I've been wanting to buy a Superbike for a long time now... I've been riding the RE Classic 500 & Kawasaki Ninja 650 and wanted something New and Able!
Don't get me wrong, i loved both those bikes, but the roads in India are only getting more congested and these two aren't cut out for it. Atleast Safety wise.
I fell from the Classic a couple of times, and thankfully did not when on the Ninja. But these instances could've been avoided if these bikes had ABS on them.
So ABS is a must-have.
I've been looking into a lot of bikes and the choices keep increasing as the days go by, making my decisions all the more difficult.
I have a budget or should I say, had a budget in mind. From Rs.6 lacs, it is now hovering around Rs.8 lacs and since i have certain criteria, the list is pretty small.
the Z800, Ducati Scrambler, the Versys 650 and now the Street Twin.
I test-rode the Z800 and Ducati Scrambler. I should say that while riding them, i was only looking for reasons not to buy them
Took the Scrambler Icon out just around the block in Bangalore... Gorgeous thing, good pick-up, easy ride, didn't feel like a superbike. Stopped in the traffic, felt the heat. Lot of it. Now i knew why they insisted on wearing thick jeans. Even if you won't feel it on long stretches, I will be riding a lot in the city. Can ride this thing in India!
Also rode the HyperMotard while at it, very capable bike, but i decided this was'nt for me right now.
the Z800, i rode for a good 25 minutes and did a small stretch as well. wasn't put off by the strage looks, splendid machine, really liked the beefy ride, the inline-four made me instantly inclined toward it. When i got off of it, this pain in my arms. I knew right away that if im getting this i need to raise the handle bar. and damn that Clutch was tight! Also noted the ridiculously short turning radius! Again, not enough for Indian trafiic.
For 8 lacs, the Scrambler didn't look the part! I mean it's gorgeous n all, but didn't feel like a superbike. Felt like riding a pumped-up Rx-100 with a high handle bar. This wasn't worth investing in. I still want to, though. (I just can't make up my mind)
Then the Z800, great machine, few niggles that can be sorted, but i thought handling this heavy thing won't be easy for me (I'm 5'6", 68kgs BTW)
And the Versys 650, didn't ride it yet, but didn't like the styling, ABS is an advantage but the Price Tag cancels it out! I mean for 650cc twin-cylinder... come on!
Ofcourse i didn't go into too much detail over the specifics of the test-ride, coz i have a decision to be made here.
Now the Street Twin, finally something that seems like a great package, with Taction Control too! But the drop in BHP is not cool. However i read through it and apparently they gave it higher Torque in the right revband. In theory it has the power right where i want it. Will it give me enough satisfaction is what i want to find out.
Has anyone test-ridden it yet..?
Someone talk some sense into my head and suggest the perfect bike in terms of Safety, Value, Excitement and Power. If that's even possible. Thanks in advance.
Don't get me wrong, i loved both those bikes, but the roads in India are only getting more congested and these two aren't cut out for it. Atleast Safety wise.
I fell from the Classic a couple of times, and thankfully did not when on the Ninja. But these instances could've been avoided if these bikes had ABS on them.
So ABS is a must-have.
I've been looking into a lot of bikes and the choices keep increasing as the days go by, making my decisions all the more difficult.
I have a budget or should I say, had a budget in mind. From Rs.6 lacs, it is now hovering around Rs.8 lacs and since i have certain criteria, the list is pretty small.
the Z800, Ducati Scrambler, the Versys 650 and now the Street Twin.
I test-rode the Z800 and Ducati Scrambler. I should say that while riding them, i was only looking for reasons not to buy them
Took the Scrambler Icon out just around the block in Bangalore... Gorgeous thing, good pick-up, easy ride, didn't feel like a superbike. Stopped in the traffic, felt the heat. Lot of it. Now i knew why they insisted on wearing thick jeans. Even if you won't feel it on long stretches, I will be riding a lot in the city. Can ride this thing in India!
Also rode the HyperMotard while at it, very capable bike, but i decided this was'nt for me right now.
the Z800, i rode for a good 25 minutes and did a small stretch as well. wasn't put off by the strage looks, splendid machine, really liked the beefy ride, the inline-four made me instantly inclined toward it. When i got off of it, this pain in my arms. I knew right away that if im getting this i need to raise the handle bar. and damn that Clutch was tight! Also noted the ridiculously short turning radius! Again, not enough for Indian trafiic.
For 8 lacs, the Scrambler didn't look the part! I mean it's gorgeous n all, but didn't feel like a superbike. Felt like riding a pumped-up Rx-100 with a high handle bar. This wasn't worth investing in. I still want to, though. (I just can't make up my mind)
Then the Z800, great machine, few niggles that can be sorted, but i thought handling this heavy thing won't be easy for me (I'm 5'6", 68kgs BTW)
And the Versys 650, didn't ride it yet, but didn't like the styling, ABS is an advantage but the Price Tag cancels it out! I mean for 650cc twin-cylinder... come on!
Ofcourse i didn't go into too much detail over the specifics of the test-ride, coz i have a decision to be made here.
Now the Street Twin, finally something that seems like a great package, with Taction Control too! But the drop in BHP is not cool. However i read through it and apparently they gave it higher Torque in the right revband. In theory it has the power right where i want it. Will it give me enough satisfaction is what i want to find out.
Has anyone test-ridden it yet..?
Someone talk some sense into my head and suggest the perfect bike in terms of Safety, Value, Excitement and Power. If that's even possible. Thanks in advance.
