Ride to Gopinattam - MaleMadheshwara Betta (1Dec2012 - 2Dec2012)

After doing the Kabini Ride in May, we were planning for a ride circuit which can give us a good riding expereince. Gopinattam was on my hitlist for a long time and it is a small village in Satyamangalam Forest Range. This place was often covered in news and was dominated by Forest Brigand Veerappan. Since Gopinattam was the primary target, we decided to make the ride more meaningful by covering Forest, crossing River and cross State Boundries. I shared my ride plans to all our riders gang and finally Jeevan and Pinto Respended. Eventhough it was a small team we wanted to make this ride happen and does not wanted to cancel.

Here is the Ride Circuit

Route  : Bangalore - Hosur - Anchetty - Billgundla - Gopinattam - Male Madheshwara Betta - Kollegal - T-Narsipura - Mysore - Bangalore (Total 460 Kms)

Riders : Me on my Thunderbird, Jeevan on his Electra, Pinto and Ritika on their Thunderbird

Inputs on Road : Roads till Billgundla via Anchetty Route in Tamil Nadu is very good. The forest route from Anchetty to Billgundla is very good and you would enjoy riding in the forests. After you cross the Border and enter Karnataka, the roads are pathetic from Gopinattam to MM Hill

             We all decided to meet near Brigade Road on 1Dec2012, Saturday early Morning 6.00AM. As per the schedule everyone assembled and we had some Tea to beat the morning cold. We started immeditely and we did not wanted to waste time because we had a long road ahead. As usual we started slowly and in Highways we used to rip to cover Kms, so that  we can ride slowly in the Forest Range. We reached Hosur by 7.00 and we decided to have breakfast, we know we dont have any food option till we reach MM hills and its all forest range. We had heavy South Indian Breakfast having Idly, Dosa, Pongal and Poori ( I guess that was a heavy Breakfast :) )

Forest Route near Anchetty

Then we started riding further towards Denkanikota and it was a single lane SH which was quite peaceful with Trees on both side. As we started riding further we reached Anchetty and roads were amazing and it was the start of Forest Route. The Forest route was as usual fun to ride and we were riding slowly to njoy the Mother Nature and stopped couple of places for pictures. We started riding and this route would connect to Cauvery basin just before Hognekkal and it was beautiful to see Cauvery River getting wider and completely unexplored.

Ghat Roads on the way to Billgundla

 Here we need to cross Cauvery to reach Gopinattam and it was thorugh Coracle. We were really scared and doubtful if the boatmen can ferry the Bullets as these were heavier, but the boatman said " Vanga sir, Naan Harley and KTM yellam kondu poirukken, unga Bullet Enna perisu". After listening we did not have any words to say and we accepted to ferry our bikes. We had to first put the bike in Coracle and then we had to sit on the Bike to avoid shaking. Wow it was a good experience.

Bike on Banks of River Cauvery

 

Loading the Bike to the Coracle

Ripping on the River Sands

   After we crossed the river, we had to ride on water and river sand to reach the land. Here we ripped our bikes and this took a toll on the Chain which was full of mud. We parked to clean the Chain and then lubricated the same. We continued riding further and it was forest range with the dirt road. We did not bother about the road and we were enjoying the forest sceneries and at last we reached Gopinattam. It was very small village and nothing great to say about this place, just another livelihood.

 

View from MM Hills

  We continued riding towards MaleMadheshwara Hills, from Gopinattam we need to climb the hills and it was very pathetic road. There was mutiple hairpin bin bends with good ghat section, but due to worse road conditions we did not enjoy the ride. Finally reached MM hills by 4.00 PM and we had some Tender Coconut and Buttermilk. We continued riding further down the Male Madheshwara hills towards Kollegal. After reaching Kollegal, we had our late lunch and was wondering which route to take. I decided that we go to Mysore via T-Narsipura and stay in Mysore.

      The Road from Kollegal to Mysore Via T-Narsipura was breathtaking with Paddy Fields on both sides of the roads. This route remains one of my favourites. Finally we reached mysore by 7.00AM, stayed that night to give rest. The next day morning we stared from Mysore to Bangalore and finally reached Blore by 1.30PM.

Breathtaking views of Paddy Fields

Paddy Fields on either side of the Roads

This was another great ride because it covers Highways, Forest, Water, Mountains, Paddy Fields etc.

Bullet Advice and Bullet Mechanics in Bangalore

         

Iam pretty sure all the Bullet Owners, they buy the bike with lots of Enthusiasm and later  we find that our bikes are not being maintained and Mechanics would have screwd up the vehicle so bad that we would loose interest in riding the bikes. So it all leads to one destination, a proper Bullet mechanic who can take care of our bike and service properly.

          Infact Even Iam one among you who had purchased RE ThunderBird 2004 Model and learnt about the bikes by screwing up and after experimenting with the bikes a lot.

Here are my basic suggestions and Inputs which can help you in Maintaining the Bullet and for long running of your vehicle. I Know these are not new but definitely would be useful for newbies who are new to the world.

