General Bike Queries

[WildWeasel]

Can we use this thread to record our n00b bike queries??

I dont see a thread so created a new one. Pls merge if one exists.

I have couple of questions:

Riding Position : For long distance rides and even inside city an upright position feels comfortable for me rather leaning forward. This is one of the reason i dint like apache and pulsar while buying my bike. Is it the case for everyone or you guys dont feel that pain in the back after riding a bike in a leaning position for long time??

If so how do you overcome this?

Is it requred to idle the bike for sometime befor switching it off after a long ride?

[Praful]

Riding position is a matter of getting used to!

When the 220 was first launched, it was said that you can't ride long distances on it because of its "sport" position. Look where all has it been take today.

Similar story when the R15 was first launched, people said you can't tour on it. Some of the long distance records in the country are being set on this bike now

Its how you adapt to the riding position of the bike, yes a more aggressive riding posture is more stressful but if one is physically fit its possible to take the strain.

[Aargee]

WildWeasel - Appreciated your effort. In course of time, this thread is bound to get cluttered, but I'll do my best to keep the flow to maintain readability.

Now to answer your points...

Riding Position : For long distance rides and even inside city an upright position feels comfortable for me rather leaning forward. This is one of the reason i dint like apache and pulsar while buying my bike. Is it the case for everyone or you guys dont feel that pain in the back after riding a bike in a leaning position for long time??

For this, you've to understand the design of motorcycles. Without getting too much into it, the motorcycles designed upto 80's, most of them had position like sitting on a chair. But these days, its all about agressive styling & leaning forward position to get fast, probably for aerodynamics. So most motorcycles have forward leaning position. I'm sure rajesh.zipPlus has also experienced this with me on deflection of wind.

This is a pic that I posted in Jokes thread couple of months ago, though very funny, its a bang truth.



As a matter of fact, take the 21 days exercise & you'll be fine Its a simple theory that if you practice something for over 3 weeks, it becomes a habit.

If so how do you overcome this?

Always remember to keep the spine in upright position. It gets uncomfortable when the spine starts bending, which is quite unavoidable unless there's a back rest. Probably wearing a orthopaedic belts will help to keep the spine in position for long, even if you lean forward.

Is it requred to idle the bike for sometime befor switching it off after a long ride?

Hmm...I've a mixed opinion. Yes for the very reason of oil circulation before stopping the engine completely; No for the very reason that switching OFF cools down the engine immediately.

[WildWeasel]

take the 21 days exercise

whats that?

Hmm...I've a mixed opinion. Yes for the very reason of oil circulation before stopping the engine completely; No for the very reason that switching OFF cools down the engine immediately.

Should we or should we not?

Another quick question -

Is there any HID kits available for bikes ? Without too many complications?

Any pointers on where we can get it done in chennai?

[Aargee]

whats that?

Oh!!! its not a workout It means that, if you're uncomfortable doing something, keep doing it continuously for 21 days & after that it becomes a habit. Be it with motorcycling to getting rid of any habit. It works!!!

Should we or should we not?

Hehe...we should discuss!!!

Is there any HID kits available for bikes ? Without too many complications?

Yes there're, its good that we make a seperate thread on it. May be people who've HID's on their motorcycles can start.

Any pointers on where we can get it done in chennai?

My preference is always at home Anyway, I'll try finding out some good shops from GP Road.

WildWeasel - I hope you don't mind, if I made this thread sticky. Feel fee to let me know otherwise.

[Squid]

Hey Aargee, why not start a Q&A thread, like the ones here - how to drive a diesel, how to get max mileage, etc.
That way most of the information can be easily presented. What say?

[WildWeasel]

I hope you don't mind, if I made this thread sticky. Feel fee to let me know otherwise.[/B]

I dont mind..

Btw if i wanted to do that HID kit i should also be upgrading my wiring department and battery?

[shishirbn]

Even after changing the bike from Hero Honda SS to Pulsar I didn't notice any back pain as such. I have done almost 400kms drive at a stretch on my bike and didn't feel any pain. probably it all depends on physical fitness and endurance

[Aargee]

Hey Aargee, why not start a Q&A thread, like the ones here

Pls sir...do the honours

Btw if i wanted to do that HID kit i should also be upgrading my wiring department and battery?

Hmm...quite technical & needs long explanation. I'll pen down as short as possible without slipping much info. Anyway, its better to open a new thread, that's what I feel & that can be used for discussing HID to death

Each HID requires about 2.5-3 Ah (or 4/5 not sure, need to refresh memory) of current, this means, your battery should be capable of getting charged at the rate at which the HID is consuming the power from the battery. Most importantly, the entire bike needs to be running on DC (like a car). This will require rewinding of charging coil & change the RR unit to support 4 Ah. Now this is for only one HID that could be a low beam or high beam. So to add another HID, you'll need to double the efforts right from the power of battery to charging capacity, but not the RR unit though.

[Trojan]

Even after changing the bike from Hero Honda SS to Pulsar I didn't notice any back pain as such. I have done almost 400kms drive at a stretch on my bike and didn't feel any pain. probably it all depends on physical fitness and endurance

The old generation pulsars have a upright riding postion which is very much comfortable.

It's only the 3rd generation pulsars which started coming with short handles and wherein you have to lean forward.

My personal experience,when i bought the 3rd generation pulsar, initially did have shoulder and neck pain for some time.It was a matter of getting used to.Now i do not have any.

But still,i think it might have a impact on your body in the long run (You need to bend your knees more on the P 200 ,P220,Apache and some other bikes).

Since we lean forward on these bikes which might give us a sporty feeling which results in better aerodynamics has some side effects.At times when taking a pothole or riding on bad raods results in the rider taking in more shock on to his body when compared to other bikes (atleast this has been my experience on me moving from a old generation P150 to a 3rd generation P180).