Announcement

**Beco** · 07-27-2012, 01:00 PM

Hello folks,
This is my first post, even though I have been a regular visitor at this thread.

I became an owner of a white GS since late Jan 2012. Ever since I test rode it back in 2008, I was quite impressed with the gear box and overall ride quality of this bike. So, I took her my home finally this year as things started getting stable in my life. Currently, I have Bullet TB 2004 (I call her Babdi) as GS150R's elder sister. Apparently, I am in love with this new machine and I call her 'Snowflake'.

Here is a quick random review of Snowflake.

Engine note - Initially, I thought it was a bit too angry, but after 6000 kms in about 6 months, it has become quite smooth. (Now its munching smoothly )
Acceleration through the gears - Lovely and quick.I felt it's very unique in this particular machine. From 1st to 2nd, it isn't quickest but 3rd onwards it leaves everything back.
Drag- Very few bikes keep up at 7000 rpm. The most nervous drag testing was against Honda Unicorn which left about a bike distance ahead in the first gear, but caught up in the 5th drive.
The riding position- Very commuter-ish. It didnt bother me a bit when I took it out of city and rode appx 400 kms in a day. No back or wrist strains.
Brakes- Rear drum is average. I thought the stopping distance is bit long.
Gearbox - Mind blowing. No clunks, No difficult shifts, easy finding neutrals, amazing 3rd in the city, lovely lovely lovely 6th on the free ways.
I actually love the fact that, it is less known and less seen on the roads. so kind of love the attention on the road.
Mileage: In the range of 50-56. Now stable for 56 Km/Ltr
People talk about this bike and awe when they know this is 6 speed bike.
As everyone know, the rev limit on economy mode is 4500 - I believe that's when the engine start waking up. The bike likes to rev high even though low rpm is no problem for her.
The white warning shift light starts blinking at 4500 rpm, and gets constant at 7000 rpm
Noticed a lot of play in the the gear lever - but I am quite used to it since I am riding bullet for last 4 years.
The pillion seat is tall. but somehow I figured its more comfortable than the rider's seat.
The RV mirrors- nice and vibration free but I thought it could have been little bit wider- (may be blame my size).
Console - Clear, large digits and did not face any issue of sun reflection.
Suspension- I thought it is absolute butter, more pleasurable for the pillion.
Petrol- Go to selected gas stations only. Not fussy about premium petrol but once every 2 months, I put a moto-sport petrol additive.
Massive fuel tank- Gives you the feeling of going 'inside' the bike...not on the bike. I love it
Tank pads therefore are essential. Riding gear jacket will surely give you unwanted scratches on the tank.
Normally, I visit the fuel station only twice a month. Usually it needs approximately 16-19 ltrs of petrol for a month.
No experiences of break-down because of lack of fuel. Ridden it for more than 140 kms after low fuel warning indicator on.
I have no idea about how much unusable petrol is remaining when you completely burn the reserve quota. I think it is not significant portion of reserve fuel. I like it.
Horn- Good enough to gather attention while over-taking, but feeble and embarrassing on highways.
Headlight: I understand, lot of discussion of DC conversion here. Not absolutely bad. Somehow I fell an additional capacitor will be enough. subsequently a bigger headlamp (making sure it wont melt the reflector). 35W to 45W. But it gets non-existent and pale in front of other vehicles.
Engine Oil is Castrol 20W-40 Stock
Under the seat space- the company says you can keep your helmet. It is a baseless argument. It can fit papers, mandatory first-aid and toolkit, and a cleaning cloth. You can hang your helmet but then you wont be able to put the seat back.
The hand grips - Nice, Vibes free even at high rpms.
The bike sounds really angry at first 1200 rpm idle. At speed it hums which is sad. (I like my bullet here )
Needs a proactive effort in SVC. Suzuki has that curse. I'll explain how, if anyone is interested.

Overall a well refined, sensible, reliable, catchy 'commu-tour' bike.

**fadeawayraj** · 07-27-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by Beco View Post

Under the seat space- the company says you can keep your helmet. It is a baseless argument. It can fit papers, mandatory first-aid and toolkit, and a cleaning cloth. You can hang your helmet but then you wont be able to put the seat back.

Overall a well refined, sensible, reliable, catchy 'commu-tour' bike.

AFAIK, Manual tells us that there is a helmet lock beneath the seat, never saw anything as such that you can palce a helmet beneath the seat.
Yes you need to adjust the helmet strap lock to be outside the seat area and you will be able to lock the helmet and seat.

