News

Got PPF done on my RE Shotgun 650: 6 reasons why I am disappointed

While cutting the PPF film, they even managed to scratch the body paint at one place, which is unacceptable.

BHPian pragyaal recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I recently got PPF (Paint Protection Film) applied to my beloved Royal Enfield Limited Edition Shotgun 650 at PRO Detail - Car & Bike Detailing - Pune , and I must say, I am utterly disappointed with their craftsmanship. I feel it's my responsibility to share my experience so that others don't have to go through what I did.

I decided to preserve the custom paint job on my limited edition bike, and after some research, I chose Garware Paint Protection Film . ProDetail Studio Pune, who got in touch with me through Garware, unfortunately, did not live up to the expectations.

Here's why I'm sharing this:

  • Third-Party Applicators: ProDetail Studio Pune doesn't have their own PPF applicators. They hire third-party applicators who claimed to have their own shop and informed that they could have done same job directly at a much lower rate.
  • Uneven Cutting and Application: The PPF film they applied is unevenly cut and not consistently applied end to end, leaving the finish looking subpar.
  • Paint Damage: While cutting the PPF film, they even managed to scratch the body paint at one place, which is unacceptable.
  • Uneven Film Cuts: The film cuts are very uneven, compromising the overall look of the protection.
  • Incomplete Wrapping: Some panels were not wrapped end to end, indicating either a lack of attention to detail or an attempt to save time and material.
  • Rushed Job: They completed the PPF application in just a few hours. Reputable applicators usually recommend leaving the bike overnight for 7Air Bubbles: After the application, there were numerous air bubbles. Their attempt to fix this by poking holes with a syringe only made matters worse, leaving scratches and making it look unprofessional.

I have attached images for your reference, so you can see the poor quality of work done by them.

Moreover, I paid a hefty sum of ₹15,000 for this disappointing job. Shockingly, the third-party applicator informed me that he could have done the job at a much lower price. This leaves me questioning the value for money and quality of service at ProDetail Studio Pune.

To add to the frustration, I attempted to contact reputed applicators to inquire if these defects could be fixed or if the PPF could be safely removed. Sadly, I was informed that in removing this film, the decals and logos will get peeled off. According to Royal Enfield, these decals are not currently available, so I might have to endure this substandard job for a few months or possibly even a year.

My advice to fellow bike enthusiasts: Invest a bit more and choose reputed applicators. I've had a better experience with 3M on my Ecosport, and it's worth every penny. Let's ensure our prized possessions receive the care and precision they deserve!

 

 

News

Navi Mumbai to North East India & back: Road trip on my BMW GS850 bike

I pushed on towards my next destination, Vishakhapatnam, to visit the aircraft museums there.

BHPian kosjam recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

TLDR- I was in the border village of Longwa, Nagaland, where I was able to save my head from being mounted on the headhunter’s stick for a princely sum of, you guessed it, Rs. 150!!!

So it turns out, Mom was right all along! My head really isn't worth much.

Till as late as the 80s, Naga head hunters were actively hunting, well, heads and used their teeth and bones to make ornaments, with the amount of face tattoos signifing the number of heads hunted.
In the last 30 or so years, they have been slowly assimilated into society, with the older ones earning their tobacco money by extorting money from the likes of poor me.

So the story starts in December 2023, but it really started 3 years ago, when the plan first took seed in the above mentioned worthless head. The Eastern Frontier. The intention was to go all the way to the North East from Navi Mumbai, trying to avoid repeating a route once taken. Easier said than done, with some unsettling stories coming out of fellow bikers who had travelled through eastern UP and Bihar. As we were 3 bikers, there is safety in travelling in a group, isn't there?

Alas, lady luck did not favour me as the other two bikers had to drop out due to personal reasons. Immediately, requests, demands and instructions to delay the trip abounded from family as well as friends. But with a penchant for adventure, I was hardly going to be pulled back from my trip. As a compromise, I would come back the same way I went to the North East, hugging the East coast all the way. And hence the trip began, on 25th December, from Navi Mumbai.

Broadly I will divide the trip into 3 sections, Navi Mumbai to Guwahati, the North East, and Guwahati to Navi Mumbai. While the complete album holds over a thousand pictures, I have managed to condense it down to a few dozen precious pictures. Thanks in advance for giving me your valuable time.

