The V comes home!

For Over 3 years i had been saving money to buy a “better” bike than the Royal Enfield. Which one? .. big question. Which one? ..

I was waiting, and waiting for the Adventure 390 to  come. Having ridden the KTM390 and liking it expect for its tiny size for my overly large frame. Then the Himalayan came, but after taking it for one short test ride by renting it on wicked ride, I was disappointed. The Buffeting was horrible, as the wind hits me in the neck at speeds about 70kmh.

The heat from the engine in thick traffic was pretty unbearable and the notchy gearbox didn’t make me very happy either.

The Benelli was to come up with Trek502, which was about 4L .. but that wasn’t yet on the horizon.

Then news of the BMW GS310, was forthcoming but that also been shelved. and then December 2015 happened. 

December 2015, was a life changer for me. 

Having ridden the Enfields’ for over 1,50,000 kms across the country on various rides, I rented a Kawasaki Ninja 650 for this years “Christmas and New Years Ride” to welcome 2016. 

We rode from Bangalore – Sirumalai-Rameshwaram-Trivandrum-Vagamon-Valparai-Kanthaloor-Kolli Hills-Bangalore. Over 2000 Kms in all. 

We brought in New years at Kolli Hills, with a ride up the 70 hair pin bends, it was a beautiful ride. 

The Ninja 650 took me into the world of Middleweight “super” bikes. For the first three days that bike was pretty uncomfortable. Soon enough i was riding it with as much confidence, as if its what i was riding regularly.

The bike is forgiving and easy to ride and the torque on it was so good that even in the 6th gear it would go from 40 to 140 with ease!

I was soon able to keep pace with two tigers, and Bhelpuri (although he was on a Himalayan, and riding the devil out of it)

Soon after, I found it difficult to ride “long” distances on the Enfield 500, and got me thinking to upgrade. The only options I had were The Kawasaki Versys 650, the Triumph Tiger 800.  The Harleys are not my cup of tea at all and the Hyosung and Benellis dont have a stellar reputation regarding spares and service. The Triumph bonnevilles were nice to look at, but again for my height they were not very comfortable. The nakes sports bikes, again was not something i considered to be in “my league” yet!

The Tiger is an absolutely wonderful bike, it can go anywhere, and has the tech to take it far, with the speed and comfort you’d expect from something costing 15L!! .. 

But I wanted a bike that:

1. Could be a comfortable ride in the city and the highway
2. Have a bullet proof engine
3. That can go as easily on the road, the semi-off road, and the city 
4. I could ride everyday, and maintain easily without too much hassle
5. Not cost too much, and something i can use for 5-6 years and then sell easily!
6. I could ride it for work, for the weekend, not worry about good road, bad road, no road. Speed breakers and potholes easily taken care of.
7. Has ABS. 

The Versys fit this bill perfectly and at 8L on road, could do everything a Tiger could do, more-or-less.. for a lot less money!

Having convinced myself, I convinced Preeti as well. Or atleast, had her “half convinced”. The Bullet 500 i was hoping to sell for around 130,000/-

The 350 has still a lot of life left in it for many more years and still leaves a smile on my face in short rides to the office and around the house. 

Thats Pankaj Jathar, from this new biking group titled “Ministry of Torque”, that I am now part of. Most ride super bikes, but there are others with bullets, Dominars and Pulsars as well who are part of this. 

Didnt tell my closest friends about booking the bike, as they had already expressed more than once their displeasure about my biking . Even after delivery, their response was quite stone cold.

Preeti was to come as well for the delivery, this being really my “FIRST” bike i paid for with my savings… she couldnt make it due to the maid not coming and Ishaan being unwell so it was just me at the showroom! 

 

Took it home and made dad sit on it. He seemed happy, and mum was excited as well. But later on some of his messages on whatsapp left me quite disappointed on his view of my “value” of money.

Bought and fixed Paint protect film, engine guard and radiator guard for it immediately. Bought Frame Sliders / Axle sliders and the top case mount made by another Versys owner -Srivatsa Bhargav. Very reasonably priced and good quality items!.

The bike needs upgraded lights and aux lights very badly! apart from the no other change needed so far. 

Took The bike for a “run in” to Goa. 1st service being 1000kms away. Was joined by my friend, and my CA, Siddharth Javalli on his dominar 400. 

That story, and journey post is coming up later!!

Its been 3 weeks now since i got the bike, and have racked up 1800km so far. A lot more accessories to fit, and the lights problem yet to resolve.. but this is by far the easiest and most comfortable bike i have ridden so far!