but the rear disc feedback and power isn't very consistent , usually pumping hard a few times does get the braking power up, looks like the rear calliper's cylinder/piston setup build quality isn't so good . The P220 has better forks but rear suspension gets you a choppy ride, the Karizma's front isn't as planted but rear suspension keeps the rear settled. P220 main stand is known to scrape the tarmac while leaning in corners, it's made more prominent with a pillion . P220 mirrors are quite unhelpful in showing you what's behind , you see your own elbow in most of the visible reflective area. Tubeless tyres on the P220 are better than the stock Karizma's tubed ones.

                  Both being premium bikes, the reduced number of sales may result is fewer service centre choices and spare parts availability esp out of the major cities.
                  Last edited by Ricci; 08-06-2009, 01:10 AM. Reason: added handling and other practical aspects
                  Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.

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                  • #10
                    go for 220 .. zma is kinda out of date ..

                    and after that OIL COOLED in 220 its just awesome ..
                    it can go on and on and ON
                    FACEBOOK

                    HYDERABAD XBHP VIDEO
                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTMF0soJCI8

                    The fast became faster[RTR] and now is the FASTEST[220] !!

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                    • #11
                      P220 it is.Though I personally prefer Zma,the upcoming launch of ZMR is giving me second thoughts(don't know how much of it is true though)...And the new P220 is amazing VFM buy...
                      It all begins with a thumb-start -- Oh, wait, I forgot the kill-switch

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                      • #12
                        @everyone, thanks for such quick responses .The oil-cooled engine in P220 sounds cool

                        @Ricci, thanks for the very detailed comparison of the features!
                        What do you think about the resale value of ZMA-R if a new ZMR rolls out within a year? This is one factor I am more concerned when it comes to getting a P220 because bajaj seems to be announcing upgrades most frequently.

                        Also I might in some cases want to transport the bike to one place by train and drive the bike up the hills from there.. (say due to shortage of leaves).. So talking abt the ease of transportation, which of these two is likely to score?
                        .... and I took the road less traveled!

                        Travel tales of an insatiable wanderlust

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Originally posted by CrazyTraveler View Post
                          What do you think about the resale value of ZMA-R if a new ZMR rolls out within a year?
                          I feel Zma-R will be retained even if ZMR is launched, b'cos ZMR would be packed with many features and would cost OTR Rs.1.2lacs upwards. Zma-R is just Rs.80K, this means they can have easily two premium bikes and still sell both of them well. ZMR will be more of 'show-off'/'flagship'/'poser' model for HH. Zma-R would still sell well with minor tweaks and color schemes.

                          As far as Pulsars, the value is very low in IInd hand market, more over there are no takers even if the prices are lower. In future Pulsar value will get hit further due to Bajaj's policy of launches.....but not the case with Zma-R.

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                          • #14
                            Go for the P220 mate!!! Considering u do most of the time touring, its immense torque, great efficiency and its projection lamps are a boon for night travelling and not a forget a taller top gear now (p220-dtsi). Only issue is its life span(bajaj bikes are not so famous as long termers) but as u intend to keep only for 3 years then it has to be the P220, you'll enjoy each and every part of biking to the max, be it touring, commuting or dragging at red lights..
                            ZMA is a good boy but its tooo old for my liking it doesnt handle crosswinds well the fairing starts rattling even if u fall at slow speeds and not to forget its costly spares...
                            Fun Starts at Redline!!!

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by road_ripper View Post
                              Go for the P220 mate!!! Considering u do most of the time touring, its immense torque, great efficiency and its projection lamps are a boon for night travelling and not a forget a taller top gear now (p220-dtsi). Only issue is its life span(bajaj bikes are not so famous as long termers) but as u intend to keep only for 3 years then it has to be the P220, you'll enjoy each and every part of biking to the max, be it touring, commuting or dragging at red lights..
                              ZMA is a good boy but its tooo old for my liking it doesnt handle crosswinds well the fairing starts rattling even if u fall at slow speeds and not to forget its costly spares...
                              + 10000

                              the only disadvantage with 220 is that you wont get resale value
                              FACEBOOK

                              HYDERABAD XBHP VIDEO
                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTMF0soJCI8

                              The fast became faster[RTR] and now is the FASTEST[220] !!

                              Comment

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