**gmagesh14** · 07-27-2012, 01:51 PM

@Beco::
Welcome to the GS family..
Liked the way you wrote..

**punarvasu** · 07-27-2012, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by gmagesh14 View Post

I do change & topup the oil periodically,

Please measure the quantity of the drained oil, next time.

Originally posted by Beco View Post

This is my first post, even though I have been a regular visitor at this thread.

Hearty welcome to this discussion.
For the headlight, not the wattage of the bulb but the way the beam is focused is the problem. The stock 35/35 watts bulb is enough if we can replace the reflector with another suitable one. And you can use 55/60 watts bulb with the stock reflector, even after DC conversion.
While braking, about 70% of the total weight is transferred to the front wheel which results rear wheel skidding if braking is hard. So the rear brake of all the bikes is of lesser braking power.

**dip097** · 07-28-2012, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by Vikshe View Post

Its better you maintain your bike and spend little time on her with premilinary activities like cleaning , oiling / greesing , cable/ chain adjustments , you will love your bike more and your bike will respond better , be carefull with complecated setings like carb setting , battery refilling etc.

Carb settings are not that complicated once its working is understood and don't ignore to check battery water.

Very intresting!!!!!
You are the only one that i know following this method of oil selection.

Originally posted by punarvasu View Post

Fantastic. Your write up cleared all my doubts about carburetor tuning. It is a solution for our fuel crisis, and the only doubt remaining is about the mileage your bike gives. Some of the GS owners are getting or claiming to be getting better mileage even without any tuning.

When i tested milage, the bike was not in a very good conditon. ie the tyre pressure was low to some psi, the airfilter was running in stock condition after 6000km (it has never been opened for cleaning) and i was cruising at 80km/hr continuously on the highway.

If you want any further clarification on my solution feel free to post it here.

Originally posted by vikhyath View Post

The paint on the rear side panels on my bike seem a notch lower in quality than elsewhere on the bike. It looks slightly faded and a patch of paint has worn off in an area where there is contact between my bag and the panel. This didn't happen on my previous bikes. However since nobody else here has reported such a problem, I'm guessing this issue is limited to my bike.
Planning to wash and polish the bike more regularly to see if it helps.

I do agree on that. Mine was scratched a few months ago and now needs a proper spray painting.

Originally posted by Beco View Post

[*]Brakes- Rear drum is average. I thought the stopping distance is bit long.
[*] The pillion seat is tall. but somehow I figured its more comfortable than the rider's seat.

The rear drumbrakes are actually very powerfull. It even unnecessarily locks up during sudden braking.
I remember reading some where gs has the largest seat in its segment. Don't know whether it's true or not.

**Pinaki** · 07-28-2012, 04:17 AM

Originally posted by dip097 View Post

Very intresting!!!!!
You are the only one that i know following this method of oil selection...

Yes , possibly ... but the ambient temperature that your motor operates in should figure big in anyone's oil selection, so it should have been a more popular method ....
You see , each oil has a sweet spot , i.e a range of ambient temperatures during which it works it's best(and you can feel it) . The variation of my ambient temperatures between seasons overcomes that range for both oils by just a lil bit , so I decided to keep 'em both . Oil bottles don't quarrel , so no problem

.
You ever tried a different grade like a 10w40 or 15w50 on your bike ?

**Vikshe** · 07-28-2012, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by Beco View Post

Hello folks,
This is my first post, even though I have been a regular visitor at this thread.

I became an owner of a white GS since late Jan 2012. Ever since I test rode it back in 2008, I was quite impressed with the gear box and overall ride quality of this bike. So, I took her my home finally this year as things started getting stable in my life. Currently, I have Bullet TB 2004 (I call her Babdi) as GS150R's elder sister. Apparently, I am in love with this new machine and I call her 'Snowflake'.

Here is a quick random review of Snowflake.