So lets begin with Section 1:

Day 1- It was basically just riding from Navi Mumbai to Nampalli, Telangana. It was 760 km, on the very first day, and it was all I did, apart from finding a hotel and crashing for the night, ready to tackle the first sightseeing point of the trip the next day. My family and friends braved the cold winds to see me off on this journey. Warms up the heart when they think of such things...

Day 2- Visited the beautiful and majestic temple, devoted to the Lord Narsimha in the act of slaying the asura Hiranyakashyap.

The temple is on the far side of this picture, unfortunately partially hidden in the morning smog.

An otherwise beautiful morning with the advantage of having no crowd and the whole place mostly to myself.

From there I pushed on towards my next destination, Vishakhapatnam, to visit the aircraft museums there. But I got distracted by a beautiful dam and the scenic back waters which caused me to lose 2-3 hours to get some beautiful shots with the object of my love…

From there I pushed through the interior roads of Telangana towards the Coromandel highway(NH16), finally managing to reach it only around sundown, just in time, to be safe from the murderous trucks actively trying to run me off the road!!!

Day 3 – The next day I pushed towards Vishakhapatanam, and with its really chaotic traffic, I was able to reach only by noon, which turned out to be a boon, as the museums were scheduled to open even later, by 2 pm that day. As I had not planned on staying in Vishakhapatanam, I had no place to park my bike safely. After being looked down upon by a security guard at a local hotel, who insisted I park my bike outside like a zomato delivery guy, I managed to find an upmarket hotel which would allow me to park my bike in their parking for the low low price of a sumptuous lunch, here I happily deposited my bike, hogged on some Chinese food, and proceeded to the museum area on the eastern coast of the city.

 The first look at the line outside the museum was very heartening for me, far more used to seeing such queues outside temples than museums. Looking inside, the lines were justified, what beautifully done museums they were. One was dedicated to the Sea Harrier, with its impressive and thoughtfully laid out equipment, and the other was dedicated to the majestic (and massive!) Tu-142 Albatross submarine hunter.

There is a third museum, of a submarine, but it was too hot for me to get stuck inside a black cramped tube with hundreds of fellow sweaty Indians. Here you see it’s rear end, with its 3 propellers and a giant rudder.

The day ended with me continuing onwards towards Guwahati on the Coromandel highway(NH16).

Days 4,5,6- These three days entailed me riding sun up till sundown on my way to reach Guwahati. Met a friend in Bagdogra who had really friendly dogs.

Continue reading on BHPian kosjam's North East road trip for BHPian comments, insights and more information.

 

News

Checked out the Husqvarna Svartpilen 250: Thoughts on design & seating

This does look like a proper 400cc class motorcycle

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I got a chance to try out one of the new Huskys for size. Though this was the 250 and not the 401, I was keen to see what the bike looks like and whether KTM has actually made it comfortable for tall riders, this time around. The good news is that the Huskys have finally shed their Honey I Shrunk The Motorcycle tag. This does look like a proper 400cc class motorcycle! Tall riders wont have a problem with finding a comfortable seating position on the Husky 250 and 401.

Before I forget, those rear view mirrors are gargantuan! And you cant not see the Honda similarities in the headlight design.

If KTM hadnt thrown out the IMU based electronics, the Husky 401 would have been a serious alternative to the manic Duke 399. At least the Husky 401 looks a lot more sophisticated than its KTM cousin.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

 

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My 2022 RE Himalayan: Windshield extender installation & other updates

The removal of the fuel tank is necessary to route the throttle cable properly.

BHPian WhiskeyTangoFox recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Throttle and Clutch Cable Replacement & addition of a Windshield Extender:

With the ODO at 14,600 Kms, I figured it was time to replace the control cables just for peace of mind. I called up the FNG I went to last time for the Oil Change (SKP Royal Enfield Bike Point) and enquired about the availability of spares. He had the clutch cable and said he could procure the throttle cable by evening, and asked me to come then.

The removal of the fuel tank is necessary to route the throttle cable properly.

The cables are pretty cheap and fairly simple to use. I've attached the pictures with the part numbers for anyone who wants to pick them up.

Throttle cable

Throttle cable

I know for a fact that it isn't a placebo, that I can feel a substantial change in the bike's response and the gear shifting. Maybe the clutch cable earlier just had to be readjusted, but with these many kms down, it just makes more sense to replace it.

