What I'd honestly like to hear and more specifically from P220 and 500 LB owners is their own experience with the respective motorcycles over a long haul (lets say 500 kms or so in a day kinda ride). I don't think there is any motorcycle in the whole of this world, let alone India, that does not have niggling issues to deal with. I also do not believe that the P220 or the 500 LB will fall off to pieces on a long ride! I also do not believe that the ZMA would be hassle-free all the way on the GQ ride. ~ 6500 kms in less than 25 days is going to be quite an ask for any motorcycle, be it from any manufacturer. I have done many a rides/drives in the past and understand that the best of the machinery can fail at any point in time.

@shrek: This is one of the best and most level-headed impromptu review of the 500LB I have read. Thanks for such a valuable input.

Well I have the 220dts-fi and the 500LB and frankly speaking both are abosultely brilliant pieces of machinery.

The 220 can be summarised as -

1.good in maintaining speeds of 110+ w/o any issues for hours at a stretch.

2.Great braking and straight line stability

3.Great stock headlamps

4.Tubeless tyres so that you don't have to worry about punctures.

5.Ample torque at any gear and any rpm for easy overtaking

6.Fairing provides ample wind protection.

7.Fi - gives mileage of 35+ no matter what you do with it (not sure about non-fi bike)

8.Bad only in seat comfort , but in the GQ ride , it should not be an issue.

9.Max torque at 6500 rpm at 89kmph. For cruising you can do 84-97 kmph between 6 and 7k rpm for best throttle response and mileage.

500LB can be summarised as -

1.Great for speeds between 80-100. For 100+ you will have to get the windshield fixed.

2.Very stable at any speed and any tarmac (including lots of gravel)

3.Braking is average - Rear drum is practically useless.

4.Ample torque at low revs keeps the engine unstressed.

5.45W headlamps are pretty decent for night riding but not as good as the 220

6.Not sure about rpm-speeds but you can cruise easily between 80 and 100 just like the 220.

7.19" wheels make it very comfortable to glide over pot holes but shouldn't be a concern on the GQ.

8.Will give a mileage of 30+ on the highways

And trust me , before I go for any long ride , I am always in a dilemma which one to pick. But then have to pay equal attention to both so just pick them alternately for each weekend.

I hope by looking at this comparison you might get some idea which one to pick.But do keep in mind whichever bike you pick , you will need to run it in for 2000kms , moreover the LB500 has (sometimes) a waiting of 2mnths.

We had a 500 LB. We needed to ride from Mumbai to Kolhapur to pick up gsferrari's ZMA-R. Me and him (combined weight of ~240 kilos) did the Mumbai-Kolhapur run on the 500 LB, through Pune city (missed the bypass) and flew past the scenery to Kolhapur. I rode the 500 LB back the next day. The ZMA-R was pretty quick all the way back, but the 500 LB kept her company without letting a sizeable gap develop. The 500 LB did not stutter, groan, hiss or go kaput in mid-day temperatures for 6+hrs at speeds in excess of 90kmph on the open road. With and without pillion. I was and am impressed by the 500 LB's touring ability. It stands out as an old school frame given new life by the LB engine. It's what I will always pick to tour. The ZMA-R is hugely capable, and is probably what everybody will suggest for any touring/strafing/street commute etc. But I echo your disinterest with it, for me, its just too uninvolved. Its a great bike for the money, and probably the sanest choice even with the new Yam's in the market, but I wouldn't get one. I'd get the 500 LB(As we cannot talk about the Harley's until 2010). With a little wrenching, the 500 LB's mysteries come unraveled. It's not as messy as the std 350's (I should know, I have one). Its got bucketloads of torque delivery throughout the rev range and pulls like a locomotive for days. It's what you'll wake up at 3 am to go for an impromptu ride on. It's exhaust note will be your new ringtone. It's power will make you feel 8 feet tall. Just get better seats and a louder horn...and some earplugs for when you are touring. More recently, a friend went up Marsimik-la on the 500 as well. Its very literally been there and done that, and lived to tell the tale. There were issues, but no deal-breakers.

Some cons:
1. Seat is too soft for touring. Your rear will dig in and you'll get tired of it very quickly. Firm it up with coir and you'll be fine.
2. Although it is quick, its still on huge rims and the oldest frame we know and love. Cannot pretend it is agile enough to utilise the speed safely.
3. Rear gas-filled shock absorbers are better than the old ones, but you should still get them set up for your weight and adjusted for any load. Slight miscalculation will result in a boingy wonkiness that is pretty scary.

I won't talk of the P220 at all, I believe the saying goes, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. So if its between them, I'd choose the 500 LB for touring/street commutes/Sunday afternoon wash'n'wax sessions/Sunday midnight joyride/walk downstairs to answer "that" phone-call while sitting on it/warn building kids to stay away from it/voodoo-curse birds that defecate on it/and just about anything else.

Cheers,

Shrek, I have read this piece atleast 3-4 times now and can't get enough of your writing skills. Wonderfully worded, so much so that I feel like going to the RE showroom and booking a 500 LB rightaway . Many thanks for your insight on this.

wanderlustindia : I think and feel you should buy the 500. Since you are already inclined towards it and the bike you are gonna buy won't be used only for this ride but for many more for years to come(right?) . The p220 might loose its lustre after a cpl of years but the 500 won't. you would want to keep it shining before and after the ride. You would want to learn more about how it works. you would just fall in love with it , trust me on that

Oh absolutely...come look at my 500LB which is with my cousin and it still looks brand new. Tempts me to buy it back and do the funky dance with it's engine with bigger valves, carb, exhaust, bore and cams...that will pump out at least 30 bhp and turn it into a BEAST!