Hello All,
Finally acquired a CBR 250 - Tricolor (ABS) christened 'Akarachi" this post thoughts over a Duke 390 and a CBR for over 4 months. I must state that posts by Argee have immensely helped.
"Akarachi" means Angelic Fate and the Kara part of the name is a matchless warrior, son of the Sun god and Kunti also son of Radha his foster-mother. Kara was also one of the Valkyries who took fallen battle heroes to their reward in Valhalla.
Scheduled to do a Chennai, Shirdi, Tirupati Chennai 7 day Ride in Dec/Jan on this alongside a friend on his Ninja 650 and another on a RE 500. using a LS2 Helmet, riding Gloves with knuckle guards, and riding boots. Need to acquire a Riding jacket and knee guards before the ride (tight on funds for now !!)
Likes –
- Big bike feel
- Reassuring to have ABS
- Good riding position (personal opinion)
- Seats seem firm - Max ride distance was 180 km and no numbness !
- Smooth power delivery across the range.
Dislikes –
- The mirror stalks are Prone to movement due to the screws being loose and A** states a replacement is needed.
- Personally prefer a more aggressive exhaust note (Too expensive aftermarket exhaust and minimal gains hence ignored)
- Switches seem tacky - would have expected a higher quality of switchgear on a 2 lakh + bike
- Inner thighs get hot in traffic thanks to the engine heat !
- The weld on the swing arm seems tacky - (Only referring to the physical appearance of the weld Not quality)
- ts a pain to clean dust/dirt from behind the speedo - Since the windscreen is transparent it also shows
Neutral Observation - Does the CBR really need a button for mode on the speedo, it only toggles between ODO and TRIP 1 - My opinion is that both could have been incorporated in the display thereby saving 1 switch/wiring and creating another likely problem area if and when there is a failure.
Alternatives considered – Since I was a existing RE user I looked at the Pulsar 200 NS, Duke 390 and the CBR - Considering that I am 37 and this perhaps is the last ride I could possibly own - given that I had to do a lot of convincing for getting this. I have owned a Rx 135 about 15 years ago, A custom built RE till recently and was looking at either a fully faired ride or something on the lines of a naked with good service backup, sufficient safety features and reliability (my experience with the RE A** has not been good). The duke seemed short on length and despite the excellent performance I did not feel all that comfortable on the ride - Hence walked to Honda showroom and booked a 2013 - CBR 250r - in RED without ABS - paid 10k upfront. Estimate was about 1.83 Lakhs !! Always wanted a Tri colour but did not like the new tri colour (2013). The Red looks ravishing !
Life has its twists and turns as always and 2 weeks into the booking I chanced upon a advertisement in the paper for a tricolour CBR with ABS which was about 8 months old and had done about 1300 KM. Never owned a used vehicle and hence ignored the ad. The ad popped up again the next week and curiosity killed the cat - Was visiting my auditor with dad in the same area and walked in to meet with the owner’s father - since the owner was studying in college elsewhere. Impressed with the clean ride - it has covered only 13xx km, There was a minor scratch on the tank which is now covered by the Tank pad - and the registration was TN XX XX 4600 (Fancy eh). Negotiated and deal closed at 1.4 in under 5 minutes. I suddenly had a CBR 250r Tri Colour with ABS - "Akarachi was real" !!! Paid an incredibly small advance and were to collect the ride 2 weeks later as I was off for a meditation session and we believe in buying vehicles on a good day so considered this as new and found a good day on 26th September.
26th August 2013 : Work as usual - awaiting 5.00 Pm, bank in the afternoon for cash and off we went ironically in a 200 NS which my colleague had got. Got the Transfer forms filled in, usual temple for a puja and off in traffic!! Fuel for Rs.500 covered 20 kilometres in about 1 hour and was wondering why my thighs were that hot !!
