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Just take a test ride, one solution for all the questions in your mind. Both of them are equally good with their own pros and cons.

I have already driven Karizma,one of my friend's which i loved so much.My main issue is the unavailability of the kicker of Pulsar 220..Am not so sure about the durability of the self start in absence of kicker as i will be using my bike very rarely.I love Pulsar 220 the way it looks and the features it offer for the price.

I would suggest Karizma R than P220

Hai Rahul, my advice is go for a Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi, it will fulfill all your personal and professional needs

About Palsar 220, here are my thoughts, in bold

1. Best resale value
2. Sporty looking bike, gives you a feel of owning a superbike
3. Introduced in 2009
4. Good millage, pickup
5. So many options for modification
6. This bike is for those who dream of buying a superbike (SBK), but cannot buy it because of the SBK's cost
7. Good and comfortable seating position and split seats
8. Improved Engine Performance
9. There are many good features which are very useful which are not there in Hero Honda Karizma R
10. Service Network is strong
11. Best digital Speedometer abd even good handling and riding aerodynamics and ergonomics in my opinion, when compared Karizma R
12. Hassle free maintainance and ownership
13. Better road presence, other road users will stare and envy the bike
14. Gas filled shock absorbers, adjustable, suspension are better
15. Tubeless tyres
16. Best looking tail lamp and projector head lamp
17. Clip on handlebars
18. Bike can be used for stunts and as well a show off
19. Comes from a repurated and trusted Brand
20. More number of satisfied customers then the Karizma R
21. Self canceling indicators
22. Best after sales service (A.S.S)
23. Little bit lowerly priced then the karizma r

ownership report about Pulsar 220 DTSi from xbhp owner, http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...-220-dtsi.html

and also check the pulsar 220 website
Bajaj New Pulsar 220 DTS-i (xHTML version) or Bajaj (HTML Version)


About Hero Honda Karizma R, here ae my thoughts

1. More frequent complains about the bike
2. poor pickup and millage
3. Options for modification, as the pulsar
4. Doesn't have much road presence
5. Some customers feel that the ride quality is stiff (Read an article about old karizma and new karizma zmr on some other bike website)
6. Above average Service and A.S.S
7. Less features when compared to pulsar 220
8. average resale value
9. A bit highly priced then the pulsar 220
10. Introduced in 2006 or 2008 (not sure about the launch date)
11. Has tubeless tyres
12. May be it will be hard to perform stunts

For more information visit Hero Honda Website www.herohonda.com and read this first impression report by xbhp about karizma r,

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/desi-bikes/10422-karizma-zmr-ride-report-first-impressions.html

P.S Consider the Bajaj Pulsars 150 and 180 DTSi along with Kawasaki Ninja 250R which is Priced around Rs. 2 to 3 Lakhs.

you are 24 years old Rahul, place take a wise decision and all the best of luck for your purchase.

Hai Badshah786,
Many thanks for your valuable comments.....
I just love the Pulsar 220.....the way it looks and the features it offer.....for a happy price stag.....My main issue is the absence of kicker......as i would be using my bike very rarely.....i heard battery are of maintenance free......but am not so sure......could you please give me a valuable comment on this issue......

Regarding your concerns about the absense of kick start, thats mostly a non issue.
On very very cold mornings you could have an issue with that (though unlikely) but dhakka start and other techniques (Ask the pbk mechanics) work well.

Also, do think if you would be having pillion on long rides. The 220 can be quite taxing to the pillion on a long ride while the zma is very comfortable.

If you like your red light GPs and short 0 to 60 sessions, go for the 220. Its too much fun. Plus you have the VFM features at that price. The zma lags in this department but makes up for it with its ultra refined engine and legendary reliability.

Now.. have i helped you or confused you more :P

Go for P220 dtsi dude..
You will not regret it. Thats my Guarantee! Even i was in similar situation like you and finally got the P220 2 days back.

The 2009 versions of pulsars cannot be compared with the older one's. The new one's are just brilliant in terms of engine refinement and build quality.

Frankly, i don't see any reason for you to go for Karizma R except that it seems to have smoother engine..nothing else..
Its an old bike buddy...

Hope my post was helpful.
Cheers

Hi,Mik.....
Many thanks for your valuable comments.I am a business person and will not be at home for months and so.....thats why my issue of the absence of kicker is getting stronger.....how about the bike's self start durability if it is not used for more than 1 month???

Let me give you two examples.
Aug, Sep, Oct08 -> I was onsite hence the bike just stood in the parking lot.
I come back, press the starter, and it works

Aug -Sep 09 -> Was hospitalized due to illness. I come back, press the starter, and it works

I guess you get the drift.

Note: I have faced relay shorting problem twice on my bike. So make sure that you get your electricals checked at every service. The pbk guys here tend to skip these things

you have not mentioned your usage- city/highway/stunting?

tourer - Zma any day- far more comfortable and relaxed than the 220.the 220 is amazing tourer as well but the Zma is just better.

Looks - Subjective , decision is yours

ride quality - both bikes are good and have their own pro's and cons.Zmas handle corners better than the 220.on the open highway the 220 feels more stable especially with crosswinds the zma feels shaky

lights - the 220 lights are good, no they are amazing .Zma lights are just about ok.you would need to have the HID kit installed to have the same experience as a 220 owner.

fuel efficiency - similar , depends on how you ride the bike.may wary from 30 - 45 on both bikes.

Braking- the 220 is better in this department as well with rear brakes.the front dis of a Zma to me feels much more safer than the 220 as it is progressive.

Tyres- 220 has better tyres than the Zma and they are tubeless.you can change the Zma tyres to the new ZMR tyres and they are tubeless.

Engine - this is where the honda shines.the super refined engine last longer than a bajaj, feels much more refined than the 220.you want a bike to last for ages - the Zma might be a good option.

Spares - the 220 spares are cheaper than the Zma.I mean it - the disk pad o a Zma costs close to 2400 rs and the 220 around 300 rs.

you will have to change parts less frequently on a zma but when you do so - they cost a lot.

Kick start - won't be an issue I suppose, I know guys who have used the 220 for quite some time and it does not seem like a reason to opt for another bike.

Pillion ride - the 220 pillion seat is bad and if you plan to take one frequently , you might want to consider changing the seat.the Zma seat is way more comfortable for the rider and the pillion.

A.S.S - both of them suck big time.I have had a 150 pulsar and currently owning a Zma and I do not see a difference in the way these guys treat you or service your bikes.

Performance- the 220 is a power horse and accelerates better , has a much better top speed.so if you want to drag or wan the extra 2 bhp go for the 220.the Zma performs very well but lacks the top speed the 220 offers.

suspension - I feel the zma handles bad roads better than the 220 - I am not really sure about this but feel so.

I hope this is enough.go ahead ride both bikes and the chose- you wont regret it

Hi Rahul, Seems you are here to promote Bajaj P220 over Karizma. I beg to defer on many 'bests' you wrote for P220 and many 'poors' you wrote for Karizma. If you do not have proper knowledge and experience, please refrain from giving biased suggestions. After reading your post, it reminded me of the words of a sales person who tries to underscore the other competitor to promote his product.

Rahul, please test ride the bikes first and decide. Both are good machines and have thier own negatives. P220 has slight performance edge over Karizma and feature rich. Karizma has the best proven, refined, reliable engine which does the job without any fuss and is the best for touring.

Please check here: http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/what-bik...220-dts-i.html

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