The highway ride is on again. This time its the Kabini River Lodge at Nagarhole. Distance - 250km from Bangalore (one way) The bike had finished its 2nd service and was all ready for the highways, I was now allowed to do speeds of more that 60kmph without any problems. So we (my wife) set out with our saddlebags firmly fixed to the bike.
Filled around 12 lts of petrol and checked the air pressure one day before the trip. Once on the road the bike was really smooth, not a single problem on the way, considering 95km of very bad roads/no roads at times from Mysore to Kabini. I was glad there was no puncture on the way as we found village boys setting up nails on the road - where are the so called innocent villagers?From my experience you are any day safe in the city than in these darn villages, they exploit every rupee out of you once you land in trouble.
The road from Bangalore to Mysore is very good and you can easily touch speeds of upto 80kmph but I maintained speeds of 55 - 60kmph throughout the trip except in the mysore -kabini road where my speeds dropped to 35-45kmph. The end result 83km per liter - AMAZING! shelled out only 6 lt of gas for a 500km trip - now I feel really good buying this bike.
Through my years of biking experience I have found that high speed riding (over 60kph) = engine damage + tyre puncture + excessive wear and tear of parts + low mileage. So if you are doing long distance trips keep the speed at which your bike is at its best ( this could vary from bike to bike) try to maintain a constant speed this will not put any additional pressure on the bike. Remember you are not in the city doing 20/30 km per day with enough time for the bike to cool off therefore give the bike a break every 50km for about 5-10mins this will ensure that your bike does not get over heated.
Constantly remind yourself that if you push the bike it could leave you stranded in the middle of the highway with help a long way off, the time gained by speeding could be lost very easily if your bike gives trouble, not to mention the financial drain which will then occur in repairing the damage. All this can be prevented by driving your bike at optimum speed. If the roads are bad drive slow there is no other alternative. Better safe that sorry!
How to calculate your bikes optimum speed?
First find out your bikes max load capacity, this will be mentioned in your bike manual. Try not to cross this level, if so lower your speed by 5 kmph for every 10kg. of extra load. Now take a look at the RPM Meter of your bike there will be the a green indicator showing the optimum riding conditions, on the highway push it by the next rpm level i.e. if the ideal max reading is 5 you can easily push the bike still 6 without any problems.
Your bike will maintain this speed for hours without any problem. Another way to see your max allowed speed is to take the maximum speed allowed on the speedo and use only 60% of it. i.e. if the speedo ends at 120 your max speed at any given time should not cross 70kmph frankly your bike cant take such speeds for more that 3-4 minutes.
Happy riding!!!
Caliber 115 - A Bikers View - Part 2
Hi Guys, This is the second review on the caliber115 after the first service and one trip to Ooty and back. The bike has done 2000 kms. 800 kms were well spent on the highway between bangalore and ooty. The bike performs very well and because I had not completed the 2nd service I was forced to keep the speed under 55kmph. I had absolutely no problem with the bike except with the maiden fall - some moron spilt oil on the hairpin bend, causing the bike to skid. Nothing serious except my torn cargo pants and light bruises. Rest assured the crash guard works.
I got an average mileage of 55 (wonder why?) The bike struggles on the hills, thats why! Man I was a sitting target on the nilgiri ranges, the bike really suffers from vertigo. It took me 2 hrs to do 60 km on these ranges, nothing better than my old KB100 which took the same time 1 year ago.
Not to mention the irritating comments of my wife - ’’oh this bike is no better its in fact slower than your old bike and you have never fallen off it’’ crap! Except for the speed factor the bike is great, reliable engine starts with one kick even in Ooty (10c) the zapper tyres need a little getting used to, after that fall (cant blame the tyres) I was not all that confident on my way back - now thats another story- depression in the bay of bengal causing full spread rain across south india, We rode from ooty to bangalore completely wet without any rain gear, thats 12 hours drive 350 kms of wet roads and 6-7c temp in the ranges, it was dangerous but I loved it, It was an amazing experience. We were the only crazy people to make the ride down.
I had to stop and change my tshirt in the middle of the niligiri ranges because I was soaking wet and was starting to shiver, believe me it was extreme conditions. Down to the plains there was constant showers and after a point our bodies got used to it. Can you believe after such a ride both of us had no case of cold or fever. Now will I do it again - No way! In the city the bike is great handles the road very well and gives good mileage between 60-65. at constant speeds of 40-45kmph.
So my verdict after 3 months. >Good bike for the plains dont go anywhere near the mountains. >Very reliable, you can trust it will get you through. >Good mileage, easy on your pockets. I plan to visit Leh in June but now I have to seriously re-think my mode of transport. I guess I’ll play safe and take the Honda Activa, more on that adventure when I am back.