Old biker here, with a little insight for the newer riders; When you can see your shadow ahead of you, it means that the setting sun is shining in the eyes of oncoming traffic. Assume NO ONE can see you when you they have the sun in their eyes. When you DO get out there on the highways, ALWAYS avoid cruising in other vehicle’s blind spots at all costs. Keep it slow, and enjoy the ride! 😎
Excellent advice.. to which I would add. When riding down a mtn road from shadows to light towards the setting sun and the sun's wreaking havok with your face shield and sunglasses, don't assume the road is where you think it is should be. 😐
I know exactly what you mean about your early concerns out in the towns and interstates. I've been riding off and on now for over 50 years and I still get the "jitters" in heavy traffic. It will get better, but you have to always keep an eye out for idiots, that's something you will always have to do. Just stick at it, it really does get better. It's just the same here in the UK !
I've noticed improvement since posting this video. I always assume when someone is approaching an intersection that they will blow through the stop sign or light.
Congrats on passing the MSF, grabbing an RE Int650 & slowly building skills. I'm not new, but had severe lung cancer so it's like starting all over again! I feel tentative riding still. We'll get there!!!
Good vid. Always good to see new people taking up the hobby, and even better to see such a sensible approach, ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time), riding on roads you know etc. My advice (for what it is worth) is to ride as often as possible 'cos 1) it improves your skills steadily rather than occasional rides which mean you get rusty (You did address this) and 2) It's FUN! Enjoy your bike and keep the shiny side up and the rubber down!
Insightful, some useful information here. I am a brand new rider, just passed my MSF course and looking to buy an RE Int650 as my first bike. Cool to see someone else do the same thing!
Great vid! As a new rider, did you feel that the interceptor was a little too much bike for you? As far as weight and power? I'm new and looking at the Royal Enfields and I want an Interceptor but wondering if one of the 350s would be smarter for my abilities (and my wallet).
@@marcusgraci9027 My number one recommendation is take a beginner riding course if you haven't yet. I don't think it's too much power. My main concern was being able to ride highway speeds when I was ready to. I was worried about a 350 being able to consistently cruise at 65+ mph. Some people say they're capable and others have said that's the top end of the bike. I didn't want to outgrow the bike quickly. It's not built with the same sort of power you'd get from a 650 sports bike where a twist of the wrist sends you off to the races. As for price/budget we're getting close to a good time to buy a bike. I saw some good prices on RE bikes at the end of the riding season. Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to help.
Regarding removing the valve cover: First remove both horns, and then (with fuel tank removed) loosen the allen bolts that hold down the ABS junction box. Lift up the box and with some small pieces of wood wedge it so it remains lifted. Now you should have plenty of room to remove the valve cover. Take the small extra time to do these things and you can easily have the satisfaction of adjusting your own tappets and avoiding the dealership $hassle$. Actually, especially compared to the 1971 bikes I started out with, your Royal Enfield has a LOT of tech: ABS front and rear, EFI, electronic ignition, automatic overhead cam chain tensioner, O-ring sealed final drive chain. I could go on...
When I was doing the valves I did end up removing the left side horn, loosen the ABS etc. The difficulty removing the top cover is there seems to be a sweet spot that allows it to slide out. Finding that sweet spot was the difficulty. I suppose that is true compared to older bikes of the 70s!
@@interceptor_moto Remove both horns with horn brackets (allows moving cover forward a bit for removal). Also move the air injection hose out of the way. Remove all ABS module bolts and assure you lift the ABS unit as high as you can before wedging up with wood. I don't recall a problem when doing this. A friend and I had identical 1971 Honda CB450s. We took a road trip from Michigan to St. Louis to Houston to New Orleans and back to Michigan. Lots of 75-80 mph highway miles (easy 105+ mph). The bikes never skipped a beat and were more than up to the task. At that time 650-750cc were essentially the biggest displacement available and considered Superbikes! A 175cc was a beginner bike, not 650cc.
Old biker here, with a little insight for the newer riders;
When you can see your shadow ahead of you, it means that the setting sun is shining in the eyes of oncoming traffic.
Assume NO ONE can see you when you they have the sun in their eyes.
When you DO get out there on the highways, ALWAYS avoid cruising in other vehicle’s blind spots at all costs.
