86 replies to this topic

[rahul_rn]

deepak bhai i am not sure which naked i was enjoying (mostly fz) but i am pretty sure that above 80 the air was hitting me.. I know this may be because of my height and vertical riding position but then again i really wished there was some protection from the blast..

[satyenpoojary]

The CBR150R delivers the power in a slightly higher band than the R15v2... the R15 is perhaps as track friendly in handling, but its a bit better than the cbr on streets!

[parimal1981]

Having owned CBR 250 and after riding for 9000 kms I have loved the package. The thing is had KTM been launched when CBR was launched I wouldnt have owned any different machine. That's strictly personal. What I think you should do is. Sit on both bikes, ride them both and see which one rings the bell in your mind. We riders need not complicate things I believe. Its either got to be love at first sight or if any indecisiveness creeps in have a decent ride of both of them (in this case especially since confusion is between two different bikes). Other matters automatically take care of themselves, this is also because after having experienced thousands of kms under one's butt this much of of feel and understanding about bike is bound to come naturally. The exception to this rule can be proffessional road racers, compulsive offroaders or sheer brand conscious junta who dont care what they buy as long as its a particular brand. Earlier I had owned ZMA and I had plentiful comments from near and dear ones (especially close friends) about riding position of CBR 250 and I agree to certain degree it is a more commited riding posture but it required two weeks and a bumpy ride in monsoons to clear all that discomfort and get used to the position. So my gut feel won against all the negativism (or rather concern from my friends and near and dear ones). Hence simply follow your heart it wont commit a mistake especially if you have had a decent experience on saddle on your preffered territories before this point in time.

Parimal

[pulsurge]

I would echo Parimal's lines- even if today I had to choose between the CBR and the KTM, I would still choose the CBR. Similar to Parimal even I owned the ZMA earlier- and I was slightly apprehensive of the riding position, but now I've got used to it.

Well I was happily going around recommending the KTM to people- who were even keen to buy the CBR (thanks to believing people whom I felt were trustworthy and very honest in their reviews, but now I think otherwise)..courtesy my test ride of the Duke on Saturday at Vashi Probiking. "The proof of the pudding in eating it"....what a fantastic phrase that is and I will always remember it rather than making assumptions and forming an opinion based on people’s experiences.

To start with the ride was pretty decent, the showroom pillion guy saw me coming on the CBR and in fact he gave me a much longer test ride than he gives to other people. Before the test ride he was asking me the specs of the CBR- told him that even the lighter KTM has same power and its so light- it'll beat this one easily. Talk about being modest

The pillion was a lean guy and obviously a very light personality. The regular test rides are short and the point of return is usually the first U turn on the straight. I went all the way till Sanpada station and came back to Vashi.

To admit it was not a goodie goodie boy test drive- I did whack it a bit. The exhaust note is strictly a personal opinion and I seriously don't like it- in fact I don't like bikes which make noise unnecessarily. I was hard on the accelerator and only shifted hitting 9000 rpm. The fast revvy nature might make it an exciting proposition and make it feel like a "pocket rocket"...my remarks might sound way different as to what many people have iterated. I always believe in the fact that "feeling fast does not mean going fast"...and unfortunately this bike stands true to it. It rather "feels" faster than it actually is. Before I got on the bike, I was so excited…and obviously that excitement was justified considering all the good things I have been reading about the Duke. Even while standing still with the engine running- and with that revvy feel I was slightly apprehensive thinking that the front wheel might pop up if I happen to push it hard. Well nothing of that happened, In fact I didn’t find it that fast as people have been writing about it. I had come to the showroom on the CBR with the pillion who was with me for the whole 50 kms- hence the difference can be understood immediately as the ride feel was still afresh. Yeah it might be slightly different while riding solo- but how much- certainly it won’t be twice as fast, on the other hand the way the CBR pulls even with a pillion with such ease and authority- in the end its anyways a plain jade boring Honda I really wish to see an honest head to head on road review of these two by real world riders.

The above disappointment is based purely on the momentum performance. On the other hand Duke should be a better handler for the fact that it feels so light and easy and effortless to maneuver. The only thing that worries me is the way it’ll perform around in stop and go traffic. If the CBR feels lifeless below 3000 rpm, I’ll say the KTM would feel the same under say 5000 rpm. It’ll be a fun machine, provided you keep it on the boil- I have my doubts if it’ll be as fun as its pictured to be anywhere below 8000 rpm. Worth mentioning is the touring perspective- I imagined doing a 500 km ride on the Duke and I would say its better not to imagine- not that its impossible.

The test ride was clubbed with the purpose of meeting my friend and old riding buddy Satyajit who had come with all the cheques ready to book the KTM. In fact he was more inclined towards the CBR, but it was me who had pushed KTM into his head. He did not even touch the KTM…he wanted to take a ride of my CBR first and then the KTM to make the decisions. After both the test rides- I found the same disappointment on his face that I had on mine after riding the Duke. The outcome- he didn’t book it. Said thanks to the showroom guy for the test ride and left. He’s all set for the Honda now.

