The R15 has definitely become the maximum run motorcycle in the BIKE India garage with the odometer just crossing the 15000 km mark in all the while that it has been with us.
These 15000 km have been covered in various areas of riding including the daily city commutes, weekend sport riding at the twisties and occasional weekend trip on the highways to beaches.
As far as I remember, the only expenditure on the motorcycle has been the regular servicing and maintenance, which is a must. The bike as such has been too good so far and not troubled me in any respect but one. The tyres. I know, time and again, we have said that the R15’s MRF Zappers are the best you can get in the country with soft compound rubber that lends amazing grip. However, there is a huge compromise that you need to do for getting those soft compounds and that is the life of the rubber. I remember having changed the rear tyre at about 8500 km the first time. This time however, the rear has given up in just about 6500 km and there is hardly any grip from it to the extent that the bike fishtails after a couple of quick downshifts. Plus, weirdly, the tyre looses air pressure in a couple of days if not ridden. If ridden regularly, the pressure will be good for not more than five to six days. Tyre definitely needs a change, but the question remains – the same MRF again or try something else?
That will soon be figured out. Apart from that tough, there is hardly anything to complain about – R15 continues to impress me every time I am out on it even today, a year and half and 15000 km later since I got it!
