Hello from us here to you there.
Well what an interesting few weeks.
Kris and I have decided to write a testament about the last 18 months and how we came to be here and what we had to go through to follow his word, there is far too much to write here so you will have to wait but the pressure to tell the story in full has been mounting over the past weeks. When it is written we will publish it maybe all at once or we may do it as a series of articles.
I have been thinking (steady there ) about Jesus as a young man. The thought was triggered by our weekend guests Eric and Jean. I was chatting to Eric about the missing years in the account of Jesus's life and wondering what he was doing.
Think about it, he is a young man, out with his friends enjoying life, working with his earthly father, developing as that person who would change the world forever one day.
What did his friends think of him, they were marrying, he remained single. For the time this was not normal behaviour, most young men were married by twenty at the latest: yet Jesus was single. PLEASE do not get me into the 'Perhaps he was debate! I honestly believe that had he been then somewhere the bible would have mentioned his marriage or there would have been comments like ' Today Jesus his wife and his disciples travelled to...where he cured a blind man' As for those who say he was an Alien teacher sent to put us on the right track...well believe what you want to but there is in the end only one truth.
The first mention of a miracle was in Cana where he was at a friends wedding with the virgin Mary and his mother and after being told that the host has run out of wine saved the day by turning plain jars of water into fine wine. John 2 1-11.
Jesus was at first reluctant to act saying to his mother who had asked him to, "O Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour has not yet come."
Yet he chose this moment and in this way to begin his ministry, I wonder why. Was it because there were so many witnesses?, surely there was someone there who he could have healed instead? Or was it simply that like any good mother Mary knew he was ready.
I really think it was a bit of both, Mary knew as did Jesus that one day he would show himself for who he truly was and all she did was to give her son a gentle nudge, note his words, 'My hour has not yet come' but he complied with her wishes and so began his journey to the cross and his final victory over death.
A strange beginning for a man who would one day have billions of followers and who as Jesus Christ the son of God will save all who come to him from damnation.
Today is Easter Sunday, Christ is risen from the dead, don't take my word for it check out all the witness testimonies.............hundreds of people saw him, no doubts no rumours, it is a FACT that can be read about in any bible. Don't just sit there and think its all a big myth or a nice fairy story, or it cant be proved, you are wrong, it has been proved and it continues to be proved everyday, many people have spent years trying to disprove the bible only to end up facing the truth and accepting Christ as their saviour. Don't be blind to the truth, don't wait until finally you stand and see damnation as your reward from the devil. Give Jesus just one chance to redeem you, try it, you have nothing left to lose, and your soul to save.
Just couldn't resist this.............
Due to popular demand, in this blog there is a road test from me on my Royal Enfield, if you are not into bikes, well sorry but you should be....
Visitors
We have just had a wonderful weekend with some friends from the USA staying with us, complete chaos ahhh children, worse still small ones! Sorry guys only joking.
They left today Sunday after arriving Fri pm. Two young boys 18 months and 5 years, Noah and Samuel and a swimming pool just up the road. In fact you can see our house from here!
Needless to say we all went home wet after ending up in the pool in various states of dress!
Panawar
We had the chance to visit last week, it was wonderful to see all the kids again, the letters from the children of The Choristors School Durham were very enthusiastically received and caused great interest among the boys. We have no doubt that replies will be on there way soon. We attended church there and they even let me speak!
Festival of colours.
Another of those complete surprises that we thought we knew what was going on and then found out we didn't!
And so it goes on...great day and only India could do it so well. By the way, it represents the victory of truth over evil. In the group we were with there were Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs all having fun together. A wonderful day.Oh and the dog stayed well clear.
Work.
Work is going very well, tomorrow I take my English teaching method out to the villages so more can access it, I make no claim for having ''invented'' the method, all I have done is to combine some very good Chinese idea's with some Scandinavian research and add a bit of my own experience, its been christened Chringlish by PMF, the really big advantage is you don't need an interpreter!
Strange how things work out isn't it, the question that got me started on thinking about this came from the Immigration officer who interviewed Kris and I when we first arrived. He asked ''how are you going to teach when you cant speak Hindi?'' I answered that I would use an interpreter, not the ideal solution but all I could think of at the time. From that small seed has grown what may be a new and easier way to teach spoken English . Only time will tell. The experiment continues!
In the next blog I will focus more on our work here as we will both have begun work in the field by then and I know Kris is itching to get out there and actively help rather than all the lesson planning and research she has been doing, as well as helping me put my idea's into usable form. Just as a side note the death rate among infants up to three days is horrific here, Kris will do so much good bless her.
Comments from Kris
As Chris has said it has been an amazing time since the last blog. The festival of colours also known as day of Holi was great, we realised this was our first actual day off relaxing since Christmas. We had a great time and next year I am planning to buy more colours, they will also be used in my art if any are left over. We were very blessed by our neighbours involving us in this really fun time, everyone calls it playing with colour. I have not had so much fun for ages.
Art, well I am hoping to get my studio back this week as Chris has been using it as a workshop to saw wood and build our desk etc. He did say he was keeping it but he is living in fantasy world if he thinks I would give it up.
I have just come in from the garden where I have been harvesting and cleaning our Chinese cabbage ready for freezing. Whilst going about this I suddenly became drenched in water as Chris decided to throw water over the edge of the roof. He says it was accidental, not so sure but I do feel a little bit of revenge awaiting him but that will come sometime in the future when he least expects it hee heee.
We venture out into the villages again tomorrow to look at our venue for teaching and Chris is transferring his course there to make it easier for the villagers to access. I am not sure what to expect but one thing it will be very different from delivering lectures and teaching in County Hall, Durham and the lecture theatres in Hospitals and University. I reckon it will be more like the health talks I did in the community where the venues were very very basic, we forget that even in the west we have really poor deprived areas with limited or non existent resources. I know I have been in that situation, but at least here the drive or ride out to the venue is breathtaking and very little chance of rain except in the monsoon.
We are just about to go into the garden to do more planting as the sun has gone down a little it is now 5.50pm and it is still very hot. I am just cooking a chicken and doing some roast potatoes as I just fancied some plainer food for a change, I will add some nice spices to any that is left.
I do love the spicy food here and Chris has become semi vegetarian, as we do not eat much meat at all these days.
I will come back and write more later today.
