[VSG12777]

Hi everyone,

It's been ages since I posted anything on the forum. My Avy 200 is running superbly and I am enjoying it. I did a long distance trip from Chennai to Yelagiri with my wife and it was amazing. I got a mileage of only 36 kmpl overall, but I touched 100 kmph on the Chennai Bangalore highway (Golden Quadrilateral) without any problem. It was an enjoyable and comfortable ride on the Avy 200. Took snaps and videos on the bike too - my wife did the videoing sitting behind me while I was doing full throttle on the highway. Unfortunately she did not capture the time when I touched 100 kmph. In the video I can be seen touching about 90-95 kmph.

Well I have a question regarding the K&N air filter on my Bajaj Avenger 200.
I purchased the bike in April 2008 and had a K&N air filter installed when all the other things were done - HID, alloys, 150/80 rear tubeless tyre etc.

Now I searched a bit on the net as well as other forums and read that simply installing the K&N air filter would not do, since the carburettor has to be rejetted or changed for a higher performance one, as otherwise:

(1) with only the K&N, the bike would run "lean" and engine may seize soon
(2) the K&N air filter has tiny holes which means it allows dust to go thru, whereas the stock air filter does not
(3) more frequent cleaning of the carb would be required, since a lot of grime tends to accumulate in our conditions.

Considering the above, should I get back to the stock air filter ?

On my trip to Yelagiri in June 2008, I found that the bike struggled to go past 100 kmph with me and my wife on it. The sound is great but it looks like it has affected the top speed. Mileage was not great either - I got only around 36 kmpl for the trip, as opposed to about 34 kmpl in the city.

Please do share your thoughts on the issue, since I am not very technically knowledgable with regard to bikes.

Another issue is that when I use my HID at night and I press the horn, the horn volume is much lesser than when used without the HID. I understand this is due to the HID being directly connected to the battery and when the horn and HID are used together a lot of current is drawn from the battery. I spent 2.6k on the HID kit - so I am really thinking now whether this is required or whether I can have this removed and get back to normal white lighting like Philips Vision Plus or X-Treme Power.

Please do share your thoughts on the horn/HID issue as well.

I eagerly look forward to your views on the above issues at the earliest.

Thanks and warm regards,
Venkat

[anupmathur]

Venkat, welcome back after your long sabbatical from BCMT!

Wish you'd write out a wee travelogue of your trip and post that for us to enjoy as well.

I'm no biking enthusiast. But I am an engineer.
About your queries, my suggestion would be to get the K&N off and so too the HIDs if you can live without them.
Neither is going to help with the longevity of the bike, and both detract from the reliability that most tourers look for in their bike/car.

[VSG12777]

Hi Anup Yes it's been quite some time since I posted any stuff on the forum. Just been tied up with work and not much time for myself. Well ya most probably I would be getting back to the stock air filter soon. It's just that I have to locate the stock air filter in my house since the shop guys gave it to me when they installed the K&N. I just don't know where I put it. Once I find it I will get it swapped. As for the HID maybe I will use it for a while before I have it removed cos that's a bigger job. Quite a bit of electrical work went into the bike to have that installed. If I remove the HID, I would rather go for a H4 60/55W bulb like Philips Vision Plus or X-Treme Power. The X-Treme Power bulb seems to have better reviews. Is this really the better one ? I am having trouble finding this bulb in Chennai though. Looks like I would have to order it online which would be around 600-700 bucks per bulb. Travelogue -- hmm. I must admit that though it would be great to read one and write one, I just don't have the time or patience now to do it. But I have been wanting to write it. Just don't know when though. I am not sure how to really write one either. Could you post a link to a sample travelogue so that I can pick up ideas from there ? Look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm regards, Venkat

[akshay4384]

I guess HID gives problems on bikes with AC lighting.
My Zma's HID is running fine with 3.5 year old 7A battery which is almost dead now

[anupmathur]

Could you post a link to a sample travelogue so that I can pick up ideas from there ?

Venkat, you just need to look at some of the many many travelogues, and some that are just photo-logs, on the forum!

Doesn't look like you'd need help or inspiration; I'm sure you can independently manage it!