Engine note - Initially, I thought it was a bit too angry, but after 6000 kms in about 6 months, it has become quite smooth. (Now its munching smoothly )
Acceleration through the gears - Lovely and quick.I felt it's very unique in this particular machine. From 1st to 2nd, it isn't quickest but 3rd onwards it leaves everything back.
Drag- Very few bikes keep up at 7000 rpm. The most nervous drag testing was against Honda Unicorn which left about a bike distance ahead in the first gear, but caught up in the 5th drive.
The riding position- Very commuter-ish. It didnt bother me a bit when I took it out of city and rode appx 400 kms in a day. No back or wrist strains.
Brakes- Rear drum is average. I thought the stopping distance is bit long.
Gearbox - Mind blowing. No clunks, No difficult shifts, easy finding neutrals, amazing 3rd in the city, lovely lovely lovely 6th on the free ways.
I actually love the fact that, it is less known and less seen on the roads. so kind of love the attention on the road.
Mileage: In the range of 50-56. Now stable for 56 Km/Ltr
People talk about this bike and awe when they know this is 6 speed bike.
As everyone know, the rev limit on economy mode is 4500 - I believe that's when the engine start waking up. The bike likes to rev high even though low rpm is no problem for her.
The white warning shift light starts blinking at 4500 rpm, and gets constant at 7000 rpm
Noticed a lot of play in the the gear lever - but I am quite used to it since I am riding bullet for last 4 years.
The pillion seat is tall. but somehow I figured its more comfortable than the rider's seat.
The RV mirrors- nice and vibration free but I thought it could have been little bit wider- (may be blame my size).
Console - Clear, large digits and did not face any issue of sun reflection.
Suspension- I thought it is absolute butter, more pleasurable for the pillion.
Petrol- Go to selected gas stations only. Not fussy about premium petrol but once every 2 months, I put a moto-sport petrol additive.
Massive fuel tank- Gives you the feeling of going 'inside' the bike...not on the bike. I love it
Tank pads therefore are essential. Riding gear jacket will surely give you unwanted scratches on the tank.
Normally, I visit the fuel station only twice a month. Usually it needs approximately 16-19 ltrs of petrol for a month.
No experiences of break-down because of lack of fuel. Ridden it for more than 140 kms after low fuel warning indicator on.
I have no idea about how much unusable petrol is remaining when you completely burn the reserve quota. I think it is not significant portion of reserve fuel. I like it.
Horn- Good enough to gather attention while over-taking, but feeble and embarrassing on highways.
Headlight: I understand, lot of discussion of DC conversion here. Not absolutely bad. Somehow I fell an additional capacitor will be enough. subsequently a bigger headlamp (making sure it wont melt the reflector). 35W to 45W. But it gets non-existent and pale in front of other vehicles.
Engine Oil is Castrol 20W-40 Stock
Under the seat space- the company says you can keep your helmet. It is a baseless argument. It can fit papers, mandatory first-aid and toolkit, and a cleaning cloth. You can hang your helmet but then you wont be able to put the seat back.
The hand grips - Nice, Vibes free even at high rpms.
The bike sounds really angry at first 1200 rpm idle. At speed it hums which is sad. (I like my bullet here )
Needs a proactive effort in SVC. Suzuki has that curse. I'll explain how, if anyone is interested.

Overall a well refined, sensible, reliable, catchy 'commu-tour' bike.

Well put uniquely .. now what is Suzuki's curse , is it only for 2 wheelers , they are doing very well in 4 wheeler market (no 1 in India with Maruti).
Try Motul / Gulf / Shell ( mineral) oil for a change.

**Beco** · 07-28-2012, 12:33 PM

Thanks Vikshe and Mangesh.

Originally posted by fadeawayraj View Post

AFAIK, Manual tells us that there is a helmet lock beneath the seat, never saw anything as such that you can palce a helmet beneath the seat.
Yes you need to adjust the helmet strap lock to be outside the seat area and you will be able to lock the helmet and seat.

Yeah. That was a sarcastic comment.

Perhaps the helmet lock needs to be a little well designed then. I tried locking my helmet (NINJA 2G in which you can move the helmet jaw upwards), my brothers (Studds- Golf ball designed)on the lock underneath, but both these helmets could not fit there as the jaws of these helmets are quite broader for the lock.

Perhaps this could well be useful in those 'Wrangler' (pretty standard) helmets........or yeah to tie the grocery bag and carry it home safely. (How innovative!!

)

**Beco** · 07-28-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by dip097 View Post

Carb settings are not that complicated once its working is understood and don't ignore to check battery water.

The rear drumbrakes are actually very powerfull. It even unnecessarily locks up during sudden braking.
I remember reading some where gs has the largest seat in its segment. Don't know whether it's true or not.

