Car & Bike Thinking of getting a bike, budget 60-70k

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Gaurish

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Guys,

I was thinking about Bike. Till now, I have been riding Activa but quite frankly I seem to have outgrown it. so planning sell it and get a new bike within 60,000-70,000. My Requirements are:

1) Daily running:about 25km/per day. I mostly drive on good roads -- so need something which can do 80-90KM/hr without a sweat. Mileage should around 50km/pl considering rising fuel prices. Max stretch I need to cover would 70-80km. so driving in City only - no touring on highways. so would expect to see Gear ratios tuned for city driving

2) Performance: Top-end doesn't matter much, but the initial pickup does matter A LOT. Should have good handling on curves. Should be good at braking.

3) Reliability: It should be reliable. I don't want it to leave me stranded. The best feature of the Apache is the ABS, but will it be reliable? I really liked my Honda Activa in this regard - in past 8years of usage. There wasn't a single break down except tire flat. so need something that can live to this standard

4) Bike Frame: I am 5" 7' & weight is around 72Kgs. so need something appropriate according my height & weight. judging to by solely by looks - Prefer naked & raw looking bikes

5) Head Lamp: headlights should be bright & wide for night driving.

Further, I am in no hurry & can wait for upcoming model if they are good.

so guys what are my options?:ohyeah:
 
Yamaha FZ16: Its nice bike. I have driven it extensively(most of my friends have the same). I like it but It wouldn't be my first choice because I am kinda bored of it:P

Dazzler: Don't know much about it. I guess I will take a TD & see. but any reason this bike is not-so-popular? haven't seen it much on roads.

Dark Star said:
No good bike will give you around 50km/L average on that speed :P
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Its not that I would drive at that speed all the time:P I know average greatly depends on driving habits but What I want to say is -- the bike should be able to give good average if driven correctly(less brakes, economy speeds, minimal gear change etc) & should also have the power to be driven at high speeds(if needed). Because occasionally - I like to speed & try to push the bike to its limits:hap2:

On other hand, I mostly drive in economy mode(40-50km/hr) to extract max fuel economy.
 
Gaurish said:
Performance:the initial pickup does matter A LOT. Should have good handling on curves. Should be good at braking.
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Only one bike in this segment meets your performance criteria: Apache RTR 180.
 
^^My friends are using both Apache 180 and 160 since 2/4yrs and no major problem till now :)
 
I own dazzler and perfectly satisfied with it. Honda rocks..
Gives 55 Kmpl. Uses system G petrol booster sometimes not regulerly.
Very smooth and Pleasure to ride :)
 
I would advice you to buy Honda Unicorn... Its a great looking bike and gives good mileage... Plus its a pretty huge bike so i think it would suit your personality... Dazzler and FZ-16 are pretty small bikes... If you want good average then either buy Dazzler or Unicorn... FZ-16 doesn't give good mileage... It gives max 35 to 40kmpl
 
I say go for Hero Honda Hunk. Super handling, great fuel average, Honda's reliability with Hero Honda's service network, Dual-Disc brakes, digital console for speed, trip and time, great pickup and top-end too. I know it's kind of an old bike but it really does take the cake when reliability, handling and FE and performance are talked about in one sentence. It's well within your budget too.
 
Gaurish said:
I am kinda surprised nobody till now suggested Bajaj Pulsar. I wonder why:P
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That is because of this something you mentioned :P

Gaurish said:
3) Reliability: It should be reliable. I don't want it to leave me stranded. The best feature of the Apache is the ABS, but will it be reliable? I really liked my Honda Activa in this regard - in past 8years of usage. There wasn't a single break down except tire flat. so need something that can live to this standard
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There is also the GS150 which was recommended to me here and on xbhp, though I'm 5.8 and it seems a bit tall for me.
 
Umm for those saying dazzler , i`d draw some pointers....

1. Initial pickup- dont expect rtr /pulsar like lowend torque . Torque curve is linear. Owing to light weight it still does 0-60 in around 5 secs.

if ur looking for that "jump start", look at the rtr 180,That baby matches the p220 till 80kmph untill the higher end torque of p220 shows its muscle.

