[jomson13]

Hey guys,

I did a interstate run on the interceptor last week. The intent of this thread is to share my experience as well as how the bike performed.

This was an unplanned trip necessitated by a sudden need in the family, I had to get from Pune to Jhansi and had to be in Jhansi on Wednesday (9th August) by around 10am. This was communicated on Monday afternoon which meant that a road trip was the only way out.
Two options were considered, the BRV (if parents were coming along) or the Inty (if I was to go alone).
My parents are not big fans of road trips so option 2 it was.

Bike prep:
My bike consumes engine oil; I don't know why and I don't intend to open up the cylinder head just to check the condition of the rings / sleeve. The consumption rate is around 400ml every 1200 kms. I'm happy to just top up the oil level when it drops.
The last time I topped up, I had finished my bottle of Motul 7100 10w50.
On the eve of the ride, I went to the local spare parts store to pick up a bottle and was in for a rude shock - they only had the required grade in a huge can, so I had to pick up a bottle of the semi synthetic oil (3100 20w50) to get something which was close to the recommended grade.
Topped up the oil and lubed the chain and the bike was all set to go. It had recently undergone a fork seal replacement and also a fork oil upgrade – Maxima 5w oil was used. I was looking forward to test it over a long distance ride.
One upgrade which has been long pending and which made its absence felt on this ride was the seat upgrade. More on that later.
My bike already has a spare clutch cable installed on it, I just adjusted the current one a bit and made sure that I had the required tools needed to preform a cable swap if the need arose.

Planning:
The total distance to be covered was 1100 kms and I decided to split it over two days as 800kms and 300kms since I wanted to be in Jhansi by around 10am. This was going to be the longest single day ride that I had ever done, the previous one being the ride to the statue of unity (link to thread - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...wo-wheels.html (Statue of unity - On two wheels!))
Another reason for riding more on the first day is that the energy levels are much higher and its better to munch up the miles before the fatigue starts settling in.
The route shown on google maps was this : Pune - Nandur shingote - Lasalgaon - Chandwad - Malegaon - Dhule - Indore - Guna - Shivpuri - Jhansi
I checked in which some friends about the road and weather conditions and they suggested that I should not leave the highway at Nandur Shingote and continue straight onwards towards Nashik. This is longer (by around 50kms) but is a better road overall.
The revised route was as follows: Pune - Sinnar - Nashik - Chandwad - Malegaon - Dhule - Indore - Guna - Shivpuri - Jhansi
I decided to look for a place to stay once I reached Indore; depending on the time of the day and my fatigue levels.

Day 1
Started around 5:20, I prefer to start just before dawn, that way you are out of the city by the time the sun rises. Had a large cup of coffee from home and was off on my way. I had my rain gear on (Fitted the rain liner to the jacket, Decathlon rain pants and a generic bag cover for my luggage tied onto the back seat). The ride was uneventful and there was not too much rain on the way, it was just enough to keep the jacket from getting too stuffy.

I don't ride with the navigation turned on and this led me to miss the Nashik bypass and head straight into Nashik. Only when I hit a signal did I realize that something was amiss and checked google maps. This goof up caused me around 30 mins of delay.

The heavy dinner on the previous day and the large cup of coffee allowed me to skip breakfast. I did have some snacks with me which I kept digging into during my stops. I usually stop every hour or so for a 5 min break but today my stops were less frequent since the weather was very pleasant and the roads were pretty good.

Some pictures from the day:

This was my first stop for the day.



A huge onion market just outside of Malegaon.





Dhule, was getting quite hot now. Time to lose the rain gear.




Wanted to have some nice chaat but I could not find any restaurants on the bypass highway. Made do with some soya chaap instead


Day 1 total, stopped at a place called Pachor. its around 60 kms from Guna.
Found a decently rated hotel (Hotel Prince Palace), which was extremely close to the highway. Had a simple dinner; there was no choice at all and retired for the night.


