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  • Yamaha R15 questions

    [Moderators, please feel free to move this topic if this is not the right forum. I couldn't find a better place to post this in.]

    Hi all,
    I've been reading the forums here for several weeks now. I have decided on buying an R15 and I have some questions that I would like to have answers for. I test rode an FZ16 a few days ago (even though I was almost sure I'd go for an R15) and wasn't very impressed with it. Some of the questions below may just invite personal opinions and I'm fine with that.

    Coming to my questions:
    1. Bangalore - Test ride
    Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

    2. Bangalore - better dealer/service
    I've been getting my RXZ serviced from Panache for the last few years. Except for the petrol theft that seems to happen, they do seem to do a good job. There is at least one guy there who's knowledgeable enough to figure out things that are wrong with a vehicle by looking at it and taking it for a short ride. Coming to the question - is Pacer Motors as good as or better than Panache in terms of their after sales service and regular services? Any recommendations on whom I should buy from? Any other differences in terms of base price, price of accessories, etc.?

    3. Pillion rider comfort
    Just to get a better idea, this should be split as two questions:
    a) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider to sit on an R15 pillion with the knees bent up (compared to other motorcycles)? The Pacer salesman said that the pillion rider should move back a little and lean forward a bit to be comfortable.
    b) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider on Bangalore roads and for longer distances (say 100kms-200kms)? Would it be very bad or as bad as on any other 100cc-125cc motorcycle? (Obviously I'm not asking for comparison with a HH ZMA, Apache RTR, Pulsar 220, etc., since my current comparison is with my RXZ, where it's fine for city rides but painful for longer rides).

    4. Security/antitheft system
    Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?

    5. Accessories
    a) What accessories are available for this model and which ones would you recommend as must have, which ones as nice to have and which ones as a waste of money (yes, I understand that some of these may be just your opinions, but I'm interested in hearing them)?
    b) What accessories, if any, are provided with the R15 when one buys it? Any freebies?

    6. Center stand
    a) Is the center stand for this (an extra accessory to be purchased separately) worth having? Does it spoil the looks or is it a good compromise between looks and usability?

    7. Anything else I should ask the dealer before I pay up?

    Last edited by vrroom; 03-02-2010, 01:26 PM. Reason: Added question about antitheft system

  • #2
    Topic Approved.
    :)

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by vrroom View Post
      [
      4. Security/antitheft system
      Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?
      I have an autocop security system installed in my apache. and it cost me 1800rs, should be around the same price for r15. but do check whether warranty will be void if u install it

      Comment


      • #4
        Coming to my questions:
        1. Bangalore - Test ride
        Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

        A 5 min test ride in the bangalore traffic will hardly give you a feel of what the bike is really capable of doing. The R15 will feel underpowered if you take a test ride in traffic as the power band starts above 6000 rpm.

        That said, perfect riders did give me a test ride on a bike which had not been serviced in ages and did not handle well.
        A friend's bike on the highway would be a better option.

        2. Bangalore - better dealer/service
        I've been getting my RXZ serviced from Panache for the last few years. Except for the petrol theft that seems to happen, they do seem to do a good job. There is at least one guy there who's knowledgeable enough to figure out things that are wrong with a vehicle by looking at it and taking it for a short ride. Coming to the question - is Pacer Motors as good as or better than Panache in terms of their after sales service and regular services? Any recommendations on whom I should buy from? Any other differences in terms of base price, price of accessories, etc.?

        Don't know about pacer, sorry.

        3. Pillion rider comfort
        Just to get a better idea, this should be split as two questions:
        a) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider to sit on an R15 pillion with the knees bent up (compared to other motorcycles)? The Pacer salesman said that the pillion rider should move back a little and lean forward a bit to be comfortable.

        The pillion seat is quite comfortable upto about 40 Km, I have not gone further than that with a pillion.

        b) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider on Bangalore roads and for longer distances (say 100kms-200kms)? Would it be very bad or as bad as on any other 100cc-125cc motorcycle? (Obviously I'm not asking for comparison with a HH ZMA, Apache RTR, Pulsar 220, etc., since my current comparison is with my RXZ, where it's fine for city rides but painful for longer rides).


