I'm still saving up to buy a bike, and I know what I'm going for, but I'd still really like to see if anything can be done to get something that would fit perfectly.

BHPian AulusGabinius recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I've been testing out practically everything that I can think of that is going to fit my daily requirements, and everywhere I felt I was compromising here and there on something or the other. So, I thought I'd create a thread where we can post our fantasy bike builds and the potential mods on existing bikes that would fulfill our fantasies and would fix the things that we feel we're compromising on. I'd also like to put up costs for that, so that the potential mods would also have a realistic figure to it so that anyone who thinks about modding something or the other could still try it out if they had the cash to spare. I'll start out by listing my use case, the bikes I considered, what annoyed me about them, and the mods I really would like to do along with the costs of them all.

P.S. I'm still saving up to buy a bike, and I know what I'm going for, but I'd still really like to see if anything can be done to get something that would fit perfectly. 

My Use Case: I do a 7 km commute to work every day, and I use the car only when it's going to rain heavily. The commute is split evenly between city roads, highways, and outright pathetic roads. I also go on weekend rides (currently with my car), which can be as much 500 km or so, and easily spending a minimum of four and max of eight hours in the saddle. I almost never travel two-up, except on errands, and therefore have no need for anything that makes two-up touring more comfortable than what the stock set-up offers. Touring in Maharashtra means good roads, bad roads, moderate slush, even occasional river crossing-like washed-out roads, so some off-road comfort is a huge plus.

Another point to consider is that I'm 6'2" tall and not in the mood to travel tucked in, but a moderately sporty posture a la a sports tourer is not out of the question. Looks-wise I quite like bigger front wheels, but the handling trade-off can be an issue for mostly tarmac, so that's one thing I'd really like to mod if possible, if the bike has smaller wheels.

Bikes I'd consider and their mods: 

1. Triumph Scrambler 400X: As it stands, this bike is pretty close to exactly what I want and need, and our admin Axe-77 has done pretty much everything I'd like on this (here:

Here's what BHPianAxe77 had shared:

Got my Scrambler 400X delivered over the weekend and did a nice maiden ride today from Pune to Mumbai.

The stock accessories on the bike I'd have are the quilted seat covers (purely aesthetic), the flyscreen, the mud splash kit, and the bashplate (I think that's standard).

Several others on the thread have also done quite a bit of modding on theirs, so I'll put a summary of the points I'd like to change about this motorcycle, who's done them, and so on:

• The handguards are flimsy in the event of a fall, so I'd take what Axe has done and upgrade to Barkbusters. Approx. cost seems to be about 6k on Bikenbiker.
• Grip wraps from Trip Machine Co., just to enhance the retro look. Approx. cost 2k.
• The front brake pads are organic and seem to be entirely useless after exuberant riding, so I'd change them to the Speed's sintered ones. Approx. cost seems to be about 2k at the dealership.
• The fuelling sometimes left me (on a friend's bike) wanting more of a throttle response in the higher revs (vibes aside), so I'd get a FuelX Pro to modulate that. Approx. cost is 10k.
• The BMC air filter is a no-brainer, both for long-term engine health and better airflow. Seems to be for about 5k.
• The seat foam is a little bit soft, so I'd probably try and get a harder, denser foam like what nasirkaka has done. (Here's the link to that thread). 
• The tyres need to go for sure, and I'd probably get Apollo Tramplr XRs or Reise Moto TourRs, and then move up into Pirellis or Metzelers based off those.
• The final item would probably be the battery. I'd like to explore whether a Shinko Li-ion battery would be safe to fit on this, and it would save a pretty decent chunk of weight from the bike itself, about 3 kilos if I'm not wrong.

2. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: I would get this if I felt the need for a more substantial bike, and of course if I'm going to be doing more touring than maybe once or twice a month. This is a more off-road oriented adventure, and I would mod it to be a little more road-biased, a Himalayan Re like the the V-Strom 800 RE. Much has already been said about the bike on the relevant thread, but I've ridden a few examples among our riding group, and the only really annoying things that bothered me were:

1. The big front wheel gives just a tad less response than the 19-inch on the scrambler, and that's fine.
2. The stock seat is a little uncomfortable, but the OEM adventure seat fixes that pretty well.
3. The weight. I don't have any physical issues, it's just somewhat annoying. Reminds me too much of the TB500 I had.

 Other than that, here's my fantasy build for a road-biased Himalayan 450:

• OEM parts: Adventure rider & pillion seat, rally sump guard and bars, touring mirrors (reinstalled with loctite).
• That front beak is really not to my taste at all. Personally I'd take it off and install something 3D-printed on the lower front mudguard, which would be about 4 inches in circumference longer than the stock one. That would change the profile of the bike too, and bring the weight lower, whatever it would add. I'd estimate the cost of this mod to be around 7k all-in.
• The front wheel I would probably change to a 19-inch rim, steel because I'd still like to maintain the robustness of it, and I think I'd need new spokes as well because of the reduced length. I can use the hubs as they are, an advantage of the spoked wheels. I know, this would compromise the bike off road and possibly the suspension as well, the overall gliding quality of the Himalayan would reduce, but I would trade that for the lighter handling that it would produce. This could be reversed if I don't like it, but it' still worth a try. This is an expensive one, could go up to 30-35k.
• Tubeless conversion for the wheels. Easily going to cost about 20k if I go for the way2speed option, but there are several others. Barring that, I would certainly get OEM tubeless wheels if they're available.
• The upper cages have got to go. They're too heavy for the occasional use of mounting two tanks bags or tanks on them, and I can always put them back if needed. I can get some indicator holders on a much smaller, custom-built crash guard that mounts using the original bolts, which is only going to keep the tank from getting scratched. This would probably cost me another 20k or so.
• BMC air filter again, just can't let that low hanging fruit go.
• I'm not entirely sure the FuelX Pro is really necessary, but I have found myself wanting slightly more punch under 2000 rpm in the twisties. So probably a yes.
• The mount plate on the rear can go too, since I'm more of a soft luggage person, and it's always going to be either luggage or person. I can easily build a grab-rail/backrest that will do the job in its place and be a whole lot lighter.
• I'd also flip the handlebar mounts to the higher position, I don't need any bar risers after that one.
• A Carbon Racing Touring windscreen seems a more protective option than the OEM screen, so I think I'd like that one too! 