Well my post is not at all to deter you or anyone from buying the KTM. I remember Satyen saying- there is never a best bike, for me it was the CBR coz it suited me best. So my advice would be to have a decent ride of both the bikes. When I say decent, make sure its not a 500 metre test ride. Or best would be wait for some more time- deliveries of the KTMs have started and in case you have someone in your circle or if some kind soul on Motoroids would lend his KTM to you- it’ll be great. I don’t mind lending my CBR for your perusal…test ride I mean to help you make a decision.

I love KTMs….in fact I have this KTM dream for long now seeing their prowess in competitions and their heart pumping commercials. But the Duke 200 cannot be the KTM that I want or simply its not the KTM that I imagine a KTM to be- maybe the 690 somewhere down the line.

Like you have in cricket- the DRS allows an umpire to roll back his decision, for me the test ride was the DRS, and I do roll back the decision of my straight suggestion for the Duke. As I said earlier, have a very good test ride of both the bikes before you make a decision- like a husband you will have to spend your life with either of them and  wish your married life is indeed a happy one

[79streethawk]

Very true quote from Deepak, I was there for booking of KTM I had cheque ready with booking amount on it. I went to PB in vashi and a sms buzzed me as I entered. It was Deepak’s sms stating that he was on his way n will reach within 20 mins. I did initial formalities of filling the form for test ride n all and was eagerly waiting for Deepak to arrive to test ride his CBR.

CBR I must say is the machine which I was looking out for, it gives me a big bike feel. After test ride of KTM I came to Deepak and said boss I am yet to deposit any cheque and all my valuables are with me, lets run from here to CBR showroom. Deepak did sync in my view after his test ride.....

[satyenpoojary]

And like wise, Only that in my case me and my wife were seeing two bikes.
KTM and the Impulse.
The chap didnt give a ride on the KTM (which is fine) but Varsha still gave the Impulse a +1 on three aspects
- Looks
- Money
- Engine smoothness

If all goes well, I might pick it up in the coming months as my regular commuting bike!

[rahul_rn]

After all this comments LP might be in even more confusion..

satyenpoojary, on 27 February 2012 - 04:51 PM, said:

- Engine smoothness

If all goes well, I might pick it up in the coming months as my regular commuting bike!

I seriously wished that this bike should have been available at the time i bought my bike.. Because it did feel damn good..
pops up like anything, might be not so good on the mid and the top end but definitely better because feels much lighter..
The engine again felt better then mine, i guess its because isolation levels are better..

[spinz]

pulsurge, on 27 February 2012 - 02:23 PM, said:

I would echo Parimal's lines- even if today I had to choose between the CBR and the KTM, I would still choose the CBR. Similar to Parimal even I owned the ZMA earlier- and I was slightly apprehensive of the riding position, but now I've got used to it.

Well I was happily going around recommending the KTM to people- who were even keen to buy the CBR (thanks to believing people whom I felt were trustworthy and very honest in their reviews, but now I think otherwise)..courtesy my test ride of the Duke on Saturday at Vashi Probiking. "The proof of the pudding in eating it"....what a fantastic phrase that is and I will always remember it rather than making assumptions and forming an opinion based on people’s experiences.

To start with the ride was pretty decent, the showroom pillion guy saw me coming on the CBR and in fact he gave me a much longer test ride than he gives to other people. Before the test ride he was asking me the specs of the CBR- told him that even the lighter KTM has same power and its so light- it'll beat this one easily. Talk about being modest

The pillion was a lean guy and obviously a very light personality. The regular test rides are short and the point of return is usually the first U turn on the straight. I went all the way till Sanpada station and came back to Vashi.

To admit it was not a goodie goodie boy test drive- I did whack it a bit. The exhaust note is strictly a personal opinion and I seriously don't like it- in fact I don't like bikes which make noise unnecessarily. I was hard on the accelerator and only shifted hitting 9000 rpm. The fast revvy nature might make it an exciting proposition and make it feel like a "pocket rocket"...my remarks might sound way different as to what many people have iterated. I always believe in the fact that "feeling fast does not mean going fast"...and unfortunately this bike stands true to it. It rather "feels" faster than it actually is. Before I got on the bike, I was so excited…and obviously that excitement was justified considering all the good things I have been reading about the Duke. Even while standing still with the engine running- and with that revvy feel I was slightly apprehensive thinking that the front wheel might pop up if I happen to push it hard. Well nothing of that happened, In fact I didn’t find it that fast as people have been writing about it. I had come to the showroom on the CBR with the pillion who was with me for the whole 50 kms- hence the difference can be understood immediately as the ride feel was still afresh. Yeah it might be slightly different while riding solo- but how much- certainly it won’t be twice as fast, on the other hand the way the CBR pulls even with a pillion with such ease and authority- in the end its anyways a plain jade boring Honda I really wish to see an honest head to head on road review of these two by real world riders.