1) It is adviced that regular service of Bullet once every 3000 - 3500 Kms is Mandatory to Keep the engine stable. Please make sure that Mechanics changes the Engine oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter are changed during Service.

    a)  My suggestion would be to use Shell 20W50 oil for Engine and use 90Grade oil for Gear Box. Gear Box Oil needs to changed every alternative service.

    b) Also if the vehicle is new try using BP Speed or Premium petrol rather than normal petrol. Due to High Octane the carbon deposit would be low and it would keep the engine cool and smooth especially new engines.

    c) This is key input for long running of Engine. After Service, please add STP oil treatment to engine which would completely smoothen the engine and you can feel the difference immediately.


2) Brakes - Always Keep the regular check on the Brake fluid level near the front break. Also advisable to clean the Brake shoes in every alternative service


3) Tyre Pressure - Diff People say different pressure and also company says to keep 18 in front and 22 in back. Since RE is cruiser bikes and we ride on rough terrains low tyre pressure can lead to Punctures. So I keep 26 in Front and 36 in back. Never had any issues in long run with this pressure.

4) The Chain Sprocket and Chain needs to be changed every 18000 - 20000 Kms. This is the life of chain and usually it wears out. Please keep an eye on this

Note : Nowadays I see lots of Mechanics exploiting the Bike owner for any small engine noise also, please do the engine work. My Sincere suggestion is please please please never open the engine listening to the mechanics without understanding.

      For example - I have been cheated by a mechanic saying that Engine work needs to be done and they have screwed the crank shaft and also the made me to buy a new Bore, When there was a provision to do Re-Bore or add the sleeve.  SO my Sincere suggestion is understand the engine and then you ask the mechanic to open the engine and please ensure you sit beside him

Now Coming to Some Mechanics, After experimenting with lots of people I would strongly suggest these mechanics

1) Mr Seshan - Bullet Mechanic in Chennai
      
     His work shop is in Taramani Link road, Chennai and he one of the finest mechanics. He is specialized in engine work and If you want to do engine work, please go to him and get it done and you will find the change.

     The only drawback with him is he takes very long time and he is quite expensive. But you will be satisfied for the money you have paid.

2)  Babu - Bullet Mechanic in Bangalore

      Now I started giving my bike to him and Iam very happy with the way he handles the Bikes. His location is near Benniganahalli Bridge

Some Mechanics whom I would never recommend.

1) Manjunatha Bullet Garage, Banaswadi - Never ever go to them and he would exploit you and would screw up the vehicle. He is very expensive.

2)  Technik Motors, Indiranagar- I would say 50/50. Some are happy and some are not happy.

         I feel never we should go with RE authorized service center, instead find your own mechanic and start giving your vehicle.

I hope My inputs have been useful and if you need any more information or feel like sharing some more information to this blog, please comment it and I would get in touch.

Day ride to Kabini Reservoir (3May2012)

            The Kabini, also called Kabani and Kapila, is a river of southern India. It originates from Wayanad District of Kerala state and flows eastward to join the Kaveri River at Tirumakudalu Narasipura in Karnataka. Kabini is one of the most popular wildlife destinations because of its easy accessibility, lush green landscape surrounding a large picturesque lake, and fantastic sightings of large herds of elephants. Kabini is definitely one of the must see places.

 

Riders : Me on my Thunderbird, Sena, Jeevan and Prakash on their Bullet Electra

Route : Bangalore - Mysore - HD Kote - Kabini Reservoir

Inputs on Road : Roads are really good all the way to Kabini from Bangalore.

        This was a comeback ride for me since there was a huge gap with no rides for almost a year due to hectic work schedules. Prakash had come to Bangalore from Mumbai and he said why not we make a day ride before he goes back to Mumbai. Infact I was longing for a ride and when he pitched this Idea, I immediately said yes and also I wanted to have some Kms on my bike.

     Myself and Prakash met in Gloria Jeans Cofee shop in Indranagar, We called up Sena and jeevan to inform about the ride and they agreed immediately. We decided to gather at Townhall, Bangalore by 6.00AM and accordingly we all met at 6.00AM. Immediately we started riding towards Mysore road and on the way my Meter cable got cut and it was hanging. I happened to get it rectified and we gave a first break at Kamak Lokaruchi for Breakfast. Since Neer Dosa was one of the hot favourites here, we all had a good amount of Dosa's and continued riding further.

    Almost when we reached Mysore, Prakash Bike gave problems and ignition was not turning on. Somehow we jump started the battery and took to a mechanic in Mysore to get it rectified. We spent almost 1 hour in Mechanic shop to get the bike rectified and then we continued the ride further and reached Kabini Reservoir by around 1.00PM.

Me on the way to HD Kote

    Kabini Reservoir is just like any other dam with good water body. We took the bikes near the water and relaxed there for a while, it would have been too good provided if the weather was cloudy. If we need to get accommodation we need to go further around 23 kms for Jungle lodges.

 Sena, Jeevan and Me

Me, Sena and Prakash 

 

Since it was almost 3Pm and we were feeling hungry, there was nothing to eat there. So we rode back to HD kote and had a good lunch in a small hotel near Bustand. 

Then we decided to ride continuously to Bangalore and we reached Bangalore by 9.00PM.

There is nothing great in this ride and it was more of Stress buster and comeback ride.