Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Electra & AVL => Topic started by: indian48 on November 03, 2007, 03:14:08 pm

Title: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 03, 2007, 03:14:08 pm
At the age of 48, having given up commuter biking in India 15 years ago, I decided that if I do not fulfil a 30 year old dream of having my own Bullet, I never will - is that a mid life crisis?!
Anyway, after a lot of research on REs India site, I got myself the latest offering in India, the AVL engined RE 500, last month. I am currently living the joys of running in,,,having quite given up on those on the various modern autos that I have "broken in" in the last 15 years! Quite by chance I discovered that the US site is also full of very interesting stuff about REs, hence this post. Having worked my last job in a US MNC in India, I have had to spend a lot of time in the US - it is great place to visit, and I have very good friends and ex colleagues there, but I am sure that folks there would understand my sentiment of not wanting to stay there for good - HDs notwithstanding!
Given too that for most things one needs to look outside of India to satisfy any passion about things motoring/mechanical, it is a wonderful feeling to know that there is one passion that is best fulfilled living in India!
A long time ago - that sounds like Star Wars - I had read books written by Brits in the fifties about bikes, and their running in,,and all those memories are very useful in the running in of the bike. Have to say that the views expressed here, as well as those on the Indian site, have been very useful and entertaining as well. I am not quite sure that I agree with Dew though, when he says ride it like you stole it,, I understand the theory about piston ring sealing, but I would rather be a little more careful than that. Knowing fully well, that the manual recommendations for the running in are a lot of rubbish,,,,What one needs to remember is that running is the final act of machining that RE has not installed technology to accomplish, and is to be done at higher and higher speeds, but with as low a loading as possible, dialling in prolonged exposure to heat build up in a progressive manner. What I like about this process is that the finished motorcycle therefore will be just as good as the person who is a key part of the finishing process - the first owner over the first 2000 or so miles. How many products give one that pleasure today?!
Again, thanks to the various folks across the US that are part of the revival story of RE - may they long prosper, but not so much that they start making bland anonymous food processors attached to two wheels!!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: dewjantim on November 03, 2007, 05:18:23 pm
Hello Indian48, and welcome to the RE USA website. Its good to have some views from the homecountry (REs, not mine). Hate to hear that you disagree with me about break-in but I sure don't mind a little disagreement or even argument from time to time. I post on the India RE site quite often and have had lots of discussions about all things Enfield. Everyone I have chatted with in India has been very respectful and polite, I think you will find this website the same. We have some good discussions from time to time and everyone takes it in stride. Most of us are older guys who have been around bikes for quite a while. There is lots of wisdom here, hope you feel free to add to the mix........Dew
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Thumper on November 03, 2007, 05:43:43 pm
Welcome Indina48. It's good to have more international members! Keep us posted on your break-in period and new adventures. Eat some vindaloo for me.

