Royal Enfield to which Bike- KTM 390? Dominar?

This topic started out with a few RE owning brothers, who shared the RE Himalayan Odyssey with me in 2014. #REHO2014. Few of them wanted to opt out for reasons of reliability and some wanted to tour quicker and faster and were exploring bikes in the sub-3L INR category. Here is a part of that conversation.

The KTM 390 is fantastic touring bike in the sub-400 category. The international terminology for off road is like the road on Morey Plains or Gata Loops and the long U turn after that via Whiskey nalla.... Off roading in Indian terms is what scramblers or dirt bikes do. AND There is not a single dirt bike manufactured in India. So for all practical purposes if you take a 390 and start bashing it around then you will damage your sump, and your radiator and you will blow your front shock seals. No one will tell you that if you come off a jump thats about 4' off the ground and land poorly without throttle on, then you could blow your rear shock too. Which no one will tell you costs about half that of a used 390.

Having owned a CI for the last decade or the Classic series, you probably dont know what off road riding is. Trust me. You have owned and diligently maintained your bike, and this habit will ensure that you will maintain your KTM in the same way too. I mean this with complete humility and not trying to imply that you cannot ride on that stretch to the lake ( was it Tso Kar?)where we stayed for one night off the Sarchu area, if you are asked to.

KTM 390-  the plus points of the bike- fantastic tires, fantastic cornering (see my blog on leaning and cornering), brakes- you will discover the meaning of brakes. Reliability- is very good and you will learn to lube the sprocket and chain far more religiously than you did on your RE. There have been niggling issues with the heat, and you will soon learn the traffic patterns that tend to disrupt your ride. Besides, I think that this particular issue has been well resolved in the 2016 and now he 2017 model.

Anyone reading this and contemplating a switch to the 390, this is what you will do- mentally first. Take that KTM and run it around gently till the first service. and from the service center take it for a GQ ride. 6000KM. in 12 riding days and 4 days for a service and general bike check up and maybe some local sight seeing.

Can any RE do this? NONE.

Buy the bike if you are a gentle rider and someone who wont use the 170 top speed, wont crash- and wont go jumping sand dunes. Ignore the blown front shock seals as you can carry a dozen of them or get them any where in the country. I agree the seals are prone to giving way under abuse- BUT trust me thats like saying the Scorpio can overturn if you take corners fast. Why the hell would you drive it like that- be it the KTM or the Scorpio.

On date the most spirited ride is the KTM 390. And with its increased  capacity fuel tank- it makes a quick ride to anywhere. Adjustable rear shock- amazing. really nothing you can ask for.

That brings me to the Dominar.

The gearing is relaxed- probably the state of ECU tune? Maybe the gearing ratios are easier- so this bike touches 120 in a breeze and stays there for hours. It needs a push to go toward the 140 mark. and higher I could not take it, road and time ran low.

This results in few things, an engine with a lower compression ratio and therefore a cooler engine, a more relaxed run, and then a better mileage. It had issues of cutting out (strangely like earlier versions of the 390 - 2013?) which to the best of my knowledge have been fixed with a recent ECU software upgrade on the Dominar
.
Where it suffers is as follows: Brand value, a Harley or a Superbiker would buy the KTM as s second bike, but would seriously NOT look at a Dominar. I know as I am caught in that conundrum. I dont need speed at my age and for my kind of riding, but then the Dominar- would be like wearing a fake Rolex and travelling by autorickshaw. (Somehow I expect you to make sense out out that analogy.)

Going forward what?
1. The Dominar strangely I hear is coming out with an ADV version, that should be something worth looking out for.
2. The KTM modified version for tougher roads- but not an ADV bike is expected soon
3. My opinion will be-  the Suzuki VStrom 650- if you can afford it by Diwali is the launch and later delivery-- possibly Jan 2018- This is a long term buy with many financial strings from buying to ownership costs. Thats another topic.

Precautions to be taken for riding in Ladakh.

Everyone of you reading this has probably taken a lot of effort to make the time and the money of course to literally make this trip happen.

A few points that are to be emphasized to even the hardiest of us low altitude dwellers to make sure that the trip stays successful and also a very enjoyable one- and with fond memories.You will see the extremes as depicted in both images below.

1. Dress in full sleeves jackets, tee-shirts, shirts. All day long. The reason for this is that at altitudes of over 10K, the UV radiation is severe and you will burn your skin- Typical places of sun burn will be forearms and your face- lips, nose, cheeks and chin as the sun shines down on you when you ride all thru the day.

