18 Fat Rear Tyres: Need Vs. Want

Do we really need fatter/wider rear tyres..?? or do we just want it..??

Correct me if I am wrong but it seems like Indian bikers/consumers seem to prefer a bigger/wider rear tyre on their bikes.

One doesn’t have to look beyond the modifications that guys/"desi" bikers carry out on their bikes. Fitting a loud exhaust and a wider rear tyre always happens to be among the favourite ones.


Actually fitting too wide a rear tyre also has the following negative implications.

• Decrease the performance and fuel efficiency of the bike by increasing the "Rolling Resistance" and adding additional weight.




• It can also adversely affect the handling of the bike.

"Give bikers what they WANT and they would move Heaven and Earth to get it."

Even if "Average Kya hai..??" (What's the average mileage..??) still happens to be the national anthem among "desi" bikers, surprisingly they also seem to prefer a wider rear tyre. So why do we seem to prefer a wider rear tyre..??


Reason #1: Aesthetics

Most of us who have seen a Super Bike are always in awe of the impossibly wide rear tyre that those exotic bikes possess. Who wouldn’t like to dream of riding a similar machine someday? So while we work towards that transition, we may want to ride something which shows off to the world that we are indeed riding something powerful (Whether what they ride is really powerful or not is a different matter altogether).


Reason #2: Safety

Normally a wider tyre at the rear gives the feeling that while taking sharp turns and while braking, such a tyre would provide with more contact patch and therefore would be a safer one as well.

But the other day a particular guy put forward his point of view on this..

"Most of the braking load is on the front tire and thats as thick as it needs to be. Shall i say it again, already tested and proven on the race track. You dont brake or corner half as much as that on the street".

Actually is it true. About 70-80 % of the braking in a motorcycle takes place on the front wheels. That’s exactly the reason why the front brakes are made more powerful on motorcycles.


Ok I understand.. But I would still say that a wider rear tyre is a "Psychological" need and maybe an "Emotional" need as well.




In the end it all boils down to what Bikers "Need" and what they actually "Want".. and I can safely tell you that "Give bikers what they WANT and they would move Heaven and Earth to get it."

Come to think of it, even Honda (HMSI) has to increase the size of the rear tyre of the New Unicorn from it earlier size 3.00 (inches) to size 100 (in mm).






Personal Experiences:

It is not just the size that matters but also the compound of what it is made of:

This is speaking from a personal experience of mine. I have a Yamaha RX100 (which my brother rides in Bangalore right now) and recently I went in for a rear tyre change. This time instead of going in for a tyre with fancy racing pattern, I went in for one with a simple pattern but which was made of "softer compound". The brand of this new tyre was "CEAT" and the tyre is called "SECURA".

I went for this tyre on the recommendation of my mechanic and boy was I impressed with the tyre..!! Although the "CEAT SECURA" did not have any fancy patterns, the grip from that tyre was very impressive.



Fitting an Wider aftermarket rear tyre:

This is speaking from my brother’s experience. My brother used to ride a Hero Honda CBZ (Original) back in Assam. After a few years he decided to replace the stock 100 section rear tyre with a 120 section tyre.. the bike did look cool from behind but according to his own words, the handling all went for a toss.

So the learning point here is that its better to stick to the stock tyre size. Going up one size (2.75 to 3.00 or 100 to 110) is should be ok, but going up more than one size would do more harm than good.

Related Posts:

• What "desi" bikers Want (& Need)

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

22 TVS to relaunch the 125 cc Flame with a Single Spark Plug, Royal Enfield tread carefully with its U.C.E model (with 2 spark plugs)

TVS Motors to launch Flame with a new 125 cc engine in March 2008.. Royal Enfield to tread carefully with its U.C.E (Unit Construction Engine) which also has two spark plugs..

After having to wait for 3 months, TVS Motors has finally decided to launch the 125 cc Flame with a new engine. The new engine will now have a single spark plug instead of the earlier two spark plug design.

The earlier CC-VTi engine had two spark plugs and three valves (one outlet, two inlet). At low RPM’s only two valves were functional and the third valve (inlet) became functional at high RPM’s. It was this because of the use of two spark plug for its single cylinder configuration, TVS was asked by the Madras High Court to stop selling and producing the 125 cc Flame. According to Bajaj Auto this was an infringement of their patented DTSi (Digital Twin Spark Plug Ignition) technology.

