[jungle1212]

Thank you neil.jericho you could not have made things any more clear than this.
I agree with you, if I'm always afraid of the potholes at the next turn i really won't be able to enjoy this beautiful machine.

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by jungle1212

First off @abhi_tjet thank you so much sir for your detailed ownership experience, i have been deriving vicarious pleasure from it……
1) What is the actual risk of damaging the rims …….
Thank you all in advance!

Thanks for the encouraging words @jungle1212

@neil.jericho provided a practical and realistic fact of owning a superbike. Rim damage is real and no two thoughts on that.

However, my 2 cents will differ slightly. If there are enough highways/state highways near your area which are maintained by authority, then go for it. HP is a beautiful place and will be fun to explore on big bike.

Few pointers if you want to own a superbike, not just a Street Triple in terms of road conditions.
1. Get the air pressure checked and always maintain as per company recommendation figure. Trust me this helps. Despite filling Nitrogen, I get it topped up every fortnight.
2. Brakes are exceptionally good in these bikes. Use it (safely).
3. I suppose you will keep your thunderbird along with the Street Triple. Do a ‘recce’ in this bike and ride on same stretch later on your big bike if roads were good
4. Keep speed lower(70-80 kmph) on unknown patches where surface isn’t smooth. You can break/swerve easily without risking yourself and fellow road users.
5. Most important is learning from experience. Take it slow in initial months of ownership. Don’t get carried away if a KTM guy or a smaller capacity motorcycle is overtaking you in a patch where you aren’t able to speed up. It’s easier being said than implementing though.
6. Take the best insurance coverage possible.

All the best!

[jungle1212]

Originally Posted by abhi_tjet

4. Keep speed lower(70-80 kmph) on unknown patches where surface isn’t smooth. You can break/swerve easily without risking yourself and fellow road users.

This was exactly what I was looking for.
TBH sir, it's very hard to maintain 70-80 kmph, unless you're okay with very rash driving or if you're riding early in the morning.The roads are single and lane driving non existent. Fun of the higher speed kind will be had when I come down to the plains.
So below the above mentioned speeds even if I do hit a pothole it's going to be okay right? ( It'll be a big help if you say yes)
How about really bad patches, I mean with first size stones that are what make up the road, will going at 30-40kmph maximum help in preventing any kind of rim damage?
The ground clearance of 165mm should be good enough, my T-Bird is 135mm and I've yet to face any issue.

@neil.jericho gave some very valid points, but after taking TD's of the ADV's, versys 650, Tiger 900, v-strom and my own heavier motorcycle I came to realise that heavier motorcycle category are not much fun to ride especially if most of one's riding is in the hills. Their top heavy nature and large size also make them a pain to move around or even park.

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by jungle1212

This was exactly what I was looking for.
So below the above mentioned speeds even if I do hit a pothole it's going to be okay right? ( It'll be a big help if you say yes

For consistent bad patch, you should ride below 20kmph and it’s no fun. Suspension of these bikes are generally tuned hard(Too soft setting and you won’t be enjoying good road)

GC of Street triple is as good or as bad as other superbikes. It’s definitely not 165 cms.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by jungle1212

So below the above mentioned speeds even if I do hit a pothole it's going to be okay right?
How about really bad patches, I mean with first size stones that are what make up the road, will going at 30-40kmph maximum help in preventing any kind of rim damage?

Jungle1212, forget about specific speeds depending on road conditions. Take it easy, don’t to be too worried about your rims bending or breaking. It’s not going to happen 99% of the time, the 1% if it does, you will have more things to worry about than rim damage. I am talking about a possible fall from the bike and more damage in that scenario.

Since you are an experienced rider you would know how much to slow down to avoid injury to your back or crown jewels as well more than the bike.

Just take proper rides of the bike you want to buy and see if the bike suits you overall. If that clicks, then just buy it and have fun.

Have said that, a bike with a longer travel suspension will definitely be more comfortable on bad roads than say a Street Triple. If comfort is your top priority then an adventure bike is the way to go for sure.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by jungle1212

@neil.jericho gave some very valid points, but after taking TD's of the ADV's, versys 650, Tiger 900, v-strom and my own heavier motorcycle I came to realise that heavier motorcycle category are not much fun to ride especially if most of one's riding is in the hills. Their top heavy nature and large size also make them a pain to move around or even park.

jungle1212, these exact scenarios are exactly where the Honda CB500X shines!