Shyam, a.k.a Thayir Sadham Santa bestowed upon me a Prospec Windshield Extender that he wasn't using on his Himmy anymore.

While it isn't the one Prospec Sells now for the Himmy (It is ER 780 now, but this one is the ER 720), it does the job well. I didn't expect such a big difference in buffeting and noise reduction towards the helmet while still having wind hit your chest for cooling. Of course, this may vary with your height, helmet shape, seating position, etc. I haven't taken it onto the highway yet, but I did manage to test it up to 100kmph on a wide-open stretch of road and am satisfied with the results. Overall, great stuff, I must say! Grateful to Shyam as usual.

That's all for today folks, cheers!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

 

News

Engine oil change on my RE Himalayan: Experience & cost at local garage

The mechanic also discovered that one of the sump guard joints had cracked clean off.

BHPian WhiskeyTangoFox recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Update: Oil Change:

The last oil change was at around 9200 Kms on the ODO. It reads a little over 14200 Kms now, and after 5k Kms, the bike feels extremely rough on the Liquid Gun Oil. I have no idea where RE gets their 10k km Interval idea from

I decided to go fully synthetic this time, hence opted for Motul 7100 10w50. From what I've gathered from many people, the slight change in grade doesn't matter based on the ambient temperatures in BLR and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, getting an oil filter nowadays is easier than done. As members on another thread mentioned, most SVCs close to where I live have stopped selling spares OTC. I thought of going to Fixwell or Sandhya Motors on JC Road, but they're closed on Sundays and I don't have time to visit them on weekdays; hence I looked around for FNGs who stock these. I came across one called "SKP Royal Enfield Bike Point" near E-City, near where I live. The reviews seemed stellar, so I decided to head on over.

The guys who run the place seem like diligent chaps, and although I did have to wait a little bit as they were tending to other bikes (they did inform me about the wait time), they did the job pretty well.

Out goes the black goo.

In goes the Pink Elixir.

The mechanic also discovered that one of the sump guard joints had cracked clean off . Probably happened on one of the mountain-sized speed breakers that I have ridden over.

He said it can be welded back, so I will probably get that done next weekend.

The bike feels noticeably smoother than both the Motul 5100 and Liquid Gun, but whether this will last when the engine heats up drastically is still yet to be seen. I'll keep the thread updated on the performance of the oil, for my usage.

The Oil cost me 1600 Rs, of which I received a cashback of Rs 200 from Motul. The Oil Change (Labour+Filter+Gasket) cost me Rs 280. Good experience at this FNG, would recommend it. That's all for today folks, cheers!

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

 

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Booked the RE Himalayan 450: Did a 50 km test ride prior to delivery

The pillion seat is the most comfortable amongst the competition and seating posture for the pillion is also a tad better.

BHPian aviator1101 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Say what you may, but I fell for the looks right from the Manali media ride pics and pre booked mine on 7th November. The dealer launch was scheduled on 08 December.

When I reached the showroom, I came to know that I was one of the first people to book this bike in NE India. The showroom owner honoured me with the traditional Assamese Gamusa and gave me the opportunity to unveil the bike during the dealer launch.

Then started the wait for the test ride. While people all over the country were posting about the test rides and deliveries, I was still waiting to hear from the dealer about the arrival of test ride bikes.

The patient but long wait paid it's dividends. Finally got to lay my hands on the Himalayan today. I got to take her for a 50km long test ride over almost 1.5 hours. Hats off to the dealer's representative who brought the bike to my house and kept sitting patiently all this while.

A few observations from my tryst with the Himalayan :-

The bike is heavy. I couldn't feel the much discussed 3 kg weight reduction.

There are vibrations, though not of the league of the 411 or older UCE REs, they are there, but nothing that cannot be lived with. And a gear/rpm/speed combination can keep them at bay.

The low end torque is substantially lesser than the OG Himalayan, but sufficient torque is there to recover you in difficult situations. At least it seemed so in the plains.

The throttle input lag is present, but you will find it only if you look for it. Otherwise it will take a minute to get used to it.

The 825mm seat height is sufficient for my 5'9" height. The narrow seat allowed me to flat foot both sides.

The gear lever is on the longer side. But I could comfortably shift gears without making much effort in shifting the foot.

The brake lever in the test bike lacked any play. So, the moment your boot toe rests on the brake pedal, the tail light comes on and remains on. Maybe an adjustment issue.

