[bblost]

No updates as such but took a short ride from home.

This covid life, how are you guys managing to keep your bikes in good health.
I try and get it out for most of my shopping trips.

[shyamg28]

For myself, I got my bike serviced and paid quite a heavy bill.



It was quite experimental this time based on some reviews I found both on and off the forum:

• Engine Oil changed to Liqui Moly fully synthetic.
• Fork oil changed to Liqui Moly 10W.
• Front-brakes changed to Vesrah ceramic brakes. EBC felt too expensive once I thought (and re-thought) about it.
• Chain sprocket changed pro-actively (OE). Mine wasn't in that bad a condition actually but I felt 25k would be good time to do it.

Update on the Pro-Spec EasyClutch - it is gold. Well worth the money.
Saving up to upgrade headlights to Maddog Scout-X. The pair I have is rubbish, but at least helps keep me visible to others. Another pair of gloves (full-gauntlet) also planned, mostly Viaterra Grid or Rynox Storm Evo.

[All too expensive this affair I tell you.]

Pics from a recent ride. Came back in smashing rain and just loved the fact that the top box kept everything dry, except me of course

[bblost]

Lovely pictures. Riding in the rain is in my honest opinion the best part of being on a motorcycle. I just love it.

One rather petty question. That blue cover on the gear shifter, does it help?

I keep thinking of getting it for the rare times when I wear sandals on the bike.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by bblost

Lovely pictures. Riding in the rain is in my honest opinion the best part of being on a motorcycle. I just love it.

Cent percent

Originally Posted by bblost

One rather petty question. That blue cover on the gear shifter, does it help? I keep thinking of getting it for the rare times when I wear sandals on the bike.

Ever so slightly. Your shoes will still suffer, but lesser so. As for sandals, nope, I don't think this helps even a bit.
Instead of sandals, you could try slip-ons. If I'm lazy, I use them instead of sandals/chappals.

[rakesh_r]

Nothing much from my end. My bike was left unattended for 7 whole months. I had gone to my native Kerala for two weeks but decided to stay put during the lock down. Fortunately I had neatly covered the bike with two layers of car and bike covers. The unfortunate thing was, I forgot to disconnect the battery terminals and the result was obvious. Got the stock Amaron replaced with Exide (Since that was the only one available).
Since the bike was well covered, apart from dust no other damage happened. Called up Royal Enfield and booked a Door Step service. The battery was replaced and the bike surprisingly started on the first click.
During the lockdown, I managed to procure a Handle bar from Art of Motorcycles. Also swapped the stock Exhaust to one from Powerage Exhausts.

[karanddd]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

Also swapped the stock Exhaust to one from Powerage Exhausts.

How is the Powerage exhaust? The stock BS VI sounds so meh

For the others in the thread, any experience with the Greasehouse or Red Rooster slip ons? Or suggestions for other aftermarket options?

[rakesh_r]

Originally Posted by karanddd

How is the Powerage exhaust? The stock BS VI sounds so meh

For the others in the thread, any experience with the Greasehouse or Red Rooster slip ons? Or suggestions for other aftermarket options?

I loved the way the Powerage exhaust sounds, not too loud and sounds good even with the DB Killer. I had used the Greasehouse for a brief period but didn't like it. I found the Red Rooster silencer to be a bit on the louder side. I didn't like the sound with the DB killer.

[bj96]

Originally Posted by bblost

...
This covid life, how are you guys managing to keep your bikes in good health.
I try and get it out for most of my shopping trips.

Nice shot.

Short distance rides (under traffic) are actually more harming to clutch and engine oil. Don't have a Himalayan, but I try to run 15 year older cousin, Electra once a month or so. Minimum 10-15 kms, after idling for ~5 minutes, near a IT park (usually free from traffic these days) and use only kick-start first time. Replaced oil (DIY) during LD-3 and did turn signal light upgrade to LED. Occasionally connect a trickle charger to keep battery healthy. Fatfatiya continues to putter around just fine.



DIY Light upgrade session.


Similar routine, once a week, on Fat Boy (w/o oil change ofcourse as it costs a little bomb ) too.

-BJ

[karanddd]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

I loved the way the Powerage exhaust sounds, not too loud and sounds good even with the DB Killer.

Good to hear! I am going to get one. Do you notice any effect on the performance? I doubt it does much, but wouldn't hurt to have a little extra kick.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by rakesh_r

I loved the way the Powerage exhaust sounds, not too loud and sounds good even with the DB Killer.

Best thing is, it looks just like the stock exhaust.

[rahul4321]

Completed a 200 kilometre ride today to some nearby hills. Bike performed flawlessly - no complaints.

The braking of the bike seems to have improved a bit. The high speed braking is still lacking bite and is about as quick as posting a letter in the time of email and Whatsapp but the low speed braking - it seems, has gotten better as the initial bite has increased.

Or else - since I haven’t been riding much lately and while the brakes are still absolutely the same, my benchmarking parameters and reference points have zeroed themselves down during lockdown.

[shyamg28]

Visited Hampi, first time on bike. It's highway all the way, around ~350kms of it.
We took all the luggage we have for the bike, though we didn't have that much to carry.
The top box again, re-assuring me that it was a good investment.
Although I have a pair of Fego Float air seats, I never preferred to use it until and unless I really needed to. But it was permanently fixed for the pillion. This time I decided to ride all the time with it and noticed one significant gain in terms of ergonomics.
You evidently sit a bit higher and that helps in the knees being less bent than normal. I usually start having a pain in the outside of the right knee around 150kms after which I start stretching it out while riding, but with the float, I didn't really need to do that.
Another one evident on this trip was how the butt ache arrived much much later. 150kms again is my threshold for one go without a break, but with the float, I didn't feel a thing almost all the way through.
The negative side is that you got to use more of the inner thighs to fix yourself to the tank when cornering since the float offers well, a floaty feel when riding, similar to the spring single seat of the Classic 350.

















P.S.:
1. My regular RE riding shoes were soaking wet so had to make do with trekking shoes.
2. Some fool flicked the rubber caps off my phone mount. Any clues to where I could get extra caps (online/Bangalore) would be helpful.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

[*]Front-brakes changed to Vesrah ceramic brakes.

Is there a significant improvement in braking over stock brake pads? What is the model number?

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Is there a significant improvement in braking over stock brake pads? What is the model number?

I believe this is the one: Part Number: SD-947
For reference: https://lrlmotors.com/products/royal...31922940706929

Having done about ~1000kms on them, I find no discernible difference Will update if I find any change the more I ride.

P.S.: I live knowing the reality that Himalayan's brakes suck. I was desperate for ABS but traded for the Himalayan vs Dominar, primarily for superior pillion comfort, so it was a conscious decision.
Meanwhile, the BSIV ABS version released a month after my purchase, to make matters worse for me.
I was even ready to pay a premium of 20-30k to get it added but was heavily advised against it, given the amount of changes involved.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

I believe this is the one: Part Number: SD-947
For reference: https://lrlmotors.com/products/royal...31922940706929

Having done about ~1000kms on them, I find no discernible difference Will update if I find any change the more I ride.

P.S.: I live knowing the reality that Himalayan's brakes suck. I was desperate for ABS but traded for the Himalayan vs Dominar, primarily for superior pillion comfort, so it was a conscious decision.
Meanwhile, the BSIV ABS version released a month after my purchase, to make matters worse for me.
I was even ready to pay a premium of 20-30k to get it added but was heavily advised against it, given the amount of changes involved.

That's what I wanted to know, if these new pads will make the braking better. 1000 kms is long enough to find a different if any.