Matt
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: RagMan on November 03, 2007, 09:10:57 pm
Greetings, Indian48, such a pleasant post you wrote, I hope we will be subjected to your prose regularly. Have you posted a picture of your bike to the gallery yet? We would all like to admire it.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 04, 2007, 12:49:33 am
Appreciate the feedback folks -- Dew, I have read a lot of your posts on the Indian site, where as you must know, you have guru status!! Re the vindaloo, its too spicy for me! Thing about India is, as it is in the US, there is a whole range of cuisines and tastes, and mine tend to run milder than many of my friends in the US! I love the place where vindaloo comes from though - Goa!!
First experiences in getting to know the bike - am still to successfully kick start it from cold, can manage when it is not. I find that the torque spread is not quite as wide or low in the rpm range as I expected, I have to downshift oftener than I thought, the engine sounds like it is lugging and I do not want it to do that while running in. 5th gear is pretty much useless in Indian traffic, and cannot be used below 40mph. I did read someone else say that here, about the 5th gear use. I find all the false neutrals, but I suspect that will go away as the bike breaks in, and I get used to the distance the shifter has to travel to make changes. On the other hand, I still need the green light to tell me about the true neutral, and I expect to not need that as well, as I get broken in to the bike! Other than that, no complaint thus far - but I do hope that the thump get better over time - I plan to see how things are at 2000 miles and do some mods to the exhaust pipe at that time, though I prefer not to. Still to find the time to do a longish spell out on it though, and I hope to do that this week.
Its great to be in India, now that the global home of RE is here!!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 04, 2007, 02:47:27 am
Having said what I did about running in, I would like to hear Dew amplify the "like you stole it" comment to see if there is something to learn from his method,,,given that heat is the enemy when you are running in engines with "coarse" internals, how would you address that subject while still riding the bike hard? I assume that you do agree that lugging the engine in too high a gear is worse than the other way around, but even then, heat remains a factor. Appreciate any input, Dew or from anyone else.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: scoTTy on November 04, 2007, 03:18:20 am
mine has been a slow process... this coming from a past tall milage person on BMW's..   the engine sOiunds great..  a shade under 600 miles/.so far .  try to kick start it every night an then use the electric starter..  and then breath exhauust fumes for the next 45 minutes or less//   got some good riding areas.. I'd say :)
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 04, 2007, 12:09:46 pm
I wanted to express my appreciation of how responsive and helpful the posts are here - while I am from India and live there, I suspect that I will find a lot of answers here in the days to come. The Indian site is good, but there is more about riding and rides on that - which is good - but not enough to do the troubleshooting from.
On the other hand, I can offer help to anyone out there on the site for anything that you may want help with from here - from information on sourcing of cycle parts, to logistics help if any of you at any time plan to travel to this part of the world,,,feel free to ask, and if I can help, I will be glad to.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: dewjantim on November 04, 2007, 05:21:33 pm
Having said what I did about running in, I would like to hear Dew amplify the "like you stole it" comment to see if there is something to learn from his method,,,given that heat is the enemy when you are running in engines with "coarse" internals, how would you address that subject while still riding the bike hard? I assume that you do agree that lugging the engine in too high a gear is worse than the other way around, but even then, heat remains a factor. Appreciate any input, Dew or from anyone else.
There are differences in running a bike fast and running it hard and abusing it. Running a bike hard entails revving to redline a lot and shifting fast and hard a lot. It would also be lugging a bike through traffic at 20 mph in high gear on a very hot day. Those are things I will not do. Now, going fast (70-80% of maximum rpm) for short periods of time and then letting off and cruise at slower speeds. Riding to keep the engine cool. It is pretty hard to overheat any engine (new or not) running 60 mph (about 100 kmph), which is about 2/3 of my top speed, in 60-70 degree weather. If everything on the bike is set right, especially the timing, this should not hurt at all. As a matter of fact, your rings will seat faster and give a better seal, yielding a better running bike......Dew.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 04, 2007, 08:01:58 pm
Well said! I will only argue that what you do in practice is not quite " ride it like you stole it" ! I am going about it exactly the way you suggest, looking for doing what may be called high speed machining under minimal load, in bursts at a time, extending the periods of the bursts as the miles mount.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 06, 2007, 02:48:35 am
Does anyone else find that the mirrors are vastly inadequate? Even more so in India, where with so much traffic crowding you in the cities, even some highways, one needs to know whats around in every direction,,,and over 40 mph, they vibrate so much to be useless.
Also, how do I change a clutch cable at the gearbox end?
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: scoTTy on November 06, 2007, 02:57:52 am
er the mirrors.. mine have etched lens thst say " objects are closer than they appear"..  the mirrrors seem to virbrate in a clockise motion.. i think...  they always change..  the etching is upside dowm this evening.. sorry can't help with the clutch cable.. mine hasn't broken yet ;D
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: jonapplegate on November 06, 2007, 05:25:35 pm
About that running in. I want to keep this post simple. Ya, quick break in is probably more effective for setting the piston rings but what about the rest of the internals? I would err on the side of caution with a truly new bike and take things easy. If and when you do a top-end rebuild or bore change then i would do the fast break in. Just my thoughts. New to bikes but am a long time muscle car tinkerer.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 07, 2007, 01:10:56 am
Good point that, about the rest of the internals - I remember reading about the need to even be gentle on the brakes for the first 100 miles, to allow the pads/discs to bed in well too. I think that the key is to be progessive in the process, and building up to the full capability over the running in period. Being gentle the entire time, and pushing things to the max as soon as the running in time is over, is almost as bad as flogging it from day 1.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 12, 2007, 04:23:57 pm
Hey Indian48!

This is your 500 pal in Delhi.  I'm with you on the mirrors.  They are just not enough for the traffic here.  Like another fellow said, I get a great view of my shoulders.  I'll try that place in the UK, but there must be some place in India too.  If you find one, let me know.

BTW, we are targeting June for the Leh trip.

Re: vindaloo in Goa....I might put my Bull on a train and head down there.  I would love to Bullet in Goa!!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 12, 2007, 07:02:43 pm
Why don't you guys save your spare cash and really live it up - head for New Zealand!!  It isn't that far!!  And good roads, miles and miles of wonderful scenery, hills, mountains, lakes - and a thoroughly decent, helpful Enfield community to top it off!   I'd be happy to chaperone you around - and the wives would love it too!!

Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: LJRead on November 12, 2007, 09:53:15 pm
Or Tonga, 1200 miles to the north of New Zealand, and nice weather year round.  Used to have a Honda 350 when I lived in Christchurch, S. Island, N.Z.  About froze my buns off at times, but, my, that road up to Kaikoura with almost no traffic to worry about was so great!  I have to say that New Zealand is a great place to ride and to kibitz with the friendly natives!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 13, 2007, 01:11:24 am
CH, good luck with the mirrors, the ones from the UK are probably made in India! Ask your dealer,,,you will probably get a huge choice in Karolbagh. From now to late Feb is high season in Goa, always a great place to ride a bike, though with the usual traffic hazards advisory. Very picturesque roads and villages/towns though. And great seafood! I doubt I can get away from work long enough to make it there this year, but I am giving very serious thought to Leh next season.
KC, appreciate the offer! I have never visited NZ, only been up to Aus, which as any Kiwi would proclaim is not quite the same, I am sure! Always had plans to take a driving holiday there, to see the lord of the rings countryside by road. Hear that there are amazing drives to experience, but this is the first time I got to thinking of doing some of it on a Bullet. Could I hire one while I am there? I also assume that Dec - Jan would be a good time weatherwise? If your offer stands till then, my wife and I may get over there in  a year from now!!
LJ, Tonga does not seem to be very far from NZ now does it,,,not as much as it is from India! And you will have your T bird with you by then,,, :)
Will be offline the rest of the week, have to leave on work travelling today,,,which means no RE,,,think I will suffer withdrawal symptoms,,,,,
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 13, 2007, 03:31:07 am

There is a company here specialising in renting REs for touring.
www.heartlandbiketours.co.nz
Although doing this in the home of RE seems mighty appealing to me, I must say.

My new Electra gives me such a kick.  I'm at 350km now, and the mirrors are now useable (narrow - I also see largely elbows, but the vibration that made them virtually unuseable has all bar ceased).  You know, unlike the Ducati where I always felt sort of perched on top of the bike, I feel somehow melded with the RE when I ride.
Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 13, 2007, 04:22:24 am
I bet riding in the NZ mountains is amazing!  I also have a dream of hunting red stag there.  (hope the mention of hunting isn't taboo here)

Riding into the mountains on my Bullet with my .45-70 and taking one of those would be unbelievable.  I don't know how I'd get it back, but I guess I don't have to have everything worked out for a fantasy.

Very interesting comment about the vibrations going down after the break in period.  I'm at 780 kms.  I'll give it to 1000 and see if there is improvement.

The most impressive part of the Bullet is just what you said......you loose track of the fact that you're riding a bike and it gets a bit zen.  Except for my 2nd gear, which I have yet to master.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 13, 2007, 12:12:02 pm
I am at 450 kms and I see no improvement in the mirrors, nor do I expect any. More than vibrations, it is the field of view that's the problem. I need ones that look around my elbows!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: jonapplegate on November 14, 2007, 03:25:08 am
I completely agree with your idea of "progressive break-in"
     Hey, I see a lot of those auxiliary headlights on RE bikes when I check out Youtube. Do you have youtube? It is a great way to check out all sorts of things in action. You probably know all about it and I am insulting you and your countries' formidable intelligence. Sorry. Check it out if you haven't already. Anyway, about those headlights. I think I may want some but they seem to be unavailable here in the states. Could you enlighten me?
                                                                                   Thanks,
                                                                                                Jon, Seattle,Washington U.S.A.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: jonapplegate on November 14, 2007, 03:39:04 am
hey indian48, I wanted to mention that when I got my bike I had engine lugging issues and it caused all sorts of problems. The plug kept getting fouled and I had a hard time getting it started, then it ran badly until warmed up. I asked many questions and seemed to get the same answers, which were not helping. One day I was riding down a road that had a speed limit sign that showed the speed you were actually going. My speed was 5 mile per hour slower than what the speedo was gauging. That does not seem like much but if you are breaking in the bike properly, at recommended speeds which are awfully slow at first this makes a massive difference. I started riding the bike 5mph faster in all gears, which put it at the real maximum speed in each gear and all my problems went away. I know you are probably using kilometers an hour over there but i am guessing the Kilo speedo is probably reading to high as well. Hope this helps.

                                                                       Cheers!
                                                                                      Jon                                 
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 14, 2007, 01:14:01 pm
Quite honestly, I am not paying that much attention to the speedo as I am to the extent of throttle opening and the engine sound as heard, and the minute I hear it lugging, I drop a gear to get the revs up again. On the other side, I make sure that I don't open the throttle more than halfway, and on the highway, keep shutting it off occassionally. I am certain that the manual recommendations are not meant to be followed if you know the science of running in better. For the riders who may not, the manual seeks to play it very safe.
Re the headlights, I have not looked in detail at the online store,,they should be available in the US,,,let me know if you want me to look for them here and update you.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 14, 2007, 06:21:39 pm
Hi there.
Can you give me a good, clear description of your running in plan?  I'm running in too, as you know, and so many of you are saying how critical it is to get that right - I think I am, but I'd like to know people's thoughts on the details. 

