I can't find where now, but there was actually a test done which showed how much each fluid absorbed water and it turned out that dot4 actually absorbed more than dot3, contrary to the widely accepted theory. Of course 5.1 was the least affected. Now it is possible that the brand differed but after a lot of research i was convinced that the only reason people still used dot3 was its longer shelf life. Why on earth do our manufacturers still use dot3 as stock then? Heck even the ninja250 came out with dot3. Absolutely shocking. Especially when there is hardly any price difference. 5.1 of course costs a bomb so that's understandable.

P.s. i switched to dot4 about 3 months after buying my Fi due to horrible fade on aggressive braking. There is no way to justify using dot3 in a high performance bike like the rtr.

p.p.s. did some more searching and most of the internet information writing about dot4 being less hygrosopic than 3 seems to be a rehash of the same couple paragraphs. so unless we can find an independent source wrt. dot4 absorbing less moisture we can conclude that these people are simply copying information around without validating it. Found just one link, but it's not any more validated than the others. Will update if i do find proper info.

http://mg-tabc.org/techn-up/brakefluids.htm

Dot3 contains higher level of water than dot4 ...and even after absorption of same level of water the dot4 gives better performance

Boiling points for common braking fluids

Dry boiling point Wet boiling point
DOT 3DOT 4DOT 5DOT 5.1

Wet boiling point defined as 3.7% water by volume.

For further details here are some links..

Brake fluid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Brake Fluid Grades

Thanks a lot @psr sir for your inputs and links. Now clear that DOT4 is better than DOT3 and will switch to it in next change.

@julian paul: welcome back,julian!

Here is a pic of now aligned rear fender:

I still find it's bottom going slightly towards right-side (towards silencer) Someone please confirm if it is just me or someone else can also notice the more of tyre visible on the left side of the fender.

Oh Yeah, I do

Hey guys does anyone know about What causes Misfiring.My friend's bike is misfiring.It regularly gives a "plomp" sound and the engine tries to stall,but recovers.Is this misfiring?I have never experienced misfiring in my life so i wouldn't know.He says it's misfiring.He was fiddling with the carb the last morning and he says that misfiring started after that.



And guys Do steel braided brake hoses offer any significant improvements?I want to try it in my RTR.Is is possible to use the P220's front brake hose for both the front and rear brakes?

And Julianpaul,Welcome back.You are a pretty knowledgeable guy from the looks of it(100 pages ago)

The carb A/F mixture might be on the leaner side hence the popping sound.Turn the A/F screw about 1/4th turn in anti-clockwise direction to make the mixture richer.Plus get the PCV valve checked if there is more misfiring while deceleration.
Bang on!Even I was thinking of the same.But first we will have to check the length of the hose pipe.The pulsar steel braided hose pipe cost around 1k!

DIY on brake pad cleaning/replacing -new thread

Do check the mix but extreme misfiring could be related to ignition problems. Have the entire system checked, from the tci to the plug.

Braided steel hoses do not expand as much as regular rubber ones and provide superior braking and feel. TVS recommends changing the hose every 3 years, i would say 5 is fine, but when i do change it would definitely be to a steel one. Length doesn't really matter much but the mount points do for a neat installation.

And i know a bit, but not as much as some others here like nox etc. I've just had a lot of time to learn.

i don't know much about a bike.....but guys is it possible to mod the sound of the bike....i mean not just any sound.....it may be a little farfetched but i would like my bike to sound like a plane (yeah im crazy)

@achu
Liked that
Anyways, tell us more about you and the ride. Then we'll try to help you

@bangalore guys please help me out i need the RTR 180 sticker not the logo on the handlebar on the back below the grabrail...only that sticker! can you suggest some shops in JC nagar please..

@rtr lover

...My name's Achu. Im from trivandrum, kerala. Bought my bike exactly 3 months back on this same day i mean 16th.....Apache ABS....just got my bike from service today. And who are you mate ?

Got my speedo cable replaced today after a long process.The dealer ,where i purchased my bike didn’t have the cable and they said it would come after 7-10 days and if i want can replace it at any TVS ASC.I enquired about it through my friend twice from other dealer,and they had stock,went there to claim it under warranty.The service manager said that the cable will arrive after 15-20 daysand was reluctant to change it under warranty.
I called up the TVS customer care twice,regional head and my place(cuttack)head engineerThe head engineer directed the manager to change it under warranty,the manager still was very reluctant to change because i had purchased it from the other dealer(20kms from my place)and atlast he told that he would arrange a cable(they had it in stock,but still asked me to come after an hour).Within an hour the speedo cable got replaced
The TVS officials and managers were very helpful and quick and they asked to call them if i have any problem

DOT3 and DOT4 being hygroscopic, both absorb moisture. Latest brake fluids DOT3/DOT4 will have more or less same moisture absorption rate.
Rather than which absorb how much moisture, important thing is how much it is affected with particular quantity of moisture.

Say for 0.5ml water in 100 ml fluid, drop in boiling point of DOT3 will be lesser than that of DOT4 (DOT3 is sort of life time fluid. DOT must be changed at least once in 3 years).

For sealed brake system/container as of ours, DOT4 will work well. However, in older cars like Ambies/fiats and some old bikes, having partially ventilated container, DOT4 should not be used.

In india, most of DOT4 will be clear/light amber. However, DOT3 will be cherry red. DOT3 contaminated will be brownish and DOT4 contaminated will be dark amber.

If at all some one is seing DOT4 to have pink tinch, his brake system was not flushed properly and its traces of DOT3.

@achu: welcome to the tribe! Post some pics of ur ride

Hi Garry, May be the photo was taken from an angle But really the fender is fine! here's another pic to clear my buddy's doubt!