[//M]

3 years 8 months, 37000 kms

I haven't got many chances to ride the Enfield since I relocated to Pune. So the odo has hardly moved, however I did a ride to the amazing Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh from Delhi and back.

Here's a link to the travelogue: Link

Spiti Valley is absolutely spectacular and apart from a few issues, it was one amazing motorcycling trip.

The issues with the Desert Storm were fixed and since then the motorcycle has been munching miles without any complaints whatsoever. The sad part is that I am not able to spare enough time to ride the Bull these days, only occasional rides around town. The other commitments have taken priority and even the sunday rides have reduced to a great extent.

With my Enfield in top shape now, I hope to resume my weekend rides soon.

Some pics from my Spiti trip:

[rakesh_r]

Arunab, this thread needed an update since a long time.Glad to see the bike performing well.Which mechanic do you take your bike for service?

[//M]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Arunab, this thread needed an update since a long time.Glad to see the bike performing well.Which mechanic do you take your bike for service?

I have got my Enfield serviced only from Alex and once from Bullet Guru in the last 1 and half years in Pune.

However, last time after much deliberation, I took my Enfield for a service at Warje. My Enfield was again and again developing white smoke so to get rid of it I wanted to get the block piston changed. Bullet Guru and Alex both hinted me expenses of 20000 or above for the entire job. Also the last couple of stints at Alex's workshop has not been satisfactory so I was basically looking out for a trusted mechanic. After much research, fellow bhpian Asit guided me to his mechanic in Warje who is a specialist with such jobs for all motorcycles including Enfields.

So against all odds I thought of getting the issue fixed from this guy as since the last 1 year Alex's men have not been able to diagnose the issue properly. The work done by the Warje gentleman was very impressive at less than 1/5th the cost quoted by the Enfield "specialists" around Pune.

3 months since I got the Enfield serviced, the motorcycle is due for the next service which I will be getting done in the first half of Feb. No problems at all, the Enfield rides brilliantly now. I haven't used the motorcycle much but the issue has been resolved for good.

I was planning to sell off the Enfield and upgrade to a bigger motorcycle but now since the Enfield is running as good as new, I do not want to rush into any decision. Might take an informed decision later but for now, I'm loving the majestic ride of my Bull.

[Carafooz]

Hi, I noticed in all the pictures you have clicked of your DS using the side stand. Do you use centre stand for parking or you think its too much effort to use the centre stand ? ( ? lazy )

[//M]

Originally Posted by Carafooz

Hi, I noticed in all the pictures you have clicked of your DS using the side stand. Do you use centre stand for parking or you think its too much effort to use the centre stand ? ( ? lazy )

Whenever I park the bike, I always use the main stand. However, when its a quick photo-moment then a side stand is always easier !

Most of the pics here are all those quick-photo moments hence the religious usage of the side stand.

[//M]

Last weekend (3rd-4th Dec 2016) I did a 650 odd kms roundtrip to Velneshwar Beach from Pune over two days with some fellow bhpians. The old lady performed really well over the good & bad roads in the Konkan coastline.

I recently got a new set of Ralco tyres for the Desert Storm plus got the chain-set and sprockets replaced during my last service.

Some pictures of my Desert Storm with the bigger bikes (3 x Triumph Street Triple's, 1 x Kawasaki Ninja 300, 1 x KTM RC390, 1 x KTM Duke 390) during the ride to Velneshwar:

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by //M

I recently got a new set of Ralco tyres for the Desert Storm plus got the chain-set and sprockets replaced during my last service.

How are the tyres? Please share pictures of the tread and other purchase details!

Cheers

[//M]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

How are the tyres? Please share pictures of the tread and other purchase details!

Cheers

First of all thanks a lot for recommending these tyres. I am glad I bought the Ralco tyres for the Enfield.

I bought it from Poona Scooters, opposite the E-Square Vishal theatre in Pimpri. The rear tyre costed me INR 2000.00 and the front tyre was for INR 1650.00 plus tubes each costing approximately INR 350.00

There were some uneven patches and bad roads en route to Velneshwar via Kumbharli ghat. The tyres provided great grip on wet/uneven roads and in the corners. I did some crazy cornering in the ghat sections and switchbacks, never ran out of grip.

Some pictures:

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by //M

There were some uneven patches and bad roads en route to Velneshwar via Kumbharli ghat. The tyres provided great grip on wet/uneven roads and in the corners. I did some crazy cornering in the ghat sections and switchbacks, never ran out of grip.

For all, these are RALCO Speed Blasters!

http://www.ralson.com/prod-auto.php?id=204&section=a

New tyres are always great, let's see how it fairs in your ownership period!

Happy to help

[ArizonaJim]

I'll take this opportunity to mention something about new motorcycle tyres. Maybe it can keep some riders from getting skinned up.

When tyres are made, the mold is sprayed with a lubricant to keep the fresh rubber from sticking to it.

This lubricant is always still on the new tyre when it is first sold and mounted.
It can reduce the traction on a dry road to something a little like riding on a ice covered road.

More than a few people did not know this about new tyres so they rode their motorcycle aggressively and suddenly found the motorcycle slipping out from under them and found themselves skidding down the tarmac, bikeless.

