Did a lot of research on bikes in this segment, particularly the Pulsar’s and the Unicorns. Also evaluated the FZ16. I was looking at a good combo of power and FE, and I short-listed the FZ16 and the Apache RTR. There was a long waiting period for the FZ and the mileage as claimed by the showroom was not comparable to the RTR either so I decided to take the plunge with RTR.
It has been 5 months now and I have already done 7500kms and I should really say that I am very very glad that I bought this bike.
Great pickup and excellent when you want to overtake. It does get a bit strained when I go beyond 65kms but rarely does city riding require you to go at that speed. I always am in the 50-55range and that also does great wonders for the FE. People rarely believe me when I tell them that I am getting about 55-60km/litre!!!. So im very glad with the FE as well!!.
There was a bad experience with the showroom folks when I bought the bike though, they had taken out the guard in the front and also one of the horns. The guard I noticed and the showroom guys fixed it for me after a week or so but the horn, I noticed it only after a couple of services.
They of course, told me that it had been stolen but that was surely not the case. So make sure you check all parts exist before you take the bike out of the showroom. The service center manager was a great guy who offered to give a free oil change in lieu of the "no horn" cheating from the showrrom.