Fast forward to 5 years- I'm now a father, with healthier finances and an even healthier mid-section. I feel the need to buy a motorcycle because I've never actually owned a brand-spanking-new one rolled right off the showroom floor. Also, the lure of more refined engines, more power and that ABS safety net has got me convinced that I need a modern bike built to 2022 specifications. This bike will almost 100% be used within the city; my office is a solid 25 kms away from my home, and I'll be passing through the sand-storms of Arrakis (read Bangalore traffic) to get there. So here we go:
Category number 1: The naked/semi-faired quarter litre quartet: we have a pair of Yamahas- the FZ25 (along with its plastic-and-shiny-paint-embellished cousin the FZS25). Followed by the Suzuki Gixxer 250 (along with a similar plasticky cousin, the SF 250), the Pulsar 250 plasticked and de-plasticked twins, and as a slight outlier- the KTM Duke 250.
The Pulsar 250 should probably make an early exit here due to the lack of dual channel ABS, but is that really necessary? It has all the other ingredients in place- comfortable ergos & suspension, a punchy engine, the same fill-it-shut-it-forget-it maintenance needs- only the ABS is holding me back. Members who've tried this bike can perhaps help me here.
The FZ25 seemingly fills the gaps left behind by the Pulsar, albeit with a slightly stiffer and less-sophisticated suspension package. But something about that bike just screams afterthought to me. Not a big fan, but willing to reconsider.
Gixxer 250- this is one of the frontrunners- delicious engine and gearbox, decent tyres and brakes (relatively speaking of course)- the only thing I'm a bit apprehensive about is the stiff suspension for city use.
KTM Duke 250- I mean why, what's the point of this thing? Can anyone who owns a Duke 250 ever be truly happy? For a smidge more, you have the 310 brigade from TVS and BMW. For a bit more than that (if you're in it, you're in it) there's elder brother the Duke 390 which is better in absolutely every way.
Category number 2- and this is where we go slightly into the weeds- the neo-retro brigade. You know the ones I'm talking about- the bikes that look like the ones your dad rode. The Honda CB350s, the entire Royal Enfield catalogue, and the new upstarts from Classic Legends.
The CB350 has me a bit smitten, with its street bike underpinnings dressed in a retro garb. Light clutch pull, supple suspension, rorty little exhaust- it sounds like a hoot! Strong contender for sure, if I'm not constantly questioning the need for this retro segment to even exist.
The big daddies, the RE 350s- oh where do I begin? We've had a Royal Enfield parked in our front portico for almost 25 years till 2017. Would be nice to have one back (my father passed away last year, so might be a nice little tribute to him). But other than this sentimental reason, REs are not really my cup of tea- this is the reason I moved away from them 5 years ago. They're just too heavy and clunky for my liking. The 650s are a bit unnecessary for my usage I feel, but if even one of you has a compelling argument, I might add this to the list.
As for Classic Legends, I'd like to quote Paul Hollywood from the Great British Bake Off-
"It just seems a little under-baked, the dough is still a bit wet." Category number 3- ADVs from Hero, Royal Enfield, KTM, BMW. I'm honestly not convinced that I need an ADV, given that the most adventurous I'm ever going to get would be taking on a pothole at full chat. But somewhere a little voice seems to tell me that I'm getting old, and an ADV can help keep your organs in the same place as when you started your journey.
Hero Xpulse- thoda sa gareeb option, but hey I'm the one pinching pennies here. Comfortable, but that's all it's got going for it.
Himalayan/Scram 411- Ew, no.
G310GS- Oof, this one's a beaut. But hard to justify 3.5L for a basic city commute. Is it really worth the 1L+ increase from all the other contenders?
KTM Adventure series- again, no. Just too hard for the rough stuff to warrant the extra premium over their Duke siblings.
Category number 4- The performance-oriented Germanic rivals. Yes, I'm talking about the BMW G310R and the KTM Duke 390. How can one disregard these 2? They're perfect in almost every way. Only question is whether I can overcome my miserliness to pay for something that I don't necessarily need. Same goes for the Apache RR310- except service centres seem to deal with Jupiter levels of mechanical expertise for what is essentially a BMW underneath.
Category number 5- Ditch all of the above and just buy an Activa. Or a Hero Shine 125, because what is a motorcycle but a tool, and a man without the right need to use that tool probably doesn't need it in the first place.
So you can see- like the Hobbit, I've gone there and back again. I fall in love, and the head taps on my heart's windows to pull me back a bit by saying
"Do you really need this?". I can never make peace with myself, and am doomed to live in Limbo forever.
Quote:
Originally Posted by comfortablynumb If you could mention the purpose for which the bike would be used (city only, highway only, mixed usage), people can give better suggestions. Based on the text quoted above, my recommendations are Apache 200 4v, Gixxer 250, Honda CB 350.
Meanwhile, here are some existing threads for you to go through: |
Whoops, looks like you've commented before I finished my post. Sorry, I've outlined my needs and thoughts on individual bikes in this post. Thanks for the links!