You can consider either a ZMA-R or if budget permits a CBR 250. Both have reliable Honda engines,which are refined, fuel efficient,and a joy to ride on long trips.You will not have body pains even after running on bumpy roads,and both are rock solid on the highway at 110 to 120 Kmph. The CBR 250 can go upto 150 Kmph ...otherwise if your top speed is not likely to be more than 110 to120 Kmph then ZMA-R is VFM for city and tour purpose.
In ZMA-R you can remove the bottom fairing as it is separate assembly..

Just dont go for Apache 180, plain and simple for one reason,

You want a bike running without issues for over 7 years and the current Apache will never fulfill this, no matter how good you maintain the bike.

May be it will last long only if you treat it like a moped, riding within 20kays.

I am not sure about ZMA's reliability as I never owned one. But have seen many praising its reliability.

Since my Dad has an Apache 180, Its good to say I have some understanding on it.

1st of all the Syncro-stiff chassis (Thats what they call it) is the same right from Apache 150. Which has a proven Vibration record in every part of its chassis. There should have been some innovations to the chassis atleast.Hence the Apache 180 is merely a rebored version of Apache 150 (with all those xyz gadgets)

Starting from the Handlebar till the Grab rails everything will vibrate including the rider's brain. These vibs not only damage your biking experience, but the internal parts too. Every time the service guy has to adjust each and every nut and bolt to prevent leakage of any fluid that is intended to be sealed.

Next the suspensions which are really stiff enough to baffle you every time you brake in an emergency. Say if you hit the brakes at around 90Kays the petal discs would do their job perfectly, but the suspension will show no reaction it. So you get the unstable feeling quite often.

Only one thing I found amazing in the Apache 180 is the acceleration between 0-60Kph and 110-130Kph. Its pulls you madly and you certainly feel someone is pushing you from behind.

So simply drop the RTR 180 from the list, coz if you want a peaceful touring ride go ahead for a ZMA or Fazer, coz the RTR 180 is a Rolla Costa ride every-time which makes your heart explode in excitement.

I'm surprised by the complaints you mentioned. I've never experienced such horrible vibrations on the RTR, nor there are any loose nuts and bolts or any leakage of fluids and the suspensions do their duty as well. May be the SVC you give your bike to aint doing their job well ! The brakes and handling are the best among the Indian bikes, the only thing you might have a jittery feeling with is the tyres when the roads are wet !

Hi guys,today i went to TVS showroom to enquire about Apache 160 and 180' mileage and the salesman told that both the bikes have the same mileage which is 45..I was shocked to hear that how come both give the same mileage?Please guys tell me the exact mileage of both the bikes when ridden samely and insanely.
Thanx!

May be you can check RTR160/180 ownership threads, that would give you some idea.

160-45 Kmph (overall)
180- 35-40 Kmph (overall)

My 180 returns me 45 kmpl on sane riding and 40 kmpl on ripping!
The 160 should definitely give 50 kmpl imho !

I guess your bike is a lemon, and how come you know that the bike will fall apart within 7 years? is your bike 7 years old?
I didnt get the theory of riding the bike like a moped.How does that save/increases the longevity of the bike?Please explain it in detailso that everyone can preserve their bike till eternity.
If you have so much problem with that bike I would suggest you to sell that bike.
Vibes is in the Apache's genes,learn to accept it.I live with it and I guess this is what makes it special!
ZMA is a good tourer,but its obsolete.
TD both of them and see which one suits you the best!

@ haxor

Yes me too agree with you my Dad's RTR 180 is a lemon off course. He rides the bike under 50Kph and thats the only reason why it survives a 3000Km interval for a service.

Unfortunately he cannot sell it, coz its provided by Government of India.



Please dont say Vibes are in Apaches gene, thats not the right way to put it.
The gearing in Apache is world class. it will kick every other bike in its class in terms of gearing even the R15, I have seen Joel modifing an R15 with Apache Gear box (ntire Crank case).

There are many positives too, but every thing is over shadowed by the ugly vibes, TVS should seriously take this into consideration.

I wrote the same in my review too, go through and correct me if I was wrong,

Bajaj Pulsar 220 Vs. Yamaha R15 Vs. Apache RTR 180

Though I will agree to most of your points but I beg to differ with the one in bolds.My bike is 17k kilometers old and every gearshift comes at 7-9k rpm.I rip it,properly;used to hit 11k rpm during the first few months but with fuel prices shooting up like NASA rockets I had to change my riding style..You won't believe but I have seen the mileage drop to as low as 25kmpl!The only problems as yet are the bad and inefficient A.S.S..

You cannot live with the RTR because,presumably,you ride a R15 which is butter-smooth compared to the RTR.Vibrations are ugly only when you are coming down from butter-smooth Hondas and Yamaha.When I ride a Honda I complain of no-noise or no'feel' at all.So,to a new rider it won't matter much and for an old rider it will take time getting the hang.

Those who ride RTRs for one or two days crib about vibrations and ask TVS to work on reducing them.Those who ride it daily would never want the vibes to be disappeared of the bike.It's more of a trait now than a con.You will learn to love/live with the bike eventually.Also,I must admit that sometimes when tappet noise/vibrations/stiff suspension work all together it does make your brain vibe along.

The main problem with the bike is that it feels stressed at higher rpms (8-10k) and therefore high-speed touring is bit of an issue.It can be though solved with gloves and a good snug-fit isolated helmet.

+1

i have a fieroF2.. its 8.5 yrs old has crossed the 1lakh km mark... its still so fun to ride this baby... NEVER have i opened the engine... from day one itself i used this bike for a daily commute of 65kms and this tradition continues till this very day...

Now i am not comparing my bike to A180 or ZMA, but i am talking about the reliability and longevity of a PARTICULAR bike IF MAINTAINED AND RIDDEN PROPERLY. and by riding properly i mean not to ride it like a moped...if this is so buy a moped... i dont have the A180 , but my friends have it.... they are very much happy with their rides... i heard one of my friend sayin that, i just dont want to get off my bike and just keep riding all day....

See its a simple thing both apache 180 and ZMA are very good bikes and i know here ZMA owner are busy in finding apache faults and same vice versa, now coming to the deciding factor see every bike has its own pros and cons, so keeping that in mind that thread starter my advice for you would be, Think what you want and decide your steed. As they say the machine chooses its owner go ahead and pick which you love and you get a smiling face behind your lid whenever you ride her

ZMA-R or RTR 180 ABS

I am going to book the Karizma R next week after doing a lot of research ( in fact this research only made me confused more and more and along with many other reasons it took me more than 1 yr to reach this decision ). But what bothers me is that it is basically 8 year old bike and the cost of spare is high apart from shoddy plastic quality. But then I have no better alternative in this range.

My friend owns a P220 and he himself suggests Karizma R as P220 is a heavy handler and unstable under breaking. Another bike which is still in my heart is RTR 180 Abs. I have driven RTR 160 HE and loved its throttle response, so RTR 180 would be awesome I believe and with ABS its going to be the safest bike but what bothers me is its vibrations which I could feel and notchy gearbox.

Hope I am taking the right decision. You people have the weekend to sway my decision.

Thread 'ZMA-R or RTR 180 ABS' approved and merged

Don't worry, your decision is best, Zma still is the best bet in 220 cc segment, it is 8 years old it's engine is even more old, but still it is the legend in 220cc in India . BTW, Your friend is very honest please give him treat after buying the bike