re: Royal Enfield Electra: Crossed 1,23,000 kms & 18 years Last weekend was the 18th year completed since I purchased this bike. I try and do a ride every year to celebrate that on the same day or weekend near it.
Yesterday, I got a chance to do that and a ride after almost 9 months. With the lockdown and a baby at home, getting time for myself was getting difficult. Made time yesterday and decided to head out although it was afternoon by then. As I wanted to get back before dark, I decided not to venture out too far and fixed on a route that will get me back before nightfall. Except for one stretch, it was a route I had done earlier by car.
There was no sign of rain when I left around 3p, but since I was headed out of the city, there was no point checking the forecast either. As luck would have it, when I was on Old Madras road heading towards Hoskote, I just missed a heavy downpour and was happy that only my jeans got wet from the wet road. More on rain later.
The bike was serviced few weeks back with fresh oil and new brake pads and I was itching to do a ride especially since the starting issue was sorted too. As always, it performed well and with fresh oil, I was able to keep a higher speed than earlier due to the smoothness. Must say, the engine is still eager at this age and delivers as well. I was able to cruise at 75 kmph which was the sweet spot. The head gasket leak turned out to be a loose nut on the head which was tightened during the service and didn't show any oil leak after the ride.
Power has reduced and is noticeable when I'm in 4th gear and have to accelerate from around 40 kmph after slowing down. Through the gears, the engine still feels good. I've been using an Iftex additive as well as LM oil additive which seems to be working especially on the highway.
Coming back to the rains, I was pressure washed thrice in three hours and 170 kms which was a first. I didn't bother stopping and taking shelter since looking at the clouds, I knew it's going to rain on and off. The good thing about the outskirts or open area is that you can see the skies for miles around. It's been a while since I rode in the rains out on the highway and I enjoyed it although towards the end I was soaked completely. It was like a washing machine cycle. Rain, dry roads and no rain and getting partially dried and then again rain.
Because of my shriveled finger, I was unable to unlock my phone and just managed one picture before the heavy rains started. The route taken was Blore-Hoskote-Chintamani-Chikkaballapur-Blore. Total distance was 170 kms.
The stretch between Chintamani and Chikkaballapur was good with lot of greenery and hills around and good paved roads with less traffic, but the huge number of stray dogs on the road made it a bit annoying.
By the time I was nearing home, it had already finished raining heavily and I missed my fourth pressure wash in the process.
Probably since it has been a while or since I rode in the rains or both, it was a good ride and the bike performed well. No oil leaks, no unwanted noise, no oil smoke.
Odo stands at 1,22,750 kms.
Last edited by tharian : 20th September 2020 at 10:48.
|