According to MoneyControl.Com, the Flame will now feature a new engine developed, patented and licenced by AVL, Austria. Actually even the earlier CC-VTi (Controlled Combustion Variable Timing Intelligent) engine was developed with the help of AVL. The new Flame with the new engine should be out by the third week of March 2008.

Also according to Moneycontrol.Com, TVS has lost around 120 crores of rupees in the last three months in sales because of the delay in launching the Flame. TVS Motors had also invested about 50 crores of rupees in developing the now defunct CCVTi engine.



Here are a few statements made by Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman and MD TVS Motors (taken from Hindu Business Line).

• "There is no injunction against selling the 'Flame' motorcycles," Mr Srinivasan pointed out that the injunction was only against the use of the engine with twin spark plugs.



• Mr Srinivasan said the company was shocked over the judgment because "we never expected we will lose the case".



• Bajaj getting a patent for the use of two spark plugs in the cylinder, he says, "is like me saying that I have a patent for pneumatic tyres".



• "I was talking to somebody in Honda (the inventor of the twin spark plug technology). He said, only in your country something like this can happen."

Payeng Says: "Many things can happen and do happen in India.. the Japanese obviously have a lot to learn about us.. but we should know better, shouldn't we..??".

By the way TVS Motors have appealed against the verdict.





Royal Enfield decides to tread carefully with its twin spark plug design.

Taking a leaf out of the Twin Spark Plug Controversy between Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors, Royal Enfield has decided to play safe with its new U.C.E (Unit Contruction Engine) platform.

The new U.C.E model has a 500cc engine, and is the first engine of the company that will have an integrated gearbox. Another feature that is under the scanner now is the twin spark plug technology on the UCE model.

Royal Enfield is learnt to be now discussing with its legal counsel if its engine technology infringes upon the twin spark plug patent held by Bajaj Auto.

According to MoneyControl.Com, the new U.C.E model is slated to be launched during the April-June 2008 (probably for the Export markets initially).

RL Ravichandran, CEO, Royal Enfield says,

"The company is more focused on developing a new engine platform. The major difference is its integrated gearbox and the electronic fuel injection. It is a lean burn engine that will initially be used for exports in a new model. We are not concerned about one spark plug or two spark plugs"

Payeng Says: After the recent TVS Vs Bajaj face off, I bet that they are concerned.

Related Posts:

• Court asks TVS Motors to stop Making and Selling the 125 cc Flame.



• Bajaj Auto Vs. TVS Motors: "Yeh Patent Ka Mamla Hai..!!"



• "Fuel Injected" Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Electra EFI: Pics/Photos/Images & Technical Specifications



• New Royal Enfield Thunderbird with "Unit Construction" Engine [Scoop Pics]



• New Royal Enfield Engine Platform (Pics/Images/Photos)

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

25 More Pics/Photos of the Yamaha R15 clicked at the "Yamaha Bike Station"

More pics/Photos of the 150 cc Yamaha YZF-R15 from the "Yamaha Bike Station" at MGF Mall, Saket, New Delhi..

Last Saturday, I met Sajal (Regular reader of “The Bike Chronicles of India”) and both of us went to MGF Mall at Saket, New Delhi. The mission was to visit the Yamaha “Bike Station” to see the Yamaha YZF-R15 which was kept there on display and also click a few photographs.

Posted below are the Pics/Photos of the Yamaha YZF-R15 clicked by us.

Sajal, checking out the Yamaha YZF-R15

Yamaha branded Biking Gear on display (& for sale) along with the Yamaha YZF-R15

Clip on handlebars, new set of switches, digital speedometers

Close up of the Digital Speedometer of the Yamaha YZF-R15
(check out the 11,000-12,000 redline..!! This will a high revving bike..!!)

The extended visor on the front fairing

The design of the windscreen/visor doesn't quite gell with the rest of the fairing.. also a tinted visor instead of the colorless one would have looked better.