Did not get back yesterday so here I am tonight and it is 11.40pm, so I am a little tired and brain dead. Been to Pai today to check out the venue I will be teaching in next week and sat in on Chris's Chringlish class, very entertaining and informative. He gets great interaction with the students and they really enjoy it and are learning so much in such a short time, already putting together complex sentences in English. I have one complaint Chris made me answer in Hindi which was a little unfair as my Hindi is very limited.
I am sooooooo pleased to have A/C especially in the bedroom it makes sleeping so much more comfortable, thanks Mr B Card.
We have just got in from an evening meal at the resort, which is just a few yards from our home, the food is excellent and very reasonably priced, and it saved me cooking after a day out in the village of Pai.
We returned home to the very very loud sound of a lorry drilling a bore hole we think at 11.35 at night what happened to getting a peaceful nights sleep, well maybe not tonight it seems, there are several workers sitting around opposite our drive gates drinking Chai and they look set to be there for some time, only could happen in India. In UK there would be complaints and calls for noise abatement to stop proceedings until a reasonable hour.
I am sure there is more I wanted to say but I am soooooo tired my head hurts so I will end here, great I hear you all say.
By the way we had roast chicken with our Chinese cabbage yesterday and other veg, it tasted so good especially as we grew it ourselves, we know it was purely organic. Best cabbage Chris has ever had he told me and this is from a guy who hated vegetables when we first met.
AND NOW
WHAT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
ITS HERE................
THE ONE
THE ONLY
SIT BACK AND ENJOY.............
MY Royal Enfield Road Test.
Normally these road tests begin with some journalist being given a tuned bike to ride for a few miles or hours, not so in this test. Here you will get the truth, the bike is mine and I ride it almost daily in traffic that would scare the bravest and on roads that are at least challenging for their ruts, holes, open drains and loose rubbish.
So I want to firstly give you an over view of the conditions that this bike has to deal with, a clue to its continuing popularity perhaps.
Driving.
The first thing you notice in India is the driving, visitors say 'they have no rules they are mad' but on closer examination you begin to see that the whole concept of driving is treated differently and yes there are rules, not always obeyed however.
The horn. A simple device intended to alert others or warn of your presence. In India that's exactly what it is used for. To overtake, beep beep I'm here. At junctions the same applies everyone beep beeps.
Don't pull out now I'm here beep beep. You are in my way Bleeeeep bleeeep and I wish to pass on the inside or if the obstruction moves over as you begin to undertake Bleeeeeeeeeep and accelerate sharply to get out of the now closing trap. In extreme cases Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep,
Translates as 'you are an idiot didn't you see me? Why didn't you move. You are in my way or STOP now I'm here! Beeep Beeeep Beeep Beeep move over I want to pass.
Traffic travels on the left. Hmmm mostly, it is not in the least unusual to meet a car, bike lorry driving in the wrong direction on a duel carriageway, NEVER assume you have right of way , biggest has unless your a bus then they give way to nobody EVER and this includes at traffic lights.
On the subject of traffic lights, they are in the most part treated as advisory, if the police are there directing then less chaos tends to ensue, however people still ignore the lights and the police and bumble through...........don't they Kris!
The roads.
These range from two lane tarmac with holes to dirt tracks. On my 10K ride to work: Leave on tarmac, turn onto two lane tarmac, then onto one lane broken tarmac with holes 4 inches deep, weave between other bikes and auto rickshaws in the narrow city streets, then dirt then loose stone then dirt again and finally one lane broken tarmac. All corners are best treated as blind with the very real chance of meeting traffic on the wrong side of the road as you round the bend.
Beeeeep at every corner.
Dust makes for a lack of grip similar to melting ice, very fine and very loose, you learn to try and ignore the front wheel moving out, grip with your knees and just give it a bit more grunt to find grip again! Oh lordy it has been a steep learning curve!
You will also please note that I haven't yet mentioned 'natural hazards'. In the UK these might include children at play, old people crossing, some twit on a horse, that sort of thing, not so here. Every junction is a Melee of coming and going a bit like a dance where everyone knows the moves but a few cant dance. Coming at you as you are coming at others weaving beeping dodging and as if by some great miracle most of the time it works beautifully, however it only takes one to mess it all up then its chaos! As one Indian friend said when I asked him how it all worked he replied 'well nobody wants an accident do they'
Performance 4.5 Drool Factor 4.4 Ownership Experience 4.4 Handling 4.3 Touring Ability 4.3 Over All 4.38
Tech Details
''That the Unit Construction Engine designed by Engines Engineering of Italy is the strongest part of the package, would be an understatement. This engine is what is selling Royal Enfields by the truckloads with the ancient Royal Enfield factory struggling to meet the ever increasing demand''
''The up swept muffler, while giving rise to some vibes, especially at idle and the top of the rev range, also seems to liberate a pony or two, as I experienced with the distinctly quicker acceleration off the block and quicker response during roll on speeds''.
The availability of a diesel car like torque band across the rev range, made the Desert Storm extremely enjoyable on the hills and this is something that Ladakh goers must take note of. Effortless is the word that can sum up the way in which the Desert Storm 500 clambered up inclines with nary a sweat and this torque was indeed what came into play when overtaking later in the day.
And so it goes on, I have only found two negatives but we will come to those presently.
MY Royal Enfield.
Day one of ownership. We went for a short ride out and about just to feel her and grin! Since then much has changed but the grin remains.
Engine.
This is a joy and I think the reason the factory is flooded with orders. The engine is designed by Engines Engineering of Italy, an updated and up spec 500 bullet. Turn on the ignition, a pause, a whir as the injection system comes up to pressure, the red injection light goes out, press the electric start button and the motor turns over with all the assurance of an early aircraft engine, always fires on the second stroke, release starter button blip throttle and switch on the grin.
There is an auto choke that works by ''pull lever to set'' it auto rests as the engine warms up but I have only used it a couple of times on cool mornings. RE riders advise letting the 500 classic warm up for a few moments before riding. I have done it both ways, start and go and a warm up period. Without the warm up the engine feels reluctant to respond to the throttle and has on occasion ''stuttered'' as power is applied. The conclusion is obvious, if you are in a hurry then OK go for it but to get the best from it, from the off give it a warm up, it really is worth it, the reward is smooth seemingly endless power that just eats the local plastic for breakfast. Five gears and plenty of false neutrals are hidden away in that gearbox. To the non bikers out there, a false neutral is what you can fall into between gear changes so instead of going from third to fourth you go third to a ''false'' neutral. The first 100k drove me silly, I just couldn't get it right. In the end I got it, stop trying to ride this as you would a top line Honda or Moto Guzzi, be positive, no gentle pressure as it slips in, no, this gearbox demands you master it, no quarter given 'firm' and decisive is the way, now very very rarely do I miss a change or crunch a gear.
