20,000 clicks on my Yamaha YZF-R15M: Why I'll never let go of this bike

I can say it without a doubt, I will do whatever I can to make sure I never let go of this machine.

BHPian R15M_Rider recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

20,000 Km Update

Finally after, 1.8 years of ownership, my R15 crossed the 20,000 km mark today  (7th Aug 2024). From 10k to 20k, there was a lot of riding covering commutes, long tours and of course a visit to the MMRT race track.

Just crossed 20k!

Some of the highlights :

• The Satisfaction of Refinement : I can say with confidence now that, with all the care I took of properly running it in from the beginning is starting to show results! Butter smooth with absolutely no vibrations. So people, please do take in some aspects of running in seriously. You have to walk first to eventually sprint and same applies here. Thank me later!
• Long Rides : Rides to Puducherry and Yelagiri which I have documented on this thread. Absolutely no stress on the engine as it happiliy sings with the revs as you enter the VVA band on highways. Over time, I have gotten accustomed to aggressive riding position by having minimal pressure on my wrists and gripping the tank with my thighs. This technique really helps.
• Race Track : The Home turf of the R15. Basically got the experience of a lifetime, documented here - 2024 Yamaha Track Day Experience at MMRT on a YZF R15M.
• Servicing - One area where Yamaha have slightly let me down. Lack of spares, long service waiting time(I know this is not entirely their fault that they are dealing with large volumes, but personally after the free services were done, I did get the impression that they weren't as keen as they were during the first 5 services). Luckily I got in touch with a very good FNG - PowerZone, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai and its just 500m or less in the neighboring street. They service high end litre class machines as well. Highly recommend for folks in Chennai. - https://maps.app.goo.gl/JSYvQdjzc8rTeCYr7. Overall apart from periodic servicing, I did wear out the chain sprocket. Cone set, new sprocket were changed.
• The Puncture Episode : Now this is a rather embarrassing and kind of unsafe episode. Sometime in April, I started to feel the back type was slightly fish-tailing. At first I thought, It might be my imagination and didn't bother much. But as the week went on, I did start to feel more and more uneasy. After almost a week I went in for my routine fuel-up and once a month aircheck. And behold!, the rear tyre had just 9 psi! Immediately I went to a nearby puncture shop to get it fixed. There was indeed a big nail in the back, but it has pierced it so perfectly that I suspect, the air was dropping much more gradually and I guess thats why I didn't feel at the start of the week itself. Anyway lesson learnt, if you notice something even 1% off, get it check, trust your intution!
• Wet Road Stability : There were some days including one this week where I had to ride in heavy rains when returning from office. I must say, that even in extremely wet conditions, there was never a moment where I thought the bike was unstable. Brake fade was there which is to be expected and I was extra careful. Overall, super impressed with wet weather handling.

Looks so good in the wet!

• Upgrades/Riding Gear Changes : Nope! I love it just as it is. But I did get an AGV K1s for myself. More details added in the "What Helmet?" thread. It suits well with the bike!

Mini Rossi Combo, I guess

From what I have read on other forums here and elsewhere on reddit, the majority of the comments I have seen are that typically people should start feeling bored/worn out of the 150cc-200cc segment of motorcycles and will be urging for an upgrade. But honestly, as much as that thought of upgrading comes to mind, each time I ride the motorcycle, I fall in love all over again like the first time. I know that, in the larger scheme of things to the general viewer, motorcycles are materalistic posessions, but I can say it without a doubt, I will do whatever I can to make sure I never let go of this machine. While the R3 is my dream motorcycle, this is the one that truly showed me what motorcycles are and Its never going to leave my garage.

Ride Safe!

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