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700 km with my TVS Raider 125: 1st free service experience

24th August 2024, 16:32 by Ananth Iyer

Although the recommended km were 750~1000, I was only able to complete 500kms.

BHPian SS338 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Wanted to share the 1st service experience, but chose to wait since adding a few accessories were also planned as I did mention in my initial 1st impressions post.

1st Free* service

Promptly took the bike in on the weekend after the 1st month got over for the 1st service. Although the recommended kms were 750~1000, I was only able to complete 500kms. I was surprised at the amount of load that the Marathalli service centre handles. Even being early at 9.30 on a weekend, I was 40th in the queue as per their number tags.

The SA was prompt in asking if I had any special asks, to which I mentioned about stiffening the rear shock; as it comes with a 5-step adjustable rear mono-shock. He also asked me if I would like the vehicle to be wax polished, to which I said yes; as I was under the impression that it is a free of cost add on. I have always seen my Jupiter being polished by some chemical after the service at my home city & it was always free. Later on I got to know that this was a paid add on at about 250Rs. Although it does give a good shine to the color, have to agree.

After about 3hrs, the queue finally reached to 40. The technician was quick, old oil was drained and topped up from a new bottle. Rear drum was taken out and cleaned, all the other moving parts were cleaned and greased as well, such as levers, stand and footpegs. Chain was cleaned and lubed. Surprisingly, the air filter was not cleaned, to which they replied that they will only do after 12K kms as per the manual; which is again not the case as per my home's service centre. I guess to each their own.

Obviously, the request made to the SA was only for name-sake purposes and it didn't go through to the actual technician. When i asked them to adjust the rear shock, initially the guy was a bit hesitant. But when I told him, I regularly carry 2 up, he tried but was not able to rotate the shock support to the 5th position (by default it comes positioned at 3rd slot). Then the works manager said that they will need to open the seat and side panels as well, to pull the spring from top and rotate it, and this will take time and requested me to visit on early morning weekday; as there were a lot of vehicles in the queue that day. I agreed nonetheless, visited them 3 days after; and it was a fairly simple job. I was out in 15 mins.

Didn't noticed that a lot had changed after the oil change, but atleast the scraping issue had gone over some of the large speed breakers. Earlier I was contemplating about removing the centre stand, but looks like it will not be required anymore.

All nice and shiny after the service

A short visit to Adiyogi, Chikkabalapur

Had an impromptu plan to visit Adiyogi on the long weekend. There were just the 2 of us, one on the Ntorq (even newer that my Raider) and I on my own bike. The onward journey was slow due to the traffic while exiting the city and also because we both were getting accustomed to our new vehicles at higher speeds. Even though many folks have gone to their hometowns and outstation, there was still a lot of crowd at the top. We just reached when the lightshow was about to begin and therefore, all the lights were turned off. Somehow, managed to find a parking spot in the dark and rushed to the main ground.

Some pics after the show got over

The food joints had huge queues & as a result decided to have dinner on a Dhaba on the highway. The return journey was uneventful and faster as well, even after having to take a break due to 15-20 mins of rain midway.
Overall, the bike performed well especially in the mileage department. Had seen a speedo indicated 62 while going and 64 kmpl while entering Bengaluru late night during the return journey. The Ntorq while carrying the same engine even in a lower state of tune, was approximating around 40~45 kmpl based on the fuel gauge (there is not speedo indication on the Race edition, I believe). Didn’t carried speeds over 70 as the run-in period ends at 1000kms and there are still some kms to go. Although, having driven the Ntorq in the past, it is little bit smoother and less buzzy at higher speeds compared to the Raider.

The return journey stats (connected to navigation only after the dinner stop at Dhaba & hence, the initial part of downhill journey is not recorded).

Odo after the trip (750kms up almost)

Tyre hugger and Seat cover installation

Had planned to install the tyre-hugger (or rear mudguard) even before the purchase, as the rear tyre and bike design are kind of skinny. Placed the order on a nearby accessories shop for both, which had good Google Maps reviews. Although it was slightly expensive compared to similar products on Flipkart, but since I somehow had to manage the installation from someplace if I bought it online myself, chose to go ahead with them. Since this is not a TVS official accessory, the service centre folks rejected to do any sort of installation.

The procurement got delayed by a few days by them, although the product quality and mounts are atleast of a solid quality; compared to what I saw on Flipkart and YouTube videos. Since, officially there are no mounting points for the tyre-hugger, the guy decided to fabricate a small clamp to support it in two places, one obviously on the axle nut and other on the chain cover mounting. How shortsighted of both of us that initially we installed it on the left-hand side and didn’t realise it will come in contact with the saree guard when the rear shock will get compressed on some bumps, let’s say.

Wrongly installed tyre hugger

As soon as I hit the road, I realised we had made a mistake. When I saw other bikes, I realised the reflector was also on the top compared to the bottom and that’s when it stuck me that it needs to be installed from the right. Went in again and it was quick 10 min job to shift it to the right-hand side. Unfortunately, the clamp for the second support had to go as there are literally no mounting points on the right-hand side. Hope it does not get loosened over time.