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**ashwinprakas** · 08-17-2018, 06:33 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by apacherider View Post

Hi guys. Need some clarification on the engine braking..

Riding under extreme rain become a nightmare. Emergency braking, poth holes etc. make it more complex. I couldn't depend only on the brakes as they were not reacting as they meant to be. So i started depending on the engine braking as well. Usually i apply the brakes first and downshift the gears when am ready to accelerate again. Is it bad for the engine to downshift at high speeds? Please advice.

The unspoken 'Thumb Rule' of safe motorcycling is that you should never be coasting, which itself translates to engine braking being a normal part of motorcycling.

Ideally, you should first be dropping a gear or two or at least load the rear brake before going ballistic on the front, because without any sort of braking force from the rear, aggressive use of the front brake can cause the front to slip.

Personally, I drop the gears harder than our people drop jackfruits and I do experience rear slip/hoping at times but that is not much of a concern as the rear wheel only slips/hops momentarily and would regain composure even before you know it. The slipping and hopping would be troublesome when it comes to entering a corner hard so in such scenarios blip the throttle or modulate clutch to avoid the same.

Cheers,
A.P.

**suvoysarkar** · 08-22-2018, 02:46 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by Siddhartha.S View Post

Did you get the brake calipers and pads cleaned recently? If not get it cleaned, and then try. Because now as it's rainy season, water and dirt might get stuck in the calipers and hinder the movement of the pads. If you got it cleaned, slightly bleed the brakes there might be air in the system and makes your brake spongy (this would also be the right time to change the brake fluid if it is not changed for a long time). If all this doesn't work, ot might be good to change the MC kit. And also take it to a different mechanic if you can.

Did as you said!
got my calipers cleaned from another mechanic and found there was no problem with the master cylinder whatsoever
now the breaks are working absolutely fine! Thank you so much for the help

And i have another question, is the backfiring "phat phat" sound from apache while deaccelerating a sign of any problem?
does it by any chance effect the fuel efficiency? or is it absolutely normal?

**Siddhartha.S** · 08-22-2018, 04:15 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by suvoysarkar View Post

Did as you said!
got my calipers cleaned from another mechanic and found there was no problem with the master cylinder whatsoever
now the breaks are working absolutely fine! Thank you so much for the help

And i have another question, is the backfiring "phat phat" sound from apache while deaccelerating a sign of any problem?
does it by any chance effect the fuel efficiency? or is it absolutely normal?

Good, that you didn't have to replace the MC.
The popping sound comes if the mixture is lean, or as the mechanics say "tuned for mileage". I can't say that only because of that the engine might get harmed, but a lean mixture can cause engine overheating, and that can potentially cause problems. So get tuned for the right setting. Hope this helps.

**suvoysarkar** · 08-22-2018, 04:24 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by Siddhartha.S View Post

Good, that you didn't have to replace the MC.
The popping sound comes if the mixture is lean, or as the mechanics say "tuned for mileage". I can't say that only because of that the engine might get harmed, but a lean mixture can cause engine overheating, and that can potentially cause problems. So get tuned for the right setting. Hope this helps.

Thank you for the information.

I will get it tuned for the right setting as soon as possible, as mileage is not a big concern. I would like to keep the engine healthy instead.

**tripping_billie** · 08-22-2018, 10:05 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

For reference, i usually set the carb screw to 3.5 turns out. That works pretty well in Bangalore weather, no popping during deceleration or surging/jerks at low rpms. Also, check for any vacuum leaks which could lean out the mixture.

**S3maphor3** · 08-26-2018, 04:59 AM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Hi All,

Apache 180.

Experiencing severe vibrations at Triple digit speeds but only in left handle bar, will one of you enlighten me as to what could be the possible cause or what needs to be checked ?.

**apacherider** · 08-26-2018, 07:38 AM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by ashwinprakas View Post

The unspoken 'Thumb Rule' of safe motorcycling is that you should never be coasting, which itself translates to engine braking being a normal part of motorcycling.

Ideally, you should first be dropping a gear or two or at least load the rear brake before going ballistic on the front, because without any sort of braking force from the rear, aggressive use of the front brake can cause the front to slip.

Personally, I drop the gears harder than our people drop jackfruits and I do experience rear slip/hoping at times but that is not much of a concern as the rear wheel only slips/hops momentarily and would regain composure even before you know it. The slipping and hopping would be troublesome when it comes to entering a corner hard so in such scenarios blip the throttle or modulate clutch to avoid the same.

Cheers,
A.P.

