[nitinkbhaskar]

Originally Posted by JayPrashanth

Now, I was faced with a very tricky situation. I couldn't turn around as the track was very narrow, with drops on both sides. I had to gingerly reverse the bike, and the front wheel was just skidding away in the dirt as the speed was too low for ABS to even kick in.

Maybe I am missing something but why didn't you try just reversing the bike and letting gravity do all the work (while using engine braking to your leverage) ?

[JayPrashanth]

Originally Posted by nitinkbhaskar

Maybe I am missing something but why didn't you try just reversing the bike and letting gravity do all the work (while using engine braking to your leverage) ?

1. No space to turn around on the incline. Very narrow path. So, engine braking out of the question. Think of it as a rising wedge. No space to turn on a wedge. So, only option was to reverse back.

2. Got stuck in a deep rut, when I found some space to try and turn. If the bike was a 2WD, I could have ridden out.

Cheers,

Jay

[catkins]

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

Why not just cut the air filter housing? Works out a lot cheaper and seals well.

Good idea but not an option with the BMC filter. The RE housing/retainer does not match the BMC filter's soft plastic part that protrudes from the filter housing (the inner part of the protrusion is too big in both directions).

Equally the MK filter retaining bracket does not fit the BMC filter. The protrusion protrudes (!) too far. Longer screws would be required and they would tighten only on the protrusion so would not lock by tightening into the filter body as they do in the RE design

Has anybody fitted a retainer that fits nicely with the BMC filter? https://www.bikenbiker.com/products/...30942397366329 ?

[SNOWY227]

Originally Posted by SNOWY227

Fellow 650 owners, I have a problem and would like you to please help me with it. I got my Dr.Mayhem Continental GT 650 a few months back. We took the delivery during the rampant Corona season. The delivery was scheduled to be at afternoon, but was delayed and we got it when it was getting dark. Yet, my uncle noticed these white marks on the side of the tank and parallel white lines on the top of the tank, and when he asked the showroom guy, he confidently replied that it was nothing to worry about and would go away after a shampoo wash. The next morning, after a shampoo wash, in the daylight I found the tank to be FULL of white marks. We sent them pictures and my uncle gave them a piece of his mind, and they gladly agreed to polish it up during the first service.
The first service comes, and they again delay. After a mere try with a small piece of cloth and some polish, nothing changed. The mark on the side of the tanks remained. After realising that it was all in vain, the sales representative started to shift the blame on us. He says that someone had rubbed white paint on it and that it had happened after taking the delivery and they would never deliver a faulted vehicle. Here's a quick run-down of what happened during the delivery day. We took the bike, rode 40 kms back home, took it to pooja, where our employees had a vigilant eye on the bike. Then we took it back home and parked inside a closed gate. The next day, the bike was washed in front of my eyes, and that's when we sent the pictures. Now back to first service day, even after explaining everything, he shifted the blame on us, and we saw this was not going anywhere. Any Bangaloreans out there, please suggest the shop too. Attaching the photos for reference.

UPDATE!

Took the motorcycle to Feynlab near Brigade Road, Bengaluru. They tried what they could, but couldn't get rid of the marks. Also, the amount of other scratches made it look like a good 4-6 year old vehicle. Left with no choice, I agreed to get the black part of the tank repainted. Getting a paint job on a brand new motorcycle kind of hurted me. Also, went with the ceramic coating for the entire motorcycle. Anyway, after two days went back to Feynlab, and Oh Boy! the GT was there, shining in all its glory.
It never looked like this since Day 1.
Thanks to Feynlab and fellow team bhp members like neil.jericho for guiding me. Happy with the result.
Attaching a few pictures of the new look.

PS: I was looking into maintenance of ceramic coating. Can anyone suggest a nice pH neutral shampoo? Also, any other things I should remember during maintenance.

[thebengalee]

There's no denying that the Twins are a great VFM product. But I've been hearing about its issues from the early days. Nothing universal, but still frequent enough. Moto journalists like Zigwheels have said that long term reliability of the bike was fine but there have been a lot of people complaining about the tyres, wobbling, coneset issues, etc.

However the international community is going gaga over the bikes. Haven't been hearing a ton of grumbling from overseas customers.

This got me thinking: does RE do tougher QC for export models or is it simply that the bikes have to endure a rougher life in our country? Any insights?