The (100/90 section) rear tyre

The rear tyre on the Yamaha R15 is also quite curved, resulting in very little contact patch with the road. Less contact patch with the road means "rolling resistance" and therefore should help in achieving High Speeds..the curved portion should come into play while cornering.

The cheap looking rear tail light of the Yamaha YZF-R15

The rear light assembly on the Yamaha R15 looks like it has been bought from one of the after market shops. Even if the rear lights doesn't feature LED's, a better design wouldn't have gone amiss.

You can even browse the Internet at Yamaha Bike station

Thank God..!! I am not 6 ft tall..!!

The Knee Recess on the tank of the R15, makes for a perfect fit for my size (5 ft 5)..!! Looks like "The Best things in life comes in Small packages..!!"

Related Posts:

• The Yamaha R15 might be a "Bit Small" in Size..!!



• Whats so Special about the Yamaha YZF-R15..??



• Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Yamaha YZF-R15 based on the Vixion from Indonesia. [Wallpaper]



• Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: High Resolution Pic/Photo of the Yamaha YZF-R15 [Wallpaper]



• Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Yamaha FZ-150 Sexy "Prototype" from Yamaha India



• Auto Expo 2008 Coverage: Yamaha India + Yamaha YZF-R15 Wallpaper



• Test Ride/Review of 2008 Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS



• New 2008 Yamaha Gladiator Type-SS (Stylish & Sporty) Pics/Images and Details.. with Wallpapers

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

15 Gary Wiwaha, a Pulsar 200 owner writes from Indonesia

Gary Wiwaha, an Indonesian biker writes to "The Bike Chronicles of India"..

Readers of "The Bike Chronicles of India.. Please welcome Gary Wiwaha, a biker from Indonesia.

Hi, my name is Gary, living in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. I am 30 Years old and working as Operation Mgr at Oil & Gas Drilling Co. (Gary can be reached at: gary.wiwaha@gmail.com)

Gary on his Pulsar 200 DTSi

Gary has invited me (Payeng) to attend the 2008 "Jakarta Motor Show" to be held in August 2008..

I would love to visit Indonesia on my bike..

Anyone interested in sponsoring this "Biker Next Door"..??

I have bought a Pulsar 200 DTSi quite recently. Previously I have owned a Honda Tiger (200 cc), then a Suzuki EN-125 (125 cc) and the legendary 2 stroke Kawasaki Ninja RR 150 (150 cc).

I sold my Honda Tiger in January 2006. It gave me a lot of problems, such as bad engine noise, gear problems and a poor starter relay. It sucked! After the Tiger, I changed to Suzuki EN-125. But now even the EN-125 has been sold. Although the Yamaha Vixion is available in Indonesia, it is too small for me. It is like a bicycle to me..!! That's why I did not opt for it.(I am 181 cms in height)

The Pulsar caught my attention when I saw a Pulsar 180 (UG II) in Singapore in June 2006. I wondered "Which bike is this..?" It was Big, had Macho Styling and was not like any other bikes that I had seen. In the beginning I thought it was Kawasaki Pulsar from the logo on the tank. But later when I surfed the internet about the Pulsar, I came to know that it was an Indian bike manufactured by BAJAJ AUTO and the brand was PULSAR.

In Indonesia (especially in Jakarta) the name BAJAJ is synonymous with a 3-wheeler passenger vehicle with 2-stroke engine (it has been in Jakarta since 1970). Never did I know that BAJAJ also made such a Macho Bike.

As soon as I came back to Indonesia from Singapore, I tried to find if there was any Bajaj dealer for motorcycle in Jakarta. But alas, luck was not on my side. There are no Bajaj dealers in Indonesia at that time. As time went by, my wish to own the Pulsar slowly started to fade. But surprise..!! In August 2006 there was JMS (Jakarta Motor Show) in Jakarta. And guess who the main sponsor was..?? It was BAJAJ. Bajaj was launching its latest PULSAR 180 DTS-i UG-III in Indonesia..!!

I said to myself, "Wow..!!, Its finally here and my wait will be over soon". I took the test test of the bike. The looks of the bike and the engine was comparable to Japanese motorcycles. But there was something bugging me, it was the gearbox which wasn’t that good. I was ready to buy the Pulsar. But the dealer told me, if you can hold on for a year, you can get the Pulsar 200 DTSi. Wow..!! the Pulsar-180 has just been launched and the Pulsar 200 will come soon too. Cool..!!