Day 2
Started at my usual time of 5:30 am. The weather had been holding up really well so far - cloudy and overcast with brief spells of rain. These were just enough to keep the temperature comfortable without causing visibility and drivability issues on the roads.
One thing that is worth mentioning here is the problem of cattle on the highway. Although I was warned about this, I was totally taken aback by the sheer numbers of cattle that are found loitering on the highway. They start appearing as early as dawn and stay back till dusk. I cannot understand why the highways are not fenced off to avoid untoward and totally un-necessary accidents involving cattle.
The destination was 320kms at the start of the day, this increased to 360 due to the fact that I missed the turn to get off the highway at Padora and continued straight onwards towards Shivpuri. Not only did this add distance to the trip but also time since the stretch of road (especially at the start) from Shivpuri to Jhansi is in really bad condition.

I did not realized when I crossed over from MP to UP. I was expecting to see some boards or some kind of toll gates but there were none. From the map I could see that the border was after a large water body; the only comparable one that I saw was a large shallow lake which had a nice bridge built over it. I have a picture near this location during the return leg.
Some parts of the road here were very good - it was freshly laid tar (without any median or shoulder markings). The road was so good that traffic from the opposite lane was using the newly laid road instead of sticking to their own side.

Didn't click too many pictures today since I wanted to make it before 10am. Inspite of the unwanted detours, I made it around 10:15am.

Due to the limited fuel tank capacity of the interceptor, I had to stop every 250-280 kms. The refuel would take in around 9-9.5 litres of petrol so I was getting a fuel efficiency of close to 30 kmpl.
No issues whatsoever with the bike, the seat upgrade (which I had put off for so long) was making its absence felt. I was looking forward towards getting something done in Jhansi.

The next two days were spent in Jhansi attending to family matters.
The return was planned for Saturday morning, the only preparation that I did was to get the bike washed and lubed the chain.

Very nice and fresh poha at one of the toll booths. Was very cheap too, this bowl costs all of 10 rupees!



Scenic views enroute


I think these were soyabean fields on both sides


Entering into Jhansi



Return Leg, Day 1
I was set to start the return journey on a Saturday and this being the start of a long weekend, I was expecting quite a bit of car traffic on the highway. I was a bit late to start and it was almost 5:45 by the time I left. Weather was pretty good, it hadn't rained at all during the past week so I had packed my rain gear along with my luggage.

This is just after the big lake which I think is near the MP - UP border.





First stop for the day. I think I rode for around 2 hours or so before stopping. I had some company (some random biker dude on a green continental GT) and we made the morning ride interesting for each other.



It was turning into a really pleasant ride when all of a sudden the rain gods decided to play truant. This was not a passing shower but a proper downpour! Before I could find some shelter to stop I was completely drenched. The rain did let up but I decided to put on my rain pants. There was no use putting on the jacket rain liner since the jacket was already fully wet.



The weather cleared up over the next 30 odd kilometers and I was almost fully dry. I had missed checking on the oil level of the bike while I was in Jhansi and true to my calculation it was nearing the minimum mark.
I was now looking for some place to top my the oil. I was nearing Dewas and I could see a RE service center not too far off from the highway.
Just after you get off the highway and head into Dewas, you see quite a few auto garages on the left. I decided to try my luck with one of these shops. The first one said that they did not stock oil, the second one I went to offered me the usual 10w30 which goes into most commuter bikes. When I insisted for a 10w50 grade, he fished out the exact grade oil but it was meant for CNG autorickshaws. Seeing my hesitation he quickly quipped - sir, for top up purposes this oil will also do. I just gave him a smile and fled from the place!
The RE service center was decently busy and I was sure that they would have the right grade of oil. To my disappointment, even they did not have the oil in stock. They suggested that I ride on to Indore and guaranteed that I will find the required oil there.
Just to try my luck, I asked them what grade oil does the RE Classic need? Turns out the Classic uses 15w50 semi synthetic oil. I asked them to use this oil and top up my bike. So this was a third type of oil going into my bike, it had the Motul 7100 as its base, topped up with a Motul 3100 and now the RE oil (which I think is an ELF make oil). I don't know how bad this is for the engine, but I'm sure that slighly incorrect oil is anyday better than having low oil level.
The top up was done very quickly, the mechanic measured out 400 ml and poured it into the bike, the oil level was now over the max level; the entire sight glass was covered in oil.
Thinking of the extra oil level as an unwanted insurance policy, I decided to ride on.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, no more rains along the way.

