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The new Karizma ZMR or Thunder Bird Twin Spark

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  • #1

    The new Karizma ZMR or Thunder Bird Twin Spark

    Hey Guys,
    Need a little help in choosing a bike, riding bikes is my hobby but have not done that on proper rides in my life, have travelled mostly in the city during peak/ non peak hours along with 10-15 kms of high way.

    I currently ride a HH Splendor Jan 2000 model(pretty old but well maintained). My budget for a bike ranges from 80k to 1.10 Lakhs. I was interested in buying the new Fazer for the looks but got reviews about it not having a comfortable seating and there are better bikes in the market.

    The ZMR has the sporty look, amazing power but it has a riding position which puts me into doubts about buying it. On the other hand Thunderbird is something that i can go with. But i heard some reviews about it which put me into questuions. like the run in speed is for 3000 kms, not a sturdy engine( prone to break downs)

    Please help me finalize a bike. I am 5'11". 85 kgs. I stay in Mumbai.
    17
    Karizma ZMR
    64.71%
    11
    Thunder Bird Twin Spark 350
    35.29%
    6

    The poll is expired.


    sigpic
    Respect the nature and it will respect you back.....

    Cheers!!!!
    Dinesh


    First Ride to Malshej Ghats.....
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Topic Approved.
    :)

    Comment

    • #3
      Kindly let us know what you feel exactly about riding position of ZMR ... I mean, is it more sporty & less comfortable or the opposite?

      About the breakdowns, I can say that we haven't seen much yet. It's a new bike, so Where did you hear about its "prone to breakdowns"?

      Maybe in context of ZMA (because that's what ZMR is derived from) I think what you heard must be Expensive spares.
      Yes, they are expensive but well worth it. My friend has a ZMA running 12k+ and no complaints of breakdown!


      My recommendation is ZMR, considering its comfort, looks and overall appeal. But, if you need a bike mostly for the city, you have other options you didn't list here...
      ---
      Brotherhood, Rules, Freedom. Xbhp.
      Indian riding = Alertness, Anticipation and Adjustment.

      Comment

      • #4
        You dont seem to be an Enfield type of a guy!

        If you have only these two machines to choose from, ZMR has to be it (if HH gives it to you ie..)
        2002 - Pulsar 150 Classic (Still owned)
        2005 - Pulsar 150 Dtsi (Still owned)
        2006 - Eterno (sold)
        2008 - Dio (Owned)
        2009 - Pulsar 220 DTSi

        Comment

        • #5
          look into the P220 as well... if you dont have a gripe with bajaj that is..


          My offerings to the gods of speed -

          - KTM Duke 200
          - Yamaha RXZ 5 speed


          Comment

          • #6
            @Samarth:- I personally feel that the ZMR is sporty and an uncomfortable position for longer biking trips as compared to the Thuderbird TS. About the breakdowns a friend mentioned the earlier thunderbird not the TS engine. Also i dont want to use it only for city riding, wanna take long trips to goa, mahableshwar, etc. So i was wondering if ZMR positioning would be comfortable for my back?

            @Devilpulsarian :- I hope hero honda gives it to me cos i have been loyal to them for 10 yrs now(). Also why do i dont seem like a enfield guy????

            @jd666 :- I somehow don't like the Pulsars... Personal opinion no hard feelings but some how some how i dont consider pulsar even as an option

            sigpic
            Respect the nature and it will respect you back.....

            Cheers!!!!
            Dinesh


            First Ride to Malshej Ghats.....

            Comment

            • #7
              ZMR is very comfortable for loooong rides and it has been proved. You can happily go for it.
              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

              • #8
                Originally posted by ravi@17bhp View Post
                ZMR is very comfortable for loooong rides and it has been proved. You can happily go for it.
                +1 to that.
                Quench my thirst with gasoline!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Go for Old ZMA or if you like the design of ZMR, it would be a wonderful deal. Comfort, FI, Power.. The parameters to tour long..!
                  ZMA is the one of the most comfortable bikes available around for touring, which is not just claimed, but proved & concluded. Without any probs you can tour for 1000 & 1000's of kms..! Recently Pravin has done 25000 kms in 175 days around India (read: Unknown Destination) on his karizma. AFAIK, ZMA has been taken to LEH more no. of times to LEH then any other bike (merely based on my assumption, please dont grab me for this ).
                  Out of your option, my vote will be for ZMR based on above reason.


                  Blog : Mumbai - Leh - Mumbai : 21 Days, 6500kms. Journey to Heaven..June'09
                  GreatIndianRide - West India on a 110cc for over a month
                  Mumbai-Leh-Mumbai - A Sequel : July'11 (Blog coming soon)

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                  • #10
                    If u can hold on for 2 months from now, I've confirm news that new FZ with 200/250CC engine is ready for launch & is being tested near Yamaha factory. Althought I don't have any proof to submit along, I've a very good friend in yamaha service centre who regularly goes to Y-factory & has seen bigger bike in disguise... Don't be shocked to see either same FZ with bigger heart or slightly redesigned FZ with more enchanting appeal.
                    You must be the change you wish to see in the world

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      ^^^ and, didn't you read the announcement from TVS that they are stepping into 200+ cc segment?

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Guys: Tomorrow never comes. If we anticipate bikes, we end up in anticipation all the time.
                        Go for the ZMR man.. ( if u feel the extra 20-25k is justified by the FI unit, the Rear discs and the 0.7bhp increase) otherwise go in for the ZMA-R. Its a wonder. I own a ZMA now after my Pulsar and trust me, Its amazing.
                        Never Argue with an Idiot !!!
                        He will bring you down to his level and beat you with his experience.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Zma-R is still a great 'VALUE FOR MONEY' bike as few are suggesting here, proven reliability, good for commuting, touring and highway cruising, etc etc...all for ~80K ( you save ~25K over ZMR/Tbird, that means 500 litres of petrol that can fetch you 20K kms @40kmpl) , if money isn't an issue then go for ZMR.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Thanks for your input guys, i want to take a test ride for the ThunderBird TS, but can seem to find one in Mumbai. I asked in thane but the guy does not have a bike for test ride. Anywhere in mumbai where i can get one?? Also this weekend me planning for a ZMR test ride any known place where i can go?

                            thunderbird_m6 :- Any more details on the same? I can wait for it but provided it should be worth waiting...
                            Last edited by dineshsamtani; 12-01-2009, 04:24 PM.

                            sigpic
                            Respect the nature and it will respect you back.....

                            Cheers!!!!
                            Dinesh


                            First Ride to Malshej Ghats.....

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by thunderbird_m6 View Post
                              If u can hold on for 2 months from now, I've confirm news that new FZ with 200/250CC engine is ready for launch & is being tested near Yamaha factory. Althought I don't have any proof to submit along, I've a very good friend in yamaha service centre who regularly goes to Y-factory & has seen bigger bike in disguise... Don't be shocked to see either same FZ with bigger heart or slightly redesigned FZ with more enchanting appeal.
                              are you sure...whats the estimated cost????
                              sigpic
                              2005-06 @ activa n ambition
                              2006-09 @ ambition
                              2010... @ yamaha R-15, new ACTIVA
                              2015:-R15(V1),Iron 883,Activa

                              biker REDEfined

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