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BHPian ubermensch recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I have two cars in the family (of 4). One is used by my dad (Corolla Altis), and the other one is for me (Toyota Innova Crysta ZX, MT. Yes, TBHP helped me in this judgement). To spice my love for automobiles and to get my adrenaline fixed, I got a Kawasaki Z900 back in 2019, and it was a childhood dream come true! It's a true blue Inline-4 and I threw in a complete exhaust kit so it sounds the part it looks, too. For most, a litre class inline-4 is the final stage of fun in biking.
I've had my fair share of biking and mingling with the biking community, and let me tell you: the more desirable a lifestyle vehicle is, the more impractical it will be. I've read a couple of really good ownership threads on TBHP, with pho3nix's thread coaxing me really hard to get the Thar.
The question is: from one lifestyle vehicle to another, is the jump valid or I'm just bored? There are a lot of pros vs cons that keep me awake at night due to "buyer's anxiety".
Thoughts in favour of the bike, against the bike, for the Thar and against the Thar:
Things about the Z900 that make me want to move to a Thar:
Things about the Thar that make me feel okay about being with the Z900:
I feel (and hope) that if I get a Thar, it will grow on me and it is largely more practical, even as a lifestyle vehicle, than a superbike. I'd love to hear TBHP's more seasoned thoughts, as I'm corrupted by Thar's beauty.
Here's what GTO had to say about the matter:
You said it. Even with just 2-doors, the Thar will be immensely more practical than the Z900. You could use it on a daily basis, including for the commute to work. I say sell the Z900 and buy the Thar:
- You'll use it more. Like 10X more (work, play, offroading, highway trips, late nights, social activities). It is a useable Jeep.
- You'll enjoy it equally. Instead of high-revving a superbike, you could offroad in your new 4x4.
- Customise it to please the enthusiast in you & to make your Thar unique. One of the best things about owning a Jeep is customising it, making it like no other.
- Biggest reason for my post = Safety. Not just the Thar's 4-star GNCAP rating, but a motorcycle's negative safety rating on Indian roads. I love motorcycles, yet have resigned myself to never owning one as I've seen way too many scary / sob stories due to motorcycle crashes.
Get the Petrol AT if you intend to keep it for 10+ years. Equally competent, although I personally like the Diesel AT more.
Here's a pic of BHPian vvb8530's Thar to get you tempted. It's a hard-top, which he was able to take off without much stress:
Here's what BHPian Axe77 had to say about the matter:
This is clearly a hobby activity for you (whether it's the bike or the Thar). And hobbies are VERY personal. Only you can answer which vehicle you should go with.
But since you have put the query out I’d take a stab regardless and you can see if it resonates.
Intuitively, I’d say the fact that you’ve even asked this question leads me to believe you’re not really a motorcyclist at heart - you’re really just seeking a fun hobby and finding your way around what would engage you the most. To that extent, do actively consider making the switch to the Thar and see if it works for you. It's perfectly fine to move from one interest to another and it seems to me you’ve hit that transition mark with your riding.
Both are FUN in an incomparable way although the Thar will be easier to enjoy on a daily basis, of course. Personally, in a perfect world I’d have both, but for me, the twist of the throttle even once a week is not something I’m able to give up on yet.
Perhaps see if you can rent a Thar for a weekend or even a bit longer (I know Chandigarh definitely has self-drive rental options) and see if you have a more engaging connection with it than the bike. That might help in making a more informed decision.
Good luck!
Here's what BHPian drift87 had to say about the matter:
Hold your motorcycle, you may regret selling it for anything other than a new motorcycle that is equally competent or content worthy. And I personally don't think a car can replace a motorcycle in terms of exuberance.
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.