[Swapnil4585]

Originally Posted by iamahunter

Other bikes that I could have considered

• Royal Enfield THunderbirdX
• Royal Enfield Classic (any model/paint scheme)
• Pulsar RS200
• Duke 200
• Yamaha Fazer 25

KTM Duke 390/RC 390

Congratulations on the purchase. It is too pricey though.

Any specific reason for not test driving the last one, the Fazer 25?

I had been waiting for more than a year for a 250 cc bike purchase. Was confused between the CBR 250 (pre 2018), the Yamaha twins and Pulsar family. The price of this 2018 CBR pushed it out of my equation, I dropped the idea of Pulsars as I already own a Bajaj for city rides. Unable to find even a used CBR, I finally booked a Fazer 25 for myself.

[iamahunter]

Originally Posted by Swapnil4585

Congratulations on the purchase. It is too pricey though.

Any specific reason for not test driving the last one, the Fazer 25?
...
I finally booked a Fazer 25 for myself.

Hello, the Fazer 25 is a good machine as well. Many Congratulations.

The reasons that I did not consider the Fazer were

• No ABS (the main reason)
• Looks(personal preference)
• More power and Torque in the CBR
• Fazer is 2 valve where-as CBR is 4 valve engine(Better performance)
• No of gears - CBR has 6 where-as Fazer has 5.

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by iamahunter

• Fazer is 2 valve where-as CBR is 4 valve engine(Better performance)

Just to add as torque spread is usually not mentioned in the specifications chart.

The better performance aspect of a 4V configuration is limited to the highways as the same lacks grunt down low which is where the 2V configuration triumphs with its stronger but acute low end torque.

[phamilyman]

From one happy Honda owner to another, hello!

I can see you were outright risk averse. The Dominar and Duke make good sense and are very reliable now.



https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...r250r-abs.html (RMLC - My Tricolor Honda CBR250R ABS)


Here's my never updated post on my bike. Because there's nothing to say. I'm at 9k in 3 years courtesy a carpal tunnel mishap in Spiti. Otherwise it's a chill bike that doesn't mind even if you start it once in 6-8 weeks. It's an appliance but for family men, that's sometimes a blessing

[iamahunter]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

From one happy Honda owner to another, hello!

I can see you were outright risk averse. The Dominar and Duke make good sense and are very reliable now.

True Sir, I had taken a risk with the Benelli 300 earlier. So this time I decided to go for the much safer option.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...r250r-abs.html (RMLC - My Tricolor Honda CBR250R ABS)

Love the color on your bike.

"I test rode the RC390. It was so fast so as to induce brick shitting and had the sound of a loading auto. "

This is the exact feeling I had when I rode the Duke 390.

Here's my never updated post on my bike. Because there's nothing to say. I'm at 9k in 3 years courtesy a carpal tunnel mishap in Spiti. Otherwise it's a chill bike that doesn't mind even if you start it once in 6-8 weeks. It's an appliance but for family men, that's sometimes a blessing

"Family Man" That's what I am too now.

[iamahunter]

Bike Maintainance

Chain Cleaning and Lubing Today.
There are a lot of threads on bike chain maintenance so here I will only be limiting my today's chain maintenance experience.

Equipment Used

• Paddock
• Cleaning Liquid - Kerosene
• Brush - Chain Cleaning C type brush & a Normal Tooth Brush
• Rough Cloth
• Chain Lube - Wurth Chain Lube.

Alternative Equipment that can also be used.

• Center Stand/GRoller
• Cleaning Liquid : WD40/Chain Clean/Diesel
• Chain Lube/90 Gear oil

I have completed 1000 kms a few days ago and had lubed the chain only at 550 kms. Also I had not opted for chain lubing and cleaning on the first service due to the exorbitant costs, Rs 450/- + tax. That would roughly add up to Rs 500(Rs 531/- to be precise). Now in that cost you can procure Motul's Chain Clean C1 and Clean Lube C2 150 ml cans.

So its been almost 500 kms that I haven't given attention to the bike's chain.
Now as stated earlier, for a hassle free chain maintenance you would need to put the bike on a center stand, a roller, or a paddock. I neither had the center stand not the roller. I had a custom made paddock for the Benelli. But sadly it was a little too wide for the CBR. As it was designed for bike with spoolers, CBR did not have any spooler neither does it have any provision for them.




So I had to manipulate the existing paddock. The existing rods in the paddock were smaller by almost 1/2 inch to fit the CBR comfortably.


Existing Paddock and the rods to where the spoolers fit. The above image is the one where the lifting rods have been reversed to try and fit them on the CBR.
But they fell short by just an inch.