All in all, I think I'd cut down about 10 kilos, may be a little more or less, but at the end of it I'd have a more responsive, lighter and more city-friendly Himalayan.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I must add, this is one of the best mods out there on the 400X which Rs 270 can buy. The bike is much calmer, and the first two gears are now actually useful.

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Installing a 15T front sprocket on Triumph Scrambler 400x.

The gearing on the Scrambler 400x is short. First two gears feel like they dont even exist. Even at the top, one keeps searching for the 7th gear.

Speed 400 comes with a 15 teeth front sprocket. Scrambler 400X comes with 14 teeth. I am not too convinced with the idea of reducing one tooth on the 400X. Speed itself is sort of short-geared which makes the Scrambler super short-geared. It definitely adds to the peppiness but at the cost of snatchy and jerky nature in the first two gears. Even on the trails/offroad, the throttle modulation is a bit tricky and one may endup feathering clutch more than required. Or endup spinning the rear with some accidental extra throttle inputs causing trouble. These were not aligning with my riding requirements.

Digging a bit on the subject revealed that many riders (mostly abroad) have installed 15 teeth front sprocket on the 400X to increase the gearing and make the ridebility calmer and relaxed. At the first servie, i had requrested to replace the front sprocket with Speed's, but the service center did not have it in stock. Chain/sprockets are basic consumables and not having them in stock for a bike which is been in the market for more than a year, is just not acceptable.

Some more digging revealed that the sprocket for the Duke 390 and Dominar 400 is 19T and fits the 400x. The locking mechanisms differ but essentially the basic sprockets are similar in design and can be used on each-other (all come from the same parent which is Bajaj). People had already tried them and it was easy to follow the route.

I've been trying to source one from KTM and they also sell the complete sprocket kit with the chain. Have not been successful with bajaj as well.

Last saturday i met another BHPian Redliner at Indiranagar, Bangalore. He rides a 390ADV and is well versed with the Bajaj / KTM service center which is on 17th Main. He has also experimented with various sprockets on his 390Adv and knows the service team there. With his PR skills and charm, we managed to get a 15T sprocket for KTM 390. May be you can try there next time to source one. They only cost Rs. 270.

Spent the better half of yesterday trying to swap the sprocket. Being Sunday, most garages would be closed. I had seen some videos of sprocket swap on youtube and it appeared simple enough to self attempt. I had big size Hex sockets too (24mm for wheel and 27mm for sprocket nut). So thought to attempt this as DIY, only to later realise that it was not as simple as it apprearted in the videos.

First step was to loosen the rear wheel nut and chain tension nuts generously and push the rear wheel forward so as to achieve good amount of slack on the chain.

It was easy to remove the plastic sprocket cover, which reveals a sheet metal secondary cover inside. This cover is also easy to remove but one struggles a bit to remove the plastic cable manager tags which are snap-slided in place. Rmoving the secondary sheet metal cover reveals the front sprocket. In about 6 weeks of ownership, there was lot of muck (dust and sand mixed with chain lube) accomodated around the front sprocket area. Cleaned it nicely and removed the sprocket bolt which required a bit of effort and strength.

Now this sprocket bolt was given very generous application of Blue threadlock at the time of factory assembly. The liquid had penetrated around the sprocket shaft jamming it all together. We can see some remains of the threadlock around the area.

There is also a special washer to prevent the sprocket nut from loosening. This is bent on one side to prevent accidental loosening of the nut. I had to pry it open with a screwdriver and remove the washer. No worried there, thats how its done. It would be ideal to replace that washed with a new one, but i had to re-use it as i did not have a spare. People in most of the videos i saw also had re-used the same.

Main trouble i had was to get the old sprocket out. As mentioned, it had jammed on the shaft serration due to seepage of thread lock. With great difficulty and lots of effort with make-shift tools like a crowbar, i managed to get the stock sprocket off the bike. After that it was easy to replace the sprocket with the new one, and tigethen them all back in place.

Post installation of the new sprocket, took the bike out for a short spin of 25kms. I must add, this is one of the best mods out there on the 400X which Rs 270 can buy. The bike is much calmer, and the first two gears are now actually useful. We can be in 2nd and potter around at 20kmph without straining the engine. Definitely the snappy acceleration is slightly compromised but it still pulls strong with some added throttle input. This is a modification which everyone must try who is looking for a more calmer, more relaxed ridability at low speeds as well at cruising at higher speeds. Even the 6th gear feels much more relaxed and longer. The overall vibrations also seem to have settled down. I did some offroading for couple of kms, and feel this sprocket works better there too. Bike feels more in control while standing up on the pegs and riding. Earlier i was shifting frequently between 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Now i was able to ride the same stretch in mostly 2nd gear.

Technically this sprocket change is suppose to make a difference of 7% in each gear, but its much more prominent in real life. Barring those riders who really enjoy to keep the revs boiling and ride hard and fast, and love that quick snappy acceleration, this mod works well for the rest. I certainly feel like i will be sticking with this setup. Lets see how i feel in longer run. Its not an expensive modification and easily reversible too, so worth a try for sure.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

This push button switch also flashes the light at half-press and can be used to imitate the aux lights to flash. This was the main requirement for which the switch should be close to the thumb to easily operate.

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Made a simple clamp to bring the Maddog aux light switch more accessible and closer to the thumb. Maddog makes two types of switches both of which can be seen here. One is toggle type and less expensive, and the other one is push-button type and premium of the two. This push button switch also flashes the light at half-press and can be used to imitate the aux lights to flash. This was the main requirement for which the switch should be close to the thumb to easily operate.