It comes with a heal and toe style change lever so sandals are OK to ride in, remember this is India, most people including me wear sandals.
250k in .........oil on the path where I park it! After a careful feel about found a slight dribble from the gear shift lever ''o'' ring, solution, into the dealer, no hassle changed seal, sorted, job done.
On the subject of the dealer, Voyage Motors Udaipur, service like they give went out of fashion years ago in the UK. We bought the RE and Kris's Yamaha Ray also some accessories helmets gloves etc all in one very fair deal. I cannot speak highly enough about them, always ready to help, and always willing to explain the complexities of Indian law to a couple of foreigners. Jatin, the owners son who manages the Royal Enfield side of the buisness even took us to get the bikes registered in our names, a process we would not have enjoyed without his help. The workshops are very well equipped and all the mechanics seem to know Enfields like the back of their hands. It also helps that he loves Royal Enfields himself. His father who owns the business is a complete gentleman and a pleasure to know. His attitude of fairness and honesty can be seen throughout the business. Part of the garage show rooms next door is dedicated to Yamaha, its all one business that is where Kris got hers so it was a good day when we walked in for all of us. Since then we have both had our first service and again all I can say is 'a job well done'.
Back to the engine:
Power, I think I will say that again it felt so nice, power, oodles of it, in any gear just twist the throttle and the thump gets louder the back end squats and off she goes, no lag or delay. Overtaking is a breeze, remembering all the beeep beeep rules weave out and go, the amount of torque is amazing from a 5oo, max coming in at 4000rpm, yes FOUR thousand rpm. Having spent 50 years riding all sorts of bikes this just feels 'right' no strain or knocking just all that torque poring into your throttle hand. The sound of a five hundred single through what is basically an open pipe is beautiful...it sounds like thunder following just behind you as the speed comes on. Never had a miss fire, twin sparks, fuel injection and electronic timing see to that, the valves stay spot on thanks to being hydraulic so none of those days where you rattle along thinking I must find the time to set them again and no points means the spark always occurs dead on where it should. All of this means that the engine always gives its best. And that best is hard to beat both for performance and economy. Geared for just 130Kph (85mph) pulling away has amazed me, very very quick. I tend to cruise at about 60k on the duel carriageway because most other people do and please remember those hidden humps. On the interstate highways 100-110kph is normal and easily achieved. I don't intend to give the impression that it is in some way a sports bike, it isn't. Its far nearer to a good solid young workhorse than a thoroughbred but when you want it to it can really go, I have surprised a few plastic riders with its zip. 35Kmpl is about what most people get day to day fuel consumption better on a long runs less in and about town where it is all third and forth gear.
Well that's about all I can say about an engine that is as good or better than any 500 I have ever ridden, the Yamaha SR 500 was a good single but not this good, then most manufacturers opted for twins similar to Honda's cx500 or dropped to 400cc to meet emission laws. Over the years there have been some good big singles but none I would wager as good as this one
Handling
This frame was designed to run on single track roads, twisty and with plenty of chances to run off the road into a ditch. No motorways, but some good ''A'' roads. Yes it was designed to run on UK roads in the fifties.
Back to India: Well other than a slight change in front end geometry it has remained mostly unchanged, and that is a huge plus. It feels stable and secure at walking pace in town traffic or thumping along at 65kph on the open road. Throw it into a curve and it requires that you be positive, almost resisting at first then in it goes completely under control, it also has the ability to change course at a seconds notice should it have to, if you meet someone driving on your side of the road for instance! Front wheel drift in dust can be interesting as the wheel loses some of its grip and moves outwards requiring the rider to lean deeper and apply more power to gain grip on the front wheel, completely contra to instinct that wants you to come up and slow. A lot of the stability comes from gripping with your knees very firmly on the tank pads and trying to relax on the bars at these moments, it takes practise, I'm still practising, every time it happens give me an instant heart rate boost!
As the Desert Storm is also meant to be able to handle the dirt roads of Rajasthan it is slightly higher off the ground than the traditional RE Classic and has an up swept exhaust to help avoid the rocks. Suspension is great the tele's on the front are soft enough to soak up bumps but not soggy I have wondered about a fork brace as there is only a single disc at work. The rear springing is the usual gas / spring set up and they do work, mine I keep on full soft as I like to feel the back end. The seat is also sprung giving great comfort to the rider, although there is some talk among the long distance tourer types that the springs go soft and that gives you back pain. In fact the advice is to fit a non sprung seat and lower the handle bars for more long distance comfort. Grip from the tyres is ok for town use and the dirt roads but not in sand or deep dust/stone etc, there are some very nice heavy tread tyres available though to do just that job.
Next year God willing I am riding in the Royal Enfield Tour of Rajasthan, solo's only because of the rough terrain and sand, I will be fitting new tyres for that.
Brakes
Here we come to one of those negatives I mentioned. The front has a really good, if a little grabby disc, learn to be gentle with it and it rewards you with a really good stopper. If only I could say the same of the rear set up.
A single leading shoe! Last time I saw one of these on a road bike it was about 1985, not only is it an old design but it doesn't even work as well as it should. I have found myself really standing on it to get a brake, two up its a joke! All I can say of it is that it helps with stability under braking.
Solution; a rear disc setup. RE seem to agree as there is a conversion coming I'm told
Put me down for one of those please!
Electrics
Here is the other of my two negatives, in the main all fairly normal, good starter motor, excellent lights from the big QH headlamp. Switches are big and easy to use they all seem to be in the 'right' place as well. Needless to say it has twin horns operated by the biggest of the switches just under your left thumb.
One small annoyance though, it wont start unless you are in neutral with the clutch disengaged, a bit of a pain if you stall it off road, most bikes work the opposite allowing you to start as long as the clutch is engaged. Stall, pull in clutch, re start, oh so simple. RE have to be different why?? Really, why!! I feel a rewire coming on!
Build Quality
The RE motto is ''built like a gun'' it should read built like a tank!
Really solid build throughout. I was hit from behind in Udaipur City by an auto rickshaw, his bumper fell off as I was shunted forwards a few feet, damage, a bent number plate that I took off beat flat again and put some paint on!
I really like all the lockable boxes that are dotted about, three plus filter box. I have added a tool bag as the toolbox as supplied was very tight even before I added the extras I felt I should carry. As an advantage this gives me room for a power socket for the satellite navigation system where the tools used to be. This is a massive country and we want to see some of it so the Sat nav is vital.