Combating the cold is rather simple- multiple layers of tee-shirts under your riding jackets- ideally atleast 2 if not 3  when leaving the hotels in the morning. At subsequent stops you may remove the inner most ones, as the day and heat gets on.

Carry a box of surgical gloves, one box for the whole team and give every rider 4 or 5 every morning. This can be worn under cheap woolen gloves- 50-75/- a pair kinds as all you need is the layer and that they can get in your regular riding gloves. It is imperative that you try what I am saying so that you are able to make preparations for extreme cold at altitudes, where while riding you could easily have temperatures of about -10C. Do NOT buy insulated or spend on cold weather gloves as that is a waste and will be useless for half the day anyway.

Long johns or full length thermals under riding pants usually suffices and the engine heat ensures that the lower half of the body stays warm.

Layers for Clothes and surgical gloves and cheap woolens under the riding gloves for hands. Thats the picture.

2. A very strange phenomenon that affects riders in the hills is the glare and the strong sunlight. Please make sure you buy a very good quality pair of goggles, like Ray Bans or Oakleys and the like and make sure that it fits in your helmet with ease and does not cause your ears any discomfort. Take your helmet to the store when you are buying the glares.
The glare from the sun is very tiring and you will realize this especially on your way to Deskit from North Pollu and also on your way back from Pangong to Karu, as these stretches are typically in the afternoon. UV radiation is also harmful to the eyes and this simple but necessary advice will save you a lot of high altitude grief and headache.

3. Other than riding, please avoid all kind of physical strain, running, brisk walking, hiking- lifting baggage. You will be at an average of 11000' above mean sea level and it will take atleast two days for our body to even acclimatize to that altitude. So what can you do to ensure you don't get into trouble. Relax and drink water. Drink like 200ml every hour and do not visit the local market for the first 24-36 hours of your arrival in Leh. Stay in your hotel and relax. IF you doubt this please visit Norbu Hospital in Leh and see what the condition of the non-believers is. Please remember that if HAPO or HAPE hits, then the only solution is to get to an oxygen tank and the next flight to Mumbai. Once the 'episode' begins there is no relief. You will spoil your trip and that of every one with you and you will fly to Mumbai and spend about 15000 on getting your bike to the plains. There is a store that specializes in bike return- i kid you not, next to the RE showroom at the fuel Pump in Leh.
Rest compulsory and drink lots of water. Avoid smoking and alcohol. No one has to get critical due to HA issues, and the idea is not to panic but to calmly remember the last army post and hospital, and take the concerned person there and get him on a Oxygen tank and stabilize him. move him to Norbu and then put him or her on the next flight home.

4. Refuel your bikes at every opportunity. All the fuel comes from Ambala and the whole area is dependent on this life line. So refuel at Leh and then 50Km later, on the way to Pangong or Tanglang la, refuel at Karo again,  albeit 2 or 4 litres.
At this time I feel there are 4 roads in India that can really make you feel that you accomplished something in the adventure segment.

Sonmarg- Manali via Zoji La to Leh and then over Tanglang la, Jispa, Keylong and Rohtang- a portion of this may not be possible for political reasons- sad but no loss.
Chandigarh to Manali- via Lahaul- Spiti (via Reckong Peo and Kaza) and back via Rohtang.
Siliguri to Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim
Guwahati to Tawang/Bum La and Sangestar Lake via the OK-SRT route in the NE

Do well on this one so that you are eager as hell to do the other three as well.
@thereallyslimkd

Motorcycle Trips around Mumbai

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-travel-queries/99060-7-one-day-routes-mumbai.html

Working with a real estate firm in Mumbai, I had the opportunity to extensively travel around the Mumbai region. I am putting up seven maps for your reference, mostly all doable on Saturday (0600 to 2030Hrs)- so you relax at home on Sunday. These are the ones I did.

I have another set of maps for two day rides, but I would need more time to assemble and post that.

All these roads are good (no off raoading, unless you want to) and safe to travel on, and all should be really scenic come June15th.

1. Powai- Kolad- Tamhini- Lonavala- Powai (345Km)

Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps 

2. Powai- Kon Gaon- Kalyan- Malsej Ghat- Karjat- Chowk- Powai (359 Km)

Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps 


3. Powai- Nagothane- Murud-Janjira- Alibag-Vadkhal- Powai (306 Km)

Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps


4. Powai- Kolad- Tamhini- Paud- Lonavala- Khopoli- Pen- Panvel- Powai (376 Km)

Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps

5. Powai- Mahad- Shirwal- Lonavala- Powai (453Km)
Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps 

6. Powai- Kalyan- Malsej Ghat- Otur-Bhandardara Dam- Asangaon_Powai (352 Km)
Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps

7. Powai- Mahad- Mahabaleshwar- Panchgani- Pune(Chandni Chwk)- Tamhini- Kolad- Powai (2 days- 563Km)

Powai, Maharashtra to Powai, Maharashtra - Google Maps

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...hi-temple.html (Quick Rainy Day Getaway - Hadshi Temple)

How Fly-by-wire throttle systems work!