Distance covered & Work Done - Ordered a "Keiti Rossi" tank pad the same night online - Liked the sync of 46 in the tankpad to the registration, got the chain cleaned and lubed - Saturday ride to exhaust the fuel on the Chennai by-pass, Tanked up with BP RON-97 just to get any deposits cleared out - will go back to regular unleaded fuel. To date have done about 700 KM - a short spin to Ambur from Chennai for some shoes and Biriyani and back ! Got myself a Rynox Rampage in black, and changed the visor of the LS2 to clear. TankPad in place and secure ! Ron 97 - does make a difference or is it just my getting used to the ride I don’t know but enjoying it nonetheless. Decided that Akarachi needed a polish and got a Eagle one - Gel Wax !! Was told that the Eagle one nano wax was seriously good but could not find it hence the Gel wax !! The shine is back but I was expecting a deeper shine though! Dont know anything about polish brands etc an and open to suggestions on what is good etc ! Also seeking assistance on a good riding jacket if possible in the 3k to 4k range !
Usage and intention - Friends and I have scheduled a 3200 odd Km ride from Chennai to Shirdi to Tirupati and back in Late Dec/Early Jan and the ride was procured primarily for that and the other rides planned across the next 3 years. I do take this to work once or twice a week and that’s a total of 20 km's both ways - Rides in the pipeline are Chennai - Tirupati (which will be regular trips), Slightly longer ride to Kodai/Ooty etc !
Exterior Styling, Design etc - Neat with clean flowing lines, perhaps the gurus can explain on why all modern motorcycles have a Blob like exhaust, call me old school but I perhaps prefer a sleeker exhaust on any ride !! I can understand the centralisation of mass theory but prefer a sleeker exhaust or DUKE style under belly ! No major complaints on the build quality, fit & finish etc, panel gas are inconsistent (minor) and the visually the welds are a sore point !! My observation on wheels has been that the centre part of the rims and the spoke like structures are matt finished with a rough surface while the wheel edges are smooth finished making them easier to clean - The middle part and the spoke like structures are tough to clean, The foot guards next to gear and Brake seem to have a tendency to discolour quit rapidly !! The problem starts when I clean and lube the chain and take the bike for spin to warm the chain slightly and spray lube again - this short ride splatters oil all over the wheels and the roughage is hard to clean !!
Drivability - Satisfied and puts a smile on my face either in city or on the highway - The Duke 390 perhaps is faster but no complaints on this !! On a free road touched about 130 (speedo indication) for about 1 KM and slowed down - felt smooth right through ! I tend to shift at about 4 k and find it comfortable, Need to learn to downshift faster though and also practice some rev matching !! the shifter has a nice feel to it - Clicks in place feels firm and no issues with false neutrals etc which is perhaps a expectation I had after the RE !! Response is good above 3k RPM's - Feels linear as well !
Next Steps – Ride will remain stock, only thinking of changing the Exhaust shield to be covered in Black or in Carbon fibre finish ! Don’t like the silver for some reason. Perhaps a powder coating in Dull Black will do the trick ! The Conti Go tend to slip and slide in the water – I have checked air pressure and its fine, but felt the rear stepping out on a few occasions – Just riding more carefully now – as I do not intend to scrap the tyres this soon and will wait to run them around a bit !!
Seeking suggestions from members on the below !
- Riding Jacket – with necessary guards around 3 to 4k – Is the Fox stuff available online for 1.5 to 2k any good ? the price does not seem right hence the question.
- The grips feel thin, any suggestions or should I get the usual Rs 100/200 grip covers and cover them every now and then ?
- Are the save puncture treatment kits worth the cash – considering the long ride or should I just about invest in a Small pump and a puncture kit !!
- The transparent visor perhaps needs something done to it – all suggestions are welcome – Thinking of getting it a shade or two darker but no idea how , Sunfilm Perhaps?
Will update on completing the Tirupati trip which would have put me through a bends on the hills !!
Thanks for the patient reading folks !
Thanks,
Srini
12th September 2013, 11:05
(7)
Thanks