When first riding after getting new tyres installed, ride like you were riding on a wet, muddy road for the first 40-80 km.
Doing this will wear the lubricant off of the surface of the rubber and the true grip of the new tyre will emerge.

Ride Safe.

[//M]

5 years 5 months, 50500 kms

My bull has crossed the magical figures of 50000 kms now in 5+ years of ownership. No major rides during this phase but I totally enjoyed some regular sunday rides during the monsoons.

I am using my Enfield for my daily office commute these days as due to the recent parking woes at my workplace, I am forced to keep my CR-V at home.

The Enfield is merrily doing duties of daily commute as well as weekend rides. No issues with the motorcycle, except for the fact that the bike does not returns more than 16-17 kpl now.

What could be the reasons and how do I rectify this issue?


Meanwhile attaching a few pics of the motorcycle :

With bhpian Meccanico's KTM Duke 200



During one of the monsoon rides, pics courtesy bhpian libranof1987





With bhpian naveendagar and his Fortuner 4x4, pic courtesy bhpian 599gto



A shortcut trail near Thokarwadi Dam



Magical figures !

[ArizonaJim]

Congratulations on reaching 50000 km !

If you haven't done it within the last year, you might try installing a new spark plug and air filter.
A new spark plug cap might also be fitted to the high tension wire.

All of these things can effect the fuel mileage in a negative way if they aren't in excellent condition.

Putting a little fuel injection cleaner into the fuel can also help to improve fuel economy.
If the spray nozzle in the fuel injector has an accumulation of deposits in/on it, it will spray the fuel in large droplets rather than the fine mist it is supposed to deliver.
These large droplets do not burn as completely as the fine mist resulting in incomplete combustion.

[//M]

Originally Posted by ArizonaJim

Congratulations on reaching 50000 km !

If you haven't done it within the last year, you might try installing a new spark plug and air filter.
A new spark plug cap might also be fitted to the high tension wire.

All of these things can effect the fuel mileage in a negative way if they aren't in excellent condition.

Putting a little fuel injection cleaner into the fuel can also help to improve fuel economy.
If the spray nozzle in the fuel injector has an accumulation of deposits in/on it, it will spray the fuel in large droplets rather than the fine mist it is supposed to deliver.
These large droplets do not burn as completely as the fine mist resulting in incomplete combustion.

Thanks a lot for the pointers.

I have already planned to get my spark plug & air filter replaced in the next service. The next regular service is due in Nov so I will be getting the motorcycle thoroughly checked-up in about a week's time. I shall post updates with respect to fuel efficiency post the service.

Couple of months back, I also got the battery replaced as the older battery had done its duty for almost 3.5 years.

Currently, I am planning to do a quick ride to Goa and back towards the end of 2017. I also have plans to go touring across the Eastern Himalayas in early 2018 when the climate would be favourable for riding. More dope on this later !

[Charioteer]

Great to see you touching the 50k figure in 5 years!!
The DS seems to have really served you well and vice versa!
I have been planning to buy an RE for myself, for no particular 'need', but just to fulfill my childhood wishes of owning an RE.(or call it present mid-life crisis!)
While 500 cc was a no-brainer for me, selecting between the Bullet and Classic has been a real confusion! I have ridden both, and while the ride and stance on the bullet is fractionally better, I couldn't get convinced that I will have a problem with Classic.

On the other hand, looks wise, DS is far superior -and madam and children are àll inclined to the DS.

Your thread has indeed helped tilt my option in favour of DS! Your trips have been inspirational and the pictures are indeed breathtaking.
I am also glad to know that contrary to common notion, the bike, with of course a bit of "preventive maintenance" can be a trouble free companion for long!!

Will let you know on the forum when I finalise.

[//M]

Originally Posted by Charioteer

Great to see you touching the 50k figure in 5 years!!
The DS seems to have really served you well and vice versa!
I have been planning to buy an RE for myself, for no particular 'need', but just to fulfill my childhood wishes of owning an RE.(or call it present mid-life crisis!)
While 500 cc was a no-brainer for me, selecting between the Bullet and Classic has been a real confusion! I have ridden both, and while the ride and stance on the bullet is fractionally better, I couldn't get convinced that I will have a problem with Classic.

On the other hand, looks wise, DS is far superior -and madam and children are àll inclined to the DS.

Your thread has indeed helped tilt my option in favour of DS! Your trips have been inspirational and the pictures are indeed breathtaking.
I am also glad to know that contrary to common notion, the bike, with of course a bit of "preventive maintenance" can be a trouble free companion for long!!

Will let you know on the forum when I finalise.

The Desert Storm indeed is a looker. But if pillion comfort is your priority, the Standard 500 is better. The slim pillion seat is inadequate on the DS in terms of outright comfort.

I am a solo rider, never had a pillion accompanying me except for a few occasions. So the thought of having a comfortable pillion seat never occurred to me. I suggest you must take a long test ride with a pillion on both the bikes before finalizing on one.

Except for a couple of instances, my motorcycle has been pretty trouble-free. But in the last 10000 odd kms there have been some minor niggles every now and then, nothing major or worrisome though.

I will be soon upgrading to a bigger motorcycle in a couple of months, so the DS will find a new buyer. More on this later.