Yes. Nitrogen(dry nitrogen) is ideal for tubeless tyres that we have on the 450. It is less likely to escape through the tyre rubber when compared to oxygen and exhibits low pressure changes with temperature fluctuations. This helps with better range and reduces tyre maintenance costs.
For normal day to day riding in city, it doesn’t affect much. At best, the tyre pressure loss would be slow. Nitrogen filling is more beneficial for heavy vehicles (trucks, buses, mining industry) and high speed (read racing) applications. But don’t take my word for it, here’s an excerpt from Continental tyres website.
More than filling nitrogen, what is important that you regularly check and maintain the right tyre pressure.
" Is Nitrogen Right For Me?
For normal everyday consumer tire service applications, nitrogen tire inflation is not required.
However, nitrogen tire inflation does not harm tires and may marginally contribute to reductions in tire inflation loss by permeation. Nevertheless, nitrogen will not prevent any tire inflation loss caused by punctures, tire/rim interface (bead) leaks, valve leaks, valve/rim interface leaks, wheel leaks, and other mechanical leaks. Again, the use of nitrogen alone does not substitute for the importance of regularly checking tire inflation pressure. If the tire inflation pressure is below the pressure specified on the vehicle placard, the tire must be re-inflated – whether with air or nitrogen – to the proper inflation pressure. Do not operate tires underinflated and/or overloaded (see your vehicle owner’s manual for tire inflation and max load recommendations)."
Took the delivery of the bike on March 7th. First thing that hits you is the silence when you start the bike. Only way to know it is on is when you see the Green color “MOTOR ON” on you dash board. First ride experience was extremely satisfying.
The distance was about 13 KM from Indiranagar to Seshadripuram. The attention that you get on the road is crazy people which bike is it, company name, Why is it so expensive, how much time do you need to charge it, what is the mileage that you get per charge.
So, talking about the ride quality and power and braking.
Ride quality
The suspension is good. It handles the bumps and pot holes well. Even with a Pelion rider the ride quality was good.
Power
Every time I accelerate there is a huge smile on my face. The acceleration from 0-50 is effortless and I have even tried to see what the top speed was on the on a straight stretch. Reached up to 90Km/ph. The power output is linear, the initial pick up is because of the torque is fantastic.
Braking
Both the disks work great and stopping is good. Rear brake has a lot more bite than the front. Applying it together stops the bike where you need to stop.
Ergonomics
I am 5’6” and I can keep both my foot on the floor with ease and seat is well cushioned one does not feel the pain in the butt when sitting for a long distance.
The dash board is easily visible while riding when the maps are ON. But the switches are not like in other bikes, but it is only in time once you get used to it then no issues at all.
Pro’s
Handling of the bike it is very nimble to move around in Bangalore traffic.
Power delivery is linear.
Braking is good.
Ergonomics of the bike is fantastic.
Dashboard is informational and useful.
Google maps and rerouting when you change the route works well.
Con’s
Please work on the mirror visibility. The design of the mirrors is good but of no use at all. Only thing that is visible is me and nothing behind me.
I am getting a weird sound when I apply the rear brake. Who can help me on the same?
And when I go over the speed breaker I feel a jerk from the rear as if there is something that is moving.
Also, the initial acceleration gives a different sound than the later one?
I was told that there will be an auto cutoff once the battery is full, but I saw that the light was glowing even after the bike was fully charged?
As the bike is full white and is prone to scratches. I have got the whole thing wrapped with 3M transparent wrap. Will share my experience and pics in the next post.
Time taken – they started at 11 in the morning and did the finishing touch at 4 PM. It is really time consuming and lot of patients and effort is required.
Good. It should not be like Corning Gorilla Glass. It’ll be strong when they show against knife, hammer all sort of things but it will get scratches when kept in pant pockets with keychain and small dust