Re: Suzuki GS150R

The authorized service centre guys did a troubleshoot and found that starting motor failure is the culprit. I am not sure of the cost. They do not have a stock now to replace it. So they said they can arrange for it in 2-3 days.
I am not sure how starting motor is related to that.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Stator coil?

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Spent almost a couple of hours going through all that I have missed on this thread and boy oh boy, it felt so good, barring the shit-head a couple of pages ago!

Some one asked for the pics related to the engine resonance-rubber washer thing. Here they are,



Moving on, I had last posted about changing the oil to Shell FS Ultra 10W40 along with a new oil filter. I drained the oil yesterday after 4030 KM. The emptying bowl must have collected just around 400-500 ml of burnt black oil. I am not sure about this being alright or not but I did not like the look of it. Filled in the second bottle of the same oil I had and this time have decided to drop oil around the 3K mark. Just for info, in the previous oil cycle, only one high speed ride of over 400KM was undertaken. Rest all were sedate city rides.



In the meantime, I did a fair number of things on my GS. First up, those LED pilot lamps don't work and conk off in a month or two. I tried and reverted to the stock 5w bulbs. But the bigger change was on the headlamp front. Switched to an HID setup with the kit costing me 900 bucks (4300K) and the installation another 150. Had been using an Osram NB 60/55w previously and wasn't happy with them at all. Decided to go the HID way and am fairly happy with the result. Also included are a few installation pics below. The mechanic unseated the fuel tank to access a bunch of wires and connected the HID there in.

The HID goes in to the dome. Had a tough time getting it slotted into the space for the headlamp.



The tank removed. Red wire is the one powering the HID directly via the battery. At the battery end, there's also a relay switch not visible.



Earthed to the chassis at the number place mount. The first time I rode with the HID on, minor bumps on the road caused it to shut off momentarily. Opened up the dome again and used insulation tape to tighly knit all the parts of the kit to the fairing to avoid unnecessary movements. Also tightened the earthing spot.



In a pitch dark ground next to my house with the Osram NB 60/55w.



Same spot, but now the HID on. Initially, the temperature of the light was too cold (white-blue) for my liking. A few rides later, it settled into a nice white yellow temperature. Had to point the dome a bit lower to prevent too much glare to oncoming traffic but it hampers the reach of the light on low beam. High beam was much better though. Next time I go for a ride, I'll carry a screw driver to play around with the dome positioning to achieve a better balance between what I like and what can hamper oncoming traffic.



The glare from the HID. I have to agree, the picture accentuates the effect of the glare a great many times.



Also during the last service, asked the mechanic to take off the chain guard and clean both the chain and the guard thoroughly. That is how much mud and grime came out from cleaning the chain guard only (could have filled a glass or two easily). The chain was gleaming and shiny. So just washed it and greased thoroughly. Greasing is indeed the better option as I didn't need to oil the chain for more than 2.5K. Oiled it a couple of days back when the shifts showed the first signs of notchiness. I agree though greasing the chain frequently can get hectic. But do get it done once a year if possible and take out the grime from the chain guard as well.



The bike after a full wash and wax job.




EDIT: The place where the first owner of my GS had bought it, closed down a couple of weeks ago. Although there are still three other service centers in my city where I can hope to get official spares for the GS, I nevertheless felt a sense of despair at seeing that dealer shut shop. The last time I was on the lookout for a spare set of clutch and accelerator cables, he was the only one who had it in stock among the four. I shudder at the thought of having to run around the next time I need something for my bike. Also, of those remaining three dealers, the latest two are under 2 years old and am sure neither must have sold a single unit of the GS. Worrying days ahead.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

That's close to 3000K temp colour, stock halogen in most two-wheelers.
This is like 6000K temp with bluish tint. Bluish colour strains eyes a lot let alone riding/driving.

Best feature of gs150r is its over-gear(6th), No other bike in the segment offers it with matching riding comfort.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

You're right on both counts but, as I said in my earlier post, that is exactly how the HID was the first time I fired it up. After using it a while, the light can best be described as warm white. Nowhere near this cold bluish white shit that you see in the picture. I was initially worried if I was sold one of those blingy 6000K+ HIDs, in spite of the 4300K labeling it had everywhere, but it's all good now. I'll try to post a better picture of the HID in operation now.

By the way, just finished catching up on the HID/Lighting thread here on the forums and it seems I boarded the wrong bus by going for HIDs. Everyone's getting spot LEDs or even floods in some cases with many even going for LED headlamps as well. Looks like HIDs are passe.



Since the time I have bought it, I've answered so many questions from passers-by or those you meet during your day out about the bike's 6th gear. Most are instantly attracted to it and when I say it helps in effortless and vibration free cruising on the highways, their faces lighten up with a smile.
It's such a pleasure on the highways. Reach around 80-85 on the 5th and then just shift to the 6th. Cruising bliss at 85-90 kmph with engine speed at a relaxed 6-6.5K rpm. I never remember red-lining the bike ever. It feels so planted and comfortable at those speeds with occasional bouts of 100+ kmph thrown in.

EDIT: I also changed the battery on mine to an Amaron Pro Rider 7ah dry cell unit. Cost 1100 INR after exchanging the old one.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Shot these two last night at the same spot.