I decided to wait patiently for the P-200. Finally I purchased the P-200 on 30-01-2008. the wait is definitely worth. FINALLY!! I am quite pleased with my Pulsar 200. The engine is very smooth and the tone of the silencer is music to the ears. The gears on the Pulsar 200 is also much improved than the Pulsar 180.

I have christened my Pulsar 200 as "Black Beowulf" which means “The hero without fear”.

Gary has invited me to attend the 2008 "Jakarta Motor Show" to be held in August 2008.. I would actually love to visit Indonesia on my bike. But I would need some sponsors to make this possible.

Anyone interested in sponsoring this "Biker Next Door"..??

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

29 Size of the Yamaha R15

I get to see and touch the Yamaha R15.. and it looks like it a "Compact" Package.

Last Sunday I happened to walk into the recently inaugurated "Yamaha Bike Station" at MGF Mall in Saket, New Delhi. The "Yamaha Bike Station" in New Delhi is the first among similar such exclusive Yamaha showrooms coming up in the country (la Bajaj Probiking Showrooms).

"I am 5 ft 5 inches in height..

One of the criticisms that the TVS Apache RTR 160 has faced from "desi bikers" is that it is a bit small..

Looks like the YZF-R15 is also going to be a bit.. Err "Small"..!!

The showroom had the imports viz. the YZF-R1and the MT-01. A few Yamaha India models like the Gladiator were also there. Also kept on display among these models was the YZF-R15..!! During the Auto Expo, I could only see and take photos of the R15 from a distance. But now I could see and touch the YZF-R15 from close quarters.

I was cursing myself for not carrying my Nikon D40, but thanks to Nilu (a friend of mine and regular visitor to "The Bike Chronicles of India") and his mobile phone, I did manage to click a few pictures of me and the YZF-R15. Posted below is my photo along with the R15.

Payeng with the Yamaha YZF-R15

Even though the bike was at stand still, the purposeful full body fairing and the R1 and R6 inspired looks of the Yamaha R15 does give you that impression that this will be one fast bike. Maybe also because of our prior knowledge that this 150 cc bike has some cool stuff like a "Water Cooled" engine, "Fuel Injection" and has "4 Valves" in its single cylinder, both Nilu and I could feel the wind on our face even at "0" Kmph. I also tried to push the R15 around a little bit and I felt that the weight of the bike would be around 125-130 Kgs.

Let me tell you that I am a 5 ft 5 inch guy (couple of inches shorter than the average Indian).. and as you can see from the pics posted above that the YZF-R15 seems to be the perfect sized bike for me.. much like the TVS Apache RTR 160.

One of the criticisms that the TVS Apache RTR 160 has faced from "desi bikers" is that it is a bit small in size, thereby putting off a few prospective buyers in the process. So looks like the YZF-R15 is also a bit.. Err "Small"..!! I wasn't allowed to sit on the R15 though.

Nilu rides a Pulsar 200 and I ride the Pulsar 220. So the size difference between our bikes and the Yamaha YZF-R15 was quite apparent to both of us. Even the Hero Honda Karizma has dimensions similar to the Pulsar 200/220.

The tech specs of the Yamaha YZF-R15 is still not out. But Yamaha Officials have gone on record to state that the Yamaha R15 would be the fastest bike in India and would beat bigger bikes like the Karizma and the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi. If in case the Yamaha R15 does manage to beat the Karizma and the Pulsar 220 in performance figures, I am sure the debate then would be.. "Do you want a Fast but a bit Small and light Bike or a Slower but Bulky/Heavy Bike..??”.


Wheelbase Comparision:*

• Yamaha YZF-R15: 1290 mm



• Yamaha Gladiator Graffiti/Type-SS/RS: 1300 mm



• TVS Apache RTR 160: 1300 mm



• Bajaj Pulsar 150/180: 1320 mm



• Bajaj Pulsar 200/220: 1350 mm



• Hero Honda Karizma: 1355 mm

[*Specs taken from the respective websites of the above mentioned models.]

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.