New Tires

Got new set of Pilot Power 2CT from DreamBikes ( where else ). Felt a pinch on my wallet but the end result was satisfying. Not a single scratch on my rims or swing arm (tipped that technician well ) and the difference in handling is mindblowing, the braking is superb, turns are easiers and the confidence is growing. Filled in nitrogen and the pressure is 32 for front and 36 for rear. Couple of my friends joined me for the tire change work. One of them has a little boy who went crazy after hearing the firing...He said "Will you give this bike to me when I grow up?". I said "we will buy you a better one"

Changing tires today was a last minute decision otherwise I was planning to request some xBHPians to join me...Still havent got a helmet. Planning to go "pro biking" shop at M.G.Road tomorrow.

Slow city riding and insane heat made the bike temp go till 108 at times. But a small blast and it would be in 90's. Felt a bit of pain on the wrist and neck, but I think its about getting used to it.

The ride through Pune city in scorching heat was an experience. Boy she handles like a R15 really. You just have to be aware of fellow bikers and drivers who tries to stay up close to you to see the beauty....the problem is that their eyes are on the bike, no where they should be. I was asked about the bike almost on every traffic light... "kitna cc's?", "top speed kitna hai?", "yeh Indian Bike hai na" (not sure what it meant). I could hear bikers saying "CBR dekh", "honda..honda", "bike dekh"!! Made me feel nostalgic as these used to be my lines few months back ....
Hang on to your dreams

Fuel

Guys, I went to the Pune RTO pump yesterday to look out for high octane fuel. But all they have is speed!!! Bike is already blinking for fuel...Planning to go to shell @Wakad tomorrow morning. I hope they have it...

Any other suggestions, please help.

The first ride experience was pure ecstacy! Almost as if I could 'feel' the bike...

Nice man. Enjoy the bike to the fullest! Hit the Lavasa roads. I'd seen them when I was in Pune, and they are heaven!!

Your Banshee surely is gonna get loads attention...

Ash, Living your dreams takes you on a different HIGH altogether.
No words can describe what goes on within you when you are in the Moment, relishing each moment of the DREAM.
Thats what we can all feel in your posts.
Keep up the great work and do feed us those tidbits of your Banshee and you bonding experience

SBK's sure garner a lot of attention in India and that comes with its part of problems. But over all we cant blame those fellow riders, commuters, onlookers, pedestrians et all - SuperBikes are super Mesmerisers
My 5 yr old dauter, 11 yr old and my wife all make a dash to the window whenever we hear a loud boom of the R1 that goes past our home everyday, twice.
Earlier i used to be the only crazy guy . Now are are 4 of us

I am sure your family is equally passionate about your prized possession
Cheers again !!!!
Hope to connect to you soon once i get my Despoine

Bro congratulations for the bike. The pics are really a treat for the eyes. Awesome machine.
tkcre

+1 bro
feels like living your dream.
Even my head turns around when such a machine passes by my side on road

Hey @ashtorque: Congratulations for such a beautiful bike.. Under Seat Exhaust and such a perfect colour combination, gives stunning looks to bike.

Take care of your baby..

Is my front brake alright?

There is a "kida" making rounds in my head after I changed the tires. When I move my bike in the parking lot (i.e. when its switched off) a feeble hissing sound comes from the front disks as if there is more friction between the pads and the disk. I am not sure whether this used to happen before also, just noticed it yesterday.Has the technician who changed the tire goofed up while fixing the brake on the disk? There is no problem with braking though.

..Can anyone provide some info/guidance?

@Ram
Most of the times the SBK owners enjoy in isolation. I am glad to know that your entire family is SBK enthusiast. Please capture the moments when they all see beauty for the first time...Your kids will be so very happy sititng on the busa...What a moment that will be

Wow!!! Happy moments are just round the corner (I know, easier said )

Congratulations on getting the Fireblade.

Slow riding always heats up the engine because the coolant pump isn't pumping enough water around the engine and the radiator is also not getting enough air passing over it to dissipate the heat .. a good blast on an empty road always helps.

The pain in your wrist is because your body weight is on your arm when you bend down to hold on to the clip ons and keep your arms straight, you should make some changes to your riding posture if you want to minimize it. You need to use your thighs to grip the petrol tank, and use them in addition to your arms to steer and control the bike, bend down further to bend your arms at the elbows and use your stomach muscles to support your body weight. If you haven't already got some books or videos on riding I would strongly suggest you get some riding books like the Twist of the Wrist I and II by Keith code or the Twist of the Wrist II video. You can also check out some book reviews here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...ok-ratings.htm. They will help in improving your riding skills a lot.

Honda Fireblades are known for their dream like handling .. that's one of the strong points of the Blade .. you're insulting it by comparing it to R15!

The brake pads are very close to the discs and if there's some dust on the pads or disc you hear that sound. Its common with disc brakes and nothing to worry about. Cleaning the disc and pads with water will help reduce it for a while but it will come back again after a few days. If you clean it please remember to dry the discs and pad because the brakes don't bite well when they are wet .. you don't want to be riding the bike without brakes!

Firstly, congratulations on ur blade

Your writeups are well written and i like the way u mention the feeling of the whole occasion of a ride.

The Shell outlet is a bit beyond the Wakad bridge, closer to the Hinjewadi chowk. Dunno about any other Shell outlets in Pune.

Enjoy ur ride!! Waiting for more pics and trip logs

EDIT:: This is very weird that there are a bunch of sbks in Pune (most owners on xbhp) and I haven't had the chance to lay my eyes on a single one

Thanks.

There are quite a few Shell outlets in and around Pune. The closer ones to my place are the Hinjewade and Wakad outlets, both within 3 kms distance between them! I spoke to their area manager before going there and I was impressed the way he was ready to provide any information I was asking. Come on, he was not a bank loan rep neither was he a call center guy! Its a damn petrol pump and still the professionalism was at its best.

He informed that pump on the way to Hinjewadi IT park falls outside the octroi limit and this petrol is cheaper by Rs.4!!! Thats a good diff, isnt it? He also said that they have "SuperPetrol" (Rs.60 per liter) product that they market as "91+" octane. As per him this petrol is tested for being in the range of 94-95 octance but some regulations prohibit them to market as higher than 91 so they call its 91+. At the petrol pump the guys were very cooperative and professional. Overall, I am glad to see this customer service improving in India.

Nice introductory texts you have written about your baby, both, the first impressions and your first ride. Liked reading through them. Great ride you have there. Enjoy it to the fullest. But ride safe. If you are scared, you will live longer!

you bet....

@ ken : i like that. Well said. Will surely remember this when im out Riding

Now there is some challenge to Gabbar's classic...Jo dar gaya, samzho mar gaya

Just kiddin Ken... +1 on your advice. The moment one thinks that he can tame these glorious beasts...he is in for a huge trouble. The bike has enough excitement and thrill even when one is in his limits....A little sub-3 second blast from 40-120kmph can give your orgasmic feeling The BHP is capable of increasing BPM (beats per minute) in no time