Hey There. I really feel that I can donate a lot of information to a lot of people in this Indian bike market. Information on how to be the best biker. I have been a very good biker in my community. I know what my limits are and I know what my bike is. So, for you also to be the best, know your concentration limits, reflex speed and the bike's limits. Simple, ain't it? Well, not so simple. The first thing in a good biker, is a very good bike. Lemme tell you what to do to have a good bike. I'll write from a power rider's perspective. Part - I is for the bike. Part - II is for a good rider.
1. Sowing the Seeds: Whenever you buy a bike, dont buy it'coz ur neighbor is zooming on it daily. Also, dont think that power/mileage is the word of the day. If u think u can afford routine visits to the fuel pump and u always travel long distances, then you can buy one of those power-pumps. Else, it is generally advisable to get a 125 cc one, which doesn't cost more and which will serve the purpose. These days, I'd say a Pulsar is too many and Fiero is puny with 4 gears. The best powermill to buy is a Unicorn or Karizma. I own a CBZ but the CBZ shop is now closed.
2. Growing the Seeds: Now, a new bike which runs normally is not an easy sentence. The very first time u get a new bike, remember all its components are so new, that even the bare minimum 1% intial run, wear & tear have also not occured. Take extra caution not to stall the engine as much as possible in the first 100 Kms. Take care to observe initially where the 4000 rpm mark and try to make a mental note of the sound of the engine. This will help in Bumper-to-Bumper(B2B) traffic. Never over-rev the engine unnecessarily. Get the engine oil changed for the first time by 700 Kms maximum. Don't exceed 50-60 Kmph(In Top gear) till approx 1500 Kms. The longer the better.
3. Reaping the Fruits: It is highly irresistable to open the power-band of any power bike. The running-in period of 1500 Kms(or even more, depending on ur choice) will have gone at snail's pace. Now for your satisfaction, u may open the throttle of the bike, but never lock out the throttle. Always use a maximum of 80% throttle, this will give u better manouverability. See later as to why not to use 100% throttle. In regular daily usage, never always run the engine in excess of 70-80 Kmph.(80-90 Kmph for 180 and Karizma). This way, the engine will be least strained, your travel will be smoother and quicker. Also, things will not be too dangerous. The only dangerous thing about doing this speed is a dramatic fall.
4. Keeping the wheel turning: Once your bike is in its normal performance phase, it is your duty to avoid pot-holes, avoid racing the engine in city conditions, avoid hard braking. When you get ur bike serviced, get it done always at one place, under one trained mechanic. He would have read the condition of your bike and hence, each service will mean betterment of ur bike. Never let the engine oil run for more than 3000 Kms or 2 months. Engine life depends mainly on oil and good quality fuel. IOC Premium 91 Oct. fuel is highly recommended for power bikes. Anything extra will lead to carbon deposits. Never get the bike tuned to a very high mileage setting(Lean mixture=> more air+ less petrol=> engine burnouts). Instead, get the bike tuned for normal power. That way, the engine gives you 90% of the maximum mileage, 100% power and amazing reliability and silky smoothness.
5. Replacement of Spares: The following could be the normal interval for replacing spares:
Rear Brake Shoes: Max 10K Kms. Approx Rs. 120/-
Front Brake Pads: Max 15K Kms. Approx Rs. 600/-
Oil Filter element: Max 10K Kms. Approx Rs. 30/-
Brake Fluid(Disc): Max 20K Kms. Approx Rs. 50/-(In Hero Honda)
Clutch Plates(Friction plates): Max 30K Kms. Approx Rs. 600/-
Chain Sprocket Set: Max 30K Kms. Approx Rs. 600/-
Rear Tyre+Tube: Max 30K Kms. Approx Rs. 700/-
Front Tyre+Tube: Max 55K Kms. Approx Rs. 600/-
Speedometer Worm+Cable: depends on road conditions. Approx Rs. 300/-
Clutch Cable: Max 25K Kms.(Depends on dusty conditions). Approx Rs. 100/-
Accelarator Cable: Max 30K Kms. Approx Rs. 150/-
Spark Plug: Max 60K Kms. Approx Rs. 250/-
Regular overhauls: If ur bike seems wobbly, get the swingarm tightened. IF Swingarm is tight enough, check for uneven wear of the tires. Else, get the wheel throughing and wheel balancing done. Even if that doesn't work, get the fork overhauled. Finally, if nothing works, the Chassis has to be overhauled.
If ur electricals are failing regularly, check the regulator. Else, get the magnet checked. Try to keep the clutch at the end. That way, the gears will operate slick. Else, you may feel the gear shifts to be notchy.
Some Do's:
Check air pressure in tires weekly once. Dont change air pressure after 3 Kms of runnning.
Check the fuel pipe's condition before every service. Get it replaced if necessary.
Check the condition of the inlet manifold.(Pipe from Carburettor to Engine). If damage found, replace immediately.
Check for oil leakages. in and around the engine/Crankcase/gearbox. Ignore oil leakages around chain guard.
Start with the choke on always during cold start. Run the engine for a few seconds with the choke on until the engine starts to die. Now, release the choke and idle for a couple of minutes.
Try to kick the bike 10-15 times before switching the ignition on. That way, the engine oil will start circulation, hence avoiding most of the damage done during the initial warm-up phase.
Wash the bike once a week and polish it as follows:
1 Coat polish every 3-4 general washes
2 Coats of polish after every thorough pressure wash
This way, the bike's body parts should not get rusted or lose paint.
Try to get K&N Performance filters fitted. This increases life of the engine and also performance/mileage
Some Don'ts:
Never run the engine to the redline(in Tachometer) frequently
Never fiddle around with professionally tuned carburettors
Never race in city limits, you could face trouble or trouble others
Never use low quality fuel. This could kill ur engine slowly but steadily
Never ignore warning noises(like tappet noise, chain loose noise etc.)
Never ride without proper documents and good riding gear
Never ignore traffic rules. These are meant to save you, not harm you
Dont mod the bike by amateurs. This could mean irrepairable damage. K&N should be the best possible mod.
Don't change the geometry of the tires.(Smaller/Larger than normal tires/wheels) This hampers handling.
