Quote:
Originally Posted by SAJEESH Hi Dear Fellow BHPians,
I am starting this thread with high hopes of clarifying my doubt on Correct and ideal cruising speed on a motorcycle.
I am happy to let you all know that I recently bought a Pulsar 200 AS motorcycle. Below are the specs and performance:
Engine size: 200cc
Max power: 24 bhp @ 9500 RPM
Max torque: 18.3 Nm @ 8000 RPM
Top speed: 138.21 kmph ( motorcycle will show 150 kmph on the speedometer on a flat out ride as per overdrive magazine road test).
I want to know how to determine the ideal cruising speed of my motorcycle.
This should be the speed that I can do all day on a highway without stressing the engine.
I have heard several theories that :
1) keeping the bike at or near the max torque RPM is the best cruising RPM for all day cruising without stressing the engine.
2) Also riding at or below 80% of the top speed or redline RPM is the best cruising RPM.
May I gather some inputs from experienced riders out there who can shed some light on my query based on their experience?
Looking forward to your replies.
Best regards,
Sajeesh |
Congrats on your new Bike Sajeesh. Pulsar 200 is one of good machines available today in terms of performance.
I owned a Pulsar 180 and 200 for close to two years and was getting a consistent 42-45 even with spirited driving in both the bikes. It served me well till the time I had it. I also sold both of them for a much better price because of their condition even after 3 years. I did the following. Hope this helps you as well.
Maintenance - Few tips:
1. You need
Patience and Care for your bike to let the engine set in upto 2000Kms. Be ready for it. I dont believe in the concept of driving upto 750-1000 kms sedately and once past 1000 KMs push the engine to its limits. Its after all a machine, A new Machine, the engine needs to set in right for your to give good life and less maintenance issues. Though I have heard the showroom guys themselves saying post 1000 kms drive it any way you like. I have had fellow collegues and friends who faced more issues in their pulsar's than mine because they were in a hurry to complete the 750-1000 run and pushed their bikes. Not only their engines gave them lesser mileage on the lines of 25-30 but also had more wear and tear.
2. Thumb rule - Be gradual in your speed increase and dont stress the new engine. Maintain the engine RPM below 2K upto 500 Kms and varying the speeds like a gradual 30-40-50-60. No Instant bursts of acceleration to let the engine experience different RPMs gradually and also setting of the pistons during the run in period. Your AIM is the let the engine set properly and in a right way for it to serve you well for years.
2. Post 500 Kms upto 1500kms - I let the bike experience upto 3.5K RPMs being below 90kmph but this also was a gradual increase in speed and no rough or spirited driving of pushing the bike when its still new.
3. Post 1500kms, I drove the bike a little spiritedly without stressing the engine much and gaining speed was little faster than gradual but still linear. You can listen to the engine sound become smoother by now from the day 1 of driving.
4. Always maintain petrol quality from a good petrol bunk, either Half tank or full tank per your convenience and as far as possible dont lend your bike to others excepting the occasional spins requested by friends or family. Ensure that the engine is not stressed with a rough driving style. You can also keep track of the mileage. Being a sports bike if you are getting anything more than 40-41 its a good mileage for a 200cc with 24bhp. This is subjective to ones driving styles and changing of gears. if you are an anticipative rider you will be able to understand what I mean.
5. Follow the service schedules promptly. I suggest to change the engine oil post 500 or 1000km(I dont remember the interval though) as all the engine metals which have just setin would come out and the engine is treated well with the new oil.
6. Drive spiritedly at times but know how not to stress your engine. Occasional high speeds is fine but dont be stuck at the high speed for long, like driving continuously at 90 or so with Odo being less than 2000kms.
I don't believe in either of the theories suggested above, not mechanically atleast. Red line in the RPM is meant for a reason and not to be there for long as this is the max limit the engine can stress itself and not be in that RPM. Being below 4K RPM in a comfortable cruising speed is best for the right balance between Engine performance and mileage factors. Am not stressing on the mileage part as it is one of the things that determines the performance of the engine too considering the increase in fuel prices.
Cruising speed is a debatable and subjective topic. A 200 pulsar might be comfortable cruising at 90-100 kmph but also consider the stress factor of wind force and constant attention and focus on the traffic and road. You will get tired very soon riding at those speeds. For any bike on Indian roads hitting 3 digit speeds would be very dangerous unless you are Rossi on the race tracks. If you ask me, 70-90 is the best cruising speeds without having much stress and strain on yourself. Occasional visits to the top speeds as and when the road and traffic condition permits is also fine. But constant cruising of 110-120+ is definitely a stress on the engine. I guess you can max reach upto 130 in a Pulsar easily but its not recommended. All this applies only if you wish to have a good balance between Performance, mileage and maintenance of your bike.
My experience of owning Pulsar's (Pulsar 180 and Pulsar 200) say if the bike is maintained well and taken good care for upto 2000kms, it has got a good life in terms of maintenance costs and reliability with less wear and tear of parts. Treat it like one more family member and it should serve you well for years to come. Dont treat it well the first year, believe me you will have plans of selling it by the second year sold it before the third year with less Odo reading. A well maintained bike can command a good resale price as well when you sell it. Consider this main aspect.
Few Pointers:
1. A cruising speed is something where you are not stressed much and control your bike better incase of sudden emergencies.
2. You shouldn't have to stress yourself of overtaking and the bike is able to do it with ease.
3. Use the higher revs in RPM occasionally ONLY when needed and not all the time.
4. Understand your engine responses when it cannot take stress, you should understand your bike better as and when you ride more.
This is just my 2 cents on bike ownership of owning Pulsar's for close to 2 years.
Happy and safe Riding. Wear appropriate safety gears for your riding. Ensure you and your Pillion Always wear a Helmet