Amazing Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 Door-step Bike Service

“Take it easy when you are busy! It shall never be easy but, take it easy!” 
Ernest Agyemang Yeboah


Royal Enfield has finally got hit by the winds of digital transformation. They are now coming home to service your bike. Everything is online- job card to billing. Its convenient sometimes and saves our time too ! Dial a service and here they are !



Voila ... Full mechanix on wheels !



Fully loaded !... can he get a full bike assembled ;) 



The works



We are good to hit the road... Vroom !! 


Maybe you guys can try the option if you are short of time or cant visit the service station for any reason !

Cheers!
Biker BT

Happiness per KM ! The Launch > ~ A Motorcycle Brand

It was great to attend the launch party of Happiness per KM ! ~ A Motorcycle Brand.

Ashish Bahl and friends have launched it. They will shortly be launching products and services for bikers and motorcycling enthusiasts.

Some clicks from the early morning launch .. 


Ashish Bahl @  Happiness per KM !


Bikers at the launch


Biker BT






Happiness welcoming you at the Gates ! :)




Recycle Cafe, NH 8 


Great video promos n snacks !



Let's wish them the Best  and Look forward to Exciting motorcycle experiences and products ! 

Cheers!
Biker BT



Enfield Bullet iconically romancing Indian movies in 2020 & beyond

Despite the entry of all international super bikes in India, the Enfield Bullet rules over others as the symbol of power ~ Romancing the Indian cinema.


I was wondering if the arrival of a lot of super-duper bikes in India made the Indian movie audience move away from the Enfield Bullet as "The Motorbike" compared to my previous blog in 2011. Not yet and never will, it seems.


Most in India who have grown up watching Hindi movies will definitely remember the hero on a motorbike ... it had to be a Royal Enfield Bullet. (Always wear a helmet and safety gear while on motorbikes)

Of course, I personally can't imagine Amitabh Bachan riding a 150cc fat fati Rajdoot which used to always seem like gasping for dear breath! Now that's something that's real undigestable. The hero on an Enfield Bullet reflects sheer power through its classic iconic status.

Notably starting from the 1975 movie Sholay featuring Amitabh and Dharmendra on the Bullet, now 45 long years down the line even if we just look at recent movies, we can see the Enfield featured prominently.


Take a look - Kabir Singh movie December 2019 



Or these ... down the last couple of years ... Badri or Dabangg for that matter





It's the Royal Enfield Bullet all the way ... 



Indian Movies featuring Enfields in 2011's

+ Ajay Devgan in 'Singham'
+ Katrina in 'Zindagi Na Milega Dobaara'
+ Arbaaz Khan in 'Dabangg'
+ Kangana in 'Tanu weds Manu'
+ Gul Panag in 'Turning 30'







Iconic Bullet ... From 1975..Sholay...


Just goes to prove that even with the Harley's, Triumph's and Ducati's available in India, the Enfield Bullet continues its supreme reign over Indian movie audiences. Probably, other bikes are not able to match the iconic road presence and the feeling of sheer power in Indian minds - that a Bullet brings.

Indian movie buffs need the Bullet for the iconic power - On or Off screen it seems :) 

Cheers

BT

(Always wear a helmet and safety gear while on motorbikes)

Tips on riding your motorbike up on hilly mountain roads




Going up a hilly mountain terrain and coming downhill demand skill from a motorcycle rider. You need to keep your balance, control speed, stay in the right lane, judge well and ride safe. Please note, this is only a refresher for experienced riders.

Some key points include

Always be in control. The gear you use to go uphill should be used downhill or an even lower gear if possible to get more control.

Keep close to the outer boundary of the roads, careful that it’s not having skid gravel though which is common in the mountains.






Don’t speed up if you got a curved road or hairpin bend coming ahead as you may not get time to slow down or control your bike according to oncoming vehicle.


Watch out for blind turns, most of the time the other the oncoming vehicle does not honk, better you honk on each blind turn.








Roads can be bumpy and controlling a bike can be difficult, so lower gears and slow speed to maintain control and balance.