For some reason the chrome parts seem to be chromed then welded then sprayed with chrome paint over the weld, very odd. Details can let it down, no 'c' spanner to adjust the rear suspension.
The paint is classic Matt sand and is very well applied but again its the details, bolts tightened up against the paint with no washer to prevent the paint from damage from the spanner and bolt head.
A sari guard that In India is a must for the ladies who ride side saddle but I hate it, this is one part that has an appointment with a disc cutter!
Really good solid welds every time, but again the finish lets them
down. This guy was having a bad day!
Loose electrical spade connections, one fell off the bulb as I removed the headlamp to change the peak, all it needed was a tweak with some pliers to solve it so why was it left as it was?
All in all generally very good, no loose nuts or bolts or lack of grease found during MY after sales service! All I did was to adjust the throttle cables to give less slack, I like the throttle to be sharp.
Again thank you Voyage Motors.
Overall
Grin factor 10 I have been collecting flies in my teeth since I first rode it.
Handling 9 have to lose a point for inability to handle off road conditions unless you upgrade the tyres,but not many RE riders go where I will be going so this is may be a little unfair.
Engine 10 cant fault it, Italian redesign of a classic motor, love it.
Brakes 6 I wish I could give more but that useless rear brake ruins a score that was looking good
Electrics 8 loses one for the stupid start in neutral only joke, and one for loose connections.
Value for money 10 Under two grand for a brand new 500cc motorcycle on the road, cant fault that.
Build quality 8 good and solid well built but let down by details.
Head turner 10 I have had people on bikes at the lights stop and reach out to shake my hand, .........................congratulations they say its the new Royal Enfield, every Indian mans dream bike!
MAX SCORE 80
ACTUAL SCORE 71
In Conclusion.
Decals now on both sides and the front mudguard.
Final word.
I LOVE IT! Its a great bike, great value for money and great fun to ride. Would I have bought it knowing all I now know? No question about it, a big big YES!
Chris Hyde March 2013.
Well there is so much more I want to say but I have to stop or this will never be published!
This is a time of joy for us as well as a time of continued adjustment, the temp is rising, the town seems full of tourists trying not to die in the heat 36degC today and we were out in the country side North of here where it was even hotter, felt great to get out of the desert region and back into the cool of Udaipur!
Well, from us to you, may God Bless you and keep you safe.
Chris and Kris
Well what an interesting few weeks.
Kris and I have decided to write a testament about the last 18 months and how we came to be here and what we had to go through to follow his word, there is far too much to write here so you will have to wait but the pressure to tell the story in full has been mounting over the past weeks. When it is written we will publish it maybe all at once or we may do it as a series of articles.
Think about it, he is a young man, out with his friends enjoying life, working with his earthly father, developing as that person who would change the world forever one day.
What did his friends think of him, they were marrying, he remained single. For the time this was not normal behaviour, most young men were married by twenty at the latest: yet Jesus was single. PLEASE do not get me into the 'Perhaps he was debate! I honestly believe that had he been then somewhere the bible would have mentioned his marriage or there would have been comments like ' Today Jesus his wife and his disciples travelled to...where he cured a blind man' As for those who say he was an Alien teacher sent to put us on the right track...well believe what you want to but there is in the end only one truth.
The first mention of a miracle was in Cana where he was at a friends wedding with the virgin Mary and his mother and after being told that the host has run out of wine saved the day by turning plain jars of water into fine wine. John 2 1-11.
Jesus was at first reluctant to act saying to his mother who had asked him to, "O Woman, what have I to do with you? My hour has not yet come."
Yet he chose this moment and in this way to begin his ministry, I wonder why. Was it because there were so many witnesses?, surely there was someone there who he could have healed instead? Or was it simply that like any good mother Mary knew he was ready.
I really think it was a bit of both, Mary knew as did Jesus that one day he would show himself for who he truly was and all she did was to give her son a gentle nudge, note his words, 'My hour has not yet come' but he complied with her wishes and so began his journey to the cross and his final victory over death.
A strange beginning for a man who would one day have billions of followers and who as Jesus Christ the son of God will save all who come to him from damnation.
Today is Easter Sunday, Christ is risen from the dead, don't take my word for it check out all the witness testimonies.............hundreds of people saw him, no doubts no rumours, it is a FACT that can be read about in any bible. Don't just sit there and think its all a big myth or a nice fairy story, or it cant be proved, you are wrong, it has been proved and it continues to be proved everyday, many people have spent years trying to disprove the bible only to end up facing the truth and accepting Christ as their saviour. Don't be blind to the truth, don't wait until finally you stand and see damnation as your reward from the devil. Give Jesus just one chance to redeem you, try it, you have nothing left to lose, and your soul to save.
Just couldn't resist this.............
Due to popular demand, in this blog there is a road test from me on my Royal Enfield, if you are not into bikes, well sorry but you should be....
Visitors
We have just had a wonderful weekend with some friends from the USA staying with us, complete chaos ahhh children, worse still small ones! Sorry guys only joking.
 |
| The lifeguard, ready, poised like a coiled spring to leap into action. |
 |
| I was sooooo tempted! |
We had a lovely weekend, it was mad chaotic at times, I grew a third eye in the back of my head but everyone had a good time. After a close run ballot that included the three legged dog we have decided they can come again, hoppity likes them, Noah (the eldest) fed him his dinner so they are now friends for life! Noah is also well on his way to a new career as a rickshaw driver having left here sitting up front with Shanti lal driving the rickshaw, we havnt' heard but we assume all went well!
Oh yes and one immortal comment, the youngest had red eyes, chlorine says Jean, they don't use it here I tell her, they use uric acid, oh she says, a long pause as penny slowly drops!
Home
Oh yes and one immortal comment, the youngest had red eyes, chlorine says Jean, they don't use it here I tell her, they use uric acid, oh she says, a long pause as penny slowly drops!
Home
The heat is getting hotter, er no it isn't....that from a science background! I left it in because it made me laugh!
The temperature is rising daily, by the hour in fact. Although this weekend it was much cooler as we had a brief dark clouds/flash bang/rain then back to thin cloud and sun. Temp dropped noticeably. Predicted to hit 50degC this year we have made the decision to install air conditioning in the main room and our bedroom so we can at least retreat to a cool spot if we have to. Even the Indians who can afford to move out in the summer and head for the mountains. A friend has generously offered to pay for it, a Mr B Card.
