[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by abhinav.s

to Bajaj. 100 bucks for pick up and drop is definitely reasonable by today's standards. And complimentary for first service goes to show that they are valuing customer relationship as well.

I can quite relate to your worries post service with the other bikes. Good that Bajaj has managed to service the bike without any niggles.

Yes, and hats off to bajaj. The service engineers are very approachable, courteous and most importantly, listen carefully and then speak. Bajaj has invested quite a lot into the softer aspects of training their staff it seems.

Well after the bike was delivered, I tanked up at Shell (premium unleaded as usual), went home, changed quickly and rode out into the city for around 50kms. Wanted to ride in traffic and check for any heating issues, false neutrals, knocking etc. Too bad I had to return home in less than an hour. Bike is performing smoothly as usual. Just has some oily fingerprints on the windshield, mirror, etc which will be off after a nice wash n wax on the weekend.

[n_aditya]

WHOOOOPPPPIIIIIEEEEE !!!
Finally completed the 1600 kms engine run-in period.

Since the first service last monday at 1136kms, I managed to clock a few more miles on the weekdays to get the odo to around 1300 odd kms by Friday evening (21 days since the bike was delivered).

Friday evening I got home from work and post the customary change in "costume" saw me heading to Hosur road. Met up with 2 more bikers and we headed to CCD @ Mandya. It was almost 11pm. We took the NICE road and one of the other riders was a proud owner of a 2 week old P220. The other rider was on a R15 and after we got on the NICE road, he was wondering why we were'nt exceeding 80k's. LOL. Poor guy had to control his urge to twist the wrist a lot.

Returned by 5am with ~ 200kms added to the odo. It read 1460kms. Was determined to complete the 1500kms and enjoy the raw power. That led to a saturday evening ride on the Blore-Hyd road.

A spell of rain once I crossed the international airport dampened my spirits of revving the bike but around 20kms past the airport the roads were as dry as a desert. Gave the Ninja an additional 2kms post the 1600kms to get ready for what was gonna follow (more so, she was asking me to hold it for another 2kms and get ready for the hell that was about to break loose).

Done. 1620 on the clock and I promised to stick to 9k rpm for another 1000kms. Didnt want to beat the hell outta the bike fearing the long term damage if any. But that promise did not last more than 30 seconds. LOL.

Was cruising at 6k RPM at around 85kmph. Twisted the wrist till 9k. What followed was something I had NEVER EVER experienced in my whole life (apart from sitting in Ford Rocam's NASA powered rocket on four wheels and riding pillion on a GSX R1000).

The bike is a bloody rocket. Its an understatement to say that the acceleration is mindblowing. I have said this billions of times and you guys must be bored sick of this line... but I cannot fathom that this is only a 250cc motor. Shortlived promise did I say? Yes it was. Downshifted to fourth at 5k rpm and shifted up each gear at 11k rpm. Didn't redline to 13000rpm yet. The roads were open and hardly 2-3 vehicles on the wide open stretch. I was with full riding gear and 2 fingers of my right hand on the front brake anticipating emergency braking. Clack, Clack down to 4th and 11k shifts to 6th gear and i was blasting away like a bat out of hell. I was laughing away in my helmet like the Joker in batman at the sheer intenisty of acceleration and every upshift throwing me back. Glanced at the speedo and I was touching 150kmph. There was scope for more but i didnt want to push it. Did a couple of high speed runs before I headed home. Phew !!! What a ride it was.

Cannot stop imagining or thinking how fast liter class bikes are.... unimaginable and unthinkable actually.... its got to be experienced.

Went for a ride to Nandi Hills on Sunday morning. Was sleep deprived heavily and slept away the whole afternoon. Was too tired to ride again in the evening. The odo is now at 1700 odd kms. Clocked 440+ kms since Friday night. I am going crazy now. Since the Ninja has entered my life, my eating habits and sleep cycle has gone out of the window. Never have i ridden so many kms on a bike in a single day and never ridden this fast on a bike ever. This was one of the best weekends till date.

Thanks for reading and hope I am not boring anyone to death. LOL.

[sammyboy]

Awesome. Congratulations on the 1600km milestone bro. Was pretty sure that this weekend would be the one you completed it and was really waiting for your report.

I got goose pimples reading about the 13K rpm experience, wonder when i would get mine. Next year hopefully, if things go well.

How does 150 feel on a bike? Never really experienced anything that fast.

How about some pics man? we are waiting for the results of the photoshoot.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by sammyboy

Awesome. Congratulations on the 1600km milestone bro. Was pretty sure that this weekend would be the one you completed it and was really waiting for your report.

I got goose pimples reading about the 13K rpm experience, wonder when i would get mine. Next year hopefully, if things go well.

How does 150 feel on a bike? Never really experienced anything that fast.

How about some pics man? we are waiting for the results of the photoshoot.

Thanks Samarth. I didnt go past 11k rpm. But the bike is insanely powerful and torquey. Enough torque to pottle around in the city even in 6th gear. And on the highway it just transforms into a monster. When I was doing 150k's there was heavy crosswinds but the bike was rock steady. I had to crouch really low on the tank as the windblast above 130kmph is very high. Brakes do their job very well too. I only had to lift myself up and tap the brakes to slow down the bike to 80k's plus the bike has a lot of engine braking once you let go of the throttle. A member on another forum has the CBR1000RR Fireblade and the 250R, and said that the engine braking on the 250R is way higher than the CBR.

I pray that you realize your dream and get to buy a ninja soon.

