[aargee]

Originally Posted by tharian

Removing and refitting is one challenge and the other is finding a puncture shop who can do both

Nope; I'll give you all some good news after Inty is back sir, kindly bear with me till then

Originally Posted by surajspai

I don't know how much more bigger...degree of protection, though not complete coverage.

This can't be done sir

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Just switched to 3100 10W40. Will see how it goes

I'm beginning to feel the positive vibes of 7100, but holding any opinion for a long term observation. I'll be eagerly looking forward to hear your experience with the superior semi-synthetic engine oil sir.

Originally Posted by tharian

I will carry a spare tube as well after reading your experience.

Will share some realities of tubes now.

• There's no 130/80-18 tube in the market, no one makes it including CEAT
• Even ASC stated 120/18-18 is the closest fit
• 120/80-18 is not a commonly available tube
• Attempted to search at entire CEAT Shoppe in my & extended localities, no one stocks it
• Some prominent tire dealers suggested visiting Whites road
• Some of them even said, this size of tube will not be sold separately in the market as well

Although Amazon has Ralco 120/80-18 inner tube, we attempted finding one locally; our hopes were not all in vain; Lal Tyres (yes, the branch of same Lal Tyres from Peters Road) had some stock. The one they sold to us was just the tube, no packing or anything, although they checked for air leak for name sake. When asked why, they stated, they remove the tube from the tire & hand it over to us. So what about the 120/80-18 tire then? Don't those owners need those tubes? Well, Lal Tyres say, these days the owners only need tires because of alloy wheels. I'm with you all; I've the same questions as you do; the little devil within me is discontented with the what they said. Nevertheless, we were happy to have found as RE ASC themselves didn't have one in stock:

Quite funny that, RE ASC called up this morning & asked to hand over the tube; when I told them the reality (I'm positive they know it as well), they said, they'll try to procure & keep me informed about it & finally added - situation might demand you handing over the tube to us!! They couldn't think of alternatives either

Anyway, have handed over the tube; ASC said they'll replace the tube & hand over the motorcycle today; let's see. Hopefully they're fitting the tube with assistance of a machine over a manual labor!!

[aargee]

Life keeps going, as usual, one day at a time & then one day you suddenly wake up & realize it has gone long enough {like Andy says in Shawshank Redemption, I wonder where my 10 years went}

[aargee]

During April, we made an attempt to fix Zana saddle stay & the whole episode is narrated in this thread

After this, Wife & I rode to Hyderabad as a quick ride to attend an occasion via Kurnool. Onward was about 647 Km & return was about 636 Km. Here're some pictures in random order

[aargee]

And ofcourse, it's time for some changes with Interceptor as well such as
1. Changing the brake pads
2. Tires, one of the most expensive component
But will post on those details as they're due, but for now






With one full tank at Kurnool, we returned home to find RE had actually consumed this


Talking about FE, here's what it returned flying close to low, but not flying low

[aargee]

Time for new set of tires. Thanks to this post to have ordered from Throttle & Thump. Will soon change the tires & post the pictures.


Sharing the part number of the tires so as to help potential buyers, although Athek has shared it here



Had to go through external channel as RE ASC refused to order tires & asked me to manage from outside, otherwise I could've saved Rs 569 on shipping perhaps. Costed Rs 9499 in total for both tires.

[aargee]

It's a milestone ODO for Interceptor at 12564. Not because it was cleaned & detailed well, not because of the new tires, but it was also time for a minor change with major impact

Transformed Interceptor from this


to this


Son & Wife still say they loved the aesthetics of spoke wheels {Son loved the alloy wheels of Hunter 350}. I'm more biased towards alloy wheels not just due to the convenience of fixing punctures on tubeless tires, but also is easier cleaning alloy wheels than spoke wheels.

{New sets of tires Rs 9499} + {cost of alloy wheels 16500} + {ASC charges for replacement Rs 600} = Rs 26599. Got convenience at free of cost; well peace of mind, depends because I've my fingers crossed on the new alloy wheels; they're made for Royal Enfield, unlike made by Enkei for Honda!

[Proxima]

Nice upgrade. Did you buy the alloys from RE?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Proxima

Nice upgrade. Did you buy the alloys from RE?

Yes, RE ASC; though I won't say OE alloys, but the alloy wheels for Interceptor in the current outgoing model

[rajgeorgian]

My experience with the interceptor//
Purchase year: 2021, Kms driven: 3000 km; mostly driven : once a month; bike is complete stock.

I definitely relate to @aargee with respect to the driving dynamics of Inty 650.

