Hello People

Hey Guys,

This is my first post in xBhp, and I'd like to post two ownership experiences together, hope the moderator approves. I'm from Bangalore, and this has been my bike story so far.

My first bike was a nice Fiero FX, in 2004. Thanks to my own inexperience, lovely TVS stock tyres and the high center of gravity of the bike, I had my first falls on it. I swear, one time, it almost felt like it skidded and fell AFTER I'd stopped completely. . But having said that, I have to admit after I got MRF Zappers pretty early on (maybe 3k kms), and I got the necessary confidence, the crashes I had were because of gravel or someone else crashing into me. After almost 7 years, I felt like selling the bike largely out of frustration with the unavailability of original spares for the bike. As you can imagine, I have had my fair share of arguments with Bridgestone motors SVC about the same. I managed to find extremely good quality replacements for the damaged parts, the thin worn out disc break, a corroded mirror, seat cover et al, in some of the more accessible bike spares stores here in Bangalore. Because of my own measured riding and maintenance, there were no serious issues with the bike, engine or otherwise.



So this is where this thread comes in, when I finally decided to go for a new bike, my mind was torn between Apache, one of the new EFI Bullets (I've always liked cruisers), or worst case the 220 Avenger.

I ruled out the avenger, on account of it being, well, I've never really liked Bajaj bikes, heavens know why. I really wanted to go for the BUllet, either EFI or the standard model, and it turned out that they have waiting periods of 10 months and 8 months respectively, (in Bangalore atleast. I've heard it's not that bad in Chennai or other places) Now I was really pissed, these people can't seriously expect a payment of (on road) 1 lakh or 1.5 lakh and expect me to wait 10 months... It's not like the bikes are custom built! So FInally it came down to Apache, the RTR series.

Now I know you guys here are loyal Apache lovers, and must be wondering why you should care about some guy whose third choice was Apache! Well, I must clarify that I have always liked the bike. Even my Fiero was a great performer, at 7 years, 40k kms old, defective clutch, I still got 50kmpl and a top speed of 110ks (I pulled back after that, wasn't sure of the road) just before I sold it off. So while I looked forward to the bike, I was dreading TVS service. With my Fiero, one time, the mechanic at the SVC refused to change the spark plug as I asked because he wanted me to get my ignition coil checked. (what i wanted: 85-100rupees, he was quoting 300 rupees for CHECKING the coils). Later when my bike finally broke down, I got the spark plug changed at a roadside mechanic. And more than once they have had a shortage of Brake pads at the SVC. I find that to be just ridiculous! Who doesn't get BRAKE pads changed?!

I went to Meghdooth Motors which very proudly advertises itself as the showroom with highest sales in South India. The Sales Exec started telling me the salient features, I stopped her in the middle, and asked her if they were going to stop making spares if they come up with a new bike. Obviously she was more confused than anything. I booked a Red Hyper edge, took the delivery a few weeks back. Of course, typical TVS SVC problems started. I found the bike had already touched 105Kmph as per the speedo, when i took the delivery, the speedo port was disconnected which I connected in a traffic jam at 8 in the night! And to top it off, there was a horrible clicking noise coming from the handlebar-fork-front wheel assembly. Couldn't figure it out in the dark.

It turned out that a rubber bush was missing in the disc brake assembly, and the engineer at the SVC apologetically replaced it. He even rode with me to clarify any other worries I might have. Especially since I casually mentioned my mech engg degree and automobile engg specialisation, he was very respectful in his tone. And said that when i have to go for first service, he would come and introduce me to the mechanics. After a major Tax challan confusion at the showroom and the irritation of the clicking, this was a relief.



(I've heavily photoshopped the pics to make the CHrome in the Fiero and the Red in Apache pop out a bit, don't mind, :P)

I've loved riding so far, although downshifting seems to be an issue, the sound I get is like a spanner striking the crankcase, But I'm assuming it's because I'm adjusted to the buttery gears of the Fiero. Stock tires are thankfully better than my last experience with them, look forward to changing them when the bike is run in and the monsoon is near.

Some posts back, I read a question about batteries, I think a dry cell is far better than lead acid, especially since the electric start is so often used. I got a dry cell for my fiero, and even when i was out of town on work for a month and a half or two, it would start with one or two kicks, no issue with honk, indicator or the halogen lamp. And it needs no recharging at SVC in the middle, and lasts like 5 years! Costs about 2 and a half times a regular battery, so wondering what you guys think about it.

If you've read my post till now, Thank you, very much, I'm a Writer, and tend to go on and on and on, :P, and on a more comic note, Is there ANY female biker on XBhp?! I'm not trying to be cheap, just that, in all the forums that I've seen, xBhp seems to be one of the cleanest with the language, and focus, there hardly seems to be any trolling here. So I thought if there was any place on the web, that would see positive interaction with women regarding "male" hobbies and passions like biking it would be here.

Again, thank you if you've read all my rambling, hope I've embedded the images right.

Cheers!

CongO!!!! and

Its definitely good deal. Do collect receipt of MRF tyres. This will help for manufacturing defect warranty.

Check following:
1. no worn out tyre coat (glossy surface on grip)-this will ensure new tires
2. 90/90-17 front (get Zapper -FS tubeless prefereed)
3. Zapper C/Y-100/90/18 rear (Check if you can get tubeless Zapper C isnt available 100/90-18 tubeless-do confirm)
4. Uniform run of tire installation indicator allong the rim.

Head grinding?? you mean decarb.

The cover you mentioned, which fall off is of aluminium plug with O-ring on threaded side and allen socket on outer side for fitting the same.