Our first ever crop of Chinese cabbage is just about ready to pick and our tomatoes are having babies!.
 |
| Cherry tomato's |
 |
| The hot dry winds are cooking the sweet pea's, doesn't look good for them. |
 |
| Garden all doing well, some have been fantastic some not so, its all a huge fantastic adventure! |
 |
| Yep........that's fruit on our tree! |
In front of the tomatoes are cucumber and peppers.
All in all we are very happy with the garden, we are learning what will and what wont grow and we have lovely neighbours who are always willing to help us, even if we are I am sure a little weird at times!
Inside we have been building an 'office'' corner so that we would stop moving each others papers about, domestic bliss restored for some cheap ply and a lot of sweat from both of us.
Drawers, and loads of storage space. No more fights over ''who moved my papers'' space for all, ahhhh domestic Bliss.
Inside we have been building an 'office'' corner so that we would stop moving each others papers about, domestic bliss restored for some cheap ply and a lot of sweat from both of us.
Drawers, and loads of storage space. No more fights over ''who moved my papers'' space for all, ahhhh domestic Bliss.
Panawar
We had the chance to visit last week, it was wonderful to see all the kids again, the letters from the children of The Choristors School Durham were very enthusiastically received and caused great interest among the boys. We have no doubt that replies will be on there way soon. We attended church there and they even let me speak!
 |
| Kris studying the plans for the new building that is almost ready to begin. |
 |
| I was forced to speak!!! |
 |
| Still being forced! |
 | ||
You just got to love these kids
|
.jpg) |
| LETS LOSE THIS |
 |
| The road there was interesting as well! |
 |
| This is well away from main roads, towns or even villages, out here its family groups and subsistence farming, its also really really hot and it isn't Summer yet! |
Festival of colours.
Another of those complete surprises that we thought we knew what was going on and then found out we didn't!
 |
| Our neighbour Kailash, |
 |
| Our (foreground) wonderful neighbours wife Shashi, and Arty. |
 |
| Everybody got us! |
 |
| Really good festival, you visit friends and splash them with colour |
 |
| Then they join you to get others, this was a social pause for sweets and juice. |
And so it goes on...great day and only India could do it so well. By the way, it represents the victory of truth over evil. In the group we were with there were Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Sikhs all having fun together. A wonderful day.Oh and the dog stayed well clear.
Work.
Work is going very well, tomorrow I take my English teaching method out to the villages so more can access it, I make no claim for having ''invented'' the method, all I have done is to combine some very good Chinese idea's with some Scandinavian research and add a bit of my own experience, its been christened Chringlish by PMF, the really big advantage is you don't need an interpreter!
Strange how things work out isn't it, the question that got me started on thinking about this came from the Immigration officer who interviewed Kris and I when we first arrived. He asked ''how are you going to teach when you cant speak Hindi?'' I answered that I would use an interpreter, not the ideal solution but all I could think of at the time. From that small seed has grown what may be a new and easier way to teach spoken English . Only time will tell. The experiment continues!
In the next blog I will focus more on our work here as we will both have begun work in the field by then and I know Kris is itching to get out there and actively help rather than all the lesson planning and research she has been doing, as well as helping me put my idea's into usable form. Just as a side note the death rate among infants up to three days is horrific here, Kris will do so much good bless her.
Comments from Kris
As Chris has said it has been an amazing time since the last blog. The festival of colours also known as day of Holi was great, we realised this was our first actual day off relaxing since Christmas. We had a great time and next year I am planning to buy more colours, they will also be used in my art if any are left over. We were very blessed by our neighbours involving us in this really fun time, everyone calls it playing with colour. I have not had so much fun for ages.
Art, well I am hoping to get my studio back this week as Chris has been using it as a workshop to saw wood and build our desk etc. He did say he was keeping it but he is living in fantasy world if he thinks I would give it up.
I have just come in from the garden where I have been harvesting and cleaning our Chinese cabbage ready for freezing. Whilst going about this I suddenly became drenched in water as Chris decided to throw water over the edge of the roof. He says it was accidental, not so sure but I do feel a little bit of revenge awaiting him but that will come sometime in the future when he least expects it hee heee.
We venture out into the villages again tomorrow to look at our venue for teaching and Chris is transferring his course there to make it easier for the villagers to access. I am not sure what to expect but one thing it will be very different from delivering lectures and teaching in County Hall, Durham and the lecture theatres in Hospitals and University. I reckon it will be more like the health talks I did in the community where the venues were very very basic, we forget that even in the west we have really poor deprived areas with limited or non existent resources. I know I have been in that situation, but at least here the drive or ride out to the venue is breathtaking and very little chance of rain except in the monsoon.
We are just about to go into the garden to do more planting as the sun has gone down a little it is now 5.50pm and it is still very hot. I am just cooking a chicken and doing some roast potatoes as I just fancied some plainer food for a change, I will add some nice spices to any that is left.
I do love the spicy food here and Chris has become semi vegetarian, as we do not eat much meat at all these days.
I will come back and write more later today.
Did not get back yesterday so here I am tonight and it is 11.40pm, so I am a little tired and brain dead. Been to Pai today to check out the venue I will be teaching in next week and sat in on Chris's Chringlish class, very entertaining and informative. He gets great interaction with the students and they really enjoy it and are learning so much in such a short time, already putting together complex sentences in English. I have one complaint Chris made me answer in Hindi which was a little unfair as my Hindi is very limited.
I am sooooooo pleased to have A/C especially in the bedroom it makes sleeping so much more comfortable, thanks Mr B Card.
We have just got in from an evening meal at the resort, which is just a few yards from our home, the food is excellent and very reasonably priced, and it saved me cooking after a day out in the village of Pai.
We returned home to the very very loud sound of a lorry drilling a bore hole we think at 11.35 at night what happened to getting a peaceful nights sleep, well maybe not tonight it seems, there are several workers sitting around opposite our drive gates drinking Chai and they look set to be there for some time, only could happen in India. In UK there would be complaints and calls for noise abatement to stop proceedings until a reasonable hour.
I am sure there is more I wanted to say but I am soooooo tired my head hurts so I will end here, great I hear you all say.
By the way we had roast chicken with our Chinese cabbage yesterday and other veg, it tasted so good especially as we grew it ourselves, we know it was purely organic. Best cabbage Chris has ever had he told me and this is from a guy who hated vegetables when we first met.
AND NOW
WHAT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
ITS HERE................
THE ONE
THE ONLY
SIT BACK AND ENJOY.............