I also had a pair of Rox handlebar risers from my previous bike. These are good quality 2" risers which allows 2 axis pivot control. This greatly increases the permutations allowing much finer control on the handlebar position possibility.

I thought to try them on the scrambler and they seem to fit just about fine. The handlebar position is very upright and standing and riding is easy as well.

The stance with the Rox handlebar riser. We can visibly see that the handlebar looks taller. All this is a personal setting of ergonomics and may not align with typical off-roading stance. My riding is more relaxed and the attempt is to make bike suited to what works for me.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Overall, happy with these simple modifications and accessories. Need to work on the seat a bit and explore possibilities to make it more comfortable.

BHPian nasirkaka recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I got some accessories fitted on the bike over this weekend.

AUX LIGHTS:

Stock headlight on the scrambler is very weak. I wanted to have two pair of aux lights for my usage. One pair (low wattage) is set closer to low beam pattern, so it does not bother oncoming traffic. Another pair (high wattage) is for highway/offroad usage, and is set closer to replicate the high beam pattern. I wanted to have one clamp to mount both the lights, so made one at my workplace using sheet metal fabrication. Two separate maddog wiring harnesses were used with relay, fuse etc along with their independent control switch. During the process it was observed that there is not much space under the tank or under the seat for the harness and relays and one should be careful to route and secure the cables.

The sheet metal fork clamp CAD

Fabrication in process

Wiring harness

Pair of aux lights with fabricated metal clamp

The following images show the light throw with and without aux lights. The exposure values were locked to get a fair idea of the illumination.

No lights

Low beam on

High beam on

Small aux lights on

Large aux lights on

HANDLEBAR RISER:

Got a pair of handlebar riser from zana and installed them. Fairly simple job and cable lengths are just about ok with additional height. The risers make the ergonomics much more comfortable and also easier to stand on the pegs and ride.

The risers

Installed on the bike

SIDE STAND EXTENDER:

Another product from Zana, and seems like decent quality.

HORN:

Installed the horn which i had on the 310gs. This one is decently powerful, although the stock horn is not all that bad. There is just about ok space around this area for the horn to sit in.

MIRROR EXTENDER:

These mirror extenders are from Aliexpress and served well on the 310GS for years. Installed them on the scrambler and they fit and work just fine. Need to explore a bit more with settings and angles, as the handlebar is very wide to begin with.

TOP BOX HOLDER PLATE:

I have one Hepco top box and two mounting plates for the same, so i can switch the top box easily between bikes. This base plate was removed form the 310GS and used on this bike. Fits fine.

FRONT MUDGUARD:

I had opted for raised mudguard but that comes with a small tyre hugger for the front. The setup was throwing a lot of dirt from the road on the ride and the rider. I replaced the small hugger mudguard on the front with stock mudguard.

Overall, happy with these simple modifications and accessories. Need to work on the seat a bit and explore possibilities to make it more comfortable. May be add an aftermarket rear tyre hugger for the monsoon months. and that should mostly take care of the personalization part of the bike.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I wanted a 300-650cc bike and the problem of choice was so big that I was also considering getting a new Ducati Monster.

BHPian AkhilAftab recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Quick background and why I want to get a bike

I am a 21-year-old who started earning well enough to get started on a motorbike, my love for motorcycles sparked from an Anime called Super-Cub as the name suggests is based around Honda's super-cub. That show made me realise how freeing it is to ride a bike and discover new roads or go that extra mile you never thought about going before. I was always into cars and bikes, from playing racing video games like Assetto Corsa to watching and reading everything about new/old vehicles.

There's Something about these man-made machines that always fascinates me. I started riding my Activa 125 a lot more than usual after the show, I purchased two MT Thunder helmets, A Revvit Jacket and full leather gloves as well and I was very eager to get my first bike, but it has been more than a year and I still haven't got myself one.

The problem

The problem is choice, yes you read it right.

The choices are making me feel like I would regret buying a bike.

I have ridden a few 350cc, 200cc, 180cc and 150cc bikes that my friends own and these bikes don't spark anything in me, a rather boring feeling.

I wanted a 300-650cc bike and the problem of choice was so big that I was also considering getting a new Ducati Monster.

I would appreciate opinions from people who have been where I am and help me choose a bike I won't regret buying.

What I want

1. A bike that is a great handler.
2. Smooth engine with minimal vibrations.
3. Anything between 400-800cc I am open to any cc as I won't be buying a second bike soon.
4. Reasonable heat management.
5. I like modern dash and connectivity features as well.
6. I am open to any bike suggestion but lean towards sports bikes a bit more.
7. It will be mostly used for joy rides and early morning coffee runs.
8. Prefer brand new bikes only.
9. Prefer Japanese bikes.
10. I like bikes which give off a big bike feel.

Things I don't care about or don't want

1. Mileage isn't a concern. For me, even 16kmpl is okay as long as I am happy with the bike's performance.
2. Service cost (I am okay with paying whatever the brand demands as long as it keeps my bike running smoothly)
3. I don't want bikes like, Z900, Z650 or any KTM bikes.

Budget

Anything up to 10-11 lakhs

The top contenders

Kawasaki Ninja ZX4RR

I know it's a bit much but considering it has 77+3 bhp but only 39nm of torque which is quite comparable to Aprillia rs457 and Duke 390, I love that it is an inline 4 and that sweet sound is just what pleases my ears. I also have a printed picture of this bike on my desk as I thought I would get this only.

Triumph Scrambler 400x

Love how it looks and performs, my hometown is in the Himalayan ranges so it will be fun riding from the city where I am currently living, to my hometown on this one. A 240 km road full of twisties and lots of bad roads. Not as fascinated by this bike as zx4rr.