Like the need for varying speed, as outlined in the owners manual - for how long? Just like riding through suburbs and regularly slowing for the lights? of for longer periods at slower speeds? etc.

Thanks
Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Land Surveyor on November 14, 2007, 07:52:35 pm
Did somebody mention the good old 45-70?  My favorite cartridge.

Since we have a discussion going between people in different parts of the world, I'd like to ask about the conditions of the roads you are riding your various RE's on.  I live in the southeastern US in a pretty rural area with plenty of paved roads but miles and miles of dirt roads that are sometimes the only feasible way to get from here to there.  Rolling to hilly land but not mountainous. How do you all consider the riding experience and handling of your bike in places where conditions are less than ideal?

Would panniers be a problem in those conditions?
Does the bike handle two-up riding well?
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 14, 2007, 10:49:38 pm
Newbie question that I think is answered somewhere, but I still have a doubt about - coming out of the bottom of the carb is a longish - 15 inch or so - thin, pink rubber tube that I found flapping around, not connected at the other end to anything at all is the way I found it. I have tucked it away towards the rear of the bike, from below the carb, till it comes out a little ahead of the right rear footpeg. Is that ok? What does that tube do and why is it needed? Why is it that the iron engine bike's carb does not seem to have it? I noticed that because I went across to one to see if I could get an answer, but that bike seemed not to have any such tube. My bike has the AVL engine, and I think it has a CV carb.
Re the road conditions, remember that the REs current home is India, where you will find some of the worst road conditions in the world, that the bike copes with pretty well,,,provided it is well maintained. Panniers are not a problem, and in India people carry huge loads on it. Riding two up is fine as well, although it is not as suited to that as the big capacity bikes would be - there is not the power reserve in the engine to do that in a relaxed manner.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 14, 2007, 11:39:47 pm
Biddy - attached in quotes, is a post that I left on the Indian site the day I purchased the bike in India, it probably answers your question:
"I have just taken delivery of my new 500 RE today, and I am looking forward to the entire ownership process, starting with the running in. This is not something that one needs with other contemporary machines, either 4 wheels or 2, given the advances in machining and manufacturing technology in the last 30 years, that have passed RE/Bullets by, which, anyway is why I bought the Bullet in my return to 2 wheels for recreation - in preference to the plethora of sewing machines/food processors attached to two wheels that abound in India as well now.
Re running in, in this case I am not surprised the piston seized - as described, the engine has really not been run in at all, being used the way described. Even if this regime was followed for 3000 km, and then the engine opened up on the highway and held open as it can be for a fully run in engine, the piston would still seize. From my memories of older times - when men were men (!!!) and engines needed to be run in - here are some principles as I remember them - for the benefit of all owners of new REs
1. It is more important that the engine runs light, rather than road speeds are kept low - the worst thing you can do is to run at a speed in too high a gear - downshift earlier, rather than later. You can damage the engine permanently by running in 4th with the engine laboring when you really should have downshifted to 3rd - sooner rather than later. The engine may sound noisier in the 3rd gear, but it can take this treatment far better than laboring in 4th. I find on day 1, the 5th gear is almost a no no in any part of Pune.
2. Accelerate gently in the first 200kms, and progressively allow for more vigorous acceleration - regardless of which gear you are in.
3. Do not keep the throttle open for long bursts in the first 200kms, and start
extending the throttle open times as the kilometers mount, building up to full throttle bursts, in lower gears if that is all you have the road for.
4. If you are on a highway, keep giving the engine a break to cool down by shutting the throttle at frequent intervals, but make sure that when you open it again, the engine is not laboring - downshift to ensure this.
5. What you are trying to do is to do the final machining of the componentry inside to produce the high gloss of a well machined surface - and to do that you need to run high speeds with as light a loading as possible.
6. Finally, all the metal that you will remove from the "rough" machined parts by the RE factory in the running in process is going to fall in the oil - the engine oil, the gearbox oil, and the clutch oil bath. To get this metallic swarf out of the way is why RE recommends an oil change at the 500km interval - and doing this is vital, vital, vital. I would even recommend very strongly that the oils be changed once again at the 1500- 2000km mark, even if RE does not recommend this. And when changing the oil, stand there to make sure that this is done when the oil is hot, so that all of it flows out, fully, with all the metallic rubbish floating in it. And of course, remember to ensure that filters are changed wherever relevant.
I have missed this fun the last 20 years in the cars that I have bought, and the KB100 I used 15 years ago - and I am looking forward to the elbow grease that is so much the fun part of the Bullet!!
Resident experts - have I missed anything??!!  "
On the Indian site, I did not get a single response to this post, I think that most folks there are more into how the bike looks and sounds, so that they are able to look different and cool! I am sure that this will get some interesting responses, starting with Dew probably, who is what may be called a contrarian - a lot of fun to everyone else by being that though, I must say!
There is also a lot of other material on the subject on this site too, that you will find useful.
The piston seizure referred to above was someone who had run in the bike well within the manual recommended speeds religiously, using the bike sparingly only on weekends, and once that regime was over, went on the highway, and ran the bike at close to full throttle for fifteen - twenty minutes, and had the piston seize on him.
I have done just 450 kms on my bike till now, and things are going very well so far,,,touch wood!

Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 15, 2007, 04:16:24 am
Thanks very much. This is just what I wanted.  It pretty much mirrors what I've been doing, except I haven't done any real opening up of the throttle, fast acceleration yet.  But maybe now is the time to start building that up - I'm at 400kms.  Next weekend for the 500km oil change, I think.

When is it OK to ride with a pillion, any thoughts?

My house in Auckland had a carport that was dismantled to allow for renovations just before I bought it.  I thought I'd keep the Electra in the shed, but she doesn;'t fit.  So I am rebuilding the carport now - I don't like knowing the bike is just under a tarp in the rain!

Thanks
Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 15, 2007, 01:25:51 pm
I see no reason to avoid a pillion at any time, I would just be careful by not expecting the one up acceleration to happen with the extra load on board, taking a little longer to upshift, and I would downshift earlier too, to make sure that the engine is never labouring/lugging under load. The underlying principles do not change.
I understand entirely what you mean about housing the bike indoors!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 15, 2007, 01:39:24 pm
PS: I think you will also know this, but there's no harm in saying it,,all the time in the first 2000 kms, you need to be very aware of what the engine is saying, and pull in the clutch at the first sign of it slowing down and pull over to the side,,,,one gets some amount of early warning before the piston seizes, if one is alive to the signs,,,
I do not think that you will suffer that, given how much you know about the subject, and I also am guessing that your ambient temperatures are on the low side as well. But there is no harm in being forewarned.
Happy/safe riding!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 16, 2007, 05:30:25 am
Newbie question that I think is answered somewhere, but I still have a doubt about - coming out of the bottom of the carb is a longish - 15 inch or so - thin, pink rubber tube that I found flapping around, not connected at the other end to anything at all is the way I found it. I have tucked it away towards the rear of the bike, from below the carb, till it comes out a little ahead of the right rear footpeg. Is that ok? What does that tube do and why is it needed? Why is it that the iron engine bike's carb does not seem to have it? I noticed that because I went across to one to see if I could get an answer, but that bike seemed not to have any such tube. My bike has the AVL engine, and I think it has a CV carb.
Reposting the question here in anticipation of a response,,,thank you for taking the trouble to answer what is probably a dumb question!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: deejay on November 16, 2007, 01:20:13 pm
Newbie question that I think is answered somewhere, but I still have a doubt about - coming out of the bottom of the carb is a longish - 15 inch or so - thin, pink rubber tube that I found flapping around, not connected at the other end to anything at all is the way I found it. I have tucked it away towards the rear of the bike, from below the carb, till it comes out a little ahead of the right rear footpeg. Is that ok? What does that tube do and why is it needed? Why is it that the iron engine bike's carb does not seem to have it? I noticed that because I went across to one to see if I could get an answer, but that bike seemed not to have any such tube. My bike has the AVL engine, and I think it has a CV carb.
Reposting the question here in anticipation of a response,,,thank you for taking the trouble to answer what is probably a dumb question!

All the carbs should have overflow tubes like this, mine does and its a classic iron engine. If your float gets stuck, then gas will leak out as a safety measure
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 16, 2007, 01:42:18 pm

All the carbs should have overflow tubes like this, mine does and its a classic iron engine. If your float gets stuck, then gas will leak out as a safety measure

Thanks for the clarification - where is the best place to tuck away the loose end?
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: deejay on November 16, 2007, 03:05:20 pm


Thanks for the clarification - where is the best place to tuck away the loose end?

I cut it so its only 2-3 inches ling now. It only leaks if there is a problem, so best to be able to see it.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 16, 2007, 10:27:48 pm
Mine tucks nicely back, ending just behind the toolbox. 