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by thebengalee

there have been a lot of people complaining about the tyres, wobbling, coneset issues, etc.

This thread is a goldmine of information for the Twins if one keeps track consistently. In my opinion, I don't see a wide # of cases of issues that can be deemed a 'problem' with the bike, just individual cases popping up as it would with any product. My view might be biased with my own experience so happy to be proven wrong by other owners.

I would say the bigger issue is the so-so servicing capabilities of RE across the country. Till that gets resolved, we are bound to see owners complaining across the board.

This got me thinking: does RE do tougher QC for export models or is it simply that the bikes have to endure a rougher life in our country? Any insights?

Possible given the more stringent laws over there. But also given RE is trying to break these markets, I'm sure issues if they pop up are handled much better by the service centers over there. And that probably is the more relevant reason of less noise from overseas markets.

In comparison, RE service centers in India still work in the same manner as they have been doing so one has to push hard and meanwhile, "grumble"

Originally Posted by SNOWY227

UPDATE!

Took the motorcycle to Feynlab near Brigade Road, Bengaluru. Thanks to Feynlab and fellow team bhp members like neil.jericho for guiding me. Happy with the result.

Nice job - the bike looks great. If you don't mind, can you share what was the hit to the wallet?

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by thebengalee

However the international community is going gaga over the bikes. Haven't been hearing a ton of grumbling from overseas customers.

This got me thinking: does RE do tougher QC for export models or is it simply that the bikes have to endure a rougher life in our country? Any insights?

thebengalee, even I too have noticed that a lot of the international motorcycling community is completely in love with the 650 twins. With regard to your question on the QC, I am cross posting my response on a similar question from another thread (Royal Enfield 650 Twin engine build quality on par with German makes | Scientific Comparison).

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

It is well established that Royal Enfield North America (RENA) has set up a 100 point inspection program for the bikes that are imported into the USA.

So basically, all the bikes roll off the same production lines here in India and get the same factory PDI before being shipped to the USA. There they have a second PDI (the 100 point inspection) by RENA before the bikes get sent to dealers for the dealer PDI and subsequent sale.

The bikes sold in India get the factory PDI and then the dealership PDI. There is no middle step of the 100 point inspection. I think it is fair to say that the Royal Enfield bikes sold in India are the same as that what is sold in the USA.

Originally Posted by SNOWY227

Anyway, after two days went back to Feynlab, and Oh Boy! the GT was there, shining in all its glory.
It never looked like this since Day 1.

Wow, your bike looks stunning. Feynlabs has done a really good job.

It is good to see a positive outcome after your initial challenges. Hope you have a trouble free experience with your bike going forward!

[SNOWY227]

Originally Posted by ninjatalli

Nice job - the bike looks great. If you don't mind, can you share what was the hit to the wallet?

Haha thanks. I'll send it through a PM

[rituj]

Originally Posted by SNOWY227

UPDATE!

Took the motorcycle to Feynlab near Brigade Road, Bengaluru. They tried what they could, but couldn't get rid of the marks. Also, the amount of other scratches made it look like a good 4-6 year old vehicle. Left with no choice, I agreed to get the black part of the tank repainted. Getting a paint job on a brand new motorcycle kind of hurted me. Also, went with the ceramic coating for the entire motorcycle. Anyway, after two days went back to Feynlab, and Oh Boy! the GT was there, shining in all its glory.
It never looked like this since Day 1.
Thanks to Feynlab and fellow team bhp members like neil.jericho for guiding me. Happy with the result.
Attaching a few pictures of the new look.

PS: I was looking into maintenance of ceramic coating. Can anyone suggest a nice pH neutral shampoo? Also, any other things I should remember during maintenance.

Looking fabulous.
What all do they cover in ceramic coating other than the tank ofcourse (since you mentioned "entire motorcycle")?

[SNOWY227]

Originally Posted by rituj

Looking fabulous.
What all do they cover in ceramic coating other than the tank ofcourse (since you mentioned "entire motorcycle")?

All the black parts (front mudguard, the side panels etc.) of the body were ceramic coated. The chrome ones like the engine, exhaust pipes were coated with some chrome polish. The tail lamp had a lot of scratches, I got it done too (rubber polish I'm guessing).

[hiren.mistry]

Hello folks,
Which is the best oil for twins? My bike has done around 4K KMS since the last oil change and I am planning to get it changed at the earliest possible opportunity.

