Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

IMO Dual-sport bikes (Honda CRF250, Yamaha WR250 etc) don't make much sense here unless someone is really thinking of Dune bashing and hardcore offroading. Suzuki V-Strom. Kawaki Versys. Beemer F-series are perfect adventure-tourers with the right mix of comfort, features and power delivery. Recently I spotted a Versys at Koramangala, Bangalore and was amazed at how tall they are. The build quality of the Versys was something else. Nothing that we have seen around us would probably match it.

Coming to speak of our desi Impulse - IMO, it's one of the many desi bikes with a very confused identity. It's dressed like a dual sport, the seating resembles a street bike and the power delivery is high up in the revs. The Duke's power delivery and high GC can make it fit the bill with a few mods. But frankly speaking, I feel the Honda VTR250F would be much better qualified as an 'adventure tourer'. The Yammie XTW250 would be another interesting bike, if it comes to India. Infact there are so many options in the 250cc category, which are left unexplored just because of our desi obsession with faired bikes with an 'R' monicker!.

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Instead of changing the fork rod, you can simply use an axle nut of Old Kinetic Honda inside the fork and use the spring on top of it. If you are still not satisfied, use a new set of springs. Been using it on the ZMA for over an year. No problems what so ever. Yeah the life of spring reduces. My fork springs, with this set up lasted for about 35K Kms with a fork oil change interval at 12K and 26K kms. Also i fill 10-15ml more oil than the recommended, so it makes it even harder to take on the bad and ugly roads.

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Agreed. Yess the impulse is our Desi off roader but at least a good start as per dual type adventure on/off roaders are concerned in India. Duke is capable too with few mods. But then VFR And the mighty CRFs are big machines theyre always too potent than these machines. And we need to shell out big money for them. We all are are not potent enough for that thus we take up our indian bikes to modification. Yepp hearing news about the 390 Adventure or other series of KTM entering India surely is great. The honda CB500/400X are good too. I have a big attraction towards adventure shitt. but again people's economic condition doesnt allows to fulfill their motorcycle obsession. Thus dreaming about CRFs or kTM SMTs but ending up with Impulse or a self modded Karizma or Duke. Desi bikes for some are not obsession but our only way to satisfy ourselves. At least thats my story and some of us i know.

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

A bike based on Honda NXR 150 is desi ?

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

You are right buddy. All other nations get different segments of bikes - Adventure, Touring, Cruisers, Streetbikes, Commuters and Supersports. We, in India, have this khichdi concept of an all-in-one bike. Only in India, people can dream of a bike that's a comfortable as cruiser, handles potholes like an adventure bike, looks like a supersport and gives FE like a commuter! That's how the a naked streetbike like the Apache landed up as a 'Racing' track machine and a bike like the R15 is being used by many for extensive cross-country tours!
But are we like that by our choice? The Indian market never had any option for us. Thats why we have been converting bikes across segments. Does anyone remember the souped up RXs and Kawasaki 2-strokers modded for offroad usage?

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Using Impulse Fork pipes is my last choice,Currently I'm searching USD .
Need suggestion about rear shocks.now here i have confusion in my mind whether to go for good quality gas filled or with some Mono shock.I have no idea how much will duke mono shock will cost ,but altering that shock on Zma swing arm is bit tedious job also I'm worried about its direction of working after fitting mono i'll have to go with k&n which I dont want.Can anyone shed more light on rear shock works.


Also there are many people who owns an adventure touring bikes and rusting them in garage .Recently met a guy with Djbel 250 a nice bike and he was not using it ,It was just kept at his friends place who is my friend too.When asked whether he wish to sell it he quoted 2.20 L.and I was like WTF.
Im tired of searching adventure touring machine which will suit my pocket so I have decided to build my own .

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Try adjusting the rear fork to the stiffest position and check if it meets your requirements. If adventure touring is your concern then this does the job fine enough

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Any idea where I can find USD forks ?around Pune and Mumbai

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

At the nearest KTM outlet

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Buddy have already found KTM complete fork assembly that too for Hal of the price of original .
But need long forks well that's what meet my requirement :/ :/

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Hey Sumit, what about the bulky fairing?

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

It isnt that bulky.
But most probably i'll be removing it

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Ya ya ya ..
Adventure tourer huh ?
finally search of months have paid me and you guys have to wait for the pics.
I promise your wait will be worth .

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Awaiting

Re: Adventure Touring Bikes

Work has started .
Got cbz chassi with Yz 125 forks
And FZ 16 rear shocks .