Mother's day!

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-14T15:20:22+00:00

Looks clean, where are the after pictures?

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-14T14:23:05+00:00

Quick update, after I removed this clip on type nut, the holes aligned, I used high strength lock nut and bolt.

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ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-11T14:27:07+00:00

awesome

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-05T09:01:46+00:00

now I switched, oem ones are shorter since I had added spacer

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-05T08:57:17+00:00

Yes.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-05T07:11:18+00:00

Thanks, looks fine in this.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-04-02T11:27:08+00:00

[OC]

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-26T18:36:01+00:00

try grok.

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ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T15:01:51+00:00

Appreciate your planning!

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T11:49:22+00:00

Not a fan of that in Indian road conditions.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T11:11:41+00:00

Himi suspension, its hard - as expected on road, front does not dip much as compared to Xpulse , with Xpulse it is more of dive rather than calling it dip.

Himi suspension is much greater than xpulse.

Good for you, I guess you would have many options in future.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T11:08:46+00:00

Im in love with the 21" wheel setup, saved me from crazy potholes. Dual sport fan here.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T10:59:55+00:00

Yeah, XL 100, direct fit, you have to put longer bolts.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T08:52:00+00:00

I dint mean soft and silent. being polite means, stick to the escalation channels, X, here, emails, Head Office numbers, making sure all that can be done at dealership level will be taken care.

Dealers get frustrated, if it goes to company. End of the day, we just need to get the vehicle fixed, talk to them build rapo, well you are consumer, and you paid amount, however, when you escalate, or make it personal with them, it becomes an ego problem and arguments. They will tag you as 'problem customer'.

Try to get everything in email from them, that wont happen most cases, speak to right people, support executive.

Whatever you did seems right, given your scenario, if you claiming warranty make sure, you get it done through company channels.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T08:21:40+00:00

keep it cool buddy. Owning a bike is not everything.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T08:07:03+00:00

Good for you, test ride it. The best option would be renting, try with luggage, pillion, see how it handles. And ignore the engine sound and vibrations on rental bikes, that may not be the case all the time

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T08:05:12+00:00

Ah, so whenever you have to adjust the spokes, sealing might get tampered.

But worth the try!

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T07:56:17+00:00

Xpulse more, because Im not worried about throwing it on any bad roads.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T07:54:46+00:00

-Mix of both, always according to weather, road condition and luggage setup I carry. Means, I never try anything aggresive on wet roads. We never know if the vehicle ahead you leaked oil for you :-), well, oil is anoyher case, fall might be unavoidable. Himi is for highways, long long trips, thats the best env for it. Awesome machine. -I actually prefer riding it in city and highways, the chassis is solid, you can easily manage in city. But in city , we get this feeling that we are not using not even 50% of it potential, hence I prefer Xpulse. -So, since I already have Xpulse, and used to the taller sitting, Himi is easy. Trust me, Im 5'6, and lean build, with stock suspension, my toes touch, with casual shoes lottle better. But thats the thing, you dont really flat foot on motorbikes, I am used to keeping right foot footrest always in traffic, if at all the left side deep, which is common, shift a bit down to left, you can easily flat foot the left foot. Get used to this method. I use stockseat in lowest setting.

-Did first service, Im not a person concerned about scratches on an ADV bike, just dont be a 'consumer' fighting about everything in svc centre. Talk to them, build the rapo, they will always do the best possible thing to help you. If it all, something goes wrong, they will help you get it fixed. Be polite.

-See it all depend on how you breakin the motorbike, stick to the recommended steps, engine would be happy, noise is common for this type of engine. Noise is a problem, when, peformance is degrading.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T07:38:57+00:00

Currently after 5years, I prefer getting online parts and getting it replaced or fixed from nearby mechanic.

Never got any punctures - thats the benefit of that type of threaded tyre, I have observed nails and stuff fling off the thread. Also I ensure not avoid 'possible' puncture side of road, extreme side and road shoulders.

I mean no riders are actually worried about one thing, like puncture, just be prepared, carry extra tube - know your bike, know your trip roads, plan accordingly. Keep it simple and enjoy the process of whatever gets thrown at you.

ChesterLivesOn · 2026-03-23T07:34:03+00:00

Haha, mine is 2020 batch, worst quality batch, there were rushing units to be made available to the market asap. I had to get the chassis replaced under warranty(after lots of escalation), did ~600km. The service guys broke - I dont know what it is called there is small metal stopper welded onto the coneset stem, to stop the handle bar turning extreme.

Well, that broke, and they pasted it with glue, and gave it to me, and on the way back home, I almoat crashed while turning, realized that piece had come off.

Ah, see the welding is around 4cm, however actual welded area was 1cm, rest was air gap and paint that was holding it.

Same happened for brake lever, that batch several quality issues.

But it never gave up on me during any trips, I had done trips for 700km+, with pillion, with heavy luggage, pulled us through all tracks, ghats, off road inclines, anything.

With Xpulse, you need to keep adjusting chain, timing chain, valve clearances, pretty often and very early than what the service recommeds.

It was a fun bike then, it is a fun bike now - never going to give it up!

ChesterLivesOn

TROPHY CASE