A Bullet specialist in my area has the Shell Advance 15W-50 which is not exactly the grade specified by RE (10W-50). I've usually used Motul on my other bike and its been generally good. Have heard good things about Liqui Moly, so dont mind trying that out.

Thanks in Advance.

[surjaonwheelz]

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

A Bullet specialist in my area has the Shell Advance 15W-50 which is not exactly the grade specified by RE (10W-50). I've usually used Motul on my other bike and its been generally good. Have heard good things about Liqui Moly, so dont mind trying that out.

The best? I don't know but I can share the options: (10W-50)

Amsoil
Sylkolene
LiquiMoly
Motul 7100
Castrol Power1 Ultimate

Shell Advance Long Ride (I bought it over the counter at a Shell bunk) you can check out the video by sportztourer (fellow bhpian). As the title says nobody seems to know about this engine oil, hence sharing. Though I had got this engine oil before the video was released.

https://youtu.be/4g60iR7Zp0U

RE synthetic oil is good enough and costs only Rs.550 per litre. I had bought the Shell oil as I was feeling the oil level had dropped to minimum mark and I should top it up to max. (You know that itch to over check things) Hence I can't comment on full oil change experience with the Shell.

The amount of publicity & promotions Castrol has done, it seems too good to be true. I personally feel if a product is so good then it will come through on its own in the biking world! As you said, Motul has a proven record. No harm in trying out the Liqui Moly, it's available in a bigger pack!

The Mechanic must be an expert in RE 350s and that Shell oil is popular.

Park your ride,
surjaonwheelz

[hiren.mistry]

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

The best? I don't know but I can share the options: (10W-50)

Amsoil
Sylkolene
LiquiMoly
Motul 7100
Castrol Power1 Ultimate

Shell Advance Long Ride (I bought it over the counter at a Shell bunk) you can check out the video by sportztourer (fellow bhpian). As the title says nobody seems to know about this engine oil, hence sharing. Though I had got this engine oil before the video was released.

The Mechanic must be an expert in RE 350s and that Shell oil is popular.

Park your ride,
surjaonwheelz

Interesting video, thanks for sharing.
Yes, the mechanic is an expert in RE 350, 500, etc. Haven't seen any interceptors with him as I think most of them are still under warranty.

Liqui Moly is 1.5K per litre, while the Motul 7100 is 1.1K for 1.5 litre. So will go with Motul. I am sure the rates online will be cheaper but with Amazon deliveries not happening, I have to go with the MRP rates that are quoted by these garages.

Will share an update once I have the oil in.

[adwaith]

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry

Hello folks,
4. Heavy steering - Man it feels heavy at slow speeds with a lot of steering efforts and inputs needed to steer this baby. Perhaps its just a matter of getting used to it.

Congrats on your ride! Happy motoring!

I too find the bike difficult to maneuver at really slow speeds, especially in traffic. I find that it's rather heavy. But at speed, she moves so well.

Originally Posted by neil.jericho

Im normally, ahem, investing my time in researching custom builds like this one. Currently Im loving the Scrambler builds that are popping up around the world.

Isn't the bike a tad heavy to be fun off road? This question has been bugging me for a while now and more so after Sagar Sheldekar began posting about the Hare Scramble build.

Originally Posted by silentstorm

The twins come running lean from the factory is what I gather (most likely to meet emission norms).

Once you make changes and the engine begins running rich it is going to be a problem when we get the PUCC done?

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by adwaith

Isn't the bike a tad heavy to be fun off road? This question has been bugging me for a while now and more so after Sagar Sheldekar began posting about the Hare Scramble build.

There is no denying the weight. By changing the exhaust you could shed a few kilos but its still going to be far from light. And a Scrambler build (I use this term loosely) wont be able to do the type of heavier offroading that an Xpulse can do.

That said, it will likely be a lot of fun once you venture off the highways and city roads and onto some easy off roading sections. With the correct understanding of a Scrambler's capabilities, getting it to the right offroad conditions will be super enjoyable.

Check out this build video where they are quite honest about their Scrambler build's abilities and limitations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMS_N3K1SQ4

Ive been saying for a long time that Royal Enfield has missed the boat with an Interceptor based Scrambler offering. It wont cost them all that much but it can get a few more buyers on board.