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Engine:
124.52cc
Power: 11.5 bhp
Torque: 1.1 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 64 kpl
Price: Rs 42-45,000
We like: Handling and Alloy wheels
We don't like: Noisy gearbox
Why buy: Fun to ride
Why avoid: Because you just might not fit on it
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BAJAJ
DISCOVER DTS-i
Forget Jackie Chan and the laughable Harry Potter commercials,
the Discover really is one feisty little motorcycle. The most
powerful 125 of the lot, the Disco is also the most technologically
advanced 125 in the country. What with twin spark technology
and SNS suspension that really works. It is also the best value
for money of the 125s. But the motorcycle is a bit small so
if you are the sort who gets out of bed only to know what lunch
will be like, you might find this motorcycle uncomfortable.
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Engine: 124.6cc
Power: 10.3 bhp
Torque: 1.09 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 65 kpl
Price: Rs 45,000
We like: Refinement
We don't like: Gets lost in a crowd
Why buy: To get lost in a crowd
Why avoid: You could do better
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Honda
Shine
If ever there was a motorcycle that wasn't meant to offend anyone,
this is it. The Shine might be built by the biggest motorcycle
company in the world, but that's pretty much all the accolades
it gets. Don't get us wrong, it isn't bad, but it is as sexless
as a washing machine and as involving as pre-flight safety briefing.
The Shine does get a gem of an engine though but apart from
that it's downright ordinary. |
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Engine:
124 cc
Power: 8.74 bhp
Torque: 1.02 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 63 kpl
Price: Rs 42-49,000
We like: Ah, that's a thinker
We don't like: For starters, the names, the way they
look, the price…
Why buy: Only if you have 50k to blow. On second thoughts
spend it in a Casino
Why avoid: Because your watchman will say "Saab
ka gaadi hai Suzuki juice'
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Suzuki
Heat/ Zeus
Both these Suzukis are so at the cutting edge of technology
and design, one of them is sure to be the motorcycle of the
year. If the year was 1987 that is. And while we even understand
'Zeus', who the hell in their right minds calls their motorcycles
'Heat'. Okay so they do have solid Japanese engineering going
for them, but when it comes in a package that looks like that…it
doesn't amount to much. We are sorry Suzuki, but next time you
have to try harder because this isn't Vietnam. |
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Engine: 123.7
cc
Power: 10.8 bhp
Torque: 1.06 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 62 kpl
Price: Rs 45,000
We like: That comfy seat, that scotch smooth engine…
We don't like: How come John Abraham rides an R1
Why buy: Hassle free riding at its best
Why avoid: Doesn't feel fast enough
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Yamaha
Gladiator
The Yamaha Gladiator is the first good motorcycle from the most
exciting Japanese company in years and it's a real good one
at that. The Gladiator probably is the best looker of this lot,
certainly has the most comfortable seat, has superb handling
and ample equipment too. What it lacks though are alloy wheels.
Then again, there is the J.A. special that Yamaha has just come
out with. All things considered, this is the most comfortable
motorcycle of the lot and our pick too. |
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Engine:
149.01 cc
Power: 14 bhp
Torque: 1.3 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 55 kpl
Price: Rs 56,000
We like: Looks, performance
We don't like: Riding position
Why buy: To complete the look
Why avoid: The faster one is the 180
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BAJAJ
PULSAR 150 DTS-i
The Bajaj Pulsar isn't just a motorcycle, it's as much a part
of a College dude's attire as his mobile. Fresh from it's fourth
major upgrade the new Pulsar looks as modern as tomorrow. And
with alloys wheels, LED tail lamps and a digital speedo console,
it probably is. Purists might say that the Pulsar has lost some
of its raw edges that gave the motorcycle its personality and
they are right. But then again, refinement just like humility
is a virtue only grown-ups appreciate. |
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Engine: 149.1
cc
Power: 13.3 bhp
Torque: 1.3 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 54 kpl
Price: Rs 52,000
We like: Engine, refinement
We don't like: Where are the god damn alloys?
Why buy: If you are 45
Why avoid: You aren't 45
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Honda
Unicorn
The Unicorn isn't a bad looking motorcycle. It's got a brilliant
engine. It makes wheelies look easy. It also gets the haloed
winged badge. And yet it doesn't make the grade. Why? Because
at the end of it all, it's a motorcycle that fails to make you
feel good. Or at least as good as the other 150s of the lot.