MY Royal Enfield Road Test.
Classic 500cc Single Desert Storm
C R Hyde
 |
| My Baby |
Normally these road tests begin with some journalist being given a tuned bike to ride for a few miles or hours, not so in this test. Here you will get the truth, the bike is mine and I ride it almost daily in traffic that would scare the bravest and on roads that are at least challenging for their ruts, holes, open drains and loose rubbish.
So I want to firstly give you an over view of the conditions that this bike has to deal with, a clue to its continuing popularity perhaps.
Driving.
The first thing you notice in India is the driving, visitors say 'they have no rules they are mad' but on closer examination you begin to see that the whole concept of driving is treated differently and yes there are rules, not always obeyed however.
The horn. A simple device intended to alert others or warn of your presence. In India that's exactly what it is used for. To overtake, beep beep I'm here. At junctions the same applies everyone beep beeps.
Don't pull out now I'm here beep beep. You are in my way Bleeeeep bleeeep and I wish to pass on the inside or if the obstruction moves over as you begin to undertake Bleeeeeeeeeep and accelerate sharply to get out of the now closing trap. In extreme cases Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep,
Translates as 'you are an idiot didn't you see me? Why didn't you move. You are in my way or STOP now I'm here! Beeep Beeeep Beeep Beeep move over I want to pass.
Traffic travels on the left. Hmmm mostly, it is not in the least unusual to meet a car, bike lorry driving in the wrong direction on a duel carriageway, NEVER assume you have right of way , biggest has unless your a bus then they give way to nobody EVER and this includes at traffic lights.
On the subject of traffic lights, they are in the most part treated as advisory, if the police are there directing then less chaos tends to ensue, however people still ignore the lights and the police and bumble through...........don't they Kris!
The roads.
These range from two lane tarmac with holes to dirt tracks. On my 10K ride to work: Leave on tarmac, turn onto two lane tarmac, then onto one lane broken tarmac with holes 4 inches deep, weave between other bikes and auto rickshaws in the narrow city streets, then dirt then loose stone then dirt again and finally one lane broken tarmac. All corners are best treated as blind with the very real chance of meeting traffic on the wrong side of the road as you round the bend.
Beeeeep at every corner.
Dust makes for a lack of grip similar to melting ice, very fine and very loose, you learn to try and ignore the front wheel moving out, grip with your knees and just give it a bit more grunt to find grip again! Oh lordy it has been a steep learning curve!
You will also please note that I haven't yet mentioned 'natural hazards'. In the UK these might include children at play, old people crossing, some twit on a horse, that sort of thing, not so here. Every junction is a Melee of coming and going a bit like a dance where everyone knows the moves but a few cant dance. Coming at you as you are coming at others weaving beeping dodging and as if by some great miracle most of the time it works beautifully, however it only takes one to mess it all up then its chaos! As one Indian friend said when I asked him how it all worked he replied 'well nobody wants an accident do they'
Other Hazards.
ALL cows have right of way, always even buses dare not hurt them, I have seen a cow resting its head on a bike seat with the owner trying without offending the beast to get it to move. Goats in flocks wander the dual carriageway and side roads, pigs dig in the rubbish and cross the road as they feel. Water buffalo (big beasts) walk sedately along ignoring the world of rushing bikes, cars, buses and trucks about them. Why aren't they run over, well its really very simple and very Indian. The respect for life is part of it but since all are owned by someone compensation must be paid for a beast killed, and then there is the matter of the damage done to your own vehicle, or yourself.
Speed limits are enforced not by the police but by unmarked randomly placed speed humps, many many in and around town hit one too fast and its hang on for dear life. I was following several trucks on the main road and seeing one slowing rapidly (no brake lights of course) pulled out to pass it, beep beep and off I went, I hit the speed hump at about 40k, that's why the truck had jumped on his brakes! On the subject of lights, nobody seems to have brake lights, indicators or a dip beam, although more modern cars and bikes have them, however use is an other matter. At night nobody (if they have lights at all) ever dips.Better to blind oncoming traffic than not see the unlit truck coming the other way in your lane.
Most bikes don't have mirrors, most cars fold them in, weaving can be close!
Road surfaces can be strewn with loose gravel, stone or large rocks placed to mark a particularly bad hole. Pedestrians wander across not looking as if this gives them some mystic protection, occasionally they will glance as they hear a vehicle but that's it, just a glance. Bikes weave about four up with no helmets, the rider chatting on his phone as he dodges another bike that has just pulled out of a side junction and ridden across his path. This is all so very normal, and whats odd is I am becoming used to it, now whilst weaving past another bike and slipping into a gap between auto rickshaws I complain bitterly that the tourists are a pain getting in the way because they don't know the rules..........scary.
The Bike.
Firstly the official comments and stats.
Speed limits are enforced not by the police but by unmarked randomly placed speed humps, many many in and around town hit one too fast and its hang on for dear life. I was following several trucks on the main road and seeing one slowing rapidly (no brake lights of course) pulled out to pass it, beep beep and off I went, I hit the speed hump at about 40k, that's why the truck had jumped on his brakes! On the subject of lights, nobody seems to have brake lights, indicators or a dip beam, although more modern cars and bikes have them, however use is an other matter. At night nobody (if they have lights at all) ever dips.Better to blind oncoming traffic than not see the unlit truck coming the other way in your lane.
Most bikes don't have mirrors, most cars fold them in, weaving can be close!
Road surfaces can be strewn with loose gravel, stone or large rocks placed to mark a particularly bad hole. Pedestrians wander across not looking as if this gives them some mystic protection, occasionally they will glance as they hear a vehicle but that's it, just a glance. Bikes weave about four up with no helmets, the rider chatting on his phone as he dodges another bike that has just pulled out of a side junction and ridden across his path. This is all so very normal, and whats odd is I am becoming used to it, now whilst weaving past another bike and slipping into a gap between auto rickshaws I complain bitterly that the tourists are a pain getting in the way because they don't know the rules..........scary.
The Bike.
Firstly the official comments and stats.
To quote Royal Enfield
'The Classic Desert Storm comes to you with a “sand” paint scheme reminiscent of the war era, a time when Royal Enfield motorcycles proved their capabilities and battle worthiness by impeccable service to soldiers in harsh conditions of the desert. Donning a younger look with styling cues one would expect only from a genuine Royal Enfield: single cylinder air-cooled push rod engine, 1950s style nacelle and toolboxes, traditional paint scheme and buffed engine components, this motorcycle is all set to bring you the pleasures of modern motorcycling while reflecting the aura of eternal classic styling.