This is an attempt to simplify the new tech that was earlier seen only in bigger and more expensive bikes and with the launch of the new KTM 390, we would seeing this electronic throttle mechanism too.

We were discussing the change from cable driven throttle to the newer optical sensor /fly by wire systems which were noticed en masse on the Triumph Tiger and now we find that the KTM 390 too will have it. A completely new segment of riders will be shortly introduced to this technology, probably just one of many new things to come to India soon.

Indian riders born and brought up with the constant fear of substandard cables and the like, always had questions and even figured out which Yamaha or Pulsar cables for their Harleys.
Now with the advent of the Optical Sensor (or throttle position sensor) driven throttles, the fear of dust, rain and physical damage continue in the mind of the riders.
I have tried to explain how the new system is built with a certain 'vision' and thought and how this works.

The signal from the throttle control actuates a transponder which generates electrical impulses. This is almost similar to the volume button on an older amplifier that can be found in almost any house. Depending on the twist, the the signal that goes to Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of your bike is varied. The ECU calculates th demand and the urgency (rate of change as seen by the OS/TPS and therefore commands the throttle butterflies to open at a given computed rate.
This involvement of the ECU then permits a few things to be managed very well- cruise control, variable power  requirements like rain, of road, track etc. Any yank on the throttle when in off road-situation would instantly result in a more relaxed command to the thrttle body than what its cable driven counter part would- possibly resulting in an unwanted jerk, which could result in wheel spin and therefore a crash too.
This is the good of the 'fly by wire' till such time that the desi mentality of 'what if..' creeps in? What if dust enters the optical sensor or the resistor (depending on the bike) which is generating the throttle position reading, and the unthinkable happens. 500Km from home and possibly 700 from the nearest service center!
Let me try and explain how the system is integrated in the Triumph Tiger and how redundancy is built in.
The optical sensor (OS) that works with the throttle, has a secondary sensor with it. In the failure of the first sensor and when the ECU detects the lack of a signal from OS1, the OS2 takes over and the motorcycle can carry on till its destination and then service center for repairs.
The cynical rider came up almost immediately with plausible events on Indian roads- fall- unintentional in a parking lot, crash, or an errant stone from under the tire of another vehicle- ten different scenarios. We agree to one scenario- and proceed. So the motorcycle has a fall or is physically damaged and in the unlikely event of both OS'es getting damaged, then what?

Should the ECU detect failure of both the OS it sends an emergency override signal to the engine, and will lock the throttle at 3000 RPM constant. This enables the bike to get itself home in a 'limp home' mode and the 3000 RPM is enough for the bike to maintain a steady and relatively safe 60kmph in 6th gear- enabling it to ride on almost any highway in the world.

IF one puts logic to it, then it suddenly seems very simple. It would be interesting to learn from others on topics that are new to our sub-continent- also where my knowledge or writing may be incomplete, please do feel free to pen in your comments.

A conversation in caution- the Z900- not for newbies.

Kawasaki just yesterday launched a few bikes and what the Indian biker community at large saw was a spectacular Liter-class Z900 at an almost affordable price of 9L ex-showroom. Affordable and that word worried me.

So last weekend, two super bikers on a ride outside Mumbai met with accidents, bad enough for their injuries to qualify as life-threatening, and now along comes this Z900, that has a a price tag thats really tempting and THAT provokes me to write this experience on a Z1000- which has been phased out, but not before passing on its 'Sugomi' DNA to this smaller sibling. 

Suddenly this has woken up riders who always wanted a 'big' bike but were worried about the cost, so I find my mail box flooded with queries on this Z900. This is my opinion on the Z.

(The Japanese word 'sugomi,' describes the intense aura or energy given off by a person or object of greatness felt by the viewer. Someone, or something, possessing Sugomi inspires awe, leaves an indelible impression, is imposing in stature or ability, and commands respect.)