The best part about the bike is the seating comfort. My primary use case is touring with pillion and luggage. If I compare the Himalayan with the 390 Adv and Scrambler 400x at all in this department, the Himalayan is definitely the better choice.

The pillion seat is the most comfortable amongst the competition and seating posture for the pillion is also a tad better. Refer the mark with red, the leg position of a 5'5" pillion.

Yes, the side stand is kind of weird. God knows why the bend had to be put. But, you can mount the bike whilst on the sidestand. It doesn't tip over. I tried it and could do it comfortably.

Though I will not try the same with luggage loaded. A side stand extender may resolve the issue.

The LCD display unit does have few quirks. I had to try a few times to connect my android phone to it. It kept getting disconnected again and again. However, it seems to have a mind of it's own. Just as I was about to give up, it connected and was also displaying the map flawlessly. But it really drains your phone battery. In about 30 minutes, it drained the battery from 76% to 35%

Also, the scanned code had something like RE_OKXO_12345. After scanning with the mobile, the O had to be replaced with 0 to connect the device. I don't know if it was by default or an error in this piece, but the drill of scan, amend and connect seemed quite funny to me.

Much has been talked about the joystick. Yes, the tactile or clicky feel is a little less especially with gloves on, but I don't think it will be much of a problem. The craze for these menu, features etc subside with time and there is hardly any use felt after maybe a few months. This will be no exception. IMO, the most useful displays are the navigation with map view and the analogue tachometer.

The tank shape is nice as it tapers towards the rider creating a recess to plant knees during riding. Also the shape is just what is required to grip the tank with knees. However, the matte finish tank lacked any grip with the riding jeans. Will have to look for some solution.

The handlebar height and reach while seated is perfect. However, once u stand up, the length seemed a little less and I had to reach out for the controls. Maybe a set of risers will resolve the issue.

Sharing a good news with fellow BHPians: today morning, the dealer called up to say my bike has arrived and would be ready for delivery day after tomorrow. Quite excited and waiting eagerly to get her home.

Regards

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

 

News

Triumph Speed 400: Honest perspectives from a Bajaj Pulsar 150 owner

Coming from a lighter city commute bike, handling and turning felt slightly worse.

BHPian EM-pathetic recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I want to replace my Pulsar 150 which is in great condition simply because it's old and I desire a new bike with better tech. My commute will be wholly in the city. It's been a considerable amount of time since I last purchased a bike, and now I'm looking to buy a high-quality one without significant budget limitations.

Started with checking out Dominar and various Pulsars. Dominar is very good but I felt it is heavy for city use. Pulsars - I felt are not a major upgrade.

Test rode the CB350RS and the Highness. Both felt good. I felt handling on the Highness is better, but wanted more color options.

I've been following this thread from the start, and given the consistently positive reviews, I was eager for the Speed 400. Before the Triumph showroom opened in JP Nagar, Bengaluru, I visited this. There were some Triumph representatives who mentioned that this is the same Keerthi dealer from Residency Road. You can book online for "Keerthi-Residency Road" and take the delivery here. So I went ahead and booked this on Sep 6th. They mentioned that bike will take about 2 months for allotment. After that, I headed to the showroom for a test ride once it opened, but there was a queue, so I decided to return later when the crowd subsides. Spent my time reading this thread everyday

Few days back, another dealership Khivraj called me up and mentioned that I will get the bike within 7-10 days if I transfer the booking to them and make payment. Also mentioned that I will be eligible for the 10k initial discount. This prompted me to visit Keerthi, JP Nagar. They mentioned that the booking queue is now irrelevant and the bike will be allotted to whoever makes full payment. If full payment of INR 3,05,870 is made (all inclusive), they will then get the bike from Pune. Red-model will take 20 days, Black/Blue will take 40 days. Keerthi, Residency Road called me up with similar information. It appears that the purchasing process for Triumph has undergone a significant change. Now, there's no relevance for the online booking queue; you simply pay in full and get the bike. While I'm not particularly fond of this approach, I figured it's acceptable as long as the bike lives up to its reputation. I went ahead and took the test ride.

Test-ride:

I had great expectations after reading through this thread and going through various videos. The test-bike started when the ignition button was pressed and promptly stopped. I pressed this again and now the engine was up. This happened two more times during the test-ride with alternate engine starts failing.

