My first 500 KM..
Two months ago, I actually didn't know how to ride a bike. The last time I rode a cycle was back in 2009 and then some 6 months ago I tried bike riding in my cousin's bike; but never rode fully. I had booked my bike some 6 months back and since the waiting period was 8 months, I had planned everything at the end of the waiting period. Then all of a sudden I got a call from them saying the bike is ready to pick up. It wasn't just a sweet surprise, but I was worried since I had no idea about how to ride. And one friday, it finally came. My cousin brought the bike to my home, as I still didn't know how to ride it. Started as a rookie, now I consider myself as an intermediate rider.
I have had my highs and lows in the first 500 KM itself. Practiced on the bike for the first week and built my confidence. Once that was done, it was time to take it on a long drive. As my Royal Enfield Thunderbird is build mainly for long drives, I wanted to try it out on a high ways. Pushed a few of my friends and planned out a one day trip to Nandi hills. The ride was not just a hell awesome ride, but was a good learning for me. Took a lot of lessons from that trip and grew a bit more as a rider. From that point on my confidence was raising exponentially, till I had that one fall. Now comes the only low that I had till now. I fell off, it was not such a big accident as my bike took more damage and my helmet saved me. That's where in I had a dip in my confidence and from that point on I became more of a careful rider. Took the bike to office for the first time and I have to say that the ride was not so nice as the traffic killed all the enjoyment and I had to ride mostly on the 2nd gear. Well all in all I had a great experience in the first 500 KM itself.
The bike behaved well all the way, never had any major concern about it. There are a few annoying things, one of which is the horn. The horn is really low for a 350cc bike. Then the weight of the bike on the whole. If you have a broken ankle, then the bike feels really really heavy. Other than this, it is a sweet demon. It just gives you respect everywhere you take it. People still ask about the bike, in every traffic signal I stop.
Love and pride is what I have for my Thunderbird and Respect is what I get back... :)
(I have put this blog post for "The Castrol Power1 Bikers Code" contest in IndiBlog www.facebook.com/CastrolBiking)
Mine was still worse!
ReplyDeleteIt's a certainly a sweet demon! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I do ride a Thunderbird TS and am a member of a Mumbai based Bullet Club.
I feel you love long rides, do join some club...you will sure have great time riding and learning the Mean Indian Machine called Bullet :)
Yes, I love this bike and I love to ride... Will think about joining a club... :)
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteThis is Anaa, writing to you on behalf of Castrol Power 1. In a once in a lifetime opportunity filled with thrill and acceleration, we are choosing 7 lucky winners as Castrol Power Bikers who get to go on an adventurous road trip sponsored by Castrol Power 1. It’s going to be a journey driven by fuel, excitement, exhilaration and adrenaline.
Bikers need to submit a thrilling story of their road trip through the Facebook application http://on.fb.me/CastrolPowerBiker and get their friends and biker gangs to vote for them. Contestants will be shortlisted on the basis of number of votes received as well as through the decision of a panel of expert bikers.
25 finalists will be selected from the applicants after which a final of 7 winners will be declared on the 19th of June. These 7 lucky bikers get a chance to let loose, accelerate and ride into the wind down the road of their choice for a thrill that they will never forget.
We know that your blog is a great platform to connect with a lot of ardent bikers who follow it dedicatedly and it would be fantastic if you could help us spread the message about this thrilling chance. The passion of your blogs is a definite reflection of your love for the wheels and we know that you're also pumped at the idea of this road trip. So do submit some of your great stories and you may just find yourself kicking the side stand after all.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cheers!