dctmfoo

Yes viper's review was just perfect. Regarding rusting, at the service center, they were applying something from a can called "RUSLICK or RUSTICK". During my first service they applied the same in many places like the ignition key hole, sidelock keyhole, all the side cover whichever has a lock and key and also on the center stand where rust started forming. Nowadays I dont see rust forming anywhere. I got a small can of similar solution and apply it in the above places once a week.

First I started doing this when one day I was not able to put the key inside. WTF ). After 10 mins i was able to put it in and start the bike...On my way to work I asked for wd40 at a h/w store and he gave me something similar which when applied in the keyhole, everything starting working smoothly from then on. I believe the previous day the bike was standing in rain all day at work.

Viper1089

Hi, First of all congrats on booking a DS. Well my advice would be that don't worry too much about the rusting. There is rusting all right on bullets but I have never seen it enough to cause a degrading in riding capability of the bike. It mostly affects the looks. All important things on the bullet are safe and work very well. Know that the bullet is a very sturdy bike.
Also as you said KTM 200 and DS are 2 very different bikes. You would want to think of the future. For example KTM is far less comfortable for the pillion rider than the DS. Also women will be more comfortable sitting on a DS than a KTM. If you are intending on riding alone then KTM will do.
Also for touring and long drives DS would be the winner any given day.
KTM would offer a high top speed than DS as is evident. But is that really an advantage unless you are thinking about racing? You get more than sufficient thrust and pick up on DS to prove your dominance on the roads.
The KTM is much lighter than DS which is a plus point.
KTM has great looks agreed. You wont get that on a bullet. But neither will you get a DS colour bike in KTM 200.
You might think I am more inclined to the DS but thats the facts that I have considered. I also pondered over DS or the CBR 250 when I was making my decision. All the above things I mentioned made me choose the DS over CBR 250.
After all the choice is yours. I was never a bullet type of a rider but since the DS I am more than happy that I bought it!

velociraptor13

hey congos rony,just came to know you had booked the DS.The colour looks awesome.

__________________
Socha Toh Locha.

Viper1089

Hi all,
Its been 18 days since I got my C500 DS delivered. I have done the first free servicing and have run 990 kms so far. Yesterday I took it for a long ride out of the city for the first time. It was a pleasure ride. I cruised at 80-85 speeds continuously for more than 50 kms. Even overtook cars and jeeps. It was a ride of total 250 kms from Pune to Mahabaleshwar and back with a pillion rider. The Cl500 has a great benefit over the 350cc bullets. In the 5th gear the torque is so good that even at 85kmph speed you can zoom to 90 and overtake trucks etc on the highway. The 5th gear is meant for cruising! The bike did vibrate a lot at 95+ speeds. I could feel the vibrations from the engine up to my hands. I didn't strain it much over 90's since its relatively new. It took potholes on the highway easily. Didn't even feel the little ones or patches gone bad etc. No engine trouble after returning home.
The seat was just fine for the first 120 kms. After that my behind just started to hurt. I mean really hurt and pain. I reached a point where I couldn't sit anymore on the bike so I halted and got down. So I would probably change the seat if I plan to go on any longer rides henceforth. Or I would put on some more cushion on the seat.
The stock silencer is great at lower speeds but once you reach 80 and start cruising the sound of the engine takes over the sound from the exhaust.
I know I said I wouldn't change the stock silencer but I think I would go for the up-swept one eventually.
I am still facing issues while kick starting. Sometimes it starts and sometimes the kick start just won't work no matter how warmed up the engine is. The self start has never failed me till now even in cold conditions. At first push of the button the engine starts.
So this was my experience till now of the RE Cl500 DS.
Its an amazing bike whatsoever and I love it!

dctmfoo

There were huge popping sounds from the exhaust while decelarating so checked with A.S.C and they changed the gasket by removing the bendpipe. Now the popping sounds are gone.

Its not covered in waranty so they charged me 36 Rs for the gasket.

Viper1089

I met an RE service center guy i Pune at Sinhagad road. He gave me a great trick to resolve a problem related to gear shifting in a C500. He told me to do this every day in the morning before riding out. I did it and it works really well!
Start the bike > Pull the choke lever to the max > Depress the clutch > put the bike on side stand or incline the bike to the left side and leave it at that for a minute.
This ensures enough lubrication of the clutch plates and ensures smooth gear shifting whole day long. This trick really works and I think other C500 Ds owners should try it too.

rameshmadhavan

Just read through your posting

if you are in Chennai / Velachery....am sure you would have heared about Seshan, he is a RE mechanic, he would give best of the service, probably he would talk too much...just appreciate him and keep his morale up, he will provide you best of the services...

__________________
Never Give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.

Cheers
Ramesh Madhavan