Gear shifts were smooth. I went in residential roads and handling was just about OK. Coming from a lighter city commute bike, handling and turning felt slightly worse. You can ride it slow in 3rd or 4th gear, which is good. Took many U-turns and the engine shut off in the 1st gear. This happened two more times later with the engine sputter-stop in the 1st gear with near full clutch. I hit false neutrals 2-3 times during the test-ride. Maximum I could touch was 80 kph since I was within city traffic. Overall acceleration is very good.

Conclusions:

The test-ride was extensive and I rode for more than 20 mins but was a bit under-whelmed. Was happy with the Triumph staff at Keerthi, JP Nagar for their prompt service. Considering the new payment method and test-ride vibes, I'd like to hold off for now, let-go the 10k discount/FOMO feeling. I have pre-booked the Scrambler using another mobile number. So I will wait for that and other releases on the Indian motor-bike scene and take a decision later.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information

 

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Reviving my Yamaha Fazer 150 after neglecting it for a couple of years

I have no experience or technical knowledge when it comes to bikes.

BHPian Mannvvs recently shared this with other enthusiasts

Hi folks, I own a 2009-10 Yamaha Fazer 150cc(FZ16 with a fairing).

It was properly maintained until the last couple of years when it got neglected due to personal commitments.

Now, again the motorcycling bug has bit me & I plan on using it only for touring.

I have no experience or technical knowledge when it comes to bikes, so expert advice would be highly appreciated. My endeavour is to revive/restore it to its brand new stock-like glory & DIY wherever possible.

I have started working on it & have done the following:

  • Replaced the Battery, Engine Oil & Oil Filter
  • Cleaned the Carburettor
  • Cleaned the AIS(air induction system)
  • Tappets adjusted
  • Wheel Bearings cleaned & lubed
  • Replaced Choke cable
  • Replaced Tyres
  • Cleaned Starter motor
  • Replaced Brake Pads
  • Replaced some Cosmetic parts
  • Replaced front Fork oil & Seals
  • Replaced front Brake Fluid

To be done:

  • Swingarm Lubrication/Inspection
  • Replace Airfilter & hose
  • Replace Clutch & Throttle Cable
  • Replace Front Fork spring

Since I'll be using it for solo touring, what all other things I must repair/replace/lube, keeping the motorcycle's age in mind, so that chances of breakdown are negated & I can be at relative ease?

Here's what BHPian aviator1101 had to say on the matter:

Hello Sir, firstly nice bike u own and for a 13/14 year old bike, it looks very well maintained.

Since it's already 13 years old, you may like to check the following parts also:

  • Petrol tank (for rust)
  • Fuel cock (as it starts leaking from here)
  • Fuel pipeline (they harden and tend to crack)
  • Spark plug (for condition and change if required).
  • You have not mentioned any prior experience in touring, so I assume you are about to start from a scratch. Hence the undermentioned suggestion.

For starting afresh, you need to focus on following things:

  • Riding gear (complete gear all the time) including rain gear
  • Luggage setup (saddlebags or hybrid tailbag + tank bag) depending upon itinerary. You may need to fabricate saddlestays if opting for saddlebags.
  • Provision to carry spare fuel.
  • Additional lights for bike (as per requirement)
  • Mobile holder (for navigation)
  • Tool kit (including chian cleaner, lubricant, inflator and tubeless puncture repair kit)
  • Spares (as deemed necessary, consult the service centre or FNG.

Hope this helps.

Any other suggestion required, please feel free to communicate.

BHPian Mannvvs replied:

Thank you sir. I will add those points to my list.

I have bought a riding jacket, gloves but helmet is due. I tried MT hummer size-M, felt too tight & size-L acc. to the seller was not a right size for me(he could move the helmet up & down while I was wearing it). Might buy something like Axor Brute for the time being until I find a good helmet as I don't want to purchase it online without trying.

I'll definitely keep the other mentioned items in mind.

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Did PPF on my Triumph Speed 400: Overall experience, results & costs

I was mainly concerned about the kids in my apartment parking getting too excited and scratching the tank.

BHPian lazyrev recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Got my bike PPF'd today. Managed to get it done at a very decent price (~5k) for the tank and instrument panel. The guy who did mine was 5/5 in price, quality of work and convenience.

