Just to update, I have recently done a ride from Pune to Ahmednagar and back to Pune on Red Rose and it was an awesome experience.
Controlling myself to just 5000-6000 RPM proved quite tough but I managed somehow. I haven't captured photos as it was a quick ride and I had some work to do rather than it being a ride for ride's sake.
But that helped me cross 800 km mark and more...Now I have about 950 km on the ODO.
Have informed Triumph guys about first service and they told not to worry about few km here and there - they are generally tolerant for any reading between 800 to 1000 km. Probably real distance for 1st service could actually be 1000 km and they are telling everyone to come after 800 km so that with typical Indian habits, people will surely cross the limit and request them to ADJUST
As per the schedule on Petrol Tank, between 480 to 960 km on ODO, we can use 6000 RPM. I am using about 5500 RPM and that is translating to somewhere about 110-112 kmph on Speedo in 6th gear.The smoothness is increasing and also it is becoming easier for me to ride in peak traffic day by day as the bike is running in properly and I am also getting used to it more and more. Beyond 5000 RPM the exhaust + engine intake together is producing a good sound. If one quickly raises RPM from 0 to 5000 in 1st gear the sound is impressive even without Arrow exhaust (with arrow it will surely be head turning) and the bike rockets really quick...One doesn't even notice when 100 kmph has been reached...
One small negative I noticed after many days from purchase - when we are not using gloves, the handlebar grips are leaving black residue on hands...Not expected from Triumph - but I noticed late because mostly riding with gloves on.
I have not tested the headlamp effectiveness on really dark roads yet as my long rides have been only during day time and I intend to ride during day as much as possible. Speed on this bike is so fast that at night if something comes in the way, it can be very hard to stop in time...
UPDATE 24-Oct-15:
I had given my bike for servicing and got it back today. Service cost was about Rs 6400 and Tyre Protection Treatment for both tyres came to Rs 2800 - Total about Rs 9200...
Main contributor was Oil (Castrol Power 1 - Rs 720/litre x 4 = 2880).
After the service, bike's engine started feeling much smoother than it was just prior to servicing. It is feeling eager than ever to leap to higher speeds now...I will start using 6000-6500 RPM range from tomorrow...After 1200-1300 km it would be about 7500-8000 RPM and after 1600 km it should be full fledged RPM range.. Braking is slightly more progressive feeling than before - or may be just I am used to it and imagining that in my head also...
Let's see when I can actually use anything beyond 8000 RPM...Definitely that will need longer rides on open highways (may be Mumbai - Bangalore highway beyond Kolhapur towards Karnataka side....Roads inside MH border are not good compared to those from Nipani onwards towards Bangalore..
Update 30-Oct-2015
Dear All,
In last few days, I started opening up the throttle and now Red Rose is starting to show its true colours - and also its real sound is coming out a bit more often than initial days...
Now I must say that on highways, it is really butter smooth when cruising at 100-110 kmph...It emits nice exhaust music + intake snarl (even in stock form) as soon as you increase the RPM rapidly from anything like 3000 to 6000-6500...Surely it attracts much attention...Definitely with Arrow exhaust it would be real head turner..
I have also adjusted Blue Gear Shift Lights to show progressive mode from 5500 RPM onwards. It feels real fun revving up the engine and see those lights flash as the revs are rising!
I haven't gone for a long ride since I started opening up the throttle a bit post 1st service...Thinking of doing so on coming Sunday - may be to Lonavla/Khandala near Pune which will allow some straight road and some curved roads riding on a decent smooth surface...
The kind of acceleration shown by this bike even with part throttle (not exceeding 7000 RPM) is astonishing...It simply sets my heart racing and I have to really control myself as the next speed breaker approaches rapidly (sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!)


Of course I am certainly controlling my urges and taking it easy as of now - these machines have to be respected...
In fact features of D-390 that are now available like Slipper Clutch etc are not available in Triumph Street Triple! Even LED indicators of Duke are brighter than standard indicators of TST. LED indicators of TST cost 5000/pair which doesn't seem worth at least now to me.

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