re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

My sincerest Apologies. I missed reading this post of yours.

I have not done the emission test yet. Honestly I had forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding.

On the insurance, I have a shocking update:
So from what I get Honda has a tie up with ICICI Lombard here. My first zero dep insurance was also with them and the premium was around 14500.
Now, when I tried renewing it from ICICI, they said they cannot renew a zero dep insurance over the phone. I will need to go to their office. I tried calling a couple of agents and they said they wouldn't be able to give a good deal on ICICI renewals. So I went to Lombard office, got contacts of their agents and went to one.

After 20% NCB and reducing the value of the bike by 20K, the premium I got is around 15600 or something. I think the insurance premiums have gone above all throughout from what I get. So my 2nd year insurance premium after 20% NCB is higher than the first year premium which was a shock to me. I didnt have much options because I wanted to stay with ICICI because the honda guys had told me they have some kind of tie up with them and helps in claims and stuff.

Rachit

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53


Thanks Rachit for the update. Even we have a shocking news here from ICICI Lombard who are quoting more than what we paid when we bought along with our motorcycle.

Along with ICICI we are also evaluating other options as well. As we have more members here in Bangalore, we are in the process of negotiating with other vendors as well. Will keep you updated as and when we finalize on something.

Cheers,
Rakesh

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Cool. Yeah a group deal should work out better.
Plus you can always pressurize the dealer that way to accept other insurance for cashless claims.

I will probably look for something similar next year.

Keep me posted.

Thank you

Rachit

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Hey Rachit,

Hope you and your ride are doing well. I am at 11.5K now and will be scheduling my 3rd and last free service shortly. Bike is doing great. No complains whats-soever.

Just wanted to update you on the insurance. The majority of the 650F owners in Bangalore are going ahead with New India Insurance. We got a quotation of INR 8285 with IDV of 6,40,000. Interesting thing is New India is offering 3 years comprehensive insurance at once and the quotation we received for this is INR 23,300 with any number of claims. Also for both the plans they offer cashless if the claim amount is more than 1 Lakh. Both are zero depreciation policy. I might go ahead with second option.

Cheers,
Rakesh

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

The ride is doing well. I recently did a DIY to quicken the throttle a bit by the Zip tie method. That has made a slight difference in the way she reacts which is nice.
I am standing at 8100 KMs as of now.

Wow!! Thank you for the update. Considering I payed 15K for 1 year, 23K for 3 years is an absolute smashing deal.
Will try to do something on the similar lines for the next renewal for sure.

Thank you for updating sir.

CHEERS!!

Rachit

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

New India Assurance is what the Honda guys here in Mangalore signed me up for my 250. Have had no hassle with any claims, renewals etc. They're pretty good and respond on time. Only gripe is they sometimes miss sending us reminders for insurance renewal and I had to get mine done new with motorcycle inspection and stuff.

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Thanks Nithesh for the update. By the way we have a person from Mangalore as well who has bought CBR650F couple of months back.

Cheers,
Rakesh

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Yes. I heard about one being specially bought at a local dealership. Thought it was a display model but also heard somebody bought it instead. Wonder where he's servicing it.

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

The service personnel from Bangalore, Silicon Honda will visit personally to Mangalore to service it. I got this information from Silicon Honda folks.

Cheers,
Rakesh

A dream come true - My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: 1 year update on page 24

@mods, Kindly change the title of the thread to:
A dream come true - My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: 1 year update on page 24


So, this update has been pending since some time. My sincerest apologies for not being able to provide it timely despite my very sincere efforts. A two year old kid, who just jumps on the laptop even at its slightest sight for her rhymes makes it difficult to take the laptop out.


The bike completed 1 year on August 19. So now its slightly more than 13 months old. I have covered around 8500 Kms till now. Its a bit less than what I had targeted, but no regrets as I could not materialize even one of the 2 hoped for trips.


The bike has been performing flawlessly. No issues so far. I did manage to drop it while taking it out of the parking at a friend's place. It was an awkward slope and I was not careful, plus my short legs didn't help. The bike was stationary, was almost about to start rolling when it happened and I sort of dropped it slowly on the ground. The ground had some stones and honestly my heart did skip a bit. I did not have the courage to lift it and look at the damage. When I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Not even a single ding anywhere on the bodywork. The Rear view mirror had scratches and the bar end weight, frame slider had minor scratches. The rear turn indicator had turned in opposite direction while on the ground, but as I picked it, it came back to its original shape by itself and without any scratch. God was really kind that day. A lesson learnt, thankfully not the hard way.


After this I did feel a bit of difference in the clutch feel and thought the lever had bent or misaligned. Showed it to the honda guys, they took it apart, lubed it and put it back and that fixed everything.