Yes the same honda engine and its modified versions exists in 5 bikes as of today, honda cb unicorn, cb dazzler, Hmotocorp achiever, cbz xtreme and hunk. THE HH guys modified the basic unicorn engine and thus it has better bhp and initial pickup figures. But that is nuetralised by the heavier body wieghts.

2. The rear shock is damn hard.Yes it is damn tight. Even on the "softest" setting, u ain't going to have the plush ride of a pulsar.Be it rider or pillion, this baby will make sure u support anna hazare when u ride potholed roads.

3. Since u`d be doing 80/90 on an average, if ur road is a bit bumpy, u`ll feel the negative effect of the lower weight.

4. Since they had to cut weight, even the dampers on the steering column is gone.U will feel the vibes on ur forearms for sure.

5. The rear tyre has a tendancy to skid on muddy patches.more to do with make i guess.

6. The rear disc will accumulate dust faster than the front one and will make that squeaky noise evrytime u use it.

7. Since its not full dc, the head light is extremely low at low rpm. If caught in a potholed road and you are not a clutch gripping high revving noob, u will feelat disadvantage with the dim lighting

On the +side,

1. bulletproof engine.Has enough juice to outperform other 150 twins from the same engine family

2. Great performance under load.The gear is so well slotted and the clutch will not fail u even with an elephant for a pillion. Something that im not sure about rtr 180, but is absolute rubbish on a pulsar 180.

3. Handling will leave u awe struck.Cutting City traffic is a breeze and cornering...ooooh lalala...

4. Confident braking.

5. Overall reliability.Its not a maintenance intensive bike.Just the regular checkups and top ups and this baby is ready for a endurance test any day.

6. Mileage- well if u ride sanely, like no sudden pickups, no lugging in the 5th gear for a 40- 90 dash, you`d get atleast a 50kmpl from a decent petrol bunk. Ride ,as if to challenge the p220 ,and that figure drops to 30-35kmpl

Do consider the the other offerings in that price range.

1.The new cbz xtreme seems a decent bike and has that big bike feel which the dazzler sadly lacks(rem the weight loss program). The hunk looks wierd low with that passion pro fairing.

2. Tvs Rtr 180 is a scorcher, but reliability is a question all the owners ive met , many of them complaint about poor engine feedback after 1 year of use and drive shaft life.Do also test ride the rtr 160 .

3. Suzuki GS150R. The best digi console + smoothest engine unfortunately mated to fat body.

4. The FZ-16/S- Gr8 lowend torque.Gr8 handling.Basically a good bike that sucks on mileage and a non existent pillion seat.The Fazer? UMM better buy a karizma zma at that price. Far better power delivery with matching fuel consumption.

5. Pulsar? if it aint the 220 forget it.

So id say test ride all the bikes which you are considering. On paper every bike is a winner. But on road, under load performance and handling is what will finally aid you in deciding what bike suits you, or you suit which bike :D

This coming from a dazzler owner for the last 1 year+, a p180 ug3 owner for last 3+ and if god wishes a new p220 aspirant :P
 
Excellent Feedback, thanks a million:D

Yesterday, I did go to Honda showroom for testdrive for dazzler. As everyone said the drive quality is amazing, its engine is solid. doesn't create much noise. In idle, its easy to forget that its even running. I foolishly tried to start it again when it was already running:P

What I liked about dazzler:

* Honda engine

* Good Mileage

* Rear disc brakes

* 5year year warranty(2+3)

What I disliked:

* looks

Cost: Rs73,739/-(OTR price Jaipur)

Tomm, will visit Yamaha dealer:)
 
^^ thanks gaurish , dissel, just an unbiased take on the bike.

The bike will be damn silent and smooth , but remember that is not as smooth as the older uni engine.

You will feel premature vibes at 4.5k-5.5k rpm band.beyond which the vibes reduce considerably.

One good thing is owing to a different intake air filter + engine tweaks, the bike engine does give out a mild roar once you start ripping her. :)

Its good that your making it a point to visit all the dealers. Trust me its only a TD that helps you in making the final decision.

Best of TD-ing apart from TE-ing :D
 
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