I usually downshift at 4.5k rpm or below.. sometimes 5k rpm... I have to clean the brake pads and bike every 2 days to get the brakes as it is.. even when braking heavy sounds like braking of bus coming from the rear brakes.. hope it's due to air issues.. heavy raining and riding through waters ruined my brakes.. sometimes u get the brakes and sometimes brakea dont work at all.. thats y going with engine braking.. hope this won't harm the engine..

**Siddhartha.S** · 08-26-2018, 11:41 AM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by tripping_billie View Post

For reference, i usually set the carb screw to 3.5 turns out. That works pretty well in Bangalore weather, no popping during deceleration or surging/jerks at low rpms. Also, check for any vacuum leaks which could lean out the mixture.

3.5 turns you say? Hmm... My 160 carb tuning is usually 4.5turns. only then i get perfect pickup and the bike won't stall when idling. Anything less than 4~4.5 turns, it starts to feel weird and no matter how hot the engine is, it stalls at idling. Maybe thats the reason i get a mileage of around 43kmpl on highway and around 45(haven't exactly checked) in Bangalore city traffic.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by S3maphor3 View Post

Hi All,

Apache 180.

Experiencing severe vibrations at Triple digit speeds but only in left handle bar, will one of you enlighten me as to what could be the possible cause or what needs to be checked ?.

There's really no explanation for the vibes of the RTR(correct me if I'm wrong). It's like a mystery ha-ha. Some people feel it in the handle bars, some in the foot pegs etc etc.
Change your engine oil if it's old, and check the engine mount bolts, tighten if loose(not too tight though). Try synthetic engine oil if you can.
If anybody else has any other explanation, i would too love to know.

**ashwinprakas** · 08-26-2018, 11:43 AM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by apacherider View Post

I usually downshift at 4.5k rpm or below.. sometimes 5k rpm... I have to clean the brake pads and bike every 2 days to get the brakes as it is.. even when braking heavy sounds like braking of bus coming from the rear brakes.. hope it's due to air issues.. heavy raining and riding through waters ruined my brakes.. sometimes u get the brakes and sometimes brakea dont work at all.. thats y going with engine braking.. hope this won't harm the engine..

As long as you're replacing all consumables within the recommended intervals, you can even drop gears at peak RPM's(7~9k) and force the rear to step out without causing any harm to the motor.

It takes a lot more to ruin your brakes, these things are made to last, just make sure that consumables are changed periodically i.e you change pads and fluid once every year irrespective of use, better poor by 500/- than run with compromised brakes.

**S3maphor3** · 08-26-2018, 07:01 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by Siddhartha.S View Post

3.5 turns you say? Hmm... My 160 carb tuning is usually 4.5turns. only then i get perfect pickup and the bike won't stall when idling. Anything less than 4~4.5 turns, it starts to feel weird and no matter how hot the engine is, it stalls at idling. Maybe thats the reason i get a mileage of around 43kmpl on highway and around 45(haven't exactly checked) in Bangalore city traffic.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

There's really no explanation for the vibes of the RTR(correct me if I'm wrong). It's like a mystery ha-ha. Some people feel it in the handle bars, some in the foot pegs etc etc.
Change your engine oil if it's old, and check the engine mount bolts, tighten if loose(not too tight though). Try synthetic engine oil if you can.
If anybody else has any other explanation, i would too love to know.

Yeah you are rite, there was some looseness with the engine mount screws. Got them tightened. All good now. But will I face it again, I mean is this a recurring issue ?.

**Siddhartha.S** · 08-26-2018, 07:11 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by S3maphor3 View Post

Yeah you are rite, there was some looseness with the engine mount screws. Got them tightened. All good now. But will I face it again, I mean is this a recurring issue ?.

Good. I don't think it's a recurring issue. It might get loosened because of the vibes of the engine, and during service if they've failed to tighten it happens.

**ashwinprakas** · 08-26-2018, 09:56 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by Siddhartha.S View Post

Good. I don't think it's a recurring issue. It might get loosened because of the vibes of the engine, and during service if they've failed to tighten it happens.

Do consider opting for thread lock when fastening nuts and bolts prone to vibrations.

**S3maphor3** · 08-26-2018, 10:42 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by ashwinprakas View Post

Do consider opting for thread lock when fastening nuts and bolts prone to vibrations.

And what exactly is that.

**S3maphor3** · 08-26-2018, 11:13 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

My bike has become as good as new and vibes almost none

Attached Files

**ashwinprakas** · 08-26-2018, 11:19 PM

Re: TVS Apache RTR 180

Originally posted by S3maphor3 View Post

And what exactly is that.

Here you go, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread-locking_fluid

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