Keep it slow, and enjoy the ride! 😎
All of this! Well said. New'ish rider here with a '72 Honda CL350! Enjoying her after just passing the safety inspection, registration and MSF course!
Thanks for the advice and good bit about the sun! Stay safe out there!
Excellent advice.. to which I would add. When riding down a mtn road from shadows to light towards the setting sun and the sun's wreaking havok with your face shield and sunglasses, don't assume the road is where you think it is should be. 😐
@@pujabelgian
I think you may have been riding as long as I have? 😎
Old Bikers Rule!
Thanks for the valuable tip. ✓
I know exactly what you mean about your early concerns out in the towns and interstates. I've been riding off and on now for over 50 years and I still get the "jitters" in heavy traffic. It will get better, but you have to always keep an eye out for idiots, that's something you will always have to do. Just stick at it, it really does get better. It's just the same here in the UK !
I've noticed improvement since posting this video. I always assume when someone is approaching an intersection that they will blow through the stop sign or light.
Congrats on passing the MSF, grabbing an RE Int650 & slowly building skills. I'm not new, but had severe lung cancer so it's like starting all over again!
I feel tentative riding still. We'll get there!!!
Thanks! Way to get back out there! Stay safe and happy riding!
Good vid. Always good to see new people taking up the hobby, and even better to see such a sensible approach, ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time), riding on roads you know etc. My advice (for what it is worth) is to ride as often as possible 'cos 1) it improves your skills steadily rather than occasional rides which mean you get rusty (You did address this) and 2) It's FUN! Enjoy your bike and keep the shiny side up and the rubber down!
Thanks for taking time to watch and I appreciate the advice! How many years have you been riding?
@@interceptor_moto About 30 years on and off - all in the UK.
@@andytopley314 That's incredible! Happy riding and stay safe out there!
Insightful, some useful information here. I am a brand new rider, just passed my MSF course and looking to buy an RE Int650 as my first bike. Cool to see someone else do the same thing!
@@thaspunone In the short time I've had it, it's been a fantastic bike!
Great vid! As a new rider, did you feel that the interceptor was a little too much bike for you? As far as weight and power? I'm new and looking at the Royal Enfields and I want an Interceptor but wondering if one of the 350s would be smarter for my abilities (and my wallet).
@@marcusgraci9027 My number one recommendation is take a beginner riding course if you haven't yet.
I don't think it's too much power. My main concern was being able to ride highway speeds when I was ready to. I was worried about a 350 being able to consistently cruise at 65+ mph. Some people say they're capable and others have said that's the top end of the bike. I didn't want to outgrow the bike quickly. It's not built with the same sort of power you'd get from a 650 sports bike where a twist of the wrist sends you off to the races.
As for price/budget we're getting close to a good time to buy a bike. I saw some good prices on RE bikes at the end of the riding season.
Let me know if you have any other questions and I'll do my best to help.
Regarding removing the valve cover: First remove both horns, and then (with fuel tank removed) loosen the allen bolts that hold down the ABS junction box. Lift up the box and with some small pieces of wood wedge it so it remains lifted. Now you should have plenty of room to remove the valve cover. Take the small extra time to do these things and you can easily have the satisfaction of adjusting your own tappets and avoiding the dealership $hassle$. Actually, especially compared to the 1971 bikes I started out with, your Royal Enfield has a LOT of tech: ABS front and rear, EFI, electronic ignition, automatic overhead cam chain tensioner, O-ring sealed final drive chain. I could go on...
When I was doing the valves I did end up removing the left side horn, loosen the ABS etc. The difficulty removing the top cover is there seems to be a sweet spot that allows it to slide out. Finding that sweet spot was the difficulty. I suppose that is true compared to older bikes of the 70s!
@@interceptor_moto Remove both horns with horn brackets (allows moving cover forward a bit for removal). Also move the air injection hose out of the way. Remove all ABS module bolts and assure you lift the ABS unit as high as you can before wedging up with wood. I don't recall a problem when doing this. A friend and I had identical 1971 Honda CB450s. We took a road trip from Michigan to St. Louis to Houston to New Orleans and back to Michigan. Lots of 75-80 mph highway miles (easy 105+ mph). The bikes never skipped a beat and were more than up to the task. At that time 650-750cc were essentially the biggest displacement available and considered Superbikes! A 175cc was a beginner bike, not 650cc.