'The Classic Desert Storm comes to you with a “sand” paint scheme reminiscent of the war era, a time when Royal Enfield motorcycles proved their capabilities and battle worthiness by impeccable service to soldiers in harsh conditions of the desert. Donning a younger look with styling cues one would expect only from a genuine Royal Enfield: single cylinder air-cooled push rod engine, 1950s style nacelle and toolboxes, traditional paint scheme and buffed engine components, this motorcycle is all set to bring you the pleasures of modern motorcycling while reflecting the aura of eternal classic styling.
Taken from 78 owner feedback forms.
Performance 4.5 Drool Factor 4.4 Ownership Experience 4.4 Handling 4.3 Touring Ability 4.3 Over All 4.38
Tech Details
ENGINE
Type Single Cylinder, 4 stroke,Twin spark
Displacement 499cc
Bore x stroke 84mm x 90mm
Compression Ratio 8.5:1
Maximum Power 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm
Maximum Torque 41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Ignition System Digital Electronic Ignition
Clutch Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox 5 Speed Constant Mesh
Lubrication Wet sump
Engine Oil 15 W 50 API, SL Grade JASO MA
Fuel Supply Keihin Electronic Fuel Injection
Air Cleaner Paper Element
Engine Start Electric/Kick
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
Type Single down tube, using engine as stressed member
Front suspension Telescopic, 35mm forks, 130mm travel
Rear suspension Twin gas charged shock absorbers with 5-step adjustable preload, 80mm travel
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 1370 mm
Ground Clearance 135 mm
Length 2180 mm
Width 800 mm
Height 1080 mm (Domestic) 1050 mm (Export)
Kerb Weight 187 Kg (with 90% Fuel & Oil)
Fuel Capacity 14.5 ± 1 Ltr
BRAKES & TYRES
Tyres Fr. 90/90 - 19(Domestic), 90/90 - 18(Export)
Tyres Rr. 120/80 - 18(Domestic), 110/80 - 18(Export)
Brakes Front 280mm Disc, 2-Piston caliper
Brakes Rear 153mm Drum, Single Lead Internal Expanding
ELECTRICS
Electrical System 12 volt - DC
Battery 12 volt, 14 Ah
Head Lamp 60 W / 55 W, HALOGEN
Tail Lamp 21 W / 5 W
Turn Signal Lamps 21w 4 of
Comments from Indian Bike press
''The up swept muffler, while giving rise to some vibes, especially at idle and the top of the rev range, also seems to liberate a pony or two, as I experienced with the distinctly quicker acceleration off the block and quicker response during roll on speeds''.
Trust me you, if you want a motorcycle that breezes past inclines with an authoritative thump to accompany rather than screaming its bearings off, it is the Royal Enfield UCE500s you should be looking at.
The availability of a diesel car like torque band across the rev range, made the Desert Storm extremely enjoyable on the hills and this is something that Ladakh goers must take note of. Effortless is the word that can sum up the way in which the Desert Storm 500 clambered up inclines with nary a sweat and this torque was indeed what came into play when overtaking later in the day.
And so it goes on, I have only found two negatives but we will come to those presently.
MY Royal Enfield.
Day one of ownership. We went for a short ride out and about just to feel her and grin! Since then much has changed but the grin remains.
Engine.
This is a joy and I think the reason the factory is flooded with orders. The engine is designed by Engines Engineering of Italy, an updated and up spec 500 bullet. Turn on the ignition, a pause, a whir as the injection system comes up to pressure, the red injection light goes out, press the electric start button and the motor turns over with all the assurance of an early aircraft engine, always fires on the second stroke, release starter button blip throttle and switch on the grin.
There is an auto choke that works by ''pull lever to set'' it auto rests as the engine warms up but I have only used it a couple of times on cool mornings. RE riders advise letting the 500 classic warm up for a few moments before riding. I have done it both ways, start and go and a warm up period. Without the warm up the engine feels reluctant to respond to the throttle and has on occasion ''stuttered'' as power is applied. The conclusion is obvious, if you are in a hurry then OK go for it but to get the best from it, from the off give it a warm up, it really is worth it, the reward is smooth seemingly endless power that just eats the local plastic for breakfast. Five gears and plenty of false neutrals are hidden away in that gearbox. To the non bikers out there, a false neutral is what you can fall into between gear changes so instead of going from third to fourth you go third to a ''false'' neutral. The first 100k drove me silly, I just couldn't get it right. In the end I got it, stop trying to ride this as you would a top line Honda or Moto Guzzi, be positive, no gentle pressure as it slips in, no, this gearbox demands you master it, no quarter given 'firm' and decisive is the way, now very very rarely do I miss a change or crunch a gear.
It comes with a heal and toe style change lever so sandals are OK to ride in, remember this is India, most people including me wear sandals.
250k in .........oil on the path where I park it! After a careful feel about found a slight dribble from the gear shift lever ''o'' ring, solution, into the dealer, no hassle changed seal, sorted, job done.
 |
| My favourite shop in all Udaipur! |
Back to the engine:
Power, I think I will say that again it felt so nice, power, oodles of it, in any gear just twist the throttle and the thump gets louder the back end squats and off she goes, no lag or delay. Overtaking is a breeze, remembering all the beeep beeep rules weave out and go, the amount of torque is amazing from a 5oo, max coming in at 4000rpm, yes FOUR thousand rpm. Having spent 50 years riding all sorts of bikes this just feels 'right' no strain or knocking just all that torque poring into your throttle hand. The sound of a five hundred single through what is basically an open pipe is beautiful...it sounds like thunder following just behind you as the speed comes on. Never had a miss fire, twin sparks, fuel injection and electronic timing see to that, the valves stay spot on thanks to being hydraulic so none of those days where you rattle along thinking I must find the time to set them again and no points means the spark always occurs dead on where it should. All of this means that the engine always gives its best. And that best is hard to beat both for performance and economy. Geared for just 130Kph (85mph) pulling away has amazed me, very very quick. I tend to cruise at about 60k on the duel carriageway because most other people do and please remember those hidden humps. On the interstate highways 100-110kph is normal and easily achieved. I don't intend to give the impression that it is in some way a sports bike, it isn't. Its far nearer to a good solid young workhorse than a thoroughbred but when you want it to it can really go, I have surprised a few plastic riders with its zip. 35Kmpl is about what most people get day to day fuel consumption better on a long runs less in and about town where it is all third and forth gear.