Almost now a full 6 months ago- probably just after the 2016 monsoons, I rode the Z1000 on a stretch from Dahanu towards Vapi. It had to account for being the most blistering of rides I have ever done, and I do not think I look forward to out doing that thrill again. Here goes that story and in it lies a big lecture on a part of the superbike culture, if I can call it that. It started with a conversation with a friend- and hence the format-

DJ: What are your thoughts on Z900?                        

                     

KD: About the Z series? Well, one needs to graduate to those bikes                        

Give me some time and listen-wait.. let me type you a song.

in my opinion, a sportsbike rider should start off spending about bout 6 or 8 months minimum in a 600-650 environment  before one tries a Z800/1000 or now  the 1000. The 1000 has a speed range from 60 to 270 in 6th gear and for once it had torque that made sure even on Indian roads you did not have to shift out of gear to pull up to a faster friend, or for overtaking- you always have the torque on tap.                      

A newbie will get seriously hurt in this machine. Very quickly

Day 1 or day 2  at the outer would be my guess.                     

The 'sugomi' inspires layout is extreme and you literally feel like you are leaning over the front wheel which actually in real life looks/feels as if it is under the fuel tank!                     

The last think you see in front is the upper edge of the speedometer. It has astounding torque numbers from the word Go- unlike other superbikes that have a nice high revving start... that give you some kind of warning- that things are going to get quicker with the rising rpm needle.

These Z-bikes are get up and run from the min you touch the throttle. So what happens for a new rider is - as if the bike has an evil soul that screams "Surprise motherfucker" when you even stare at the throttle. Reading specifications on bikes takes a whole new meaning as then you realize that the bike dumps its 123PS power at a 'Low' 6000 rpm and would mean a almost logarithmic power curve from 1000/1300 rpm to 6000- most/many other inline engine bikes that can freely rev and have a more linear response compared to this. Others will have stratospheric rev limiters and the peak power would come in a shade before that. Not so with the Z1000, and I suspect the same with the Z900.

                       

So the point here is-

Unless you know what stunning acceleration is

Unless you know what big bikes mean by throttle response
You need to start low and slow and work your way up to this bike.

I can almost see newbie riders and even those with a smidgen of 650 experience smirking that they can handle the throttle and their wrist was lighter than most Surgeons... and they would tame the right-and-tight curve in, and not wheelie in 3rd gear (oh yes! this Z1000 could probably do that too.) It is a very stable bike with and incredibly good balance, and an engine that is unobtrusive and super smooth- the exhaust very subdued and unlike a Akrapovic that would talk to you when gunned. The bike is uncomplaining at any rpm and delivers a false sense of security at any if not all speeds. Everything till now lulls a new rider who relates his security to the 'vibes' from the machine, which are super nice, to put it mildly.

Bad Joss will happen. I found that it took hardly about 100Km of easy riding to think that you had conquered the bike, or if that's too strong, you feel you have been on this bike for atleast 6 months, when it hasnt probably been even 60 minutes. This is when the fun starts. and you start dropping a gear for sweeping bends and then most often loose count to whether you are in 5th or 4th... or that you never shifted out of 6th. Its that brilliant an engine. This is when you become complacent with the engine and its acceleration.
If you have not been sufficiently overwhelmed by the acceleration then comes the Brakes.

The brakes, if you just touch the brake levers you may come off over the handle bars, its that superbly engineered- to put it bluntly.

I kid you not. So at say 160 or 170 which is actually pedestrian and piddling for the Z1000, if you grab the brakes- you will have no way of knowing what will happen next                   

It's not a newbie bike- bottom line                        

So stunning is the acceleration and absolutely blistering the brakes. Amazing aggression. Fabulous bike. One will have to ride a super bike category vehicle to figure out the sharp rake and how it steers, how the bike leans in bends and how to power thru the bends to be able to ride the Z900 and enjoy it.                        

If one buys it off the shelf and starts off to ride then two things can happen.

1. Hurt

2. You will never figure out how to tame the bike (which I don't think is possible anyways) and enjoy the machine.                        

Personally

I have ridden the Z1000 and beyond 185... I don't think I had any control on what was going on- inside my mind. I was overwhelmed and I think there is no shame in saying- I was more scared on two wheels than I have every been on any other machine.

I down shifted to 4th from 6th for fun at 160... And fun ended. The engine growled like s street fighter and the rpm climbed up to some stratospheric level and the bike threatened to wheelie..... and I could sense the front end leave the road- while throttle was down to ZERO.

I did not ride the bike again.

*Alert*                                              

The fair way to lead your biking life - philosophy here- is to always experience new bikes and search for what the other bikes did new... What are they better at.