Aprilia RS457

A P.Twin at such a good price that makes the Japanese look expensive. Nothing to complain about here.

Honda CB 300R

Super Cub (anime) made me feel something about Honda that I can't feel towards any other brand. I always liked Honda as a brand and everyone knows that their engines are the smoothest and the most reliable. The only sad part here is that now it doesn't get Showa SFF-BP like their international lineup and Honda in general seems too lazy to introduce a new bike or update the ones we already have.

These are the bikes that I considered in my wild search for the perfect first bike:

Ducati Monster+

I love the looks and all the bells and whistles it comes with. 11-11.5 lakhs would've been a great price for it but 15 lakh OTR is a bit too much.

CBR 650R

Can't get it now, but love the new 2024 model.

Trident 660

A good enough bike but seems boring.

CB 200x

Yes only exception in this list of 400-900cc bikes, just because it's a Honda and tbh it seems value for money.

Thanks for reading all this, would appreciate all your views

Did you regret buying a bike just because someone else suggested it?

Should I go with head or heart?

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I had already ordered the BMC air filter and was yet to receive it, hence took the vehicle to the monsoon camp, otherwise i would have given it a miss.

BHPian aston_martyr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Quick Update: The bike has crossed 5400 kms as of today and close to 6 months now.

Couple of maintenance activities were taken care of.

Before that Triumph service center is running a monsoon camp, they do basic checks all round.

• Washing
• Chain clean and Lube
• Brake inspection and clean
• Coolant and engine oil level check and top up if required
• Key joints check all round
• Air filter inspection - clean/replace if necessary
• Battery health check

Visited the service center on Saturday 8th of June, got everything checked, bike health is optimal no issues or top up required.

Air Filter was very filthy at just 5000kms, hence asked them to replace it anyways.

• Air filter cost - 286
• Total cost -1300

I had already ordered the BMC air filter and was yet to receive it, hence took the vehicle to the monsoon camp, otherwise i would have given it a miss.

Couple of things i performed this week.

• Engine Oil Change
• Air Filter Installation

Parts procured for Engine oil change

• Oil Filter
• O Ring
• Mesh strainer x 2

All of the above parts were procured from 99rpm for the bajaj Dominar 400.

Parts were a direct fit.

Engine oil used this time

Drain Bolts to be loosened

Mesh Strainer comparison, forgot to take a pic of the smaller strainer

Oil Filter Housing

Oil Filter Comparison - Exact match

Air Filter Comparison - I fell the BMC one fits more snugly than stock. No gaps anywhere.

Will have to observe how the vehicle behaves carefully for the next few days, hoping i did not goof up anywhere. Pretty happy with how easy the entire procedure was.

Next update will be after a longer trip which is planned for later this month.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I took my motorcycle to the Triumph service centre and they replaced the part but did not cover it under warranty.

BHPian al90 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

First part replacement:

So I have now had my first part break down on the bike. I had just completed 600 kms, and was riding to work in moderately heavy traffic when the engine oil pressure light came on.

Was barely 100 meters from the office and didn't want to pull to the side of the already congested road in the heat. I knew for a fact there were no oil leaks or spills since I do a routine walkaround check before I take the bike out so wasn't that worried.

Was already riding below 50km/hr slowed down further to listen to any engine noise, stopped the bike and checked for oil levels and any weird or abnormal sounds from the engine, and nada.

I switched it off and started it up again the light went off, so left it at that, later in the evening the same thing happened again, reaching almost close to my house the light popped up again, so the light at this point turned on at almost after 1.8-1.9 kms.

The next day when I started the bike the light was on immediately after 10 seconds of riding so called up the service center and went there around 3 pm, the service technician took the bike for a TD and came back and told me that it was the oil pressure switch that would need replacement and they can return the bike next day as they were packed.

The switch itself is not covered under warranty so paid Rs. 150 and got it fixed along with a chain clean and lube from the service center for Rs. 250, a total of Rs. 400.

Am not exactly sure why the oil pressure switch conked off, but I think it would be my riding in the city traffic combined with the heat, but I thought usually bike parts are made to withstand such high temps. They have ridden the bike for about 20 odd kms and everything seems fine now.

Here's what BHPian aston_martyr had to say about the matter:

Sorry to hear about this, but I don't think heat must have been a factor. I ride midday 20 kms every day in peak traffic in Bangalore and have not had this issue.

Maybe it was a defective part? Did the technician/SA explain why it must have failed? Did they check the oil levels? Hopefully, it does not occur again.

Here's what BHPian al90 replied:

The technicians didn't have an explanation even though they assumed it to be the heat or just a defective part, oil levels were all fine.

P.S. I do know Bangalore temps are high, but I believe Chennai is still closer to the sun than to Bangalore these days with average temps midday at 36 and due to the humidity feels like 46.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I also feel that given that I’m optimizing for ‘fun’, I should go for a cheaper bike (300R/Duke 250) because I could just abuse it and have all the fun I want.

BHPian Pythonic recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I own a Honda CB350 H’ness from the first lot. Have driven it for about 35,000 km. It still puts a smile on my face and is easy on the pocket, but I think it’s time to move on.

We’re spoilt for choice in the current bike market, so I’m a bit confused about what to go for. I hope forum members will sort my problem out.

What I use my bike for:

• Commutes (most days a week)
• 50-100 km rides on weekends
• Overall a good 750-1,000 km a month
• 300+ km trips at least once a quarter

Expectations:

• Must be low maintenance
• Must be reasonably pocket friendly (I don’t except a 40 BHP bike to give 35 km/l, but it mustn’t be something insane)
• Must be fun and have a character completely unlike CB350/RE 350s
• Must be comfortable for longer trips, hopefully with good luggage carrying capacity (I have shifted homes with the CB. That would be nice  but it's not a hard condition)
• On the lighter and flickable side (sorry RE)
• Budget between Rs. 3-5L

Bikes I have shortlisted:

This list might be quite eclectic and have widely different bikes, but that’s the issue I’m facing!