I must note that the detailers are quoting crazy prices anywhere from 6k to 16k, if you an believe it. I called around 10 places in Pune and all for the same popular Garware premium (5 year warranty) PPF. It is a crazy market out there because people are spending upwards on 80-90k on cars and the detailers dont really want to work on bikes that much because margins are lower. Many were probably assuming Triumph means super expensive and since this bike doesnt even have that much to PPF they were trying to overcharge. My guy also told me that an R15 costs around 20k if he does it . Can't even imagine what the other studios charge.

I was mainly concerned about the kids in my apartment parking getting too excited and scratching the tank. Many people recommended I get ceramic coating done because PPF yellows over time, but it didnt make sense to me. Detailers were asking for almost 8k for that, and that only shines the surface, doesnt really protect it. I will DIY with the turtle wax spray (~1k) for the parts that I didnt get PPF'd instead.

Before: Had some minor scratches on the top and one kind of deeper scratch because of my jacket's zip.

After: The scratches have disappeared. The PPF is applied in 3 pieces so there are two lines visible. These are supposed to be less visible as the water underneath dries out. It isnt that noticeable from an angle so I am ok with it:

Check out BHPian comments fore more insights and information.

 

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My Gixxer SF250 issues: Found reasons after O2 sensor self diagnosis

According to the manual, the voltage reading should be between 0-1v at idle.

BHPian b16h22 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have an idle hunting issue when the bike is warmed up, so I decided to diagnose my O2 sensor. And the diagnosis was very interesting. I might've found the reason for my engine's poor running and vibes once it was warmed up

O2 Sensor diagnosis:

The O2 sensor is placed on the exhaust right before the cat. There is only one. You can find the connector that goes to the ECU right behind the bottom side panel that covers the frame, among other wires. Unclipped the connector and there were 4 terminals.

This is the layout of the O2 sensor connector I got from a Spanish Gixxer 250 service manual. Google translate was of great help.

First two terminals give you the voltage output from the sensor. This is what ECU reads and uses to adapt the AFR in closed loop fuelling. The bottom two terminals are for the heater element inside the sensor. You can also spot them by looking for two similar colored cables coming to the sensor among the 4 that is on there. It was black colored on the Gixxer.

Voltage readings:

According to the manual, the voltage reading should be between 0-1v at idle. And it should fluctuate. Voltage reading I got was 0.00V initially and it increased to 0.02V a minute later but it stayed there without any change Even when I revved the engine to 4-5k rpms, the voltage reading was not changing at all.

Heater element resistance readings:

The manual says the resistance between bottom two terminals should be between 5.49-6.91 ohms

The reading I got after multiple checks was 9.0 ohm. Again not in the range

Observations after disconnecting the O2 sensor:

Disconnecting the O2 sensor basically puts the bike into open loop fuelling mode always. Open loop fuelling works off the default fuel maps coded into the ECU. It doesn't read the o2 sensor values and adapt the fuelling to AFR values that is required for the emission norms and economy. It basically runs a richer map.

It also lights up an engine malfunction light along with an FI error on the console. Because the ECU looks for the sensor and since it cannot read the signal anymore, it throws a check engine light. This can also happen if your sensor has completely failed. From what I've understood, if the heating element has not failed, it won't show a CEL. O2 sensor delete and dongles that trick the ECU into thinking the sensor is still there are popular among aftermarket tuning crowd.

So my bike is now stuck in open loop fuelling after disconnecting the O2 sensor.

  • The bike now runs extremely well. Pulls all the way to 9k with no flatspots even when the bike is hot.
  • The fuelling woes and hesitation is completely gone. Before, if I opened the throttle slightly from a closed position, the engine used to bog for a few milliseconds. This was an issue when you pick the throttle up after an upshift. Made smooth progress difficult.
  • Significant reduction in hand numbing vibes at cruising speeds. I'll run it for a couple of 100 kilometers before I confirm this but there is certainly a huge difference.
  • Low end fuelling got much nicer and I could finally understand what the reviewers were praising.
  • Smooth rev-matched downshifts. The blips felt lethargic before.
  • The unstable idle is gone and bikes idles at a stable RPM when it is hot.

My conclusion from the diagnosis and experiment is that my O2 sensor is shot and it is not giving the ECU the right values and is causing the fuelling in closed loop mode to go haywire. I would like to know the inputs of you guys on this. I was not expecting such an early failure for the sensor. The bike is just 2 years and 17k old. I'll ride the bike with the sensor disconnected for a while to confirm my findings.

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