My bike is in stock form and definitely has an issue with stability in corners and broken patches. Recently had a fall on a corner, road was tarmac but had some loose stones. Panic braking with rear brakes dint help much🥺. Even on black top curves with repaired patches, the bike doesn't inspire confidence. Having not experienced highway riding much, the bike may be more suitable for highways, and not for unpredictable mountain twisties with occassionally repaired/broken patches on turns. The rear wheel feels jumpy and slipping on turns. I feel, this bike is more suited for a metro city owner

Coming to speed: I wouldn't take it beyond 40 in twisted roads and 80 in highways. And yes, i am scared of the bike. Engine is so punchy, lt makes you feel okay to push it but I won't do it.

Service centre experience hasn't been great either. The service guys are good in big metro cities but in smaller cities the quality and expertise in questionable. Being in a transferrable job, I am yet to find good service centre. You won't even find good modifications guy in smaller cities for basic things like seat mod, headlamp forget other things.

In terms of practicality, the bike is slightly impractical with its power and displacement apart from select towns and cities. A meteor would be more practical, I feel. The parallel twins are a gem and a major value addition to Indian auto marer RE.
On a parting note, Inty inspires enthusiasm and is not made for a chore , it's made for something else and much more. Inty is a blank canvas, which can come out to be much more. I , personally am yet to home onto it and get things to work out between us.

[livyodream]

Originally Posted by aargee

It's a milestone ODO for Interceptor at 12564. Not because it was cleaned & detailed well, not because of the new tires, but it was also time for a minor change with major impact

Transformed Interceptor from this
Attachment 2478454

to this
Attachment 2478453


{New sets of tires Rs 9499} + {cost of alloy wheels 16500} + {ASC charges for replacement Rs 600} = Rs 26599. Got convenience at free of cost; well peace of mind, depends because I've my fingers crossed on the new alloy wheels; they're made for Royal Enfield, unlike made by Enkei for Honda!

So, hunters/Meteor350's stock alloys and tires are of same dimensions as stock interceptor's steel rims?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by livyodream

So, hunters/Meteor350's stock alloys and tires are of same dimensions as stock interceptor's steel rims?

Here's what the tech spec says for your kind perusal pls

[aargee]

Updates

Had a side stand sensor issue due to which bike often gets switched OFF when the gear is engaged. Issue posted here & the resolution here

As usual RE being RE they didn't have engine oil filter when I had serviced on Apr 4 when changing the front brake pads, water wash & brake oil; I had to get the oil changed on Apr 17 that dented Rs 625 for engine oil filter & labor since I procured Motul 7100 10W50 separately. This time they didn't have air filter so they just cleaned the airfilter by blowing the dust off with an air pressure pump.

I've made a point now to stock up both clutch & accelerator cables, engine & air filters. I'm also contemplating to change the hand grips to the latest model, however the spares takes priority besides I've got one more year for another general service.

Post this service, I did a ride from Chennai - Ernakulam - Chennai {19 & 22 Apr} & Interceptor did absolutely brilliant job. Except for the flick ability & a little compromise over comfort {which is fine by me} enjoyment was top notch & fantastic performer on highways. The only thing that got me scared was the speed masking combined with the sound of the engine! Actual speed is deceiving until I looked into the speedo meter. Brakes, tires, alloy wheels held good, really good despite some abuses.

Mileage & Cost Log

[sab3r2th]

Originally Posted by aargee

Updates

I've made a point now to stock up both clutch & accelerator cables, engine & air filters. I'm also contemplating to change the hand grips to the latest model, however the spares takes priority besides I've got one more year for another general service.

Doesn't stocking up on consumables defeat the entire purpose of getting the bike serviced from the ASC in the first place? The parts that you plan to stock are things that can easily be serviced at home. I've been doing my for about 2 years now, and it's a great way to make a Sunday fly quickly.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by sab3r2th

Doesn't stocking up on consumables defeat the entire purpose of getting the bike serviced from the ASC in the first place...great way to make a Sunday fly quickly.

Yes, that is true; I used to service & detail my Rx and CBR until 2020 at home; these days I make my weekends more productive and prioritize family time, so I have no choice but to service my bike through an RE ASC. To avoid issues with spare part shortages, I've to stock up

[aargee]

New problem: Gear gets struck at 2nd for no reason; this has happened for 2nd time with my limited riding time. That's the new trouble now. Otherwise:

Post the Kochi trip, we did some short day rides around Chennai for no more than 200 Km












And some ODOs: