Hunk has slightly rear-set footpeg positioning as well as lower handlebars. Unicorn has more commuterish footpeg position, but this helps you stand on the footpegs and ride on rough roads.
Unicorn returns 52+kmpl while touring at 60-70kmph and 42 upwards at higher speeds. Karizma returns around 40kmpl under 80kmph which decreses as speeds increase. These figures are what I have obtained while touring and could vary depending upon gearchanges and riding conditions.
Both are reliable, efficient bikes capable of long distance escapades but if you're planning to keep it for more than 5 years I would suggest the higher capacity Karizma as hike in cubic capacity not only betters the top speed but negates frequent gearchanges ensuring an unstressed engine & rider.

The ZMA has had sputtering issues on high altitudes...many people have faced it here. If you do get that bike, get the A:F ratio adjusted accordingly before taking to Leh.
The ZMR will have no hiccups whatsoever.
About Leh, I haven't been there, but this is what I can say: Splendors do it&so do R15s-ask Amit (biker_boy)-he came back without scraping the underbody even a single time. Its all upon you.
I still say, take your old Victor to Leh, it'll be easy to handle in case of any problems. Come back, dispose&get yourself a brand new ZMR.

+1 to that, be it the lighting or the cruising ability or FE.. the 220 constitutes for a very good tourer..
Do take a test ride and decide..

Ya practically speaking you can take any bike to lay including your victor but the pleasure you are getting form different bikes will be different .
With a 100 cc most probably you will be struggling to cop up and ride up so you may end up in frustration rather than enjoying the ride to Leh.

I would suggest you not to take your victor to Leh, instead take a higher cc engine (P220 /ZMA/ZMR) and enjoy your ride all the way.
Other wise you will be spending more time and thoughts on your bike issues /lack of capability .

Take a higher cc engine ,forget about the bike's issues or capabilities , Enjoy the trip to the fullest...But if you are taking a new bike to Leh you have to ensure that the run in period is completed and you are very much familiar to the bike and its behavior in almost all conditions before you start to Leh. Since it is a new bike you have to be a little more conscious but still you can enjoy the ride.

@sarvajitI too dream of taking my victor to LEH ( I love the bike) but the only reason why I dont want to do so is answered by Jithu Well my search started for a new bike because I wanted to do LEH and was not confident whether my 6 year old VICTOR will do it and even if it does how much and what trouble I will face to push the victor to the leh finish line. I sincerely hope the guy who did it on splendour to LEH reads this and answers me.(I could not find a blog about 100cc splendour doing to LEH and how the bike performed). About coming back from LEH and selling Victor and then purchasing a Bigger CC bike wont make sense because the whole purpose of purchasing a bigger bike will be lost.

I know you all will be very angry reading this but I am the first person (I think so) who is confused about the budget. I mean am taking this bike primarily for LEH (earlier I had no plans to purchase one) and as to how much should I spend on a new bike for such a purpose and would it be justified? To add to the confusion the availability of funds depends on the numerous family constraints I am facing. Ok sorry enough of this.

One more suggestion I read by Dilip Bam the famous autoguru to someone was to wait for 5th Jan Auto Expo launch for fresh bikes.Hope Honda launches some bike between 150-200cc which is decent in average and better than Unicorn in power.But this is just a wish list.
Thankyou all for all your lightning fast inputs keep them confusing or did I say coming. Xbhp simply rocks!!!

My point of view: You will be better off with a simpler bike that you are very used to riding in those terrains. One more thing: topspeed is something you can forget about in those places, its mostly rough&no roads, average speed will be 30-40kmph. Now tell me what great difference would a high cc bike make there? You may/will have a couple of slips&falls here&there. Your bike will not come back in the same condition you took it. Would you like to do that to a new bike?
Just my point of view...if&when I do Leh, it would be on my 5 year old Fiero F2 rather than my 1 year old R15.

considering your requirement, riding style, budget, weight & height you should check out a 150cc bike. Pick from Unicorn, RTR 180 & GS150R.

About the back problems with RTR when ridden long, it depends on your physique. Unless your heavy weight is concentrated around your stomach, or you have a weak back, for your height it is not a problem. You said you have access to an RTR (friend's). Why don't you try it out on a long-ish ride? Also, the vibes aren't there in every bike. Moreover, the 180 is much more smoother and nimble. The nimble character, strong torque and tubeless tyres do help for your Leh plan + city riding + highways. The bike is reliable.

The Uni is a very underestimated all rounder. I won't say another word about it.

The GS150R scores with a strong low end torque and a cruise gear. The comfort & feel too is fantastic. This bike would feel comfortable in City + Mountains + highways. The Toe + Heel shifter too helps (can get that done on the Uni too).

All are good bikes with their own character. It takes getting used to with each bike except may be for the Unicorn which is the most neutral one.

Spares and issues... only spares you'd get in that route are for the Bullet. Standard cables can be adjusted from other bikes but you are supposed to carry spares as such.

Auto Expo, better not rely on it if you want to ride to Leh next summer.

A bigger bike always rides better. But the question is 'do you really need that extra power?'

I would suggest you to first decide whether you want to go for a 150 cc bike or a higher segment one. Will you be using all that 220+ power or are you satisfied with a 150 cc bike?
You can consider the Unicorn, GS 150R among the 150 cc bikes as they are really comfortable for the highways. Take a test ride and decide.

@ TS

TD GS150R man that suzuki engine has enough torque for a 150cc to pull & it has the smoothest engine & cruising at 80-90kmph will be like a walk in the park.

IMHO it is better of buying GS150R considering its 6th Cog & torque which is very much required during the trip.

believe me you will save so much on the bike & so much on fuel & Although I have not done the leh but in my perspective when people can do it in Splendors & victors what so harm in trying it in GS150R

Given your present running, and your ownership term - you're best off buying a bike that's a long term keeper. The 150cc crowd will never cut it because you will sooner or later demand more torque or more speed etc.

And the incremental spend over 5-6 years is miniscule. As for the parts, I'd recommend you chill. At your present running, the max you can spend in a bike for maint would be clutch + chainset.That cost is not sufficient to discourage you from buying the ZMA for example.

Buy the bike that sets your heart aflutter - testride them.

personal opinion:

well..
1. you want to keep it for 6-7 years.
--> buy P220 OR Karizma. buy the best of today, atleast they can cope-up with future. would require to strech your budzet though.
for highway rides and cruising, you definitly need big bike.. so that engine runs relaxed on 100 and gives you comfort.

2. you don't ride fast.
--> On victor, you haven't tasted blood i guess. don't buy 150 m/c as second bike. power feel wouldn't be much. on p220 or karizma.. cruizing on 100 become easy and relaxed.

3. if want super reliability - go for zma
if want goodies - go for p220. wide tubeless tyre and best headlights in industry are just to start with.

Final say..
GS150R: if you really want to get a 150 and upgrade 2 yrs from now.
P220: If you are gonna keep it for another 4-5 years(like you kept your victor).

P.S.:Those were the options i had considered

Please comment on this...

Hello Friends,
I have analysed RTR 180 for the following plus points but the only sore point is the bent forward seating position which gives back pain for long drives.(Might be some people adjust to it and some do not).
Plus points of RTR180:
1)Best pickup.
2)Cheap spares.
3)Less plastic parts to vibrate and break.
4)VFM bike.
5) Good average of 40-45 surely,if you ride in a sedate manner even more say 45-50k.
6) Rear disc brake so no changing rear brake shoes often and related problems.
7)Fantastic brakes,front ones.
8)Goodies in LCD display.
9) Highest Horsepower per tonne of weight.
10)I would always vouch for TVS quality rather than Bajaj Quality(My perception).On a general the spares are of good quality and build quality is quite good.I own a 6 year old TVS victor GL,so from my experience.
11)Oh how did I forget the amazing handling and flickability of the vehicle.
12) Tubeless tyres surely a boon for those sudden punctures which can be fatal.
Cons:
1) Engine refinement not so smooth as a honda unicorn or a karizma but who cares if you get mindblowing throttle response.!!!
2) Vibrations ,apache owners please comment whether they are acceptable with respect to what we get in terms of power and response.
I got a suggestion from Bike guru, Purchase Apache RTR180, ride it with clip ons if you adjust to it by time no problem.If you donot do the following:
1) Change the T which holds the forks to the old apache 150 T.
2) Change the clipons to a normal handle infact fit a handle which is closest to your body to give you the straight riding position.
3) Change the brake,clutch cables to new longer ones.

All this inluding labour should not cost more than 1500 Rs max.Guys please comment on this why not this be kept as an option? If we change the handle and the T bar why cant the Apache be made into a Light weight Sportscruiser?

To all who say ride with 150 cc to Leh my points of concern:

At high altitudes, engine will be huffing and puffing for lack of oxygen….engine output will take a hit. More relaxed and powerful engine will keep going in such places….

With more altitude you achieve roads won’t get better…at places there will be stones & streams in name of roads ….so more low RPM torque engine has underneath, more comfortably these roads can be conquered….after all one you want to reach there riding on your bike rather than pushing it..
Also after all the guy won’t start riding from foothills…there would couple of hundred or thousand K.M. added on odometer before bike start tasting rough terrain…hence more punch bike has more chances it won’t give away..

I would suggest get Bull or ZMA for such a trip…after all its a choice whether to enjoy the ride…or praying and keep worrying when crying engine will give its last spurt…

As for bike life I don’t see why any bike from list won’t last 6-7 years with proper servicing…….

+1 .. You nicely pointed out the core of the story.
The thing is that you can take any 150 to Leh but more powered and relaxed your bike , more comforatable and more enjoyable your trip will be.