Regarding the photoshoot, it didnt happen unfortunately due to some constraints. Wifey will be back from her vacation in a couple of days. Will take some pics over the weekend and post them for sure. Didnt have the digicam, that explains why this thread is devoid of pics till now. Phone cam pics are just not worth it.

P.S. Gimme a call on the weekend and you'll know what 150k's on a bike feels like.... more so what it feels like to reach 150k's really quick

[VLOCT]

Hi Aditya,

Read that you downloaded 'Sport Riding Techniques'. Have you had a chance to browse the book? Has it been helpful in shaping your riding habits? Great to see that you're enjoying your bike.

Ride Safe.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by VLOCT

Read that you downloaded 'Sport Riding Techniques'. Have you had a chance to browse the book? Has it been helpful in shaping your riding habits? Great to see that you're enjoying your bike. Ride Safe.

Nice to see your post Sir and its an honor to have your posts on my thread. I admire your garage and your passion for automobiles and the rich experience you have gained in all these years.

I did read a few pages and found the book extremely useful and is highly recommended. One thing I knew instantly is that I am not able to lean right... either the lean angle is awry or my speeds are not correct.

[brraj]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

Friday evening I got home from work and post the customary change in "costume" saw me heading to Hosur road. Met up with 2 more bikers and we headed to CCD @ Mandya. It was almost 11pm.

We did see your bike on our night drives, i even told sriraj that it should be your bike but he laughed at me saying that its an r15. May be he has seen your friends bike.

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by brraj

We did see your bike on our night drives, i even told sriraj that it should be your bike but he laughed at me saying that its an r15. May be he has seen your friends bike.

Oh. Would have been nice to meet you dude. Which stretch was this at?

Lets catch up sometime for a ride/drive.

[brraj]

Sure, PM me your mobile number as i have lost.
I saw you after bidadi i guess.

[nirmaljusdoit]

Nice review Aditya & congrats on completing the milestone !

Love the way you bring out all the little details with so much enthusiasm on your experience !

Ninja green stands out on the roads & turns heads whenever I come across one. Sorely missing more pics of your beauty though !

Would love to catch up & take a look at your Ninja sometime, will PM you my details !

Happy riding & drive safe

[n_aditya]

Originally Posted by nirmaljusdoit

Nice review Aditya & congrats on completing the milestone ! Love the way you bring out all the little details with so much enthusiasm on your experience ! Sorely missing more pics of your beauty though ! Would love to catch up & take a look at your Ninja sometime, will PM you my details !

Thanks for the comments Nirmal. Will take some pics over the weekend and post them up for sure. It's long overdue but the best I can manage is from my P&S camera for now. Hope to see you soon.

[VLOCT]

Originally Posted by n_aditya

I did read a few pages and found the book extremely useful and is highly recommended. One thing I knew instantly is that I am not able to lean right... either the lean angle is awry or my speeds are not correct.

Aditya,

I'm glad that you find the book useful.

The problem with your leaning right is probably to do with your line of vision and body angle to the ground/bike. Its nothing to do with the speed.

You need to ensure that you enter a curve at the right line of entry. For a simple right-hander, your entry should be from inside the outer edge, inside the middle (apex) at the middle of the turn and end at inside the outer edge. Essentially a smooth parabola. Ensure that you leave a couple of feet from the outer edges and the apex for safety. At the apex or middle of the turn, you must ensure that you body does not cross the center line of the road or your body might crash in to on-coming vehicles.

AT ALL TIMES and especially when you're turning, ensure that you're LOOKING AT WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. NEVER look directly at gravel, potholes and other obstacles when riding and especially while turning. You'll head straight for it. Also avoid looking immediately in front of your front wheel. All obstacles should only be observed with peripheral vision. The faster the speed, the farther you look ahead. Do not brake in the middle of a turn or the bike will stand up and you'll probably not make the turn if you're going fast. Do all your braking before the turn. Move your butt slightly off the seat and to inside of the turn and ensure that your body weight is applied to inside of the curve and to the inner foot pedal. Maintain a constant speed through the curve. DO NOT TAKE THE HAND OF THE THROTTLE WHILE TURNING OR YOU'LL BIKE WILL STAND UP. IF YOU'RE NOT TURNING ENOUGH, LEAN MORE.

Never ride above 80% of your skill level. You need the 20% for emergencies. Please read the book thoroughly and practice as much as possible.

Please do not get carried away by being able to ride at 200 kph in a straight line. That requires no skill. You're riding a true sports bike. They're designed to carve curves but requires low ego, tremendous patience, practice and persistence to develop these skills. To ride a tight curve at 80 kph is much more satisfying.

Ride Safe. Cheers.

[abhinav.s]

@aditya, glad you completed the running in and are able to enjoy those 11k rpms. Would love to meet you in person and have a look at the bike one of the weekends when you are free.

How true, specially the part in bold!! You sir speak like a true biker! hats off.

Originally Posted by VLOCT

Please do not get carried away by being able to ride at 200 kph in a straight line. You're riding a true sports bike. They're designed to carve curves but requires low ego, tremendous patience, practice and persistence to develop these skills. To ride a tight curve at 80 kph is much more satisfying.

Ride Safe. Cheers.

[n_aditya]

here are some pics of my ride.

[abhinav.s]

Good pics Aditya!

From the last pic i think the rider with the riding jacket on the first ninja is you.

And going by the rides team bhpians own let me risk a guess of the others in the group
Red R15 -> Sriram V Iyer
P220 -> Praful
RTR180 -> Sammyboy

When did you guys ride out?