High Beam




Low Beam



Pass light function doesn't work as mechanic said enabling that would entail some more playing around with the wiring and I opted against it. Will get it later if I feel it's important.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

eterno,
Do you have any pic of your HID bulb (in switched off condition of course ) ? does it have any sort of shielding built onto it?
also, i get a feel that you have adjusted the reflector to point downwards fully. imho, the glare cant be reduced by that due to the HID bulb's construction itself.

you can google for "LED H4 shield" and try if you can modify it to make it work for a HID bulb. Or, check this out :

Help needed in setting rear disc on bike

Guys I am seriously thinking of installing rear disk setup on my bike as it has been a nuisance driving on Hyderabad with pedestrians who are always in "feel like god" damn mode when ever they are on road passing blessings to fellow road users with their palms and insensitive of on coming traffic speed and quantity and cross the road as if they are privileged and traffic has to stop when they are on road without a little thought of what if the on coming vehicle's brakes didn't respond timely.Has anyone did that modification on their bikes? If so what is the total cost incurred and request help in suggesting procedure and the bike name with compatible spares which could be retrofitted on the bike.Hyderabadi fellow xbhpians please pass on any contacts if u know any who is capable of and has experience of doing that mod.Thanks in advance

Re: Help needed in setting rear disc on bike

Always respect pedestrians, in fact every eco-friendly person. Having rear-disk doesn't solve the actual problem. You may want to ride slowly/carefully.

Re: Help needed in setting rear disc on bike

Rear disc doesn't do anything substantial to braking it increases chance of skidding.get grippier tyres and ride cautiously.

Re: Help needed in setting rear disc on bike

Check out the pictures of the actual bulb in this listing. I bought mine from the same seller as in the listing except that mine was 4300K while the one in the listing is 6000K. The bulb does have a shield as you say and it was explicitly mentioned in the manual that came with the kit to not touch either the shield or the bulb by bare hands at all. And you're right, I have indeed pointed to a level that is just above the lowest level possible. I will have to raise it a bit for the low beam to be of any use at higher speeds. As I said, the glare is accentuated many times over in the picture that I uploaded. The shielding I guess does minimize the glare to a great extent. But I agree that there's no winning against the argument that HIDs are best utilized in a projector setup.

Almost all of your bike's stopping power is derived from the front brakes. That is why we have front discs as standard in most 125cc and 150cc bikes with optional ones for the rear. You use the rear for only stabilizing purposes. I fully empathize with you about pedestrian apathy as we all bikers are at the receiving end of the same (which is why I always prefer to take my scooter, instead of our bulky GS, when venturing into the main city that is crowded with pedestrians and of course, the shorter turning radius helps too). Just keep the pace slow and steady so that you're always in control and use the front brake to maximum effect. IMO, a rear disc would be an unnecessary venture for your bike as well as your wallet.

Re: Help needed in setting rear disc on bike

Thanks for your advice of riding safe and I always do So the whole idea of shelling amount to keep me and pedestrians safe. On the contrary Disagreeing to your opinion of rear disc doing nothing, i would suggest to experience braking on bike having one and feel the difference.
As i said I would disagree to this, I own a Zmr , a discover 100c dts-si and a gs 150r I know the braking effectiveness of all permutations of brakes likely front disc , no discs and front and rear discs. Please dont go by word of mouth telling back discs would be useless.I would suggest to tryout first and make a experienced opinion.
Yeah it would be the biker who has to suffer the road rash while falling costing the bike expenditure , pain and even blame! for the mistake of absent minded pedestrian who suddenly comes on road talking to mobile and walks as if he is in his home's balcony!I also surely agree to the rule of front:rear 70-30% contribution to braking power but I would also want to make out that rule applies with race bikes fitted with ABS on race track and surely cant be applied on Indian roads which are filled with gravel and dust.It would surely lead to skidding. Yeah I know I will get more advice's to practice on my braking pattern but In an experience of nearly 15 yrs of riding bikes I can point out keeping frontweel spinning aiding in steering the bike rather than locked up and skidding in panic situation.IMO the discs are not given on 125 and 150 cc bikes as the rear disc has a lot of maintenance and is costly to maintain considering the cost of brake pads (ZMR ones costs 1300 approx) where as drum brake shoes costs 150-300 approx , change intervals of brake fluid,more over the mud from rear tyre hinders the pad and rotor increasing its maintenance.Disc is inherintly costly as OEMS have to rely on Bybre or Brembo to get the kit while RnD team design a drum setup making them giving a cost advantage in competitive world. In developed countries even on low capacity bike you wont find drums on any motor cycle.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

@vvijkumar The intention is not to dismiss your braking skills or total riding experience. I just chipped in with what I know/experienced over a 15-year two wheeler riding period. Like you say the front wheel locks up, I've experienced/seen equal no. of cases where the real wheel does so and sways out of line. If you're at moderate speeds within city roads (say 40-50 kmph), you should be fine with the existing braking power coupled with the fact that there will be more time to react. In crowded and street areas, those sort of speeds are not advisable anyway.

I have ridden a ZMA too with a rear disc and am not saying for a moment it's useless. It's plenty useful but I could do without it just fine for city riding.

Also, what I wanted to say was the front wheel disc is given priority to by bike makers rather than rear wheel disc because of the greater traction available with the front tire when slowing down. That is all.

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Yeah as it goes with saying, every tongue has its own taste, every rider has different riding and panic reaction pattern.With almost near to the onroad experience of yours on bikes had very near misses while on all my bikes(can recollect one where a cabbie just out of no where appeared in front of me from a small colony road ) and by god's grace never had wheel skid be it back or front or be it disk or drum.I was always able to steer out the situation.I am a very sane decent rider and typical indian office goer and not the awara type which i think i projected when i used words like modification to bike and installing rear disc.Thats just for clarification to guys out here

Re: Suzuki GS150R

Clarification is most unnecessary. You asked a question and you got an opinion. Seems fair enough.
No one's judging