a. Roads are extremely good (95%- 4 lane roads, except mysore-bangalore).... but some road between Chitradurga and Davangere (around 60km) is bad.... many diversions... and loads of potholes... which will slow you down a lot.

b. No ghat sections as such.

c. I would say it would take you around 16hrs (considering the bad roads inbetween)

d. It is pretty safe on NH4.... just save yourself from the trucks... overtake only from right after the truck/bus wala knows you are overtaking him.

e. Keep some spares coz newer bikes run on hi-tech parts unavailable at most places (keep a clutch cable and accerelator cable).

Avoid night driving with R15 as the stock headlight beam and spread is poor.
Carry spare clutch and accelerator cable.

This is the wrong thread to post this query!

But here's the solution anyways :-

From Mysore you need to reach Tumkur, you can go either via Bangalore or via Nagamangala > Kunigal.

a. Road condition is Extremely good almost all through. Just between Chitradurga and Hubli (200 kms) the road varies between ok and not so good. And you tend to loose lots of time in this section!

b. There are 3 ghat section in between. All three are a joke in the name of ghats. Don't worry are about them, they are more like straight roads. Infact one of them (Tawandi Ghat) is a 6 lane road!

c.14 hrs is pretty ok estimate, considering you would be starting from mysore. I took 12 hours from Pune to Neelamangala.

d. This is best answered by R15 owners. But I would advise you to time your journey such that Chitradurga-Hubli is covered in daylight.

e. Its good to be adequately equipped on ride of this magnitude (800+kms). Again some of the experienced tourers on the R15 would be able to guide you better.

And most of all "Use your common sense!"

Maybe they dont have blue ones in stock. Orion fortunately had 2 bikes with them. I picked up mine last night.

First impressions are in line with everyone elses - a bit more power lower down, the headlights could be called candlelights. Could you guys throw some light on the following issues
1) Theres a slight humming sound that I identified as coming from the visor (it disappears when I hold the visor while riding). Will tightening the visor suffice ?
2) The back brake takes ages to shed speed. It feels like a tiny drum brake to be honest as it takes forever to stop the bike & suddenly there is a lot of bite. Will bleeding the rear brake in the first service help or is this how the back brake is set ?
3) There's a squish sound that comes from the front fork while going over a speedbreaker. It doesnt happen all the time. Is that normal ?

Try tightening the visor&the dome section bolts with an Allen Key. If that does not work, check whether the speedo needs some foam/padding.
Try breaking in the brakes by progressively increasing the braking.
That sound is pretty normal&heard from all other bikes as well. If you feel the fork is excessively loose, you can get it tightened.
Congrats on getting the R15!

You never mix and use both. You degrease the chain first(remove the existing lube) and lube it. So, it doesnt really matter. Correct me if I am wrong.

@ hyd xbhpians

Guys, try not to leave your bikes alone at service place. Stay with your bike and get her serviced. People there are very irresponsible. They put grease or engine oil sometimes instead of chain spray when they are outa stock. They dont clean air filter if the owner is not around. And, many more issues. I'd suggest you guys to be with your baby while servicing else she wont get the right treatment.

Cheers!

Congratulations and welcome to the uber world of class sports motorcycling for the masses!

As a first, I'll answer your second query: DON'T use the rear brakes on this bike. They arent meant to be used, other than exceptions. Search this thread and you'll see plenty of advice on good braking habits. Let go of the age old slamming-the-rear-brake thing. It'll take time, but you'll acquire a faster way of shedding speed.

I dont know what the squish sound is, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Maybe you can describe it a li'l more and the greater experts here can solve it for you.


Happy riding, and post some pics. An R15 is always eye candy for the guys on this thread :P

Congrats for the new bike.
1) Get used to it, will reduce a lot after 1st service.
2) Rear brakes are like that initially but after 1k it will get better but that does not mean that you can rely on them. R15 has excellent braking and handling but only if it done properly. Try to make a habit of using both the brakes simultaneously. This provides superb control and braking abilities. Once you learn that you would realize that rear discs are really discs.
3) That happens over a speed breaker OR every time you slow down and you hear it?

After 1st service many things will change so do not be judgmental right now.
Ride safe!

hey congrats neil for new bike and welcome to the R15 family.

Chain noise...

I guess I have to live with the chain noise now...it was never there before 4th Service. I wanted to get it loosened, but the mech.said its perfectly fine&just oiled (not even lubed) the sprocket. Sound has diminished, but not gone!

Oiling invites a lot of dirt on the chain and it becomes a hell of a job to clean later. Anyhow, try to catch the guy 'Jahangir' at Pearl. He is the only one I trust there. He adjusted my chain in one shot and it was all gone and clean. You wouldn't have to live with it

Shankar generally does my bike. I even tip him generously. I asked him to loosen it, but he says it is fine. I guess I'll lube it myself after a few days&see.
Btw, would you like to come for a ride this weekend for about 50kms.?

Hey sarvajit, pudix, vibhanshu & anthony, thanks guys. Am in love with the bike for a multitude of reasons. 1 feeling - Bliss! Have to occassionally check the speedo cause the bike is capable of doing deceptive speeds without any drama. Thats how 7 years of riding a classic Pulsar can alter your perceptions .....
Couple of clarifications from my side.
1) Cant hear that hum in traffic. Noticed it when I was riding around a residential area the first night when it was totally silent.
2) I am a front disc user with the rear brake being used to supplement the front brake usage (again 7 years of Pulsar usage....) Since this is the first rear-disc bike that I am riding I want to make sure I know its capabilities/limitations, hence the only rear break test that night. Will do some more late night riding to get a better feel of the rear. Tried the front - back combo braking : unbelievably good.
3) Will check for that squish sound tonight on my way back from work. Didnt hear it today at all.
4) Its been what 6 - 8 months since the bike has been on the roads. And yet at every single signal I notice that I get envious looks. A not too subtle helmet & DSG gloves help draw attention but to be honest, the bike is the star; everyone is checking out the bike & not me but hey what the heck, I dont mind the attention.

Sounds good! I guess its gonna be a morning this time. I can only make it on Sunday as I have 6 day working at job. A few more can join I guess. But we'll pickup a road that is smooth. Hate potholes and I dont even have gears till now.
PS: I had been practicing crouching No high speeds without that
That humm sound can be your radiator fan also coz when the bike is new, it tends to get heated up far quickly than any serviced bike. But do not care about them. Just hang on till 1st service
And forget it. You wont get any attentions

@Neil.Jericho: Good to hear you are in love with the bike. I was one of the first to get it here&people even used to ask me whether it was the R1!.
Anyways, don't worry about the radiator fan, it does not switch on every now&then.
Combo braking is the most effective&safe method!
I used to go to my old office at around 6 in the morning. Miss that time now-the ride used to be fabulous!
I would say take good care of the chain as it tends to get noisy&attract dust. Lubing it every 500kms.&after riding in the rain should do just fine. Mine also needs a bit of attention now. All the best!

@Vibhanshu: You have a PM!