Hasn't flapped loose yet, but I can see the logic cutting it short - then you can see whether there's a problem.  Ending behind the toolbox, any petrol coming out would be hidden to the eye (although not to the nose, I suppose)

Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 17, 2007, 03:31:29 am
www.dirttrackproductions.com
I am seeing how to get the DVD this weekend, having read about it on the above site, and the reviews posted, I can't wait to lay my hands on it. Seems like an awesome movie about an awesome ride - on a bullet to the top of the world! Its available on line, and I think that folks here may want to check it out!!
I have posted this in two places, since I wanted to make sure that everyone here get to see this post.
I have no financial interest in the sale of the DVD!!! :) It is just that this seems to be another outstanding product out of India, that should appeal to all RE lovers.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India - DVD update
Post by: indian48 on November 18, 2007, 06:05:33 am
Re the DVD,,,interesting day yesterday!! since I wanted to see the movie right away, emailed their office and offered to drive down 100 miles to pay cash and get it. The director of the movie called me back and offered to ride halfway on his bullet to give me the DVD, so I did just that and met the man. Interesting person, who is living a life following his dream. Sounds like another " Good enough" philosophy person.
I saw the film last night on a large screen TV - spectacular filming of a very fascinating people in one of the harshest environments in the world. It is not so much about the bike as it is about the place and the people, and I recommend the DVD as a must buy to see for those of us who are in tune with the less is more way of thinking. Again, although it has a bullet in it ( the same one he rode out on, that I got some pictures of yesterday), the bullet is only the tool he uses to get to where he needs to be at as low a cost as possible. The man - Gaurav Jani - has made a great movie, but is not successful at marketing it and the DVD has sold just some 3500 numbers, all by word of mouth. I am trying to figure out how to help him do that better, just to have more people see his work  and to allow him to keep doing more on similar lines,,,,great to see someone living his dream, and staying out of the rat race from a young age.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 18, 2007, 06:18:15 am

Since we have a discussion going between people in different parts of the world, I'd like to ask about the conditions of the roads you are riding your various RE's on.  I live in the southeastern US in a pretty rural area with plenty of paved roads but miles and miles of dirt roads that are sometimes the only feasible way to get from here to there.  Rolling to hilly land but not mountainous. How do you all consider the riding experience and handling of your bike in places where conditions are less than ideal?

Would panniers be a problem in those conditions?
Does the bike handle two-up riding well?
If you want to see just how rugged the bike is, check out the DVD I referred to.
Another nugget re the director,,,I asked him how much he is able to fix things on the bike himself. He says that he knows the basic stuff and the running repairs like fixing flat tires, and broken cables, but is terrible at the electricals which he is unable to understand, and has no clue about tappets and timing or the carb. He also says that all the problems he had with the bike were two flat tires,,,,,
I admire the confidence of the man to still venture out all by himself into the wilds of the high Himalayas with just the bike and no back up of any kind, on a 3000 mile journey! On the other hand I obsess with all kinds of concerns on a 200 mile trip down the highway!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 18, 2007, 05:02:47 pm
Glad to see another 45-70 fan out there!

Indian48, I have the same tube off mine.  The dealer told me it's an overflow.

I found out about it this weekend......I was by the Parliment heading toward the India Gate and some crazy guy decided to pass me on the right and cross my front to make a left turn.  He hit my front wheel and knocked the bars out of my hands.  I learned how to fly!  No serious injuries other than some scrapes and a swollen ankle.  Given that I'm almost 40, I was surprised how I rolled and got right back up.

I really yelled at that guy.  What the heck was that stunt?  Unbelievable.

The bike is ok.  The leg guard took most of the beating.  I really learned to appreciate that add  on!!!

When I picked it off the pavement, gas was coming out of that tube.  Therefore, gas can come out and I think you're wise to route it up and back.  I did the same thing.  I'm not sure I'm comfortable with petrol hitting my hot crankcase. 
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 19, 2007, 12:45:18 am
Thats not a good way to learn about why the tube should be tucked away, and I congratulate you on a lucky escape. What you saw is typical to Indian traffic and there is no option for doing anything but driving very defensively, expecting the unexpected at all times, and not expecting rules to be kept. I do that driving a car as well, because as you must have seen, the 100 cc bike crowd go like kamikazes, and I can't imagine living the rest of my life with a death on my conscience, even if the other guy ( or girl even) did something stupid. On behalf of my fellow countrymen, I will say that what you are seeing  is the automobilization of large masses in a very short period of time, with poor infrastructure, too much of laws and too little enforcement. The west did not see a transformation on the scale/speed that we are seeing, and with that said, I am continually surprised that there are not more accidents. I trust you will take all care in future.
Re the tube, the hot crankcase concern is why I have not done what has been posted here, of cutting the tube down to two-three inches. If there is any gas coming out, I would want to see it get direct to the road.
Safe riding!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 21, 2007, 04:31:11 pm
Thanks!

Heading to Noida in the morning...first trip out into the rush hour traffic since getting sideswiped.  Delhi traffic sucks.

Let's stay in touch on the Leh plans.  Right now, I think I have 3 of us going, but a lot can happen in 7 months.

I'm looking forward to a Rajasthan ride in a couple of weeks though...not too deep, just to dip into Alwar and maybe Jaipur.