Upgrade:

• KTM Duke 390
• KTM Adventure 390 X
• Triumph Scrambler 400 X
• Aprilia RS 457
• Sidegrade:
• TVS RTR 310 (cruise control sounds awesome)
• CB 300R
• Duke 250

I also feel that given that I’m optimizing for ‘fun’, I should go for a cheaper bike (300R/Duke 250) because I could just abuse it and have all the fun I want. The most fun I’ve ever had on a bike was on a Platina on which I used to pop wheelies, skid around and do all the Instagram things

I’m totally confused. If you guys can help me whittle this list down to 2 bikes, I would test ride them and choose 1 or feel free to suggest some other bikes too. Please help me choose how I should spend my first promotion paycheck

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

If you're looking for a bike with a different character than the two cruisers, may I suggest you look into the new Xpulse 200 4v that will be easy on the pocket to have fun with

Spares are cheap. With the rally kit, great for offroading ,trail riding.

Fuel economy is similar to the CB500

If you want to go bigger, Himalayan 450 is a great option in a similar vein.

Xpulse being lighter and more nimble than the Himalayan, makes it more chuckable on the trails.

Let us know what you end up with after the CB350

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

Since you don't have the Speed 400 in the list, my opinion would be to go for the Speed 400x. Next the adv x and lastly the 300r. But before you go for any of these, please check the ground situation at the respective ASCs. It's hard to get spare parts for the 300r. Second would be the Triumph. I'm waiting for the Speed 400 lower engine guards since 2 months. I want to say go for the 300r as it's the lightest, quickest, most reliable of the lot, but in case of a fall the parts are hard to come by.

Here's what BHPian kedar3223 had to say on the matter:

The Duke 250 is very underrated motorcycle. With the new frame, suspension, increased gc and quickshifter, it's a really responsive and do it all bike while being decently comfy. The engine has a nice duality, wherein it can do calm as well as top end rush post 6k rpm. It might not be as punchy as the triumph 400 lower down, but has a better spread and way better top end behaviour. KTM service is one of the better ones in this segment and spares too are reasonable. If you're ok with the space, it would be my choice.

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

I use the TVS RTR 310 for my daily commutes, and it puts a smile on my face each time i ride it in the city. Its flickable and light. I ride in a sane manner and get 35 - 36 on good days and about 28 on bumper to bumper traffic days. RTR has some benefits but buying just for cruise control(CC) might not be the right thing. CC is good ,i used it for a bit, but what really shines in this bike is the throttle response and the quick shifter . Combine that with ease of crawling in traffic , what TVS calls GTT , its easy to ride.
For open roads , it does its job really well and can quickly climb into 3 digit territory and be planted. In the Low end you have vibrations on the Foot pegs and tank with some being felt at the handlebar as well, coming from your Honda, you will see a night and day difference.

Coming to the highway aspect, i am not sure this bike might help you on those long rides. Seat is a bit on harder side , but the back support of pillion helps keep back ache at bay ( i am 6 ft +). The upright leaning stance is nice, but at highway speeds the bike may no be able to comfortably take you on highway trips, windblast might accelerate the onset of fatigue. I rode it on a particularly windy day till the airport ( 50 km one way ) and return, and i was not very confident ( maybe its a skill issue for me. i know people have toured ladakh on a RC390 no less, but those folks are made of stronger substance than i)

Here's what BHPian amiya.c had to say on the matter:

I am too in the same boat and have booked the Aprilia RS457. Actually I got bored of the way CB350 delivers power, it is ok for city rides but on highways I do not find it engaging and at the end of the day I find it unexciting. So if you are in the same boat and looking for excitement then go with something above 40bhp. I almost decided to go for RE continental GT 650, chose it over Interceptor because of its engaging riding stance, but again I wanted two different categories of bikes in my garage so cancelled it. I would suggest you to keep the CB350 for city and choose something that is exciting on highways and does not get heated up in the city rides easily. I upgraded from R15 V3 BS6 but later realized that it was more exciting than this CB350 but that again came with the cost of tiring riding stance.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.

I wanted to upgrade from my 150cc motorcycle and considered options like the Royal Enfield Hunter, Meteor and Interceptor. I also tried the new KTM 390 Duke.

BHPian al90 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Summary

I was on the lookout for an upgrade over my existing 150cc Honda Dazzler and my requirements were something about 30bhp, comfortable and should be able to tackle broken roads, you can read all about it in this thread.

The short version is that the old bike was in good condition but the riding angel combined with my weight was making it uncomfortable on my hands and the bike having done 14 years was due for an upgrade.

Enter the Scrambler 400X

Likes

• In love with the power available on tap. My average speed is now higher than what it was earlier as the Scrambler loves to pick up speed on demand.
• The power delivery is very linear and not scary. A lot of reviewers have suggested that the sweet spot for highways is between 100-110, I felt that the bike is least strained between 60-80km/hr.
• The seating is higher so the view over traffic is much better than my old commuter.
• The bike actually gives the feeling of riding a big bike but is nimble enough to glide through traffic.
• The matt green khaki colour is a looker.

Dislikes

• The headlights are a sour point but have seen people recommending taking off the headlight guard for better visibility.
• The bike becomes a bit coarse and shows resistance when you try to push it over 6000 rpm.
• I seem to have a specific issue with starting the bike, if the bike turns off while riding then I need to crank it at least 2-3 times to get it started. If it's parked for some time it starts immediately but sudden stops due to stalling or even if you park or stop for a short duration and start again, it won't start on the first crank.
• The turning radius of the bike is much bigger than what am used to and factoring in the weight turning in small spaces like the office parking and on inclines is a task.
• The paint is super scratch-prone even if it's matt, I managed to put in some micro scratches with a cardboard box.
• The bike kicks up a lot of dirt towards you from the front and the back and it's terrible during the rains, hopefully, this has now been fixed with the new mud splash kit.

