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**sunilg** · 03-09-2016, 11:04 AM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Touring query approved and moved to trip planning section! My answers in blue

Originally posted by mototech View Post

Hello xbhpians,
I am Hrithik from Jaipur. I am new to xbhp, so please forgive my mistakes as of now.

Well i have started this thread because I need the advice of xbhpians regarding long distance touring. Even though I have read touring threads but I want more personalised suggestions.

I have been riding motorbikes since 2010 but I have never done any long tour on the same, well the point is that I am a newbie to long distance touring, so i want you to suggest me ways by which I can make the journey more comfortable.

I am planning to make a trip to Sri Ganganagar, which is approx. 460KMS from jaipur, by the end of March 2016. The journey would be of Approximately 900KMS up&down. The machine that i have a Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi UG4, which is 3 years old and has 14k KMS on the odometer. The bike has been serviced at regular intervals and is in a good condition. I would be having 2 days time for the trip. Now I have a few queries-

1. Will the Pulsar 180 be able to do this comfortably? Your bike is more than capable! You can do it on a 100% bike too. You just need to keep in the mind the limits of the bike and ride it within those limits.

2. How much will the lack of an Oil Cooling/Liquid Cooling system affect the entire trip? Not at all in your case. Air cooling is sufficient for a naked bike unless it is a very high performance engine. The air cooling system is sufficient for the Pulsar 180. Just check the engine oil level before starting the trip and replace/top up as necessary.

3. I have got the rear suspension adjusted to stiff setup, do I need to get it changed back to the normal position? Depends on your comfort level.

4. Is night travelling preferrable for a newbie tourer? If not then what would be the best riding time? Avoid night riding as much as you can. The best time to start the trip would be really early morning like 5 a.m. or so. That way you'd covered good distance before the traffic hits the road by 8 a.m. or so.

5. How can I setup the GPS system on the motorcycle? Is there any way of adding a mobile charger? Check the link RNG EKO GREEN RNG-01B Motorcycle USB Mobile Charger: Amazon.in: Electronics

6. What kind of riding gears would be the most required? Plus cannot spend a huge amount on riding gears. The more it is, the better it is. A helmet is a must, so is gloves, jacket, and knee pads. However, if you don't have all this and can't spend money at this time in buying the gear, make sure you have a good fitting branded helmet at least.

7. What speed should i maintain throughout the journey so that a good average speed be maintained without stressing the engine? Don't fix on any given speed suggested by anyone. Ride according to the situation. If you see an empty stretch of road, you can afford to open the throttle a bit provided that you are very much in control of your bike and you can stop the bike well in time in case of any obstruction ahead. Similarly, slow down if you see crowded/broken roads. However, the best way to ride is ride at a speed which is around 10-15% higher than the average speed of traffic on that particular stretch of road.

8. What kind of tools should I carry with me? And what basic repairing works do I need to learn?Puncture repairing kit if you have tubless tyres, also learn how to repair punctures. Additionally you can carry a clutch cable and spare headlight bulb.

And last but not the least, 9. Can I do this ride solo? Is it recommended? Definitely you can do it. Just be confident and ride sensibly. Make sure you had proper sleep before starting the ride. Keep updating your near and dear ones regularly, say after every 100 kms or so. Keep a paper in your wallet which has emergency contact numbers written on it.

Also I request xbhpians to give me some extra valuable opinions regarding this trip. And yes one more thing, if there is anyone who is planning to make a similar trip, what about going together? Keep yourself hydrated.
Thanks in advance!!😊

**mototech** · 03-09-2016, 02:39 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Thanks a lot [MENTION=7123]sunilg[/MENTION] sir! The trip is planned and I would be leaving at 5AM on 21st of March. The engine is topped up with Bajaj DTS-i 20W50. It was changed just more than a month ago and since then the bike hasn't been used much (150kms hardly), Should I get the engine oil changed again?

**The Monk** · 03-09-2016, 02:48 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Originally posted by mototech View Post

Thanks a lot @sunilg sir! The trip is planned and I would be leaving at 5AM on 21st of March. The engine is topped up with Bajaj DTS-i 20W50. It was changed just more than a month ago and since then the bike hasn't been used much (150kms hardly), Should I get the engine oil changed again?

The Bajaj oil normally lasts around 2k kms. If your journey is going to be less than that then you have nothing to worry about. If it is longer, then make sure you change your oil enroute.

Other than the Clutch cable and headlight bulb, also carry an accelerator cable.

Make sure your fuel tank is topped up the night before the ride, air pressure should be as recommended.

Don't eat heavy meals while riding, that might make you drowsy.

Wear comfortable clothes.

And Ride!

**mototech** · 03-09-2016, 03:26 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

[MENTION=38603]The Monk[/MENTION] Thanks for sharing your valuable opinions with me. Upon returning I will post a few pics of the trip, probably I would write a travelogue as well.

**rreneav1987** · 03-09-2016, 03:38 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Keep your eyes on the Rear View Mirrors (Hope you have them fitted) when changing lanes.. and beware of the animals that cross the road.. when I say animals, Humans included..