Local drivers or riders tend to be rash, probably having a mindset that they own the place.
Riding uphill and having to stop? Check if the rear brake is better to use or front brake for the terrain. If you want to keep both feet on the ground while stopping, then the front brake is the option. If you can use the right foot for the rear brake, then you can lean left to stop. Take care that bike does not roll backward in the process.

It also depends on which one is easier to disengage while starting and moving ahead again. Can you start the bike on a climb holding the front brake? Preferably avoid stopping on too steep climbs..find a little less steep road and park on the side.


Heavy bikes have a lower turning radius and rider tends to lose balance on a hilly climb at a standstill position. If you wish to turn, take a larger radius turn instead of a shorter one. Lean appropriately to the left or right to maintain balance while turning. This is essential especially when one turns or when one disengages the brake and gives acceleration to move forward relying on the clutch.

And you thought motorbike riding was easy….





Thanks to Zubin for the video

Ride safe! 

Cheers

Biker BT

Ghat image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Valparai_GhatRoad.JPG

Types of motorbike riders... are u one of these ?





Motorbike riders or bikers are of all crazy types - probably you may identify the type of biker you are or came close to here –

  • Snobby Bob: They are territorial pissy, snobby folks and ride with other snobs, do mini mini rides… to the panwadi shop or nearest coffee shop so they can rest their butt at the earliest. They are more into all show and no gas ).

    Living to post and boast on Facebook and instagram.. and you can add Tok Tok or any new apps. Either they are too boastful – will not let you speak or are a bag of question marks. If they don’t get attention, they will ask “Mate, the bike screw has lost its shine.. Do you think so … or some other stupid question? You can find them on more expensive bikes.. Harleys are usually preferred by this lot so its easily identified and is well known by all rich or poor.

  • Stunt master: Enthusiastic and loves trying all sorts of stunts on the bike.. simple wheelies to weird acts that could win them a direct entry into a circus. You may find them on lighter bikes .. 200cc or light ones like KTM’s.

  • Oily moo: This hardcore mechanic type who loves getting his hands dirty and is crazy about solving bike problems and finds the soul fully satisfying hearing the engine sound. Reminds me of a Shot gun Murugan down south in India who could tune bikes awesome but he did not know to ride one.. Crazy world ! 
  • Daily commuter: No comments here… its about a rider just commuting to his workplace..not much leisure in city bike riding..but yeah it beats traffic jams and is economical. Some of them are really cheerful and enjoy riding – Salute to them! Any bike ..No cry .. Joy everytime J

  • Macho man ... no rides, flexing his muscle and thinks owning a bike is macho to go with his image. He must be wishing the motorbike was a gym

  • True biker.. care 2 hoots to the wind and raring to go on long rides - Bike companies worship these guys and they are much sought after for all opinions on bikes and accessories - eat breathe drink motorbikes.

  • MOD- mad rider ... more than riding this guy spends 90% of the time trying out modifications or his bike that’s launched in the market. His enthu knows no bounds mix and match is the name of the game. Any bike … hmm..how will the Harley body fit on a KTM 200cc engine…ok, lets swap the mirrors  and on and on..

And ladies and gentlemen… The award goes to this one –

  •  The Online (whatsapp) biker .. No rides.. but all advice and questions for everyone. The confused soul thinks he is on on Kaun Banega Crore fati ( Who wants to be a Millionaire )? Amazing is how they are blessed with time my friends …

So… get on the motorbike and move bro. Action is on the move.... 

As Hellen Keller said - “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

Ride safe!
Cheers
Biker BT

Photo by Kevin Wolf on Unsplash

Are interceptor 650 handlebar risers useful ?

The stock handlebar position with the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 may not be optimal for many folks. If you turn it towards the ride a bit it's more comfortable.It worked well for me, but it lacked height.  However from my experience, I prefer the upright positions rather than the forward lean position,  which gave some back pain on long rides.

So you can use handlebar risers to raise the height so you can ride comfortably without leaning forward. It will give a cruiser riding feel.


This pic is before using handlebar risers.


Handlebar risers from Midhun at Bigfoot Customs Trivandrum



Sasi @ Bikers Shed Gurgaon at it (30 minutes)


You can see the elevated position

and Voila ... here is the cruiser feel and comfort position on long rides.



