Quote:
Originally Posted by Sutripta Thanks, but you are preaching to the choir! Not just the Duke, should not be a problem with any modern (= well designed, properly built) bike.
However, if the GB starts making weird/ frightening noises, or a rough shift feel, consistently on a particular usage pattern, common sense dictates that that usage pattern be avoided. I am assuming that people who are doing it (me included) do not hear these noises.
To be fair, I must add that a double tap is second nature to me (absolutely necessary to go from cruise mode into the power band), triple taps also when occasion demands (slowing down). But I don't think I shift from 6 to 1 in one go. Must try it out!
Regards
Sutripta |
Hehehehe. I am a bit old, going to hit half a century soon, so I get into preaching mode, faster than the duke can hit 100. Yup I agree with you if there is something out of the ordinary, like you said if the GB is making weird / frightening noises, or a rough shift feel consistently on a particular usage pattern then CS dictates that the ride pattern must be altered. well apart from the clunky 2nd and 3rd gear and the sticky gear lever issue I have not heard any weird noise or rough shift as of now.
I rode yesterday and today with fully observing myself and yes, I did double tapping more than once. When approaching a junction, from 80 at 6th gear, cut of throttle, hit the brake to slow down, touched about 40 and shifted from 6th to 4th. I passed through the speed range 80-40 pretty quickly that I could not shift to 5th release clutch and then do the same thingie again to get to 4th. I guess that is ok.
Earlier I used to ride at a good speed in 6th gear, then as I approach a hump, I used to brake hard at the last moment, to decelerate very fast, and once the bike has slowed down to say under 30ish I am close to the base of the hump, do my multi-down shifting to 2nd and take the hump in 2nd gear. But today I consciously did the gradual gear change while approaching a hump at a distance of about 100 mtrs to down shift to 5th release the clutch, after another 30-40 mtrs down shift to 4th so on and so forth. ( I mean the usual down shifting pattern). till I reached the hump at about 30 Kmph speed. the ride was fine I guess.
The clutch being hard, I tried to see how the bike behaves in gear without throttle. At an isolated road ( inside an industrial area) I found that in 1st gear without giving any throttle, the bike trudges at 9-10 Kmph speed and engine does not stall. I tried in 2nd gear and again, with no throttle, the bike trudges at 13-14 Kmph speed and does not stall. I tried the 1st gear no throttle on a upward gradient hoping the engine would stall, but no the bike simply chugged at 9-10 Kmph slowly up the road, but did not stall. So that is some good news while riding in slow moving traffic ( not stop and go traffic) where using clutch could be painful to the fingers.
I had earlier reported about the grogginess in the engine and also had some starting issues. so took her to the SVC today, wanted to change the engine oil from 10W40 to 10W50. as the SVC did not stock 10W50, I scouted Margao city for the grade, but could not get it. So oil change next time. So the work at SVC was reduced to change the fuel filter and tighten and lube the chain.
Fun started here. 2 guys Mr. M and Mr. H specially trained with KTM Duke were on leave and so another Pulsar Mech Mr.A took charge and enthusiastically removed the tank and replaced the fuel filter, but he was not fit the tank back. he called another mech to help and both wrestled with the tank and the bolts but could not get it done, then the floor supervisor arrived, did some juggling, little bit of pushing and finally the tank was refitted. My mech while fitting the tank lid allen bolts dropped a couple of allen bolts in the radiator area which could not be retrieved ( neither did it fall down). I was concerned if these bolts hit the blower fan, then I am in big big trouble. took the matter with the Manager ( just to make sure that I have this matter brought into their notice) who assured me with " Sir, it will fall off while you ride" and I am like what if it slips in the radiator fan or some thing?? Finally after nearly 2 and half hours ( for chain lube and fuel filter change) the bike was ready and the supervisor wanted to take it for a customary test ride before delivery. he took the bike out and the engine simply turned off (the very reason for me being in the SVC). He tried at least some 5-6 times to get it started ( and I was pretty annoyed that my problem is demonstrated again at delivery time) and finally he took for a spin and said "Sir. All is well".
My initial feeling of the ride is that the bike was peppier than earlier, the exhaust sounded smoother ( I had changed to speed petrol for the first time yesterday, could be that), But, I could feel lot of vibes in the petrol tank and front section. that smoothness was missing (the bike was repaired in the yard as the shop line was full and they have the assembly line electric bolt tighteners which really did the job well and here it was manually tightened /pushed / pulled) and some how it was mixed bag feeling. Once my mech Mr. M is back from his vacation, I am going to take her back for a full check up again.
The first snap is the Fuel filter replacement ( the white tube).
the view of the fuel tank after the cap is removed. you observe those 4 allen bolts??. My good man lost 2 of them while fitting it back. It just slid down the tank at front and vanished.
The Sensors / ECU mounted on the tank back.
Finally Just curious. How many of you guys have personally come across a damaged GB due to bad riding? (not mishap but due to bad riding pattern/style) It could be any bike for that matter. Just want to know the rate of this incidence in the biking fraternity.