I apologize to the US crowd fo the obscure India references.  I'm from NJ, so I hope that still gives me rights ;-)  If any of you come this way you should look us up.  There is a whole Bullet culture here in india as Indian48 is saying.  You guys would love it.

Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: deejay on November 21, 2007, 04:56:33 pm


I apologize to the US crowd fo the obscure India references.  I'm from NJ, so I hope that still gives me rights ;-)  If any of you come this way you should look us up.  There is a whole Bullet culture here in india as Indian48 is saying.  You guys would love it.



It's cool, I think we all like hearing about India. If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have these wonderful bikes!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 22, 2007, 01:00:24 am
Thanks!  I can't take credit,but I will tell you that I've never purchased a motorcycle before my Bullet....there is something seductive about them.  I can't explain it, but I'm getting ready to head out on it this morning.

Cheers!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 22, 2007, 01:19:38 am
You are doing what I - an Indian who has lived here for all his life - will not do anymore by choice, ride the bike in the commuter traffic in the big cities! If I was to do that, I may as well start smoking once again, a habit that I kicked 15 years ago for good, but one that I still miss for the pleasure of a cigarette first thing in the morning or after a good meal! I know that in Delhi things have actually improved on the traffic pollution front since all the public transport vehicles were forced to move from diesel to CNG as fuel, but it is still very high in pollution,,as is every big city here.
I bought the bike for recreational riding, and I am just back from a spin on a good road close by - left home at 5 30 am and back in an hour. Its cool out at this time, good ambient to run the bike harder in every gear to move the running in along the way I want to, and to lean into curves that one can see through a long way, at at time they are clear of traffic. And get the bike set up for what I intend to do with it, ride out of the city on weekends into quieter places, and for the occassional long rides, like the one planned into the mountains in summer.
India cities are getting to be exhausting places to live,,,or I am getting too old for them.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 23, 2007, 04:02:41 am
Ha!  Laughed at your smoking analogy.  ;-)

Point made.

I actually have a car and a driver, so I don't plan to make the bike commute a habit.  It is not fun...it's more like a video game, constantly dodging cows, water buffalo, bullocks carts, autos, rickshaws, people, trucks, other motorcycles, and trucks.  It's crazy.

I'd really like to get the saddle bags, the split seat, and the windscreen.  Do you have them?  My dealer seems to be having a hard time procuring them. 
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: scoTTy on November 23, 2007, 04:38:46 am
you guys ;D  your traffic sounds more exciting than rush hour in houston texas and the freeways are covered with rain :o ;) ;D

but i must confess it was not an RE at that time..I was on

I wish we could get those wrap around engine guards here in KY..
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 23, 2007, 04:56:08 am
CH,
The split seat has been reviewed to be uncomfortable,,the one sold by RE in India at any rate. I suggest you stay with the dual. Re the bags, check out www.cramster.in
I don't know about the windscreen, I am fine with the visor on my helmet that I will still need in India, so I don't see it making sense for me.
Scotty, I am not sure that the guards you refer to make any safety sense - they may even do just the opposite. The only reason I have them on my bike is that it forces other traffic to give me a little more space - I don't see you have that problem in KY?!
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: scoTTy on November 23, 2007, 05:22:24 am
no..traffic isn't thick... just silly..   ::)

keeps You second guessing
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 24, 2007, 01:57:37 am
Do you have a photo that shows those wrap-around engine guards?

I've been wondering about getting them - but the ones you get here in New Zealand, well, my partner insists that it looks like having a heated towel rail bolted on the front, and I think that's right!

We're thinking about a tour of Rajasthan on Enfields next October.  A Kiwi guys leads these tours annually.  I just got his book and read it, and some of the photos show these nice wrap around guards.  I'm mostly considering it for the bike's safety should I drop her!

If I do come over, I could get them and bring them home... Nice souvenir!

Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 24, 2007, 04:07:28 am
Just got back from my morning Delhi ride.......got out a lot earlier...no accidents!

I'll go click one for you and try to figure out how to upload it here.

It offers another advantage.......when I took that spill last weekend, the leg guard hit first instead of my leg, and then absorbed most of the damage.  It's about $12 USD.  Best 12 bucks I ever spent.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 24, 2007, 04:19:28 am
I can't seems to attach more than one pic.

Hopefully this gives you a good idea.  I can sent you more if you'd like!

[old attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 24, 2007, 04:23:13 am
Here's another for you.

I really believe in these things.

As India48 also states, it gives you a bigger profile in traffic, which is critcal in cities.

[old attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 24, 2007, 05:33:58 am
Now THAT is nice (and nice bike, too!)

