dude FZ is great for city but try the P220 and A180 they are superior when they are in open roads.. FZ is great for city P220 is great for highway and open roads .. and having both of the capabilities is the A180... choose what you love and love what you choose and enjoy..

@ venomafiax : Dude, I got nothing to say to you. As the saying goes "Never argue with an idiot, first they bring you down to their level and then best you with their experience."

@GOU : I understand that you need a bike that can take pot-holes easily. First off to my understanding the pot-hole negotiating ability of a mono-suspension bike is a bit better than a dual suspension bike. Still if you look closely at the suspension of a P220 or an RTR180/160, you will notice a little can kinda thing at the top of the suspension. That thing is what differentiates a gas-filled suspension to a normal suspension. Your passion is fitted with a normal dual suspension, i.e. it's suspension is not gas-filled. Where as the premium bikes these days com fitted with gas-filled suspension which is way better that normal suspension when it comes to pot-hole negotiation.

You should also take a look at the RTR160/180 but then again you want something exclusive.

If I were you, i'd get an RTR160(carburetor version) or an FZ16.

@parth.... dude u might wanna rephrase those lines... u still agree an FZ is the best for city handling... this thread is all about city handling isnt it... and my quote is with regard to city handling isn't it... no1s talking about speed and performance here and thats where the other bikes belong... not here!! my opinion was strictly with regard to city handling and absorbing pot holes reply u might wanna read it again and look yourself up as stupid!!!
Read and understand!!! the r15 and Zmr yet look crap... just because you ride it don't get offended its not your fault!!! LOl!!!

There isn't any fuss about the bike's opinion bro. The problem was with your language. You are always welcome for your opinions. Make sure you respect everyone's opinion and address elderly people either as bro or sir depending on the age(call me dude anyday, no probs). You cannot call elders as buddy or dude unless they permit. Pls don't use words such as Cr** Sh**etc and also abusive words. And pls we need some peace here.
We have a standard to maintain at xbhp.

@GOU
Sir are you watching? Opinions are pouring in......

Yes I am watching. Just wait for my next post with update about test drives and few more queries

sorry about the age thingy mate i never looked into anyones age well enough to address them...
and i didnt expect S*** and C*** to offend anyone lol... they are just normal words!!!
By the way everyone is respected here take no offence i just dont like it when some random person crosses into my path.. WTH!!!!

Peace!!!

I wanted to write this post from last few days, but was a bit busy. Yes, there was a bit of work in office, but main thing I was busy was test drives. Monday while sitting in office I said to myself its hightime that I took TD of FZ. Immediately searched for Yamaha at Koramangala (Orion Motors) and called them up. I guess call was taken by their owner or some manager and he said he will arrange for a callback within 5 min. I got a call and asked the person, Manu, that I am looking to buy FZ or R15 and want a TD for both and that too a long one. He hesitated for a long TD to which I mentioned that I already had a good TD of P220 and I need to understand the difference between the bikes then only I can decide. He said I can come anytime in afternoon and he will arrange for one. I said I will be there in 30 mins.

Since I had never driven FZ I wanted to drive it first. Also I had a feeling that I would not like it if I drive R15 first. So asked him for FZ. He went and came back saying its gone on servicing and I could drive it only tomorrow. I was disappointed. But R15 was available for TD and thats it I was riding it. Man!!! this bike is an amazing machine. I had taken the TD of R15 earlier but that was a very short one. But this time it was longer and I knew what I needed to check, how the bike revs at higher rpms, how it accelerated, stability, bracking, rollon/drivability (how it performs at higher gears at very low speeds). TD distance was 12.6 km and route was half of what I cover daily, only difference being the time as the traffic was bit low compared to peak hours.

R15 is a very refined bike. Refined being the keyword here. Does not make you feel the speed at which you are driving. For I had the yamaha person Manu as a pillion. I would easily go speed of 25 in first gear without noticing it. Engine does not feel like it is much strained even at 10k rpm. Now some figures. Went till speed of about 110 kmph speedo, could have done more on this bike but traffic and road did not allow. For in gear speeds, did around 40+ in 1st gear, 55+ in second, 85+ in 3rd gear. Probably you go to more speeds in these gears if you have proper time and place to test it. Engine sounded as if its ready to take more of it, though was getting strained a bit but in positive way. Don't know how to describe it. Now for in gear low speeds. How I tested this was put bike in a gear go to a low speed and try to accelerate without pressing clutch. R15 pulled from 6th gear at speed of 25 without using clutch. Great I would say. It pulled from 22 in 5th gear and something around 15-18 in 4th gear. Most of the other 4 strokes I have driven would not allow that. They would stall. And mind you I was sitting with a pillion. I was pretty impressed and thought this is the bike I would not regret, infact would like to have. Forgot braking also felt good and did not feel it getting unstable while braking. Did not feel if I was going on bad road. Took it through a few small potholes and speed breakers (humps) and it felt good. Though I was very much impressed I decided I would come next day and TD FZ.

Next day I went to take TD of FZ-16. Though sitting position is more upright, I felt more comfortable in sitting position of R15. But I think this is personal opinion and I guess except me everyone feels other way round. That may be because psychologically I am more inclined towards R15 because of looks and technology. So did TD of FZ-16 on same route that I did R15 a day earlier. Had the same pillion. Max speed I reached was 90kmph. The guy mentioned without a pillion you could reach higher speeds. In gear acceleration and speeds were also good. Similar to R15 this engine also does not mind revving hard. I could easily rev it to 8k rpms, after engine felt like losing breath, but still it did not mind revving. You can easily reach 85 in fourth gear and can easily rev it high speeds in gear like R15 though may be a marginal lesser than R15. I don't remember the exact speeds which I took it to. The in gear low speeds figure were also similar to R15. Can pull up in 5th gear from around 25 without pressing clutch. I have driven friend's Unicorn and I know you cannot do this in Unicorn. But may be the age of the bike and Kms done also makes a difference here.

