Topic Approved.

@felix.raghav going by your post it seems like the R15 is the obvious choice and a mattering convincing your Dad that the R15 is the right choice. The other bike that comes to mind would be the new ZMR but since you mentioned that you were not that please with the ZMA at high revs rules that option out.

The R15 i feel would work as a good sports tourer, though many feel the riding position is to sporty i guess it is matter of getting used to, in fact this riding position takes a lot of the stress of your back distributing it to your wrists.

Pulsar 220 might be it? Matches your budget... Also because, If 17 PS of ZMA is not enough, What else can you get, when even R15 is out of budget?

It can give a decent mileage, around 40 in city, and has a sporty but comfortable position.
Tourers have rarely found any problems, and the latest edition DTSi also has a new clutch, 21 PS power and a touring favorably-geared 5th gear ...
Plus the usual strengths like good headlights, fairing, etc.

This is the place where P220 takes a blow! Not too good after sales, although with a Carb it gets slightly better...
So, I suggest you go for P220 DTSi.

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OT reply: I have been told by people that Yamaha jackets are not worth it. In fact, Planet DSG jackets are more VFM, considering that they support some CE approved armor... Can't confirm this info though.

@ aryan: thanks for the quick approval!

@ yamahatrooper: The R-15 was my primary choice. The price tag and mileage are too steep for me!! I'll give it a try though

@ Samarth 619: I like the 220 as well. But with fairing vibes and bad after sales service being a complaint, i'd have a tough time on the highways.But I'm still ready to ignore the service the chennai PBK offers. Maybe after my free service period I'll move on to a better mechanic.

Can I refuse the paid service (meaning not pay at all and get it done at castrol or some other place?). Thanks for the OT reply. Heard that this is the same thing yamaha provides for it's R-15 championship races. Can't confirm though... maybe they are just rumours..

boss it will return you 40+ with sane riding..

Hmmm... Now I have an other point to help maintain the VFM factor of the R-15 with my dad. Lets see...

But wait a minute... what exactly do you mean by sane riding ?

By sane riding i mean no hard rippings and all just ride under 5k with smooth gearing and no sudden acceleration or braking, and it will definately return you around 45 or even more with power fuel like 97 octane or speed or so
I hope you got me

And even if you ripp or change gears at high RPM like i do
It will returm not less then 35
I clocked 150 twice on speedo then also it returned me around 41km/pl

So mileage is not an issue in fuel injected bikes
<Posted via Mobile>

@Felix.raghav I ve seen a lot R15 owners claiming a 40+ mileage. @sarvajit would be a great person to talk to about R15 queries. Yea you can use the 40+ mileage as a VFM factor to your Dad. Also pitch in the fact that you re getting the latest tech bike for what you re paying. I mean look at all the features FI, Front and Rear discs and the motogp derived deltabox frame. Yes, the wish is always there that it was a 100ccs more but nevertheles even in it's current avtar the R15 is a great package for an enthusiast.

I ride at speeds of 70-85 kmph on my R15 most of the time. I don't redline it much, but I do ride at 7-9k rpm. I've been using Shell Super petrol since day 1, and at 3000 kms on the odo, the mileage that its giving me is 42.5 in the city.

Even though the bike was mine to buy, even my dad wasn't convinced that it was worth the price. Still in the process of convincing him.

Bro,
see there are certain criterias that separates 220dtsi and R15 that you should be aware of before making the right choice...

Bajaj realised that yamaha had really eaten up on their tail in the sales chart even with a rs. 1Lakh plus bike, and decided to fight it back their own way. Thats how the 2009 pulsar 220 DTSi was born..

Sit on the Yamaha R15 and you immediately feel the need for speed

0-60 and 0-100 figures of ZMR are better than R-15 (source is BI). ZMR feels more relaxed at higher speeds for longer periods than any other bike and the bike is meant for touring. If you do not have much of long ride experience, if you want a comfort tourer, you better think twice before buying R-15.

@ Varun_r15, yamahatrooper and TnT: Guys thanks for pointing out the mileage. I've managed to pitch in the fact that it returns mileage under sane conditions and also that it is complete VFM for the money, with the LC enigne, front and rear disc breaks, Fuel Injection and the deltabox frame. Looks like he is not convinced 100 percent. I'll have to talk to him again and see if i ca nudge him again.

@ mav1234: Thanks for the detailed info Bro! Like i said although my soft corner is for R-15, I often imagine what it would be like to ride the 220 dtsi...

@ravi_17bhp: Bhai the ZMR needs a lot to be desired for it's current price tag. I've done touring on the ZMA before.Smooth, Refined and a comfortable mile muncher. At Higher RPM's I feel that something is missing. Its as though the power ends at midrange. The ZMA simply did not appeal to me as a sports tourer. I'd say she is a hell of a tourer. Comfortable and smooth. But the ZMR is simply out of the question.

After sales service is a major issue, from what I've heard and dont know how good chennai PBK guys are. I've had bad experiences with a lot of pulsars taken to the Jai Bajaj service and frankly speaking they realy act like they do'nt give a damn. I've seen many fed up friends move to castrol bikezone and other local mechanics right from the second service. I also wanted to know how good the brakes on the 220 are? are they still the ETS stuff?? I've experienced brake locks while braking on older 150's and 180's. Would a ABS be worth in investing if they are still the same?

Thanks

Ragav

if you think the ZMR is not worth it and service of Bajaj PBK is not good the R15 it is then...it's worth every penny you spend.High cost is due to quality parts and imported engines...Though I feel P220 is better when it comes to your requirement...bigger engine and bits required on a touring machine makes it worth it.

I'd say no, actually it's worth its tag. 'Sports tourer'? Come on, the ZMA defined that, and now the ZMR takes it one big step further. I guess your heart is set on the R15, just like it was for me. P220 dtsi and ZMA were also 'options' but I really don't regret paying the extra 20-30k for the R15 now. And you won't either.