This is just after indore, at pithampur - the NATRAX facility.
This evoked memories from my engineering days - We had tried (unsuccessfully) to get into the BAJA SAE competition. Had we succeeded, this is where we would have raced our buggies.



Crossing over into Maharashtra.



Halt for the day. Total ride was around 750 kms. I checked into a hotel right beside the highway - Hotel Rasraj. Pretty decent, it had a nice restaurant. Had a sumptuous dinner and called it a night.



Return leg, day 2

Last day of the ride, distance to home was around 350kms and it depended on whether I continued on the highway till Nashik or took the detour at Chandkhed. I was inclined to try out the detour at Chandkhed since it seemed to be passing through a scenic area.

First stop for the day, Malegaon.



As soon as I left behind the dry and sunny region of Malegaon and entered into the cool and green areas of Nashik, the rains too started. This time I was better prepared, I was quick to pull over the put on my rain gear. Can't make the same mistake on successive days now can we?
This is also when I decided to continue on the highway, I didn't want to explore a smaller road in such rains.

Very picturesque views en route to Nashik.


My stops were getting more and more frequent as I neared home. The seat had not offered any respite today and I was feeling quite sore. I had to stop almost every 40 minutes for a break. The mad traffic after Chakan did not help my cause either.



Home at last, Total ride mileage spread out over 4 days of riding.


Concluding Thoughts

Apart from the uncomfortable seat, I do not have any complaints at all from the bike. It performed really well over this trip. Hopefully my experiments with difference make and grade of oil will not affect the bike too badly.
On the safety front, I feel we still have a long way to go. Our highways have too many openings / intersections that are extremely dangerous for motorists. The way they have managed them currently is my providing some really bumpy rumble strips or a set of speed breakers. These are quite useful in slowing you down but that is only if you see them! Most of them are not painted properly and you end up flying over them holding onto your bike for dear life.
The cow menace is something that needs to be urgently looked into. I must've seen at least 8-10 instances of road kill during my trip. I shudder to think about what might have happened to the motorist that hit the cattle. Is it really so difficult to put up a fence around the highway?
I feel that if these issues are taken care of then such road trips would be much more safer and a lot more fun.

Hope you had fun reading about my trip, let the comments / suggestions flow freely.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[adrian]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Hey guys,



The last time I topped up, I had finished my bottle of Motul 7100 10w50.
On the eve of the ride, I went to the local spare parts store to pick up a bottle and was in for a rude shock - they only had the required grade in a huge can, so I had to pick up a bottle of the semi synthetic oil (3100 20w50) to get something which was close to the recommended grade.
Topped up the oil and lubed the chain and the bike was all set to go.

Hopefully my experiments with difference make and grade of oil will not affect the bike too badly.

Congratulations on your trip.

Regarding the oil grade, never deviate from the grade specified by the company. In your case, I think you are treating the symptom instead of addressing the real issue. Remember the saying - " A stitch in time saves nine".

regards adrian

[sukiwa]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Apart from the uncomfortable seat, I do not have any complaints at all from the bike.

Get the seat foam changed soon.

It performed really well over this trip.

You had done your homework well.

Hopefully my experiments with difference make and grade of oil will not affect the bike too badly.

I am hoping that engine oil and oil filter has been changed by now. If not, you can visit Aru Traders on Karve road.

On the safety front, I feel we still have a long way to go. Our highways have too many openings / intersections that are extremely dangerous for motorists.

Not much will happen in immediate future, we have to keep ourselves more alert on road.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Hopefully my experiments with difference make and grade of oil will not affect the bike too badly.

Only time will tell.

I have been using Motul 7100 10w50 (Fully synthetic) and am currently running on Motul 3100 10w40 (semi synthetic). From my experience, the former grade is the better oil for the engine. Made little to no difference in the operation of the gearbox. I switched to Motul as ELF isn't available in my part of the world. As long as the oil is of the right grade, you're all good.

At what point or mileage did your engine start consuming oil?

There is definitely some oil consumption but not to the level you described. The last time I did an oil change, the oil filter was not replaced. The dealer had also over filed the oil. The oil window was basically full, even with the engine running. At the right fill level (mid way between Max and Min), oil isn't visible in the window when the engine is running. The oil level has come down slightly, from the Max level, after running 5,000km. A little oil is getting burnt away or being consumed. I am not worried at this stage though.