The List

• Hunter 350 - too small for me plus was less than the 30bhp want.
• Meteor 350 - Was a perfect fit but did not like it, my heart was just not into it.
• Interceptor 650 (alloy) - Loved it, the weight wasn't an issue but it did strain my hands, but am thinking a handlebar riser might fix this issue.
• Speed 400 - Test rode it, loved it, booked it and cancelled as well, felt small like the hunter.
• Scrambler 400x - Test drove it but wasn't very sure.
• Speed 900 - Loved this one, test drove it in Mumbai traffic, eerily balanced bike, but dropped it considering my use case and where I would be riding it.
• V-Strom 250 - Glided over potholes, but strained my hands.
• Dominar 400- The TD vehicle was a nightmare, wasn't maintained very well chain was loose, absolutely no bite for the brakes, and noise from the engine, didn't go more than 50 meters from the showroom I returned the bike and I walked away and it also strained my hand.
• Apache RTR 200 - Seating was committed but surprisingly didn't stain my hand, but the suspension was stiff and bounced over potholes.
• CB 350 RS - again loved it had a minimal strain on my hands, booked it, saw the Speed 400 cancelled the booking, considering the value proposition.
• CB 300 R - Great bike, but it is meant for a single rider, pillions beware as the seat can be a sore point.
• Duke 390 - High revving machine, it's truly a great machine, but just not for me.

Buying Experience

All the comments by fellow Bhpians did help me make a decision but the final push to buy the Scrambler 400X was from the showroom Jai Autos in Ashok Nagar, Chennai.

This was a new showroom and the closest to me, all the other showrooms are further away and are operated by Khivraj, my initial booking of the Speed 400 was with Khivraj, where the experience wasn't bad. I had cancelled my Speed 400 booking with Khivraj and made a booking online for the Scrambler 400X with Jai Autos.

What set Jai Autos apart was that on expressing my confusion between the Speed and the Scrambler the sales representative directly offered me a longer TD, without me even asking, they gave me the bike overnight (6 pm to 10 am) and I could take it to my usual routes. TD the bike where I would be riding it 95% of the time, and this is what sold me.

After the TD when returning the bike the next day, I paid the remaining amount in full and in 30 mins all the necessary documents and processes were completed and was informed of delivery in a week.

There was a bit of confusion on the day of delivery, I was asked to come at 11 but the bike was still at the workshop about 2 kms away, they had brought in the wrong bike. I insisted on going to the workshop and getting the bike myself and bringing it back to the showroom, so an unofficial delivery was already done at the service center.

Once at the showroom they did the ceremonial key handover and explained the functions, showed me how to remove and replace the back seat, the tools and how to do basic fluid checks and was told that the service center would be able to guide me on adjusting the suspension when I go in for the 1st service.

Overall the delivery experience was good save for the mix-up and delay, which was brushed aside by the excitement of getting the bike.

Price Breakdown

• Booking Amount Paid : 10000
• Vehicle Cost (incl. taxes) : 262996
• Insurance : 24267
• Road Tax : 31560
• Registration : 975
• Processing Fee : 1800
• Affidavit : 1200
• On Road Total : 322794

Engine

A lot has been already written by much more experienced people than me on the Scrambler's engine, and I do concur with their observations, the power delivery is linear, when you want to do an overtake, just point and shoot and the bike just puts you on our target.

Am yet to push the bike over the 6k threshold, the moment it hits 6k I can see the taco flashing and reluctance to go up any further, there are vibrations, but coming from a 15-year-old bike I barely feel them. Since my commute has been mostly within the city and short distances I also haven't got a chance to push the bike.

The clutch is on the firmer side, I was expecting it to be much lighter being a slipper clutch.

Suspension, Brakes & Tires

The suspension is plush, with a pillion and rising over pot-hole-ridden roads the bike is pretty stable and manageable.

It does come with a 10-step adjustable suspension at the rear, I have it currently at the softest, will start fiddling around with it in the coming days.

I am happy with the brakes, even though they are a little scary at times, they did initially feel spongy, but I have gotten used to them and am able to use them without any issues now.

I can bring the bike to a halt when and where I want, as I have got a judgement of where and how much force to apply on the brakes. I did have a close call, but the bike did stop as expected.

But saying the above, I would get the brake pads changed once the original organic pads do wear off.

The MRFs do provide good grip but they aren't confidence-inspiring, rainy season isn't here yet but somewhere in the back of my mind I have a prejudice that these might not be that grippy in the rains, but as for the dry weather performance am ok with them, once these wear out, I would be looking for better options, or even opt for road-biased tyres considering my usage.

Lighting & Speedo

This is probably one of the weak points of the bike, the headlight isn't that great, it seems to be useful only if you are riding in absolute pitch dark, and the illumination is definitely not adequate.

This already weak headlamp is made worse with the grill on top. The high beam is also pointed straight ahead into the abyss and nowhere on the roads.

Triumph needs to provide a better solution and definitely better calibration for the headlamp.

The tail lamp and the LED indicators are sufficiently bright and complement the bike very well. There is a USB port somewhere on the speedo, realized it just as I was typing this out, I am yet to see it, since I don't have a use for it.

Triumph App & Owners Manual

The app is basic and hasn't given me any trouble yet, you can book for service via the app and then the owner's manual can also be downloaded through it.

Going through the owners manual has helped me correct a lot of my behaviors, one of which is using the kill switch to turn off the bike, as per the manual the kill switch is meant to be used only in case of emergency and to turn off the engine it's recommended to always use the ignition key. Am still reading through the manual, so guys please go through the manual, as it will definitely help you maintain your ride better.

About the speedo, a lot of people have complained that the speedo should have been digital and the taco should have been analogue. I do agree with them. I really don't find myself looking at the speedo, and when I do look it's to see which gear am in and the fuel level, both of which clearly visible along with the other indicators for Traction control, lights and engine warnings.

