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**ken cool** · 06-30-2009, 10:49 AM

Query Approved

Would love to see more of these move around in the streets. But I am not sure if it would be advisable to commute in Indian rush hour conditions. I leave the experts to comment regarding this.

**gsferrari** · 06-30-2009, 11:12 AM

Hi - I use the RD as an everyday bike...getting to office, groceries, heading out on weekends...the lot. I've never had overheating issues in traffic/motorways. I ride in Mumbai so the traffic can get quite heavy. The only annoying situation is when you can't slot it into neutral sometimes and end up holding the clutch in a lot...that can be set right though.

As long as you have a reliable ignition in place and keep everything else in usable condition - it can be as reliable as a 4-stroke.

Gotta have the right papers though

**sinhead** · 06-30-2009, 11:20 AM

Thanks Ken, for the quick approval!!

@gs - that's exactly the kind of usage I have in mind. Its a relief to know that the Rd can take it.

**ken cool** · 06-30-2009, 11:32 AM

I rode the RD 22 years ago in open spaces. Those days traffic was not like what it is today. Hence I did not venture into that domain.

**gsferrari** · 06-30-2009, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by sinhead View Post

Thanks Ken, for the quick approval!!

@gs - that's exactly the kind of usage I have in mind. Its a relief to know that the Rd can take it.

Be prepared to deal with <20 kpl fuel efficiency...although that has never been an issue for me. Also be prepared to deal with parking issues. I am lucky to have 2 parking slots INSIDE my office building (RD350 and MT01) which is basically a fortress. Stuff like Carburetors and Instruments etc. are easy to steal.

Also the brakes don't work very well in the rain unless you use the bike on a daily basis. If you are using the local brake pads - they sort of expand with moisture and can cause "locking" of the brakes. It is easy to fix with simple adjustments.

The bike will also get incredibly dirty in the rain - do justice to it and keep it clean

**arvindraju** · 06-30-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by gsferrari View Post

Be prepared to deal with <20 kpl fuel efficiency

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

**ken cool** · 06-30-2009, 12:23 PM

I did not think parking an RD can be an issue. And now, come to think of it, Darkside's RD got stolen from his home!

Originally posted by arvindraju View Post

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

Damn! And when Aryan rides the R1 it returns 22!!!

**gsferrari** · 06-30-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally posted by arvindraju View Post

sure on the mileage part ? my Friend's RD 350 gives 10

I get between 16 and 20...maybe more on the highways but that I haven't checked...

**Binoy** · 06-30-2009, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by ken cool View Post

Damn! And when Aryan rides the R1 it returns 22!!!

Is it true ken da??? i heard that R1 has fuel efficiency in between 10-15km/ltr...

**kar1zma** · 06-30-2009, 03:01 PM

right
i had a RD350 and used it regularly as my everyday bike for 8 months
no issues with the bike u can use it
only be prepared for petrol

@binoy yup the r1 should give that much cause my zx10r gives me close to 14km/l

**sinhead** · 06-30-2009, 10:43 PM

Thanks kar1zma !!

& thanks again "gs" for pointing out the parking issue....
will have to be extra careful!!

**julianpaul** · 06-30-2009, 11:33 PM

I used my RD as a daily bike for 2 odd years and no probs. yes in the hot summers the crankcase covers used to get a little too hot esp if you wear sandals (which you shouldn't!). but i had no probs with other things like flickability in traffic etc. in fact the rd was more flickable in slow traffic than the rtr, probably due to the steering range.

mileage was an average 17kmpl, worst was 9kmpl when racing with other rds and best was 27 when cruising at 60 in 6th, but why do that on an rd anyway!

i would say the biggest prob really is quality spares. if you can sort that out, probably import, then no probs. heck i had less probs with my rd than my one year old rtr fi!

go for it !

p.s. as gs said, a good ignition is very important for a daily bike, out-of-tune points can be a major pain in the rear. i used an autoescorts eureka. very slight power drop as compared to points but absolutely trouble free and pretty cheap. cdis might be better.

**wierd_san** · 07-01-2009, 02:13 PM

i use my bike regularly bout 30kms a day, i never watch the mileage regular maintainence is all thats necessary, but i do live in coimbatore so traffic not that big a worry.
but i have noticed a couple of thins, in the rain my clutch tends to slip a lot, and neutrals are a b***h to find. but i never use my bike regularly for more tha 2 months at a stretch, its 2 months then a rest for bot a month then its back on the road again.

**sinhead** · 07-02-2009, 10:40 PM

thanks wierd_san,
& julian for the suggestions. I guess cdi will definitely make more sense!!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions & its reassuring to see that people have & many are still using it as a regular bike, without any major niggles!!

Will go ahead with the rebuild asap!!

thanks once again!!

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RD as an everyday bike?

RD as an everyday bike?

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