In a line, it's the sort of motorcycle accountants will ride
to work on. And the last time I checked numbers meant fun only
when they belonged to bodies. Oh and about that monoshock, it's
just a gimmick. |
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Engine:
149.2 cc
Power: 14.2 bhp
Torque: 1.26 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 55 kpl
Price: Rs 56,500
We like: Power, details
We don't like: Looks that take your breath away
Why buy: To have immense fun
Why avoid: If you are the sort that worries if your shoe
laces match your eye colour
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Hero
Honda CBZ X-treme
If a motorcycle were ever to have Goitre, this is how it would
look. Okay, so it does look pretty decent from the rear. Which
is probably what most of the traffic will get to see, given
that it is a very quick motorcycle. The X-Treme surely isn't
an as big a style icon as the older CBZ was but it more than
makes up for it by the way it goes. And while the design language
on the bike is a bit out of sorts, the details like the red
spark plug wire, are lovely indeed. If you don't mind the way
it looks, buy it. If you do, think about it this way, once you
are on it, you can't see it anyway. |
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Engine: 147 cc
Power: 13.5 bhp
Torque: 1.23 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 55 kpl
Price: Rs 52,500
We like: Looks, build quality
We don't like: Riding position is still a bit commuter-ish
Why buy: To own a good, reliable motorcycle
Why avoid: An upgrade should be on the cards
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TVS
Apache
Certainly one of the best looking motorcycles of the lot, the
Apache is one motorcycle that is as well built and designed
as the Great Wall of China. Okay, may be that's a bit over the
top but you get the picture. The Apache is a decent motorcycle
but the problem is that the rest of the pack has moved along
ahead so fast, the Apache, through no fault of its own, seems
like it needs an upgrade. Then again, this is one heck of a
motorcycle to ride on the dirt and if you are looking to get
started in motocross, this is the bike to do it on. |
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Engine:
178.6 cc
Power: 16 bhp
Torque: 1.55 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 46 kpl
Price: Rs 65,000
We like: Price, performance
We don't like: Rear suspension
Why buy: Makes you feel like god… with a back ache
Why avoid: If you don't have a decent chiropractor
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Bajaj
Avenger
In the words of Bruce Willis from Pulp Fiction "This isn't
a motorcycle baby. It's a chopper." Okay, so it's only
got a 175cc motor and it isn't a patch on the Harley he rides,
but as far as small cruisers go, it sure does hit the spot.
And if they fix that horrid suspension, you might actually be
able to tour on it. Till then you will just have to ride it,
where good roads exist. This motorcycle, er… chopper can get
quite a handful in traffic too, but then you have to realise
that machines like these aren't built to slip through traffic.
They are built so that you can sit back, put on your Ray-Bans
and ride into the sunset. |
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Engine: 179 cc
Power: 16.5 bhp
Torque: 1.55 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 42 kpl
Price: Rs 65,000
We like: Looks, power
We don't like: Service centres are a pain in the you
know where
Why buy: To have oodles of fun
Why avoid: If you are allergic to fun
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Bajaj
Pulsar 180 DTS-i
The difference between the 150 and the 180 is a bit like Amrita
and Maliaka Arora. Both have the same parents, both went to
the same school and both turned out to be incredibly hot. But
you know that if you were to pick one, you would pick the one
with the hotter body. And that is exactly what the P-180 is.
It's got almost the same ingredients as the 150, and yet the
extra power makes all the difference in its favour. The 180
is the best handling motorcycle in the country and the most
fun too. Want an example? I started riding down the NH-17 to
see how far I would go before I got bored and I landed up in
Goa. |
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Engine:
220 cc
Power: 20 bhp
Torque: 1.95 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 30 kpl (expected)
Price: Rs 85,500 (expected)
We like: All the goodies on it
We don't like: Looks a bit weird, having to wait
Why buy: This should be one cracker of a motorcycle
Why avoid: Not in stores yet
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Bajaj
Pulsar DTS-i 220
When Bajaj previewed the 220 for the press, the press pack had
an entire four pages of 'India-firsts' on the bike. So this
motorcycle really is as advanced as they say it is, trouble
is, you can't buy one yet. But we've ridden it and first impressions
hint at a motorcycle that's more a tourer like the Karizma and
less sporty than the Pulsar 180. Then again with a claimed top-speed
of 145 kph, you can bet your last nickel that it will be fast.
We just hope it's a bit faster to the showrooms though. |
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Engine: 223 cc
Power: 16.8 bhp
Torque: 1.84 kgm
Fuel efficiency: 32 kpl
Price: Rs 76,500
We like: Comfort levels, touring ability
We don't like: Hasn't changed for a long time
Why buy: To do your own 'Zen and the art of Motorcycle
Maintaince bit'
Why avoid: Upgrade happening very very soon
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Hero
Honda Karizma
The Karizma came out almost three years ago and apart from a
price drop, it hasn't changed one bit. But given that it is
a great motorcycle to begin with, it's not such a bad thing.
The Karizma is an extremely relaxed and a substantial motorcycle
that can do 90 kph all day without breaking into a sweat. When
it comes to performance touring in the country, it isn't the
bench mark, it's the bench. Sure it's a bit heavy on fuel though
but if seeing the country is what's on your mind, the Karizma
will make a better companion than your girlfriend. And it won't
even complain about lousy accommodation. One guy was so impressed
he's going around the world on it as you read this. |
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