        4. Security/antitheft system
        Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?

        Electronic antitheft systems are not recommend for the R15 due to its effecient but tiny battery. This is definitely subjective to the owners choice though.

        5. Accessories
        a) What accessories are available for this model and which ones would you recommend as must have, which ones as nice to have and which ones as a waste of money (yes, I understand that some of these may be just your opinions, but I'm interested in hearing them)?

        My must have accessories for the bike: Chain lube and chain clean and the stand.

        Must have for the rider: A good helmet, gloves, riding jacket, knee protectors and boots.



        My "nice to have" bike accessories: Billet clutch and brake, tank protector, rear seat cowl, TBR carbon exhaust for R15.

        b) What accessories, if any, are provided with the R15 when one buys it? Any freebies?

        Zilch, for me anyway.

        6. Center stand
        a) Is the center stand for this (an extra accessory to be purchased separately) worth having? Does it spoil the looks or is it a good compromise between looks and usability?

        Racing stand looks cool and costs 1500, i have the temporary SVC stand that cost ~250 bucks and is easier to carry on trips and is as functional as the racing stand. You can also go in to the permanent centre stand that should cost ~750 i think.


        7. Anything else I should ask the dealer before I pay up?

        Try and bargain for a free teflon coating, R15 keychain or something


        Cheers,

        Shr.
        Last edited by Shreyas82; 03-02-2010, 05:51 PM. Reason: Edited Must haves

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Shreyas82 View Post
          Coming to my questions:
          1. Bangalore - Test ride
          Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

          A 5 min test ride in the bangalore traffic will hardly give you a feel of what the bike is really capable of doing. The R15 will feel underpowered if you take a test ride in traffic as the power band starts above 6000 rpm.
          Thanks, I was looking for a test ride more to see the riding posture and not its power or handling as such. Anyway, it looks like my chances of a test ride are slim. So I'll just go on blind faith on that one and adjust with the new posture.



          Originally posted by Shreyas82 View Post
          3. Pillion rider comfort
          Just to get a better idea, this should be split as two questions:
          a) How comfortable is it for the pillion rider to sit on an R15 pillion with the knees bent up (compared to other motorcycles)? The Pacer salesman said that the pillion rider should move back a little and lean forward a bit to be comfortable.

          The pillion seat is quite comfortable upto about 40 Km, I have not gone further than that with a pillion.
          That seems fine enough for now. Thanks for that feedback.

          Originally posted by Shreyas82 View Post
          4. Security/antitheft system
          Are there any security/antitheft systems available here that are suitable for the R15? If yes, brands/models/approximate prices?

          Electronic antitheft systems are not recommend for the R15 due to its effecient but tiny battery. This is definitely subjective to the owners choice though.
          I was also thinking of a system that may have its own batteries, something like Xena Disc Locks (not sure if it or anything similar would be available anywhere in India).


          Originally posted by Shreyas82 View Post
          5. Accessories
          a) What accessories are available for this model and which ones would you recommend as must have, which ones as nice to have and which ones as a waste of money (yes, I understand that some of these may be just your opinions, but I'm interested in hearing them)?

          My must have accessories for the bike: Chain lube and chain clean and the stand.


          6. Center stand
          a) Is the center stand for this (an extra accessory to be purchased separately) worth having? Does it spoil the looks or is it a good compromise between looks and usability?

          Racing stand looks cool and costs 1500, i have the temporary SVC stand that cost ~250 bucks and is easier to carry on trips and is as functional as the racing stand. You can also go in to the permanent centre stand that should cost ~750 i think.
          Thanks for these responses.

          Comment


          • #6
            the dealer is wrong about one thing you get test rides in pune and i myself am an R15 owner very happy with it and am also very surprised with it touring capabilities and Will get the autocop security system inststalled very quickly.
            The pillion comfort is an issue thought
            Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.
            People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs.

            Comment


            • #7
              [QUOTE=vrroom;386967
              Hi all,
              I've been reading the forums here for several weeks now. I have decided on buying an R15 and I have some questions that I would like to have answers for. I test rode an FZ16 a few days ago (even though I was almost sure I'd go for an R15) and wasn't very impressed with it. Some of the questions below may just invite personal opinions and I'm fine with that.