Service Experience

The service experience has been pretty good so far, there seem to be only 3-4 staff in the service center (Jai Triumph Saidapet), and it is a small service center as well, packed with new bikes.

But the staff at the service center haven't tried to push any unnecessary add-ons, and have been friendly and helpful enough, to take me through the basic checks and in what intervals.

• Check for engine oil once every 2 weeks but based on my riding pattern they have asked me to check every 700 kms. There are 100ml sachets available to top off the engine oil is what I have been told.
• Keep an eye on the chain, clean and lube it as and when required, if looks dry or looks covered in crud, clean and lube it.
• An eye on all the other fluids, brake oil, and coolant every 1000 kms or so.

My 2 cents

The fit and finish of the bike have been praised by a lot of people and I fully agree on this front, has the fit and finish I would expect from a 3-5 lakh bike.

Anyone over 5'10 should be able to manage on this bike, I being 5'11 am not able to fully flat foot on both sides, but I can reach both sides comfortably. The pillion seat is comfortable and the home minister has officially declared that it's the best since she has a 360 view of her surroundings as well.

My primary use case for the bike is within the city, this bike may get ridden on the highways for longer than 10kms, but that would be a very rare scenario in my case. Over the last 2 months of ownership, I have ridden only about 570 kms and most of it has been forced riding for a longer duration just so that I could at least clock 500 kms before I give the vehicle in for the 1st service.

The handlebars are comfortable but I do feel a bit of strain in my palms, nothing which a pair of good riding gloves can't fix. The mirrors are small for my liking, they do give good visibility of the rear but the visibility towards the sides is poor due to the round shape, i might get them switched at a later stage. The switchgear is nice would have liked the info button to be tactile but it's still good. IMO Triumph should have opted for the illuminated switchgear since it's Bajaj that manufactures the bikes, but there are no complaints you can find the switches even in pitch dark your finger would automatically fall in place.

So as of writing the bike has been wonderful save for the starting trouble, and at the first service did put in a few accessories which I felt would be functional.

The mud splash protection kit:

This has now been brought in after a lot of riders have complained about the bike throwing mud at the rider from the front and back and also the suspension getting covered in dirt, especially on rainy days.

• Mud splash protection Kit : 490.99
• Installation Charges : 236
• Total : 726.99

You can see from the below pics how it looks post-installation and the difference between the old and the new tyre hugger, for the front it's merely an extender for the existing mudguard but everything is aesthetically pleasing and doesn't look out of place. The rear tyre hugger is bolted on and it now is longer and covers the sides as well, but the rest, the rear and front mudguard extenders are glued on which am not too happy about, the front one should have at least been held on by screws not glue.

Notice the extensions to the sides and the new length.

The engine bars

Again an functional addon, I was in 2 minds about getting this but the thought of either someone ramming in from the sides in traffic or someone pushing the bike down and damaging the engine prompted me to add this in plus it sort of adds a brace to the existing sump guard as well.

• Lower Engine Bars: 2004
• Installation : 354
• Total : 2358

Coated Windscreen:

This was for the sole purpose so that I could stuff some Knick-knacks (papers/cloth) and use it as kind of a temporary storage. I don't think that this will give any sort of wind protection considering the small size of the screen itself, it just adds to the appearance of the bike.

• Coated Windscreen : 2095
• Fitting Kit Screen : 304
• Fitting Kit front plate : 87.01
• Installation : 354
• Total : 2840.01

Tank Pad

So this was another item that I got ever since I got micro scratches on the paint after keeping a cardboard box post purchasing my new helmet on the tank, this doesn't help in any way fix that but something is better than nothing. The service center did manage to get rid of most of it and it's now barely visible (see pic below). IMO Triumph should have given this as standard considering the side tank pads are present as standard.

• Tank Pad: 330.99
• Installation : 59
• Total : 389.99

Overall, am happy with the bike, will keep updating more as and when time passes. As for anyone who is looking for a really nice city bike to deal with potholes you can go ahead with the Scrambler as long as you can live with the height, weight and turning radius within the city.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

The high mudguard makes it bike look like a proper scrambler now. Might have to wait and see how it fares in Bangalore monsoons.

BHPian aston_martyr recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Update: More accessories, summer rides and some luggage modifications

Since the last update the running has been a bit low. However I have added a few more accessories since.

• Luggage rack
• Bullet indicators
• Mud splash kit
• High mudguard

The installation was split on two different occasions due to availability.

Feb 5th – I had randomly called in on a Monday morning to check on accessories availability and was told that the luggage rack and the bullet indicators were available. Did not have any prior appointments, the service center personnel asked me to drop by 2PM to get them fitted. It took a couple of hours to actually get to my bike as it was delivery time for those who had dropped their vehicles for service in the morning and I was informed of the delay beforehand.

1) Luggage rack was something that I added in preparation for longer rides later this year. Feels sturdy and no issues so far.

2) Bullet indicators are something that looked very good and suited the vehicle much better that the stock one’s which had already gone through a warranty replacement due to fogging up issues.

Evidently this job was assigned to a rookie in the service center, and it went wrong as everyone expected.

I took a test ride after the installation and found the below.

• The front indicator wiring/relay was swapped I assume, so when I pressed left the right indicator would light up and vice versa. The rear indicators had no such problem.
• The headlight alignment was way off, both low and high beams were pointing to the sky.

A senior technician came in immediately and fixed the relay issue and aligned the headlight throw as well. Took about 20 mins more but job was completed.

Note to others: Make sure to check the indicators light up the right way and also the headlight alignment once this job is done.

The indicators do really amp up the classic looks of the motorcycle now.