Please note, it also depends on each one's height and seating comfort etc. As my friend Jayan said.. the elbows should be free and loose. The risers give a feel of riding the good old Yamaha RX 100 ..only here its more than 6 times the power :)

Cheers,

Ride safe!

BT


Interceptor with handlebar risers

New cup : New tea ~ Enter the Interceptor 650cc parallel twins


Enfield Bullet 350 cc (CI) engine >> to the Interceptor 650 parallel twins




I have been riding the Enfield Bullet (Cast iron engine - which produces the original thump sound) from 2002 onwards. It is a very reliable bike and rock steady. I still pride myself on the 2000 km ride from Kerala to Goa and back in 3 days!! Once you are used to an Enfield bullet, the lighter Japanese bikes are hard to digest at that time – choices being the likes of Yamaha RX 100 or the Suzuki Shogun or the Kawasaki 100cc bikes.

Typical questions from an old bulleteer  to an interceptor include – 

Does it have a neutral finder?  ….. No sir

Are the brakes on the left?  ….. No sir 

Where is the petrol reserve switch ? ….. Not available sir

Where is the kick start pedal ? ….. Not available sir

Well enter the Interceptor 650 Parallel twin air cooled 650 cc engine

 ( 0 to 60 in 3 seconds)!! … wow not so Enfield. One misses the joy of gunning the CI Bullet to life and feel the heartbeat with the thump as it flies slowly on the road.

Electronics and sensors at play … One can see the Engine malfunction indicator, Battery low voltage indicator, ABS indicator, Low oil pressure indicator, Fuel indicator with blinking sign once it hits reserve – like 3 litres fuel remaining. and the Neutral indicator among others. Sensor based feature kills the engine if bike topples from upright position.

The bike is great to ride, stable, sharp braking and is a joy. Riding at 100 feels like one is at 30 or 40km/hr  ~ such is the stability and smoothness of the bike without vibrations. One wishes if there was a all gears indicator instead of just a N sign when it hits neutral.

Enjoy the joyride – It is Enfield and yet not so Enfield 👍

Cheers

Biker BT

thanks to Priyanka/Abhijeet @manzil motors for a seamless, hassle free and joyful buying experience.😎





Delhi Bikers Breakfast Run - 10 years of RIDE- RESPECT- RELAX !


Delhi Bikers Breakfast rides celebrated its 10 years of breakfast rides on March 16, 2019. The success of this group is probably in its basic principle - 'Promote riding motorbikes' so that more people can learn to enjoy motorbikes and respect one another. Joshua John and friends started this initiative. Experienced riders join to share wonderful stories on each ride. This time we had  Deepak Gupta sharing his epic adventure of riding 51,000kms, 99Days, 15Countries, 3 Continents!! Truly inspiring.

All motorbikes are welcome - even a 50 cc or a 1800cc bikes. You will find all bikes here on the ride from classic Jawa or a cast iron Royal Enfield to powerful Harley Davidsons, Triumph or BMW's all riding together - a true celebration of the riding Spirit.

This is a totally non-profit initiative. Volunteers organize rides and one can join the rides up to the destination and breakfast is an optional affair depending on entry to a particular dhaba or any resort in case of a swimming pool etc.

The motto - Ride, Respect, Relax says it all.

Though some biking groups have their rules like only superbikes allowed or only Enfield Bullets etc., many biking groups collaborate here for events organized by Delhi bikers like the "Delhi Biker's Fest".  They do join in for the breakfast rides too which happen on Saturday mornings. 6 am to 10 am. So one has time to balance motorbiking and family too! Some bring their kids too on the rides.

Thanks to Gaurav for the company on the way back ... Some pics from the 10-year anniversary ride -





Joshua John welcoming the new riders and briefing the riders.. 2 lane formation, keep distance, go slow ride safe, no stunts and etc..etc... :)



Some snaps ...









Dirt track 



KD ..official photographer 



BT with Deepak Gupta who just covered riding 51,000kms, 99 Days, 15 Countries, 3 Continents!!








Happy riding!

BT


Featured Post on ROUTE and RIDER.com

Essential Medical Kit for Bikers and Drivers - Ride Safe, Ride Prepared

Staying healthy and fit is great, but it's even better when you can get what you want while you are out on a motorcycle tour or a car tr...