Where did you get it from?  And how much?
Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 24, 2007, 09:56:41 am
Here is the risk with those guards, people: if you lose it at speed, your best chance is to get detached from the bike fast and roll to safety - assuming there is a safe place you are lucky sitting where you roll, slide, or fly to. The issue with the guard is that it may trap your leg and keep you attached to the bike.
As you will see in my pic, I have a guard as well, but one that carries a little less risk of trapping your leg in it,,,see it on members rides, it has now moved to page 2, if I remember right.
If I was to do serious high speed travel even by Bullet standards, I would take the guard off.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 24, 2007, 10:30:03 am
I got it from the dealer...it was 450 INR, which I guess is around 12 buck USD.

I hear you Indian48.....I barely get above 60 kps 'round these parts, so I'm leaving it on!  Already saved my leg and my bike once. 

Kiwichick....if you're interested, I can ask my dealer how much it would cost to ship it to you.  Might be more than the part, but if you think you need it, I'm happy to discuss with him.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: Kiwichick on November 24, 2007, 07:45:39 pm
Hi there
I agree about the risk.  Before I bought the bike, I was wondering about a guard like this.  With the guards that just stick out (not wrap around), I found a website with research showing that while leg injuries were reduced, chest injuries were increased (in speed accidents where the bike and rider flew) and drag/scrape injuries increased (again speed accidents, but where a rider was caught).  However low-speed accidents showed less injury.

So I agree, I'd use it for my commuting rides (maybe 90% of my riding) and take it off for longer cruising trips.

I would like you to ask your dealer if he'd ship it to New Zealand, if it isn't any trouble.  No rush.  That price is great, and it looks like a nicely finished article.  I'd be happy to pay for shipping.  Will your dealer have an email account?

Thanks, Biddy
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: TRider on November 24, 2007, 09:09:25 pm
Your engine guard looks nice and useful.  I have another engine guard as you can see in my photos and just recently the guard saved my tank.  The bike fell over on me (something stupid I did) while running and in gear.  The guard did get a few deep scratches, and I a brused left arm.  If It wasn't for the guard, my brand new shinny chrome tank and front fender would have surely been damaged.  As long as I had to wait for these boogers, I would have been sick, I mean really sick.  Stupid stupid stupid and more stupid.  Praise the engine guard.
Terry
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: charte on November 25, 2007, 03:12:36 am
Terry, same effect I got when I dumped mine in traffic after being clipped.  The right foot peg and the leg guard took the scratches, no my beautiful bullet!!

Glad yours is in good shape.

Whatever you did, I bet I've done something more stupid ;-)  I like to think it's part of the learning process and at least people like us get out there and live life, with some stupid mistakes, instead of staying at home and watching TV all day like some I know.

Kiwichick, no problem, I'll talk to Sachin, the manager, this coming week.  I'm still working with him on getting some accessories, so I'm in active dialog anyway.

I'm sure he can help you!

Stay tuned.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 25, 2007, 03:47:27 am
I know that all of us love our Bullets, and I too would rather have the guard take the blow rather than the bike. But lets also prefer our legs and bodies to the Bullet, all of us, in thinking through the consequences of any accident. Between damage to my leg, and damage to the bike, the choice is a no brainer. If it comes to that, we can always buy ourselves a new Bullet.
Quite honestly, if you fall while riding the bike, it is very, very unlikely that the bike will fall over the leg. In case of any fall, the first thing that will happen is that you will get unseated, and then separated from the bike, which, in 99% of the cases, will be a good thing. And if the guard comes in the way of that separation happening, I would rather not have the guard.
I think Kiwichick has the best approach to the use of the guard, as she has set out in an earlier post.
Title: Re: New RE 500 rider from India
Post by: indian48 on November 25, 2007, 06:47:38 am
Its a little over a month since I got the Bullet, and in the same month that I registered here, I have gone from neophyte to Bulleteer - is that common? - of course all that means is that I have put in 100 posts in less than four weeks. To be a real Bulleteer will take a lot more doing in the real world.
Is it time to go get a life, or is this a common situation among people in this community?!
On the other hand, I was looking at this first thread I started, and I noticed that it has been seen some 700 times and elicited some 60 replies - over half of those are me mouthing off, but still,,,,
And too, the Good enough thread has been a highlight and a pleasure to read,,,and one that gets some soul searching going, some of it uncomfortable.
In this time, the RE has worked flawlessly, and has never failed to induce a big grin every time I am out on a ride - never in the traffic here though, CH! Many times when one gets to fulfil a 30 year old dream, things don't look as good when fulfilled, but this one has been the exception. Thus far.
A big thanks to everyone here who has been unfailingly warm and courteous, and I have made a few new friends, here and outside.
I think it has been a good month,,,,,,,
Is it a wonder that one day in a year, us people in India offer flowers and invoke blessings on the bike, or whatever else that is used to earn a living - indeed the day I bought my Bullet was that day this year in India, as evidenced by flowers in the picture! Of course for most people who do that, what they do this for is a source of livelihood,,,