Here’s an update after doing 750+ km (including one ride of 200+km) on a CBZ Xtreme: the engine responds very well at high rpm, overtaking at 80-90 kph is a breeze, and it requires fewer gear changes than any other 150cc bike. Fuel economy is down because of speeding: sustain 90-100 on the highway and you get 34-35 kpl. It’s extremely comfortable despite some vibration, and high-speed handling on the highway is terrific.
I took a CBZ Xtreme for a longish test ride and discovered that it has all the punch of the old CBZ: it handles well, it’s comfortable, it’s fast. People complain about its looks but I tend to look more at comfort and quietness and in both these areas it’s very good. Fuel economy as I measured it is 50+ in the city and 60+ on the highway if you don’t push it over 70kph. High-speed mileage I haven’t worked out. This is a fun bike. My old CBZ was the most reliable of the bikes I’ve had, and this one will probably be the same, from the build quality.
The Pulsar family -- the whole Bajaj range, in fact -- is crude, and unfit for serious long-distance biking.
The Apache is a little too small for a reasonably tall rider.
The Unicorn doesn’t accelerate well, and has small quality problems (taillight rattles and so on).
The Achiever doesn’t perform as well as the CBZ, and is smaller.
The Fiero is too small and lacks fifth gear and punch.
All told, the CBZ is a biker’s bike. The Apache would be as good if it were slightly larger.