Quote:
Originally Posted by vzvish91 This is an interesting thought experiment that I'll like to put out here; want to see what experienced buyers here have to say about it.
Please note that this is valid for:
- Those eligible for early adopters rs10000 discount
- All cash purchase only
- Those who don't 'need' a new bike right now, and thus can wait
- Those who don't want to deal with initial lot niggles (if any)
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I fit your thought experiment to the T.
So I actually test rode the following bikes in chronological order:
KTM ADV 390
Triumph Speed 400
KTM Duke 390
KTM RC 390
RE Interceptor 650
RE Continental GT 650
2017 RC 390 (used)
2019 RC 390 (used)
I skipped the Dominar since I don't find it appealing. Skipped the Super Meteor since I am not looking for a cruiser form factor as of now.
After owning a 21 Bhp Pulsar for 14 years, I am really not interested in anything lower than 40ish BHP so no TVS / BMW.
Pricing has had no bearing on my decision since I was open to all of the above, I have also been active on the 2 New Duke 399cc threads (even pointing out it's beauty through engineering).
Let's go through what is in the pipeline.
Triumph Scrambler 400x
KTM Duke 399cc
RE Himalayan 450cc
Hero 440cc ADV (based on the Harley engine)
TVS Apache RTR 310
The first 3 were appealing but what is the guarantee that they won't have issues in the 1st year? Actually Scrambler is the least likely to face any issues. The Duke almost shares its engine with the Speed as well but the RE engine is all new. All new frame as well (we have seen how that worked out for the 411cc Himalayan).
Disregarding the potential issues and looking objectively at what these bikes bring to the table:
Scrambler 400x is a Speed 400 with more suspension travel and GC. But Speed 400 GC also adequate (more than a quite capable Duke) and the suspension is excellent. The difference won't be life altering.
Duke 399 is the bike I have been lusting after for quite a while but I would rather have the RC / ADV 399 when those come in 1/1.5 years (after waiting another 6 months for issues to get ironed out) when I am ready to commit to a body style.
Himalayan 450 is the most likely to cause buyer's remorse at the moment since so little is known about it. What we know is that it is speculated to have 40ish bhp with a big focus on off-road ability. But I am not ready to commit to that body style yet and it is also the most likely to have the most issues during the first year.
The last 2 don't fit the 40ish bhp criteria. I don't think we are losing out too much there.
What you get if you choose to not wait 1 year:
- Having fun on an excellent bike for the next 1 year (you are not getting any younger)
- Maybe some heartache on issues that will probably be rectified under warranty
- ~30-40k as depreciation if you end up hating yourself for the decision and get rid of it in 12 months. That's about 3k per month to run the experiment. I was spending 1400/month to try out if I can make a cycling hobby stick so ~3k/month for a motorcycle is not bad.
Is it really that bad a situation? I think it isn't. But that's just me and I think that this risk/reward ratio is good enough. I have already mentioned
here (Triumph Speed 400 Review) that this is my trial bike that I will experiment on before I move on to what I figure out I really want from a motorcycle. But that's my reasoning for going for this, your mileage may vary. I really want to commit to my love for motorcycling but not yet commit to a particular style of motorcycle so I am taking the middle path.
It's the bike that is best for me and my unique situation (not Shumi/Singhee whom I really respect but who didn't really sing praises for it for taking the middle path. Both of them can enjoy their Dukes.). Maybe middle of the road Is exactly what I need right now while I get my bearings back on motorized 2 wheels.
I am probably making full payment to BU Bhandari Pune later today. Just the excitement of it all is not letting me sleep for the past 2 hrs.
Edit: I seem to have missed the Yamaha R3 and MT-03. But since they are CKDs, they will be priced out of the league of what I have mentioned above. Not looking to spend that much especially when most international reviewers consider the current Duke 373cc to be superior.