The bike has become smoother and the buzziness has reduced a lot. It is there at certain RMPs, but my brain is sort of used to it now so I have started noticing them much lesser as well. My friend, a ninja 650 owner just loves the smoothness of the CBR, not that Ninja is not smooth by any standards. But the inline smoothness thing is sort of nice.


Overall everything is holding up pretty well. The tyres still seem to have another 4-5K Kms on them. The brakes, the chain, the clutch, all good in shape.


One of the 2 issues I have with the bike is the Meter Design and the very long throttle travel. I cant do anything about the meter, but found a nice DIY to quicken the throttle a bit. There are Quick Throttle kits available but I couldn't find any for the CBR and they are expensive too. So this DIY was interesting and did bring in some difference. For people who do not know about it, here is the link on the basics:
DIY quick throttle mod with pics - Yamaha R6 Forum: YZF-R6 Forums


The long throttle in the CBR sort of makes it feel very tame. It is good for traffic and slow speed modulation, but does take away a wee bit out of the fun factor. This quick throttle DIY make a slight difference in the way bike feels.


Fuel efficiency consistently hovers around 22-23 Kmpl in the city.


Other than this, no changes to the bike. I am contemplating a windscreen change to the MRA touring one, but some time in future as it is not easy to source these things in India.


Likes:
1) Very Smooth engine for 80% of the Rev Band. Does feel silky smooth down low.
2) Very linear power delivery makes it very easy to ride and ride fast.
3) Very predictable handling. Its not a razor sharp thing, but that means it is much more forgiving to incorrect inputs.
4) Braking is very confidence inspiring on the bike. For me its not the power, but the modulation that the brakes offer provide a lot of control and confidence.
5) Ergonomics, generally comfortable.
6) Fit and Finish of the bike feels very premium. You have to look at the white sparkling paint on the tank to believe it. No rattles so far.
7) Ideal mix of ride and handling with a slight tilt towards sport.


Dislikes:
1) Meter Design could have been better. This feels a bit old age.
2) On some days when you are really on it, the power delivery does feels a bit too tame. You really have to wring the long throttle to get the rush. But when you do, it does pick pace quite well.
3) For somebody who has been out of touring for a while and not generally in the fittest of the state, long distance does take some toll because of the slight forward lean in the riding position.
4) Wet weather grip of the OEM Dunlops. Dry grip is more than sufficient for road use in my opinion.


Overall very happy with the bike. Greed aside, I still believe for my sort of riding this is a very good choice.


Now for some pics:



One of the Rainy Day rides



The End Result


After a wash


We went for a Day ride to Sariska, which was around 400 KMs up and down. I had not slept properly for the last 2 days and this is when while coming back, I was mostly crying in pain for the last 60-70 Kms or so. The harsh sun did not help the case either. While my friends on their sofas were having a nice time.






After a nice polish session



Regular Sunday Morning GFR runs




With a sister


That is me captured by a friend's gopro.


I have borrowed a friends gopro and made some test videos. I did not have the helmet mount and the wrapped windscreen blocked most of the view when mounted on the tank. But still if you guys want, feel free to view the videos and share feedback. I have got the helmet mount now. Hopefully this weekend onward, I could get something better.


Not sharing the videos here, as some sections have speeds which we don't advocate and I don't know how to blur the speedo thingy yet.:uncontrol


Here is the link to the channel:



Please don't expect anything fancy. These were test runs by a first timer who is very creatively challenged. stupid:


I will make some more videos of the exhaust and all.


CHEERS!!


Rachit

Re: A dream come true - My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: 1 year update on page 24


Congratulations on completing one year. Very well written.

Cheers,
Rakesh

Re: A dream come true - My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: 1 year update on page 24

Thank you very much sir.

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Congrats brother!!! Many more miles to munch brother.... I checked your videos and liked it. Well I would suggest to go for Helmet mount, it would be better. but yeah the videos have come out well.

Ride Safe

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

Thank you very much brother.
Yeah, This gopro thing keeps evading me.

I have got the helmet mount, the now the adhesive mount wouldn't fit where I want it to because of the shape of my helmet.
I want to put the camera in the chin area because I like that angle the most and unfortunately my helmet has curve their that is proving tricky.
This weekend also, we could not get anything. Ordering new adhesive mounts and praying hard to god that it works this time.

CHEERS!!

You need to come for a ride than with us and I will record you destroying corners on the GFR on your R15.


Rachit

re: My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on PG-53

None of the adhesive mount fits in the chin area, and there aren't any ready-made chin mounts available in the market. It's DIY mostly, and you're darn right about the POV - it's the best view for an action cam. I have a gopro and I have performed a shoddy DIY for the chin mount. The looks are ruined with all the tapes but the overall integrity seems to be holding fine so far. Trust me, until you change your helmet to a flat front version (an impossible find), you can't rely on the curvy adhesive mounts. These are best fit only for the top region.