While it is complicated process, you should get your engine inspected at a capable FNG atleast. 400ml is a bit much for the said distance. It is a cost to keep pouring in oil. If there is soot build up or some wetness in the exhaust, oil is making its way pass the piston rings.

Thats one heck of a run you did. My rear end, body is usually sore after running 500km in a day.

[SixPistons]

@jomson13 very wholesome penning down of your experience. Made for a great read!

[surjaonwheelz]

Hi Mate,

First of all kudos to you and your bum for pulling it through! I've been on this stretch till Shivpuri but in the comfort of our Brio (Delhi - Mumbai : Route Queries)

My observations were similar to yours!

You're meant for long distance touring. Take a call whether you want to replace the seat or get a high perch of a Versys 650? It'll match your height!

We discussed the route but you didn't mention that you needed Engine oil? I think I have some Shell 10W 50 (Ridden: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650 Twin) (500ml) lying around!

I think Revzilla made a video just for you,

mixing engine oils

I'm also done with the stock seat nearing 18k kms, I'll try a local seat maker! Let me know if you want to join in this part of the city?

Happy touring,
surjaonwheelz

[jomson13]

Originally Posted by sandeepmohan

Only time will tell.

At what point or mileage did your engine start consuming oil?

There is definitely some oil consumption but not to the level you described. The last time I did an oil change, the oil filter was not replaced. The dealer had also over filed the oil. The oil window was basically full, even with the engine running.

While it is complicated process, you should get your engine inspected at a capable FNG atleast. 400ml is a bit much for the said distance. It is a cost to keep pouring in oil. If there is soot build up or some wetness in the exhaust, oil is making its way pass the piston rings.

Thats one heck of a run you did. My rear end, body is usually sore after running 500km in a day.

Mine is a pre owned bike, The mileage when I picked it up was 16.5k kms. I noticed the oil consumption right from the start, it varies a bit based on how I ride; on this highway trip, I'd say the consumption was lower but on my usual commute to office + weekend breakfast rides the consumption is higher.

Don't you feel that the gears don't slot in well when the oil is overfilled?

Originally Posted by surjaonwheelz

Hi Mate,


You're meant for long distance touring. Take a call whether you want to replace the seat or get a high perch of a Versys 650? It'll match your height!


I'm also done with the stock seat nearing 18k kms, I'll try a local seat maker! Let me know if you want to join in this part of the city?

Happy touring,
surjaonwheelz

Haha, I'll go in for the cheaper option of replacing the seat first.

[raptor_diwan]

These images are wonderful and they bring back memories of my days riding my old bike. Thank you for sharing them.

[sandeepmohan]

Originally Posted by jomson13

Don't you feel that the gears don't slot in well when the oil is overfilled?

Nope. Gearbox shift quality and operation, atleast on my bike is unchanged.

[jomson13]

Some updates made on the bike:

Air Filter
Swapped the motowings metallic mesh filter with the stock filter.
I don't find any difference in the performance or the sound - leads me to question why the previous owner moved to the motowings filter in the first place.
Its been around 500kms on the stock air filter at the time of writing this.

Seat
Got the seat done up, its now firmer and the pillion sits slightly higher.
The overall seat height has gone up - probably around 10-15 mm. I have temporarily turned the handlebars upwards to compensate, will install risers soon

Oil Consumption
Last oil topup was ~1500 kms ago, 15w50 semi synthetic oil was used (they didn't have the 10w50 fully synthetic in stock).
Oil consumption is lower, the level is currently above the max mark. The entire sight glass was filled at the time of top up.
Does anyone know how much volume exists between the max and full level of the sight glass?

Clutch cable routing
I have two cables running in parallel, this is because the old cable was left in place when a new one was put in. I feel this set up puts some load on the cable in use.
To add to this problem, the cable was routed incorrectly; the cable stays were not used and they were routed under the engine guard which caused a slight bend just before the adjustment nuts.
I corrected this today, didn't take and pictures before rerouting but here's how it looks now.
Sprayed some WD40 inside the cable so it feels smooth now - lets see how long it stays this way