RD as an everyday bike? - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

sinhead · 06-30-2009, 09:43 AM

Hi Friends!! I need some advice from you.

I have a 84 Rd LT, which needs to be restored. I want to use it as my everyday bike not as just a weekend bike. My Daily usage will be 30-40 kms.

My doubts are-
1. Will the Rd be able to take the stress of daily rush-hour traffic & the summer heat?
('coz I have heard from a few people that it tends to overheat).

2. What are the problems I should expect & what are the things to keep in mind, if I use it daily?

3. I have the RC which is expired & Sale letter. But I dont have the NOC.
Should I get the NOC, RC etc sorted out before I set out to restore it or should the bike be in running condition for RTOs to approve it. (as of now it is lying with a seized engine).
The bike is Delhi registered & I want it transferred to UP.

Hope to get some good advice

Thanks.

ken cool · 06-30-2009, 09:49 AM

Query Approved

Would love to see more of these move around in the streets. But I am not sure if it would be advisable to commute in Indian rush hour conditions. I leave the experts to comment regarding this.

gsferrari · 06-30-2009, 10:12 AM

Hi - I use the RD as an everyday bike...getting to office, groceries, heading out on weekends...the lot. I've never had overheating issues in traffic/motorways. I ride in Mumbai so the traffic can get quite heavy. The only annoying situation is when you can't slot it into neutral sometimes and end up holding the clutch in a lot...that can be set right though.

As long as you have a reliable ignition in place and keep everything else in usable condition - it can be as reliable as a 4-stroke.

Gotta have the right papers though

sinhead · 06-30-2009, 10:20 AM

Thanks Ken, for the quick approval!!

@gs - that's exactly the kind of usage I have in mind. Its a relief to know that the Rd can take it.

ken cool · 06-30-2009, 10:32 AM

I rode the RD 22 years ago in open spaces. Those days traffic was not like what it is today. Hence I did not venture into that domain.

gsferrari · 06-30-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinhead

Thanks Ken, for the quick approval!!

@gs - that's exactly the kind of usage I have in mind. Its a relief to know that the Rd can take it.

Be prepared to deal with <20 kpl fuel efficiency...although that has never been an issue for me. Also be prepared to deal with parking issues. I am lucky to have 2 parking slots INSIDE my office building (RD350 and MT01) which is basically a fortress. Stuff like Carburetors and Instruments etc. are easy to steal.

Also the brakes don't work very well in the rain unless you use the bike on a daily basis. If you are using the local brake pads - they sort of expand with moisture and can cause "locking" of the brakes. It is easy to fix with simple adjustments.

The bike will also get incredibly dirty in the rain - do justice to it and keep it clean

arvindraju · 06-30-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari

Be prepared to deal with <20 kpl fuel efficiency

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

ken cool · 06-30-2009, 11:23 AM

I did not think parking an RD can be an issue. And now, come to think of it, Darkside's RD got stolen from his home!

Quote:

Originally Posted by arvindraju

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

Damn! And when Aryan rides the R1 it returns 22!!!

gsferrari · 06-30-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arvindraju

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

I get between 16 and 20...maybe more on the highways but that I haven't checked...

Binoy · 06-30-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken cool

Damn! And when Aryan rides the R1 it returns 22!!!

Is it true ken da??? i heard that R1 has fuel efficiency in between 10-15km/ltr...

06-30-2009, 09:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
sinhead Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4	RD as an everyday bike? Hi Friends!! I need some advice from you. I have a 84 Rd LT, which needs to be restored. I want to use it as my everyday bike not as just a weekend bike. My Daily usage will be 30-40 kms. My doubts are- 1. Will the Rd be able to take the stress of daily rush-hour traffic & the summer heat? ('coz I have heard from a few people that it tends to overheat). 2. What are the problems I should expect & what are the things to keep in mind, if I use it daily? 3. I have the RC which is expired & Sale letter. But I dont have the NOC. Should I get the NOC, RC etc sorted out before I set out to restore it or should the bike be in running condition for RTOs to approve it. (as of now it is lying with a seized engine). The bike is Delhi registered & I want it transferred to UP. Hope to get some good advice Thanks.

06-30-2009, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
ken cool Been Around Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,249	Query Approved Would love to see more of these move around in the streets. But I am not sure if it would be advisable to commute in Indian rush hour conditions. I leave the experts to comment regarding this. __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! My Humble Photo Gallery Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

06-30-2009, 10:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
ken cool Been Around Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 4,249	I rode the RD 22 years ago in open spaces. Those days traffic was not like what it is today. Hence I did not venture into that domain. __________________ The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better! My Humble Photo Gallery Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

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06-30-2009, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
gsferrari The Random Guy Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 381	Hi - I use the RD as an everyday bike...getting to office, groceries, heading out on weekends...the lot. I've never had overheating issues in traffic/motorways. I ride in Mumbai so the traffic can get quite heavy. The only annoying situation is when you can't slot it into neutral sometimes and end up holding the clutch in a lot...that can be set right though. As long as you have a reliable ignition in place and keep everything else in usable condition - it can be as reliable as a 4-stroke. Gotta have the right papers though

06-30-2009, 10:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
sinhead Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks Ken, for the quick approval!! @gs - that's exactly the kind of usage I have in mind. Its a relief to know that the Rd can take it.