Keep yourself hydrated and keep someone informed about your whereabouts in case of any mishap/support needed..

If you feel tired, take a break for 5 to 10 minutes, hydrate yourself and keep riding..

P180 can easily do long distance so you don't have to worry about it.. Just keep an eye on the oil indicator/level.. make sure you don't wear a heavy backpack.. In case you are carrying something with you, tie it to the rear seat so that your back doesn't pain.. Cross winds might affect you at times..

Keep your eyes open and be strong

Have a safe trip.. waiting for your travelogue

Cheers,
Reneav J

**mototech** · 03-09-2016, 04:04 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

[MENTION=27501]rreneav1987[/MENTION] Thanks a lot for your suggestion!

Yes I do have the RVM's on my bike (And I am strictly against its removal&#128522

, and you are absolutely correct! Animals (especially humans) are a real danger on the highways, had a close call during my last trip to Ajmer/Pushkar.

I will be taking 2L of Glucon D with me, which I will be sipping frequently, what do you say? I've been planning this trip since a long time, so my parents and friends are already aware of everything including route and stops.

Since I am of a tall and healthy build, I find it quite difficult to ride constantly on the Pulsar. I will take 5 min stops every 60-70KM and around 12 stops in the entire journey 😊

And yes I will try my best to write a travelogue upon returning, even if i dont write a travelogue, i will surely post some pics and do some SHOW OFF of my photography skills!! #JustJoking 😂

**TheArcher84** · 03-09-2016, 05:55 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

If it has a 3 lane I would stick myself near the white line between the leftmost lane and middle one..so that I will have enough space to move around if the left lane is occupied.

If its a 2 lane, stick to the left lane and move to right if you have to overtake and move back to left to let the speeding vehicles go past

Ride safe.

**mototech** · 03-09-2016, 08:34 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Originally posted by TheArcher84 View Post

If it has a 3 lane I would stick myself near the white line between the leftmost lane and middle one..so that I will have enough space to move around if the left lane is occupied.

If its a 2 lane, stick to the left lane and move to right if you have to overtake and move back to left to let the speeding vehicles go past

Ride safe.

Thanks for the advice bro! I will make it sure that I follow your advice ��

P.S. I have another question, can anyone please guide me to mount my smartphone on the handlebar so that I can use navigation?

**satish_patil** · 03-09-2016, 09:07 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Most of the points have been covered already.. Apart from those, when are you are at higher speeds, be careful about -
1. pedestrians/vehicles/animals crossing the road in a hurry
2. Unmarked speed breakers

Ride at lower speeds near villages/towns en route so that it is easier to control your bike..

**Lone Wanderer** · 03-09-2016, 09:13 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

beaware of all the blind spots on road,,, blind spots could be created by a parked truck,, a blind turn,,a moving big vehicle right in front or any thing which could obstruct your vision of the road ahead and beyond,,,,,

never pass those blind spots with at such speed that you cant control your vehicle and left startled during any contingency,,,,, contingency such as coming out a dog or human or cyclist or even a pot hole afterwards that blindspot,,,,always slow down or be extra vigil whenever you see the creation of a blind spot on road,,, then enjoy and all the best,,,,,,,,,,,

**mototech** · 03-09-2016, 10:20 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Originally posted by satish_patil View Post

Most of the points have been covered already.. Apart from those, when are you are at higher speeds, be careful about -
1. pedestrians/vehicles/animals crossing the road in a hurry
2. Unmarked speed breakers

Ride at lower speeds near villages/towns en route so that it is easier to control your bike..

Thanks [MENTION=73110]satish_patil[/MENTION] Sir, I will take care of above mentioned points ��
I will be cruising at 80-110 depending upon the road conditions

P.S. Can you suggest me a way to mount my smartphone on my bike's handlebar?

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Lone Wanderer View Post

beaware of all the blind spots on road,,, blind spots could be created by a parked truck,, a blind turn,,a moving big vehicle right in front or any thing which could obstruct your vision of the road ahead and beyond,,,,,

never pass those blind spots with at such speed that you cant control your vehicle and left startled during any contingency,,,,, contingency such as coming out a dog or human or cyclist or even a pot hole afterwards that blindspot,,,,always slow down or be extra vigil whenever you see the creation of a blind spot on road,,, then enjoy and all the best,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks for your advice, Sir! I will be extra careful while riding and I will try not to go beyond 110.
Can you suggest me a way of mounting my GPS on the handlebar?

**satish_patil** · 03-10-2016, 12:26 PM

Re: Help and advice required! My first long ride

Originally posted by mototech View Post

Thanks @satish_patil Sir, I will take care of above mentioned points ��
I will be cruising at 80-110 depending upon the road conditions

P.S. Can you suggest me a way to mount my smartphone on my bike's handlebar?

I haven't really tried to mount my smartphone on the handlebar, but I guess there was a discussion in Pulsar 200 NS ownership thread few months back. You may search the forum for that..

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