Starting small- the KTM 390- gear box and its 'click' gear changes for something sold in India. Going back in time, the RD350 close-ratio best gear box, globally acknowledged as possibly the best gearbox ever. Triumph Tiger- throttle cable redundancy (you must ask me about this). Harley-Davidson and the money and time spent on exhaust note tuning and the HD low low end torque engineering. The Hayabusa, for being generations ahead of its time- for its ability to hold stage even a decade after its launch. The guts of Suzuki to keep the V-Strom unaltered for close to about 5-odd years- saying 'this is a good bike.'

The list is endless but be practical and remember what's good for what kind of road, what kind of trip and finally what kind of bike for what kind of terrain are questions only you can answer.

Choose well, and ride safe my friend.

(Pic Courtesy- Team-BHP)

A Superbike article for newbies- 
http://beagoodrider.blogspot.in/2015/09/learn-to-lean-your-motorcycle-part-1.html

Motorcycle Riding Gear- other than helmets

RIDING GEAR

After the note put up on the Helmet, friends like @RajeevS and a few asked for pointers on safety wear for the rest of the body- here is my attempt at listing my thoughts on the same. These notes are focused on cruising and not for sportbikers, who face far more wind resistance, and need special clothing like full body suits to protect them against the elements. Their bike shoes dont fit on bikes like the Bullet nor suit most of the Harleys- bikes who's background I come from- so its by no means comprehensive- just my thoughts.

NECK- Go to any army supply store and purchase a round-neck warmer for about 80-180 bucks depending on quality, the kind that extends on the chest and over the upper back. The Army trusts it from uniform to ambush... you should too.

GLOVES- Leather palm lined, full finger, with mesh for air intake on the top side, knuckles made of hardened plastic or kevlar, so that if you run into a bush or -ugh- a wall, with your fist clenched once the front brake- you avoid smashing your knuckle. The leather lined palm- more than any accident, is to prevent leaving your skin on the ground, in case of an accidental fall or tip over in your building compound or at a signal when a foolish motorist tanks you from behind.

UPPER TORSO- Wear two or three light T shirts then go and try- Zeus, Rynox, Cramster from the Indian stables (5-7000) to AlpineStars, RJays, Joe Rocket, Rev'it, Harley (8-28000) from the overseas types. There should be lined pockets for armour- on the shoulders and the elbows, as well as a pad for the back. The jackets should come with a detachable rain cover inner, which can be removed and carried alongside to be worn when it rains. The slightly loose fit permits layered clothing in mild winters. The jacket should have adequate mesh and/or zippered openings to control entry of air to keep body cool in the 9 months that India has summer.

INNER WEAR- there are many companies like Icon Stryker and Thor Sentinel (about $110-140), that make products that provide 'hard' protection for the upper torso. There are various Indian companies that make variants, and a quick visit to stores that retail the jackets etc would help you see the range available in India. The strange effect is that this guard fits you like a cosset, and eliminated fatigue from wind and fluttering jackets and give your a nice and comfortable feel by holding your girth in place. Once you get used to this, no way you like riding without the inner guard.

LOWER BODY- My personal preference is to wear riding pants- the kind made again in India like Zeus (which is one of the pants I use) along with a Rev'it which I find more comfortable when riding for anything over 3-days. The pants come with rain-inners, but the main points are- padding for the waist, the rear, and thighs, not to forget integrated knee pads as well. The pants sit snug and secure and in case of an impact they resist tearing for those few crucial seconds more than your plain jeans. The Zeus cost between 5-6000 while the Rev'it came in for about twice as much. For those tasking about local riding- Wrangler came out with 2x and 4x jeans that seemed a reasonably good investment for the ride to office, or the local breakfast ride. Dainese D6, or Alpinestars Hellcat- my current favorite being the Draggin Kevlar Jeans. Price ranges from $130-200. Given the restricted use that could be foreseen- you should invest in riding pants and what follows below- 

KNEES- Knee Guards- are a must if you don't have riding pants or riding jeans- Indian ones are available- dime a dozen, however stolen dies for the popular Alpinestars model have got the market flooded with cheap chinese imitations that you cannot tell- except when they shatter in a put-down. Funny, to recommend but here, again Thor Force or Icon Strykers that really don't cost much when you compare it to skinning your knees. Price ranges from 1400-4000 for most products.
SHOES- Any ankle high boot- starting from Caterpillar or Timberland to your Woodlands and Army 'type' boots anything to prevent small stones at high speed hitting your feet, and to prevent- as far as possible the skinning of ankle in a fall. Price range would be from 1500-7000.