After driving FZ I felt there is not much difference in R15 and FZ except for top speed and sitting posture. But I was mistaken here. Since top speed was not a criteria I almost zeroed on FZ. But then I thought of TDing R15 again for a small distance, because I thought I was understand the difference when I drive both at the same time. Thats what made a difference. R15 felt so smooth compared to FZ and that was time I decided that between the two Yamahas I need R15.

Now the other bike left in contention was P220 and I immediately went to a probiking showroom. I was informed that they do not give test drives and best I could do was ride on dynamo. He told me not to go above 60kmph as the bike is new. I thought then whey is it kept on dynamo . I did and felt that the P220 vibrates a bit more and was not as rev happy as R15. But I could not understand how the bike behaves sitting on the dynamo and again requested the person for a TD, to which he obliged. I got a naked P220 with odometer disconnected - means it was some other customers new bike. Again the request no to go above 60, which I could not make out since odo was disconnected. Only thing working was rpm meter. This bike was truly an uncontrollable wild beast. Acceleration was excellent, just a turn of the throttle and the bike flies. Though it is not as rev happy as FZ or R15, I guess you don't need it as the acceleration comes at lower rpms because of high torque. Suspensions were also soft and to my liking as you don't fell bad roads. Now I was confused and it was then that I had to do a suddent braking and felt a bit unstable. It was braking and vibrations which were a bit let down in P220. Though it was both disc brakes, while braking I did not feel that connected and confident as I felt on FZ and R15. Since this was a new P220 I decided that I will TD a P220 which is used a bit and then form an opinion.

I went to used bike market on saturday and TD a used P220 and similar used R15. Though it was a short TD I did not find that much difference in their acceleration. This used P220 was not flying the way new one was.

So ultimately I have decided to buy the R15. Please note this is not meant to offend anyone. My decission is based on my observations and can be subjective. Also, I have tried my best in stating the information but I might be wrong somewhere.

So now I am looking for a used R15. I found one looked good to me except the fact the tyre has been changed. Its fitted with 120/80 I guess. He mentioned that he has not changed the rim. The owner mentions that he checked with Yamaha service center before fitting it and it will not affect the bike and he can give me the original tyre also.

I want to know does bigger tyre of this size (120/80) cause any other part to wear out?

This takes the cake
Get the OE tires swapped back,

Phew! That was pretty lengthy! But you have expressed your feelings and opinion so beautifully sir. Congrats on going for R15. That is exactly what my logic is. It is more of personal desicion to go for the right one. You have chosen the one which you felt is good for you. I believe service will be top notch in a place like bangalore. And about the tire pls fit the original one. The manufacturer always fits a part to perform a particular function in a particular way. Generally after market parts will have one or the other effect on the bike. In your case the mileage might go down. Pls refer to the R15 ownership thread sir.

Reading your post...id say go get the r15!
i can give you a small comparison bet. R15 and P220
P220
Pros-21 odd Bhp...this really helps in overtaking at 100+
Projectors..easily the best stock lighting!
Cons-Fairing vibrations are really really bad!RVM are useless!

R15
Pros-High revver and its beautiful 0-100!,Fairing vibrations dont exist!its a quality fairing,RVM are the best ive seen!if your into cornering...R15 invites you to it!Riding posture is the best for sports bike out there!it actually makes use of the clip ons!

Cons-overtaking above 100 isnt as good as P220,depending on the person Ridng posture can be a prob but thts not the case with you!gear shifting might take some time to get use to.

Overall if you have the budget,R15 anyday!its worth every paisa!but if your on a budget P220 is an AMAZING VFM Machine!!and in your case since you have the budget for R15...GO FOR IT!

PS-BAJAJ doesn't deserve a customer who has been denied a proper TD! i wonder how many prospective customers they have lost because of this!

+100 to tht actually!

Well I agree I won't be using full potential of R15, but so would be with P220. FZ I could utilise the full potential but still I needed more than that. As mentioned I reached 110 on R15 and thats the normal route to my office, so I would atleast get chance to rev R15 harder.

I would like to know from experts - R15 fitted with 120/80 17'' on the original rim. Would it damage any part? As the used bike which I am going to buy is fitted with it. Please reply fast as I am planning to buy the bike tomorrow. More details on the bike after buying it .

As suggested by people I am going to change back to original tyres after buying.

Yes it was lengthy and that was one reason it took so much time.

Probably someone with my requirements might not go for R15, but its R15 for me.

Yes the high revs and pick up in 6th gear in low speeds increased the desire in me for R15.

I drove both FZ and R15 for 12.6 kms and it was definitely a very good TD. Bajaj needs to work on them. After all whats the use of all this Probiking showrooms otherwise?

One important thing about R15 is stability while braking. That was one thing I did not like in Pulsar and made me chose R15.

Does 120/80 rear tyre damage any parts? If yes then I would not go for that bike.

If no mods has been carried out to fit the PHAT tire, then there is no need to worry

Thanks guys for all the replies. I bought a used Red colour R15, mentioned in the posts above. Got it serviced, replaced it with original tyre. I am enjoying it.

Thanks once again.

Cheers,
Gourav