As in RTR, the magneto is wet type, the oil will definitely come out of this hole.
Do not run with that open hole as this will result in dust insertion and serious damage to bearings, dogs, gears.

Do flush the crank case prior to putting in new oil.

If its sluggish, they might have skipped use of gauges while setting the valve clearances. Get it set in front of you. Intake is 0.06mm and exhaust is 0.08mm (must be set at compression TDC) on cold engine.

Check air filter is clean and check spark plug also.

Once every thing is done, run engine for 5 mins or so, and set carb on warm engine.

Weird !!! Think in this thread only four have Hyper Edge,
shusheel black
suneel Red
Atul Gray
me Yellow
and i thought all would prefer black

@Suneel
You didnt get a seat cover ?

I think, after the pulsar rush some 5 years ago, people have shifted to brighter colours now. It's a cycle... Ha! 10 years from now they'll look at red and yellow bikes and say retro colouring.

Seat cover, no, Yet to. Want to see how this seat grips my rear in higher speeds and then decide. :P

Bro a strange clinking sound is also coming from the engine. When I used to start my bike in the morning the sound used to come only from the silencer but now engine is also making a strange sound. I fear if the bike will need a complete overhaul of the engine. This is the first time in 8-9 years of possessing a bike I am facing an engine issue. I wish if only the timing chain is making that bloody noise. And yes I will pickup a good local mechanic instead of those morons.

Buddy I used to share good terms with SC Manager as well as Technicians and they also used to give me priority over others. But this time around I'm just terrorized by them and my head starts paining while riding my bike these days. I will try to get the issue resolved but now I doubt the capability of themselves. I wish not to have a damaged engine

If its from left side, its of timing chain. check the timing chain tensioner is working good. Remove it, and retract the plunger by rotating the screw with small screw driver. On release, the plunger should come out smoothly. Then refit with retracted plunger and release the plunger. Rotate crankshaft externally by 17mm box spanner (pipe type) for 2 complete turns.

This should stop the noise. if it doesn't your timing chain need replacement.

If your bike is under warranty, get everything done under warranty only.

Hey dude its susheel.. i knw u r kidding with the spelling...
well by the way I saw that hayabusa sticker in that air scoops in ur bike...hw much does it cost?? I saw them in a nearby shop and they told 80rs per sticker...

Bike got screwed

Guys gone for a long trip and when returning back came to know that my bike's heart is slowly and slowly dying.
Went to a long 1200+ kms hill trip and while returning heard weired metal crankling sound from the engine. It was late at night and still had to cover 300 kms to reach home. Looked for a doctor to show her but all in vain.
So ride her back to home with fear in heart that she can give up anytime in the middle of long lone highway but she didnt. Reached home and shown to a mech, he said there is no Engine oil and the bike is running completely dry and can seize anytime.
The first thing came in mind WTF , howcome this happened. It was 2k kms since last engine oil change or the TVS SVC didn't put any engine oil after gear bearing work.
I felt like for all these 2k kms i was slow posioning her. I was such a fool that neither bothered to check the engine oil in the whole trip even once .
I was riding her hard all this time and she never shown a sign of her sufferings.
Took her today to TVS SVC, was so pissed off that i would have hit hard the mech who have worked on her last time. Somehow controlled.
The mech there checked the exhaust and found thick carbon deposits in the exhaust and said, all the engine oil might have burnt along with fuel.

I told them that i got done all bike services from there SVC and they should have checked the things and they again started giving there lame excuses like it happens with time and all those bu**s**t.
Later they said Cylinder kit need to be changed(which will be under warranty) but i have to wait for some 15+ days, as like always, the things are not in Stock .

I am still waiting for replacement of rear left shocker which is even after 10 days waiting not in stock.

They dont even keep the bare minimum requirement parts
Now i have to again go through the tiring process of running
For the time being they are going to put engine oil and suggested me to ride less and keep a check on engine oil level.

Guys is there anything else or any other part could have damaged badly along with the cylinder kit which i could get replaced?

The only thing which is positive here is because of my regular servicing, dont have to pay for the parts but have to pay for the labour only.

It seems to me as a never ending iterations with the SVC.
Hoping for good and lets see what comes up next.

PS: Guys keep a check of the thick carbon deposit inside the exhaust as the above can happen with anybody who is getting bike serviced from SVC.

Today morning when cleaning the bike i noticed oil deposits on engine, the deposits are actually on that cylinder part above spark plug , is there any problem or is it normal ?

ppl like gray more....seen lots f them....
i like yellow n red in tat order....yellow is 17-1800 more....n waiting period is more...
I thot most wud prefer yellow....

well
Is the RTR160 available in any other variant beside hyperEDGE.....
i meant refresh,FI,RD ?

FlyingJian sorry to hear of your problem with the Bike..You are not the only person to report of engine oil going low or missing after a long drive driven at Higher RPM. It seems that most of the recent bikes including Pulsars suffer from this problem.
ALL bikers who are undertaking a long drive be ware that high RPM driving consumes most of the engine oil ,and it is better to take at least a Liter of engine oil with you and keep topping it up regularly.
You should ask the Mech to check for crankshaft damage,and change it along with your Bore and Piston....A crankshaft which had run without oil is definitely bound to have damaged bearing .

Only Hyperedge RTR 160 is avaliable. They have stopped the versions RD & FI.

Thanks. How much does it cost?

Not really, When I booked, the rear disc was available, for 2K more. I declined... I even have the quote from the showroom for it... FI though has most certainly stopped. I think considering it's thought of premium technology, they should've waited to put it on a big bike, like Bajaj did with the 220, but I guess even they've yanked it... we love our carbs huh.