Anniversary Ride to Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta

It was our[Me-R15] first anniversary, we wanted to celebrate it. Chose Himavad Gopalaswamy betta has it was in my to-do list for too long. Called Prof Nanjunadppa sir and asked if he was interested, he said he would join with his friend. The plan was to leave early and spend some quality time there and get back without switching on our head lights.

Prof said he would join me at Rajarajeshwari gate around 3:15, as I waited cops came and told not to stop their and told me to stop at Gynabharti. God know why they sent me there, even there was no street light but later realized there was a check post. As I waited in the cold, in a distant I heard some roar, in few seconds three RD's passed me, the 2-stroke oil smell and the sound brought a big grin on my face, I told to myself "someday I will":D. Prof came around 3:40, said initial hi's and hello's, introduced myself to Chetan and we left. It took us a while to reach Mysore as Chetan was sleepy, we stopped at few places. We went to Mylari hotel in Mysore and had the soft famous dosas.

Around 8:30 we were at the top of the hill. As soon as I started riding up the hill the temperature started to fall and the view was awesome. I will not be writing a lot in the log as the text doesn't justify the place. This place is a must visit, even though I missed the fog, the greenery made up to it. Some pic's.

Road to GS betta

First view

Green Green

Trying to pose :D

More Green Green

We found a good spot and decided to rest their for some time and enjoy the beautiful view, some guys over there asked us to see the elephants on other hill, tried my camera zoom but was not visible but could see something moving. So like a hero :D climbed down and thought would take a closer look. Again used my camera zoom yes it was some animal but it was the bison's not elephants.

Bisons

Now when I looked back I had climbed down more than a kilometer, thought climbing would be fun. The climb took out all the air from me. As soon as I came back the guys over there offered us breakfast, it looked yummy so had some kesari bath and palava. Those guys left to visit the next hill, thought I would join them but again I am too lazy you see.

Mysore Guys

While I was lying and looking at the beautiful sky heard a familiar voice , when I looked back Sunil sir had come with his family. Spoke with him for few mins and he left. For the next 2 hours we were sitting their and spoke from bikes to verappan :D

The Mysore guys came back and said, they saw elephants, I was disappointed thought to myself should have gone but it was too late by than. It was around 12, the time spent was very memorable. Came back near temple and saw a big Q, dumped the plan of visiting it, took few photos and moved out from their.

Temple and long Q

Chetan, Prof & me

Realized I had not taken any pics of my bike and did some off roading and took some pics.

Don't Shy :)

And now it was time for sunflower photo session, had always thought of taking a pic of my bike and sunflower but the sunflowers were too shy and were facing other side.

Shy Sunflower with my bike

Shy Sunflower

Sunflowers

Close up

Decided we shall stop after nanjungudi and started, but as soon as we left Gundlapeta they roads were smooth and I was very sleep. Thought would rip a bit and take rest by the time Prof and chetan passed me. After 30 mins found a nice spot, after some time heard some one honking, opened my eyes to see Prof passing. Asked them to continue and cranked up.

Place to rest

We stopped some where after nanjangud near some temple and rested there for some time.

Idols in center of the river

With one more stop a sivahalli MTR reached home by 6. As I was nearing kengeri it started raining, one year back same time almost same place I was their and it had rained. May be rain gods blessed us. Pulled out my rain gear and reached home. Was so happy, what a day it was away from chaotic traffic, going to a place where I could feel my lungs when ever took a breath in, it was amazing. The bike all along the trip felt great. Before I reached home said to the bike, we will do more things like this and I could hear a loud YES from it.

Route: Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjanjud-Gundalpet-GopalSwamy betta
Distance:0-130-20-50-20=220
Roads:Bangalore-Mysore --> super roads
Mysore-Nanjangud --> Ok roads with annoying road humps
Nanjangud-Gundalpet --> Good roads.
Gundalpet-GopalSwamy betta--> Bad/Ok Roads.
Total Kms done : 428 kms.
Mileage returned: 44 kmpl :P [I know this was not necessary but still]

Click here for more pics

Random Pics

Yamaha R15 one year ownership report

Unbelievable, its already a year since I got the most priced, hyped and wonderful piece of machine in our country and what a year it has been. Let me give you a very abstract view.

Total Kms Done:18000+ kms
Total Services: Free- 6 Paid-0

Amount Spent on Service:
1st Service - Rs. 500/- [service]
2nd Service- Rs 500/- [service]
3rd Service- Rs 2000/- [Brake Pads + service]
4th Service- Rs 800/- [Oil Filter + service]
5th Service- Rs 500/- [service]
6th Service - Rs 500 - [service]

PS: service - Oil/coolant change, Chain lubrication.