After this the bike was at a standstill for 2 weeks at home. I came back worried about any battery draining issues. The engine immobilizer indicator light was not blinking anymore. I assumed the worst.
However when I turned the key in and switched on the bike it came alive immediately. No harm done I suppose. But one thing to note is that the immobilizer blinking light is not observed if the vehicle is not used for awhile. Need to take note of this next time. Not sure if its just battery optimization or something else. If anyone has any thoughts on this feel free to comment.

Called up the service center on Thursday March 7th in the morning, checked on accessories availability. I was interested in the lower engine guard. But was told that the mud splash kit and the high mudguard was available. Requested an appointment, since the next day March 8th was a holiday the service center is closed so I was asked to come by on March 9th.
Saturday morning I left early and reached the service center by 9:30 and to my surprise I was not the first to arrive. I always make it a point to take the first slot for the day and arrive 5 mins ahead. I ventured in only to find a sweet looking street triple and 2016 manufactured bike run just for about 8k kms. Had a good chat with the owner while the staff were getting their stations ready.This time since I had taken the appointment ahead of time, the installation was done on priority and the whole job took about 30 mins.

The high mudguard makes it bike look like a proper scrambler now. Might have to wait and see how it fares in bangalore monsoons.

The mud splash kit comes in a pair, front and rear. The rear splash kit was installed and the one for the front is specific for the stock mudguard so it was not installed. Carried the old parts and the spare splash guard for the front home with me.

Total cost

Not many rides due to work commitments. But here are a couple.

Ride 5 : DD hills , Madugiri, and back.

Did a short ride to DD hills early Feb. Nothing much to write about here, roads were great.

Started early morning at 6 AM, onwards to DD hills. After the climb I took the back roads to Koratagere and then onwards to Madugiri (did not do the trek). Join back to the NH via Sira and back to Bangalore.

It was a short ride and had a good chance to open the throttle from Sira till I reached bangalore.

Some pictures as is customary from DD hills.

After this ride i had the chance to purchase some more gear. I am slowly adding to the collection. Procured the Viaterra Fly magnetic tank bag, Camelbak hydration pack and grip puppies.

Viaterra fly magnetic tank bag

• I bought this for a specific reason that it can be used as a magnetic tank bag without the hassle of the straps and if I did not like it I could just mount it as a tailbag.

• I tried to use it as a tankbag, but somehow it felt cramped. This was on a short city ride, and the rear magnetic flaps kinda foul with the thigh pads on the tank. Gotta adjust it everytime you take it on and off. But the bag itself is good and the magnets have no issues holding onto the tank whatsoever.

• On the next ride out to VVS I tried to use it as a tailbag, viaterra provides straps for tail mounting with the purchase at no extra cost. It was alright, although I felt it could be better. Then I came across their fly universal tank bag which had buckle straps, which looks very convenient to get on and off the bike. Checked with them and explained the situation. The person understood what i needed and provided the spare straps with buckles that are meant for the fly universal and it was a good decision. Now mounting and unmounting the bag off the bike and roaming around is easier than before. The additional set of straps cost me 459 rupees.

Overall I would say it’s a good multipurpose bag which can be used as a tailbag, can be converted to a backpack while moving away from the motorcycle and if I feel too lazy I could just put it on my tank and call it a day.

Camelbak hydration pack

I got the stoaway hydration bag, because it comes in an insulated bag of its own and an insulated sleeve. Originally according to them this was intended to keep the water warm when hiking in colder places however it works the opposite way as well. This keeps water cool even after riding for about 4 hours in mid day heat. I do not use a backpack for the hydration pack so this goes in the tailbag which I find convenient to use and no extra weight on my back.

Grip puppies

This was a no brainer, got the regular ones from Big Bad Bikes bangalore. Had to slice off about ¾ of an inch to fit perfectly. Installed it myself and it was money well spent.

After this had to make some time to test out the additions made to the vehicle.

Ride 6: Short ride to Vani Vilasapura Dam

Came across this place from a rider group the week prior. The ride itself is 340 kms+ to and fro, there were two places of interest as pointed out by fellow riders. One the dam itself which is perennial so there would be some water which coming from bangalore city would be a sight to behold with all the water scarcity going on.

Secondly there is a trail that goes up to a temple on a hillock alongside the windmills at a distance of about 8kms is what I have seen on the maps. This was more enticing and I planned to test the scrambler out on the trail this time. However as luck would have things always don’t go to plan.

Started from home at 5:30 AM filled up some fuel and was at the Goraguntepalya by 5:45 AM. Took the NH4 all the way to Hiriyur. Nothing to complain about the NH here apart from 3 diversions for ongoing roadworks which were very short. Took a diversion at the marikanive gate and onwards to the destination which was about 20kms away.

Arrived at the destination at about 8:30 AM. Went straight to the starting point of the trail, but was stopped there and was told by a guard there that they do not allow vehicles. Did not get a proper reason as well. Dejected I went towards the dam entrance which was at the top. Spent a few mins there, as it was early morning I had the place to myself and the view was a sight for sore eyes to say the least. Water everywhere. Had a quick snack and moved towards the backwaters point which is a good 7 kms away as there is no direct path to it. Spent some time there and spoke to some locals going about their morning business, washing clothes etc… Apart from the trail ride denial, it was a calm morning. I packed up to leave before the Sun marks his territory as the temperatures have been soaring off late in the south.Started the return journey, no changes to the route. Stopped at Paakshala, had some brunch and reached home in 2 hours with a couple of hydration stops and a fuel stop.

The tailbag conversion was a success, mounting and unmounting was a breeze thanks to the buckle straps. Grip puppies were a great addition, i feel no stress in my palms nor do the vibes above 6k rpm pose that much of an issue. Had to get used to the thicker handgrip now, might take a few more days for this.

ODO: 3578 km

The view from the top after parking.

Shot of the motorcycle along with the tail mounted Viaterra, note the buckle straps comes as two attachments and can be removed as well in case one wants to convert it to a magnetic tankbag. Very convenient.

Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.