The above disappointment is based purely on the momentum performance. On the other hand Duke should be a better handler for the fact that it feels so light and easy and effortless to maneuver. The only thing that worries me is the way it’ll perform around in stop and go traffic. If the CBR feels lifeless below 3000 rpm, I’ll say the KTM would feel the same under say 5000 rpm. It’ll be a fun machine, provided you keep it on the boil- I have my doubts if it’ll be as fun as its pictured to be anywhere below 8000 rpm. Worth mentioning is the touring perspective- I imagined doing a 500 km ride on the Duke and I would say its better not to imagine- not that its impossible.

The test ride was clubbed with the purpose of meeting my friend and old riding buddy Satyajit who had come with all the cheques ready to book the KTM. In fact he was more inclined towards the CBR, but it was me who had pushed KTM into his head. He did not even touch the KTM…he wanted to take a ride of my CBR first and then the KTM to make the decisions. After both the test rides- I found the same disappointment on his face that I had on mine after riding the Duke. The outcome- he didn’t book it. Said thanks to the showroom guy for the test ride and left. He’s all set for the Honda now.

Well my post is not at all to deter you or anyone from buying the KTM. I remember Satyen saying- there is never a best bike, for me it was the CBR coz it suited me best. So my advice would be to have a decent ride of both the bikes. When I say decent, make sure its not a 500 metre test ride. Or best would be wait for some more time- deliveries of the KTMs have started and in case you have someone in your circle or if some kind soul on Motoroids would lend his KTM to you- it’ll be great. I don’t mind lending my CBR for your perusal…test ride I mean to help you make a decision.

I love KTMs….in fact I have this KTM dream for long now seeing their prowess in competitions and their heart pumping commercials. But the Duke 200 cannot be the KTM that I want or simply its not the KTM that I imagine a KTM to be- maybe the 690 somewhere down the line.

Like you have in cricket- the DRS allows an umpire to roll back his decision, for me the test ride was the DRS, and I do roll back the decision of my straight suggestion for the Duke. As I said earlier, have a very good test ride of both the bikes before you make a decision- like a husband you will have to spend your life with either of them and  wish your married life is indeed a happy one

+1, You wrote exactly what i was thinking after i Test rode the KTM.

[L.P.]

pulsurge, on 24 February 2012 - 01:18 AM, said:

So what have you zeroed on?

Yes, I tried to ZERO Down on the KTM, But I am thinking to KILL YOU Down first you bugger, you are again creating a confusion.

arn, on 24 February 2012 - 08:26 AM, said:

The CBR 150 is faster, and the CBR 250 is faster than  both of them.

The 250 is the perfect city bike, not a tourer. Granted, you can easily do the mods for that, but you'd probably need far fewer mods to make it a track tool.

Arn, thanks taking this as a suggestion

rahul_rn, on 24 February 2012 - 09:05 AM, said:

People say that duke is more fun, hands down agree with them but do ask them how many times do we REALLY have fun on our roads..??

101 out of 100 times for me, Buddy
Spend just one day with me , Either You'll Fall ... in love, or Stop believing in it.

NikhilB, on 24 February 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

@ LP

Thanks... But did you zero in on?

Nikhil, I did, but Can you allow me one Murder please, Pulsurge Is on my HIT list



Guys, please ADD me on FB, www.facebook.com/nitingupta7
and My Work: www.facebook.com/nitinguptaphotoworks

, I am on the Verge of Booking a KaaToooM.

[rahul_rn]

LP you might live in a city with good roads and traffic.. Last time i had saw about you, you were in Delhi right..??

[satyenpoojary]

Booking a KTM?
Why! Its such a bad touring machine
- Small tank
- Too much gadgetry + Made in India. If something dies, find a PBK in your 'destination'
- Incredibly expensive power parts
- One crash and say good bye to USD forks and sell a kidney to have it replaced
- And like you said, no fairing
Want more?

Regards,
Arse

[NikhilB]

^^^
ROFL

@LP
How about you murder him after getting the Duke? The chase between the Duke and CBR250 will be entertaining, to say the least

[pulsurge]

L.P., on 28 February 2012 - 10:43 PM, said:

Yes, I tried to ZERO Down on the KTM, But I am thinking to KILL YOU Down first you bugger, you are again creating a confusion.

Bhaaaagoooo



Bhaagte bhaagte wanna say congrats man on the decision!

NikhilB, on 29 February 2012 - 11:41 AM, said:

^^^ ROFL @LP How about you murder him after getting the Duke? The chase between the Duke and CBR250 will be entertaining, to say the least

LOL, I will choose a wide straight stretch to ensure I make him sweat really hard to do the catching- and I will get some rest too when he stops for refuelling much before

[satyenpoojary]

There is NO way he can catch me

At his top speed, I would be cruising in third gear with 3 more to go


But seriously LP... why Duke man?

[Rohan]

L.P., on 28 February 2012 - 10:43 PM, said:

Yes, I tried to ZERO Down on the KTM, But I am thinking to KILL YOU Down first you bugger, you are again creating a confusion.

I am all with you .. if he chooses a long straight stretch, let's team up and catch the bugger!