So, I got 2 new rods of the same width fabricated and fit a 'L' shaped plate at the end. The CBR's swing arm can sit comfortably on the L shaped plate.
The new rods were longer by an inch each so as to accommodate the shorter width of the CBR. They costed me Rs 300/-





Once the CBR was on the paddock the process began. I had procured some kerosene for the cleaning.
Kerosene is by far the best I have used for cleaning the chain as it easily gets rid of all the dirt and sticky stuff from the chain.




I have a spray nozzle attached the the kerosene bottle which makes it very easy task to spray it on the chain.
Using this I spray the kerosene on the entire chain length by rotating the wheel.

Not very long and the kerosene starts to drip down with the dirt.

Now take a C type brush with bristles on 3 sides, spray some kerosene on its bristles and start rubbing the brush on the chain.
Make sure you cover all 4 sides of the chain for the entire length.

Again spray the kerosene along the entire length of the chain.
This second round of spray got rid of the dirt which had come off due to brushing but was still on the chain.

I also opened the chain cover on the front sprocket. There are 2 screws which hold the cover, on removal of these, the cover easily comes off.
Cleaned the front sprocket and the area around it as well.


After the second round of kerosene spray the chain had started to look like brand new.
But there was still some dirt stuck in between the links, for this I just took a normal old toothbrush and brushed it.

A little more kerosene spray after that.
Alternatively what I have also done is spray water on the chain post the second round of rubbing.

By now the chain is clean and its better to rub off the remaining kerosene with a cloth.

Cleaning the chain with cloth removed any pending dirt and also wiped it of the kerosene.



Then I let the chain dry for about 1/2 hour. I did this so that any kerosene remaining in the chain gaps dries off. As spraying the lube on the chain which still had kerosene will be of no use.
Post the chain had dried, I started spraying the lube. I have used Motul in the past but currently I am using Wurth. Price wise Wurth is a little expensive but its that much better than Motul. Wruth is more sticker than Motul, also the dirt accumulated with the Wurth spray is less as compared to the Motul Lube.



To spray the lube, I turn on the bike and run it in first gear. With the chain moving, I spray the lube with slight pressure. A small spray comes out and the spray area is limited to the chain only. Spray it on all four sides of the chain.


Let the lube dry for some time before you start riding.


Note:

• Please keep a tray below the chain area while performing this process. This will help keep the floor clean.
• Also use surgical gloves while working with kerosene.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by iamahunter

To spray the lube, I turn on the bike and run it in first gear.

Please DONT! I personally know one BHPian, and was informed during the last Team Bhp meet of another BHP'ians neighbour as well - the first had four fingers chopped off, and the latter three. One small mistake is all it takes!

Please switch off the engine and do it the harder and slower way.

[bharath79]

Hello All, my CBR is 2 services old and somehow the squeaking noise does not seem to go away. I was told that this is dirt in the brakes and that it needs to be cleaned. But it (noise) just comes back real quick after each service. I wonder if these guys are really doing it properly!!!

May I request some advise here?

Regards
Bharath

[ashwinprakas]

Just spotted the Chain Cleaning posts hence editing.

As mentioned by CD, you should never clean/lube the motorcycle with the motor running.

Personally I believe cleaning the chain is just as pointless as paint protecting a motorcycle as the net results doesn't seem to justify the effort put in, plus the overall impact on the original intent of the motorcycle remains nonexistent for the best part of it.

And I lube with the motor running as I use one of these;



Costs Rs.120/- and gets the job done with the least possible hassle, plus it ensures my digits are nowhere near the chain.

Though on the CT100B I'd have to pop the inspection window rubber cap before squirting the oil inside and while I'm picking at the cap I make sure that the motorcycles key is in my pocket, lest some idiot pops out of nowhere and starts the motorcycle while my fingers are in the vicinity.

Originally Posted by bharath79

Hello All, my CBR is 2 services old and somehow the squeaking noise does not seem to go away. I was told that this is dirt in the brakes and that it needs to be cleaned. But it (noise) just comes back real quick after each service. I wonder if these guys are really doing it properly!!!

May I request some advise here?

Regards
Bharath

Ride for a bit without using the suspected brake, when you come to a half touch the rotor, if it's hot then you have seized pistons to worry about.

If not then it's just dirt/gravel, stuck somewhere in there, you could simply get a better helmet to isolate such noises from affecting ride quality.

[bharath79]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Ride for a bit without using the suspected brake, when you come to a half touch the rotor, if it's hot then you have seized pistons to worry about.

If not then it's just dirt/gravel, stuck somewhere in there, you could simply get a better helmet to isolate such noises from affecting ride quality.

Thank you for that. I did exactly what you asked me to. The rotors are touchable and are not hot at all. I suspect it should be the dirt.

Also is it safe to get the discs cleaned at any mechanic place or should it be done at Honda ASC?

Thanks again,
Regards
Bharath

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by bharath79

Thank you for that. I did exactly what you asked me to. The rotors are touchable and are not hot at all. I suspect it should be the dirt.

Also is it safe to get the discs cleaned at any mechanic place or should it be done at Honda ASC?