Handling
This frame was designed to run on single track roads, twisty and with plenty of chances to run off the road into a ditch. No motorways, but some good ''A'' roads. Yes it was designed to run on UK roads in the fifties.
Back to India: Well other than a slight change in front end geometry it has remained mostly unchanged, and that is a huge plus. It feels stable and secure at walking pace in town traffic or thumping along at 65kph on the open road. Throw it into a curve and it requires that you be positive, almost resisting at first then in it goes completely under control, it also has the ability to change course at a seconds notice should it have to, if you meet someone driving on your side of the road for instance! Front wheel drift in dust can be interesting as the wheel loses some of its grip and moves outwards requiring the rider to lean deeper and apply more power to gain grip on the front wheel, completely contra to instinct that wants you to come up and slow. A lot of the stability comes from gripping with your knees very firmly on the tank pads and trying to relax on the bars at these moments, it takes practise, I'm still practising, every time it happens give me an instant heart rate boost!
As the Desert Storm is also meant to be able to handle the dirt roads of Rajasthan it is slightly higher off the ground than the traditional RE Classic and has an up swept exhaust to help avoid the rocks. Suspension is great the tele's on the front are soft enough to soak up bumps but not soggy I have wondered about a fork brace as there is only a single disc at work. The rear springing is the usual gas / spring set up and they do work, mine I keep on full soft as I like to feel the back end. The seat is also sprung giving great comfort to the rider, although there is some talk among the long distance tourer types that the springs go soft and that gives you back pain. In fact the advice is to fit a non sprung seat and lower the handle bars for more long distance comfort. Grip from the tyres is ok for town use and the dirt roads but not in sand or deep dust/stone etc, there are some very nice heavy tread tyres available though to do just that job.
Next year God willing I am riding in the Royal Enfield Tour of Rajasthan, solo's only because of the rough terrain and sand, I will be fitting new tyres for that.Brakes
Here we come to one of those negatives I mentioned. The front has a really good, if a little grabby disc, learn to be gentle with it and it rewards you with a really good stopper. If only I could say the same of the rear set up.A single leading shoe! Last time I saw one of these on a road bike it was about 1985, not only is it an old design but it doesn't even work as well as it should. I have found myself really standing on it to get a brake, two up its a joke! All I can say of it is that it helps with stability under braking.
Solution; a rear disc setup. RE seem to agree as there is a conversion coming I'm told
Put me down for one of those please!
Electrics
Here is the other of my two negatives, in the main all fairly normal, good starter motor, excellent lights from the big QH headlamp. Switches are big and easy to use they all seem to be in the 'right' place as well. Needless to say it has twin horns operated by the biggest of the switches just under your left thumb.
One small annoyance though, it wont start unless you are in neutral with the clutch disengaged, a bit of a pain if you stall it off road, most bikes work the opposite allowing you to start as long as the clutch is engaged. Stall, pull in clutch, re start, oh so simple. RE have to be different why?? Really, why!! I feel a rewire coming on!
Build Quality
The RE motto is ''built like a gun'' it should read built like a tank!
Really solid build throughout. I was hit from behind in Udaipur City by an auto rickshaw, his bumper fell off as I was shunted forwards a few feet, damage, a bent number plate that I took off beat flat again and put some paint on!
I really like all the lockable boxes that are dotted about, three plus filter box. I have added a tool bag as the toolbox as supplied was very tight even before I added the extras I felt I should carry. As an advantage this gives me room for a power socket for the satellite navigation system where the tools used to be. This is a massive country and we want to see some of it so the Sat nav is vital.
For some reason the chrome parts seem to be chromed then welded then sprayed with chrome paint over the weld, very odd. Details can let it down, no 'c' spanner to adjust the rear suspension.
The paint is classic Matt sand and is very well applied but again its the details, bolts tightened up against the paint with no washer to prevent the paint from damage from the spanner and bolt head.
A sari guard that In India is a must for the ladies who ride side saddle but I hate it, this is one part that has an appointment with a disc cutter!down. This guy was having a bad day!
Loose electrical spade connections, one fell off the bulb as I removed the headlamp to change the peak, all it needed was a tweak with some pliers to solve it so why was it left as it was?
Again thank you Voyage Motors.
Overall
Grin factor 10 I have been collecting flies in my teeth since I first rode it.
Handling 9 have to lose a point for inability to handle off road conditions unless you upgrade the tyres,but not many RE riders go where I will be going so this is may be a little unfair.
Engine 10 cant fault it, Italian redesign of a classic motor, love it.
Brakes 6 I wish I could give more but that useless rear brake ruins a score that was looking good
Electrics 8 loses one for the stupid start in neutral only joke, and one for loose connections.
Value for money 10 Under two grand for a brand new 500cc motorcycle on the road, cant fault that.
Build quality 8 good and solid well built but let down by details.
Head turner 10 I have had people on bikes at the lights stop and reach out to shake my hand, .........................congratulations they say its the new Royal Enfield, every Indian mans dream bike!
MAX SCORE 80
ACTUAL SCORE 71
In Conclusion.
 |
| After market tool bag |
I hope I have satisfied all those that asked questions about the Royal Enfield Desert Storm. During this review I have really tried to be objective and honest and I think I have succeeded in giving a fair overview of MY bike. Yes it has a few problems, what bike hasn't the brakes and silly clutch switch, both solvable.
I have added to the basic bike; indicator peaks to match the headlamp, a tool bag, front crash bars, side decals, home made number plate, higher rear backrest for Kris, coming soon rack and steel panier's.
 |
| Really solidly built bars, nice style and strong, fitted by Voyage Motors.. |
 |
| Taller backrest from another model of RE fitted by Voyage Motors |
 |
| After market peak with RE logo. |
 |
| Note the Welsh dragons and Royal Enfield Decal, black painted brass rubbed back to pick out the wording. |
Decals now on both sides and the front mudguard.
Final word.
I LOVE IT! Its a great bike, great value for money and great fun to ride. Would I have bought it knowing all I now know? No question about it, a big big YES!
Chris Hyde March 2013.
Well there is so much more I want to say but I have to stop or this will never be published!
This is a time of joy for us as well as a time of continued adjustment, the temp is rising, the town seems full of tourists trying not to die in the heat 36degC today and we were out in the country side North of here where it was even hotter, felt great to get out of the desert region and back into the cool of Udaipur!
Well, from us to you, may God Bless you and keep you safe.
Chris and Kris
I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic of Complex sentences you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely.
ReplyDelete