Spent on Spares: Rs. 900 [Side fairing, some bugger had dropped the bike when it was parked]
Rs. 670 [Front Brake Pads]
Rs. 1000 [Rear Break Pads]
Rs. 450 *2 [Oil Filter]
Rs. 300 [Air Filter]
Rs.2000[Lubes, others]

------------------------------------------------
Approximate Running cost
------------------------------------------------
Total spent on Petrol: 25k
Total spent on Services and Spares: 10k
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Engine: [Rating: ****]
To recall, one year back all of us had expected lot from this mill and many of us were disappointed after knowing the specs, 17PS@8,500 RPM (I still remember how shattered I was when I got the message at 10 PM on 11th June from Akhil aka rossiter.) But to be honest 17PS from 150 CC mill is pretty good considering the weight and everything. After riding it for 1 year extensively every where (except track, very embarrassed to say this because this bike is built for track but cant help, I am not so rich to drive down to Chennai and ride on track each time I wish) this engine never disappointed me. Have done the maximum mileage in city and its not that bad. Forgot the 6th gear in city and you will enjoy every part of this bike in city. Never does the engine dies even if you ride in high gear at low speed even though it struggles a bit.Now lets talk about its highway characteristics, the 150 cc mill pump enough power to keep the bike in triple digits with no stress and not to mention the 6th gear which is a boon. More later.

Build: [Rating: ***]
The first impression i got was superb but this has changed now. The fiber parts are pretty good but rust, paint chipping are common problems faced by many owners this is not acceptable for a 1L + bike. Rating i am begin generous I guess.

Gearbox: [ Rating: ****]
Flawless, no false neutral post 1st service, at times it gets hard but I guess it something to do with the clutch adjustment.

Performance: [ Rating: ****1/2]
A lot has been debated on this I am not going to write more about this but I wish to tell, this is the best 150 CC bike in our current market, technology vise and the power and torque it generates for its CC. If you disagree, show me one bike which which generates more power in this category and please do consider the power to weight ratio.

Ride & Handling:[Rating:*****]
This part deserves a 5 star, best handler anything close which comes is a RTR everything else is blown in front of it. Doesn't matter who is riding the bike it handles the same, with a pillion of 80 KG I never feel taking a corner at 90+, the confidence you get is priceless. Many complain about the suspension but for some reason I am happy with it may be its because of my weight[:D]. And a lot have been debated about the sporty posture, with no second thought in my mind I can say if the roads are descent one can ride it for 450+ kms in a day without taking a toll on their body.

Breaking: [Rating:*****]
No doubt its a king in breaKING, this bike has such a beautiful brakes which stop where you want to stop not even a inch more than that. Trust me I am not exaggerating. Only pain you will get is when you are paying for the break pads :D


Tyres: [Rating: ****]
I still remember when "Yamaha officials had said, don't get disappointed looking at the skinny tyres, they stick like glue", this is so true but there is something missing there, slush. Apart from slush this tyre can take anything. Had three punctures till now but I am very happy considering the places I have taken it. And the MRF S can last more than 18k easily.

Electrical: [Rating: ****]
3.5 A battery which runs ECU, 1 60/55 w, 1 35/35 w and 1 5 w bulb. Helmets off to all the guys who have worked on it. No electrical failures till now, (yes no fuse problem :D). Lights suck for touring, a good upgrade would be to get HID's from here if you have enough resources else we always can install 60/55w on one side, which I have done. I will be soon upgrading to HID though.

Mileage:
In City - 38+ kmpl
Highway- 43+ kmpl
I have taken the average till date.

Service:
:D :D Ok, to be frank, Bangalore Wheels did pretty good job, big thanks to Akhil here without which my bike wouldn't have got those special treatments. Yamaha have give us a beautiful machine, it has not given a single problem till now, so far good but when I think about Akhil's R1 I feel pity about my self. But I have found a [secret]solution to it. :D But at times they have annoyed me a lot, its same with all the manufactures I guess.

A small tribute for my R15

The date was 28/06/08. Meeting the big brother

Click on image to read more

Trip to Hogenkal.

Trip to Kanyakumari.

Kanva Reservoir.

Madikeri.

For more click here.

Many more trips to come :)

PS: I want to thank all the XBHPians who had me decide on this bike, special thanks to Akhil [After sales service support :D and for the initial ride report] and killer [Gave lot of feedback's which he got from his friend, which made my decision easy]

Anniversary Ride Pics and logs on the way :)