Thanks again,
Regards
Bharath

The sensible option would be to just ignore the sound.

But if it really bothers you then literally pressure wash the crap out of the caliper in question, attack from all sides and within a couple of seconds you'd rid yourself of the squeak, that is until the next time debris gets caught between the caliper and rotor.

The best place to get the Disc cleaned would be in your own parking lot.

BTW What helmet do you use?

Asking as the last time I heard rotor noises was back in 2011 when I was still riding with crappy helmets on, these days I may wash my motorcycles once or twice a year and yet I've not heard any noises.

[bharath79]

I use a reasonably old studs helmet with an open jaw area. Gifted by the wife, it is what I have been using for the last few years.

Yes I can obviously hear all the noises around.😊

Regards
Bharath

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by bharath79

I use a reasonably old studs helmet with an open jaw area. Gifted by the wife, it is what I have been using for the last few years.

Yes I can obviously hear all the noises around.😊

Regards
Bharath

In that case be aware that it is quite common for such noises to occur, always get a second or third opinion if the SVC or FNG suggests removing something to make a noise disappear.

Cheers
A.P.

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by bharath79

Hello All, my CBR is 2 services old and somehow the squeaking noise does not seem to go away. I was told that this is dirt in the brakes and that it needs to be cleaned. But it (noise) just comes back real quick after each service. I wonder if these guys are really doing it properly!!!

May I request some advise here?

Regards
Bharath

Do you own the ABS or non-ABS version of the motorcycle? If you own a non-ABS one, you can glaze your pads with sand paper, can be done outside with a local mechanic. Brakes have a symphony of their own, with a "squeak" having different meaning to many. That's one small sound, a huge confusion for mankind.

If you're using the ABS one, don't use solvents such as Kerosene, Petrol or worse Diesel. They take a while to burn off and till then the brake feel would be crappy for sure. Use brake specific cleaners, my personal use and suggestion would be to opt for STP Brake Parts Cleaner, cheap and effective. Dries almost immediately and leaves no residue. Cleans deposits very effectively.

Originally Posted by Swapnil4585

Congratulations on the purchase. It is too pricey though.

Any specific reason for not test driving the last one, the Fazer 25?

I had been waiting for more than a year for a 250 cc bike purchase. Was confused between the CBR 250 (pre 2018), the Yamaha twins and Pulsar family. The price of this 2018 CBR pushed it out of my equation, I dropped the idea of Pulsars as I already own a Bajaj for city rides. Unable to find even a used CBR, I finally booked a Fazer 25 for myself.

The FZ is has a superb toque curve that can give you smiles upon smiles in the city. Gun it on the highway, and it loses steam past 6k RPM, that's where the CBR comes alive. For comparision purpose, the CBR has 23 NM of torque while the FZ has 20 NM, yet FZ outpaces in the city, but how it's spread makes a H U G E difference on the way both motorcycles deliver them.

The FZ is instant, open it and you disappear. The CBR well, you have to work the gearbox and RPM, shoot past 5k RPM on the CBR and you'll say bbye to the FZ 250 in no time and stay that way till you reach your point.

In short FZ is a Street Fighter
CBR is the a Younger GOKU

Cheers!
VJ

[iamahunter]

Ride to The Statue of Unity



The CBR along with 2 other bikes, a Duke 390 and Kawasaki Z900 rode to the Status of Unity on the weekend.
The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the world's tallest statue with a height of 182 meters.
We stared in the early hours on Saturday and reached the Statue by noon.

The tickets to the statue costed us around Rs 380 per head which included the tour inside the statue. You also have another ticket option costing Rs 120 which will take you only till the Statue's feet.
We had to park our bikes near the ticket counter. From there onward there is a Hop On and Hop Off AC bus facility to reach the Statue and the Dam.
There is no such time limit to see the statue. However, you can only visit the till the chest level of the status between 3 pm to 5 pm.

Near the statue, there are a few small eating joints, a merchandise store, and a baggage counter. Cool water is freely available at water junctions.
A valley of flower, sitting promenade beside the Narmada river, laser show on the statue are some upcoming attractions.

After these points, there's a security check for visiting the Statue. It must be some 300 meters away and there are travelators throughout.
There is a museum right below the statue which informs about the construction of the statue. Here is also the lift to the upper deck of the statue.
The view from the top is simply amazing.

Overall , this is a very good tourist spot with global standards. The facilities and the cleanliness is very well maintained.
Also, I would suggest to book a hotel prior the visit, as places to stay are yet to come up in the near by area.

Now let the pictures do the talking.


At Charoti, breakfast break.


Silky smooth Gujrat Roads.


A try at panning shots for the CBR.


For the Mighty "Z"


And for the mental Duke.


She's a poser.


The Travelators at the monument.


The mighty monument.


View from inside the Statue at sunset.


The three musketeers.