If you are not in a hurry to upgrade, please do consider waiting for the 2022 model to arrive at your nearest dealership. I have a feeling that it will give you the best of both worlds.

[jungle1212]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Just take proper rides of the bike you want to buy and see if the bike suits you overall. If that clicks, then just buy it and have fun

Thank you @Cyborg, you've given me a lot of confidence in the street triple. Honestly it's the only motorcycle I've connected with, I would've just skipped buying a bigger bike otherwise.

@neil.jericho, the cb500x was unavailable at Kangra. I will wait for a TD before making a final call. I've read your views on it and I must say you do make a convincing case for it.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by jungle1212

Thank you @Cyborg, you've given me a lot of confidence in the street triple. Honestly it's the only motorcycle I've connected with, I would've just skipped buying a bigger bike otherwise.

Jungle1212, if you are saying the Street Triple is the only bike you connected with and wouldn’t buy a big bike otherwise, then I very, very much doubt you will like the CB500X. Comfort wise it will/should easily score above the Triple but in power delivery, liveliness or fun factor you will find it b o r i n g for sure. By all means check it out, our motorcycle loving hearts are a funny thing, never know how a test ride may change it’s tune.

Since the Triple has charmed you with its wiles as it did me too and you want power with extra comfort in a big bike then try the Kawasaki Versys 1000. It is a big and heavy bike, but what the hell, take a test ride for fun. The Triple RS costs around INR 14.5 lacs with basic crash protection and the Versys 1000 costs around the same. If it’s the R version you are looking at then the Versys is ~3 lacs more.

Keep looking and checking, don’t be in a hurry since it’s a lot of money to plonk on a motorcycle. Put your money down on whatever makes your heart sing and you should not be disappointed.

Cheers

[abhi_tjet]

The regular updates

Bike is used a bit less recently and hence fewer rides. Heat this summer made sure that we stay at home.

Few pics from solo morning weekday/weekend rides.

[bf1983]

Wow which route did you take ? Could you share the google map route ? The roads look fantastic ! Thanks

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by bf1983

Wow which route did you take ? Could you share the google map route ?

Pics are actually from two separate rides and both the routes are pretty straightforward.

1st route (top 4 clicks) is towards Ahupe ghat. On Nasik highway, take a left towards Bhimashankar and take a detour from Dimbhe via Dimbhe dam till the road literally ends at Ahupe.
Last two clicks is from Tamhini - Kolad route. Absolutely lovely patch.
Let know if you still need Gmap route.

[abhi_tjet]

Took the bike out yesterday in almost a month. Rain and relatives kept me away from it for a while.
So, went for an afternoon ride towards Lonavla and came back from the Lonavla(Varsoli)toll plaza.(Didn’t wanted to stuck in traffic in Lonavla)And boy what fun it was to ride despite the rain throughout from Kamshet till Lonavala and moderate traffic enroute.
On other note, bike went from clean to filthy just like Thanos snapped to remove half world population.
It’s still a while to reach 15000 kms on odometer and it’s still fun 🤩

Stopped at Shell Ravet for a hot cappuccino during return leg

[doga]

Very nice ride @abhi_tjet. I was pretty close to buying the R last year but i the end went with something else which I am ruing bigtime now. I thought the R was very well equipped
for the price and I actually like the analog tacho more than the colour display on the RS. The red subframe looks amazing on the R and I find the R better looking than the Rs.. You have to spend extra to get the red subframe livery now.

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by doga

Very nice ride @abhi_tjet.

Thanks doga! (OT - fan of Raj comics?)

I am ruing bigtime now.

Which bike did you went for?

You have to spend extra to get the red subframe livery now.

Yeah, they provided red subframe without extra cost only during initial 6 months or so. From 2021 onwards, it demanded premium as per their new colour scheme.

[doga]

Originally Posted by abhi_tjet

Thanks doga! (OT - fan of Raj comics?)

Which bike did you went for?

.

Yes, massive Raj comics fan. Doga is my favourite character followed very closely by Super Commando Dhruva. Comics were a big part of my childhood. I was an avid reader till late into my teens but since then I haven't kept pace although did get the app few years ago and downloaded lots of ecomics. However nothing can beat the fresh smell of a new comic especially a Doga comic!

I got myself an R1 5vy 2004. Bike has thrown a rod, so thinking of options now. I Should have gotten the Striple R, don't know what I was thinking.