In the 3rd free servicing, they did something to the drums. As a result it was small whistling sound (which I noticed only when the ignition was off) whenever I moved the bike backwards. When I loosened the brake, the sound was reduced but it did not completely go. So I showed to this in service center. They re-adjusted the breaks. This happened just a week back and It took me one or two days to adjust to these settings. (Now I am giving time to the drum brake to adjust itself over some period of time)

Now, the breaks are 'working'. But I don't know I still cant 'feel' the 'monster' breaks as you feel in baby duke, or even in bullets (I have seen Bajaj and Yamahas wag their tails after tight braking but that is a different issue anyway). I think the inertia/roll the bike gathers because of its heavier body weight seems to go on 3-4 seconds extra after you brake.

Overall I have no complains but then it seems you always need to brake it harder than required.

**punarvasu** · 07-28-2012, 11:24 PM

Originally posted by dip097 View Post

Very intresting!
You are the only one that i know following this method of oil selection.

Now I am planning to replace the oil in every morning when the ambient temperature is the lowest and at about 3.00 – 3.30 PM when it is the highest.

Originally posted by Beco View Post

Perhaps the helmet lock needs to be a little well designed then. I tried locking my helmet (NINJA 2G in which you can move the helmet jaw upwards), my brothers (Studds- Golf ball designed)on the lock underneath, but both these helmets could not fit there as the jaws of these helmets are quite broader for the lock.

Perhaps this could well be useful in those 'Wrangler' (pretty standard) helmets........or yeah to tie the grocery bag and carry it home safely. (How innovative!!)

Duke, Thunderbird or which other bike is providing storage space for a NINJA 2G or pretty standard Wrangler type helmets? Suzuki is not claiming any innovation here. There is a hook under GS’s seat to lock the helmet. You can lock the NINJA 2G or pretty standard Wrangler helmet there, using its strap or a separate cable type helmet lock.

Originally posted by Beco View Post

In the 3rd free servicing, they did something to the drums. As a result it was small whistling sound (which I noticed only when the ignition was off) whenever I moved the bike backwards.

Usually this sound is caused by the dust accumulated between the brake drum and shoes or disc and pad and is ignored. If the rear brake is jammed, the wheel will not move freely and loosening the nut rectifies it.
While braking, about 70% of the bike and the rider are transferred to the front wheel and the down force on the rear wheel is less, causing wheel lockup, skidding and loss of control.
To avoid this, the rear brake of all the bikes are designed with lesser braking power. Harder than required rear braking results skidding.

EDIT:
To all,
Like to witness the world war between Duke-ians and P220NS-ians? All those interested are cordially invited to their ownership threads.

**gmagesh14** · 07-28-2012, 11:51 PM

Originally posted by punarvasu View Post

EDIT:
To all,
Like to witness the world war between Duke-ians and P220NS-ians? All those interested are cordially invited to their ownership threads.

very interesting

and healthy discussions

were going on...

EDIT: It is 200NS

**punarvasu** · 07-28-2012, 11:57 PM

Originally posted by gmagesh14 View Post

EDIT: It is 200NS

Doubtfull. Anyway, let us not spread that plague here.

**dip097** · 07-29-2012, 02:37 AM

Originally posted by Pinaki View Post

Yes , possibly ... but the ambient temperature that your motor operates in should figure big in anyone's oil selection, so it should have been a more popular method ....

You ever tried a different grade like a 10w40 or 15w50 on your bike ?

Originally posted by Beco View Post

In the 3rd free servicing, they did something to the drums. As a result it was small whistling sound (which I noticed only when the ignition was off) whenever I moved the bike backwards.

The brake pads are impregnated with tiny metal flakes/chips for providing better grip between pad and drum/discs. So this particular noise is common in most of the vehicles. Sometimes it is more audible. So don't get too much worried about this noise unless your brake pads and drum/disc are in good condition.

Originally posted by punarvasu View Post

Doubtfull. Anyway, let us not spread that plague here.

What do you mean?. Discuss about GS150R vs Duke 200 or 200NS in thi thread?

. That will be very intresting.

Originally posted by punarvasu View Post

without brakes!

**MSN1** · 07-29-2012, 02:41 AM

Originally posted by punarvasu View Post

Doubtfull. Anyway, let us not spread that plague here.

interesting one i know which one is the original thirunelveli halwa among the two.

**Pinaki** · 07-29-2012, 03:56 AM

Originally posted by dip097 View Post

That's why Suzuki recommends 20w40 engine oil, which is capable of operating at temperature range of -10 to 40 degree Celsius...

Yes , that is the correct range for 20w40 . What does Suzuki recommend for operation beyond that range , say at an ambient temperature below or a or above that ?

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