              Coming to my questions:
              1. Bangalore - Test ride
              Pacer Motors didn't provide me an R15 for a test ride and gave me some reason about the company being so sure about the quality and build that I would not get a test ride anywhere in India. Is there any other dealer in Bangalore who would allow me to test ride the R15? Would Panache allow?

              [/QUOTE]

              I Dunno about Panache but when I bought my FZs from Orion the guys there gave me a test ride on both the FZ and the R15 and there was no funda of Test ride anywhere in india is unbeliveable. Try out the other YAMAHA dealers in town and try to visit them late afternoons when they are free and they should help you get a test ride.
              "I set out running but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine. If I get home before day light, just might get some sleep tonight" - The Grateful Dead.

              The Stable - 2009 Yamaha FZS (Baby Beast) & 2010 YAMAHA YZF R15 (Anjuna Sunset).

              Wishlist - Kawasaki Ninja 250r, YAMAHA R6 and Bullet standard 500 with the CI engine and a handpainted Goa Chic helmet.

              www.facebook.com/powerslave666

              Comment


              • #8
                Bangalore Wheels did give me a test ride few months back. And I was allowed to ride alone. That guy just said "ride as fast as possible sir, take it to 90 atleast" Liked their sales staff, maybe you can give them a try.

                Pacer has an haughty attitude, told this before in other threads too. Not giving TD is pure, unadulterated BS.

                OT: What do you intend to do with the RXZ?
                Last edited by NitinGirish; 03-03-2010, 10:54 AM.
                A lone amateur built the ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic...

                Comment


                • #9
                  Panache at marathalli, also offered me a test ride, and tat too of a new bike .

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I'll be checking out Panache on CMH Road, Indiranagar soon for a test ride and see if their salespeople are any better. I hope they don't give someone else's vehicle (given for a service) for a test ride. :P

                    Any suggestions on Pacer vs. Panache as far as sales/service would be useful, since these two are the ones I had narrowed down on (after hearing a lot of complaints about Orion, Bangalore Wheels, etc., on mouthshut.com and elsewhere - Orion steals parts?!).

                    @NitinGirish
                    The RXZ stays! I had thought of selling it sometime ago but changed my mind. I can't seem to let go of the two stroke feel while accelerating.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      ^ Are you sure? You can get a neat sum for it which will come handy in financing R15

                      LoL! Just kidding man. Anybody asking you to sell RXZ, ask him to take a walk. A good change of mind there

                      Reg Pacer Vs. Panache, choose whichver is closer to you and more importantly whoever has lesser workload. I doubt Panache having more customers than Pacer.
                      Last edited by NitinGirish; 03-03-2010, 01:32 PM.
                      A lone amateur built the ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Panache, Orion, and bangalore wheels give test rides.

                        In fact I got a call for a test ride for R15 from Pacer too, if I am not mistaking -- it's on lalbagh road?

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          ^ Thats Perfect Riders, Pacer is in Infantry Road.
                          A lone amateur built the ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic...

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I went to Panache (CMH Road, Indiranagar) and got a very short test ride of the R15. Since all I wanted to check was a feel for the posture, the distance didn't matter much. The seating posture seemed fine to me...maybe I'll find that it needs getting used to when I go for a longer ride.

                            The Panache salesgirl just asked me when I was planning to book it, but didn't ask for my name or number for follow up sales calls. The salesman at Pacer made sure that I left my name and number with them. Don't know what to make of this, although I hate sales calls and follow ups.

                            So far Panache seems to be a better option, since the Pacer guy told me some rubbish about the test ride (I couldn't believe that when he said it, and now I feel like he took me for a nice ride anyway).

                            The price is the same across these two dealers and there are no special offers or discounts at least from Panache (even with Ugadi/New Year coming in a couple of weeks in Bangalore).


                            I'm still interested in getting more opinions/experiences about both Pacer and Panache for service, and also about accessories and antitheft systems.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Never mind.
                              Last edited by vrroom; 03-08-2010, 11:16 AM.

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