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Hello PetrolHeads,
Prelude: In 2001 after my graduation my dad got me a splendor and it was the most comfy bike for me back then. Used to ride it like a cycle, was so easy and never had any major accidents. Couple of years into owning a splendor, I had to leave the country for further studies and came back to India in July 2008.
My dad had by then sold the splendor and was badly in need of a bike so booked a Honda Unicorn without much consideration, didnt even test drive it. My dad had to use his political influence get it delivered within 2 weeks(while the waiting period was more than 3 months).
Took delivery and from the get go I didnt enjoy the drive. In 18 months of ownership I had driven a bare 1000kms, all the time using the car to get around even the corner stores. My initial feel was the clutch was tight and my hands were in pain even after a short drive. End of story.
My wife wanted an activa, so sold the unicorn for 55k and booked activa. Drove the activa for 3 weeks from home to office and back but my back started aching after taking the activa for the longest drive. Velachery - parrys (around 40kms to and fro). Back taking the car for everything.
Recently went to Vijayawada (Machlipatnam) to witness the birth of a close friends first child. He had a Teal Green classic 500 with 3k on the odo. Took it for a spin and loved it but I didnt want to make the same mistake. So I planned for a short drive around the coast of machlipatman. Drove around 160 kms that day in various road/no-road conditions and was very comfortable for me.
The Saga: Came back from AP and took a look at the royal enflied site and loved the military green. Called the dealer(RE Brand Store, OMR) but he said the green is not for sale in India. Also like the DS so told him I will come tomorrow to book.
OCT, 6th 2001: Called Kamal Pandey(Incharge for the OMR store) and confirmed that he is available and went to book around 3pm with a friend. When I first looked at the DS on display, I didnt take my eyes off for the next 30 seconds. Kamal was telling me the specs but was all blanks for me. It was amazing, It was nothing else I have seen already. I have seen a lot of bullets in movies/neighbours but my AP friend was the first friend who had a bullet and that was first time I was driving. Now seeing DS was like an another experience.
Spent the next half hour listening to Kamal explaining the features and the specs. He was very courteous and explained every single question silly or otherwise with patience. Now he wanted to start the paperwork. I wanted to sit on the bike for some pics. He didnt mind and I kicked it and even used ES. Took it off the center stand and started the bullet...It ROARED (Closed space ?)
So now the paper work started. WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING TO BOOK A BULLET. He treated me like some guy who came to book the new Audi/BMW. Totaly awesome. The owner booklet was also very smooth and classy. He took my personal details, collected the 1000Rs and gave me a questionnaire. Happily filled everything and came home anxious.
Posted the above pics on my FB and was happy to hear everyone congratulate me and say how the bullet looks awesome. 15 mins after posting the pic, got 6 phone calls from friends and their friends asking abt the specs of the bullet. Shared it with glee. All of a sudden, I am mini celebrity now.
Everyday at work, spent most of my free time reading thru posts about bullet on teambhp, bcmtouring and xbhp. All my collegues wanted to know my fascination abt the bullet. Eventhough there were lots of reasons I told them only one thing "gethu la" (means prestige in colloquial tamil).
When I went for booking the bullet Kamal did not even have a single TEST RIDE bullet at the OMR store and also he did not mention that there is an option to book a test ride for a weekend. I came to know abt 2 weeks after I booked and called Kamal Immediately to let him know my disappointment. Next day he called me with a test drive vehicle. A 20k on the odo teal green classic 500.
Happily took it home saturday evening only to find that the wheel alignment was total not right. When I hold her straight, it always went to my left. So drove it on the local streets, added 50kms on the odo and returned it monday morning.
Thatz my brother on the bullet. Now its 29th OCTOBER 2011.
Time to go home now. Will post the rest tomorrow.
Btw I booked on oct-6th and got it delivered nov 22'd. The expected delivery date Kamal wrote on the booklet was May 2012
)
Sorry for the long post. Sunny expected an essay and here it is)
Thanks,
Nags
Prelude: In 2001 after my graduation my dad got me a splendor and it was the most comfy bike for me back then. Used to ride it like a cycle, was so easy and never had any major accidents. Couple of years into owning a splendor, I had to leave the country for further studies and came back to India in July 2008.
My dad had by then sold the splendor and was badly in need of a bike so booked a Honda Unicorn without much consideration, didnt even test drive it. My dad had to use his political influence get it delivered within 2 weeks(while the waiting period was more than 3 months).
Took delivery and from the get go I didnt enjoy the drive. In 18 months of ownership I had driven a bare 1000kms, all the time using the car to get around even the corner stores. My initial feel was the clutch was tight and my hands were in pain even after a short drive. End of story.
My wife wanted an activa, so sold the unicorn for 55k and booked activa. Drove the activa for 3 weeks from home to office and back but my back started aching after taking the activa for the longest drive. Velachery - parrys (around 40kms to and fro). Back taking the car for everything.
Recently went to Vijayawada (Machlipatnam) to witness the birth of a close friends first child. He had a Teal Green classic 500 with 3k on the odo. Took it for a spin and loved it but I didnt want to make the same mistake. So I planned for a short drive around the coast of machlipatman. Drove around 160 kms that day in various road/no-road conditions and was very comfortable for me.
The Saga: Came back from AP and took a look at the royal enflied site and loved the military green. Called the dealer(RE Brand Store, OMR) but he said the green is not for sale in India. Also like the DS so told him I will come tomorrow to book.
OCT, 6th 2001: Called Kamal Pandey(Incharge for the OMR store) and confirmed that he is available and went to book around 3pm with a friend. When I first looked at the DS on display, I didnt take my eyes off for the next 30 seconds. Kamal was telling me the specs but was all blanks for me. It was amazing, It was nothing else I have seen already. I have seen a lot of bullets in movies/neighbours but my AP friend was the first friend who had a bullet and that was first time I was driving. Now seeing DS was like an another experience.
Spent the next half hour listening to Kamal explaining the features and the specs. He was very courteous and explained every single question silly or otherwise with patience. Now he wanted to start the paperwork. I wanted to sit on the bike for some pics. He didnt mind and I kicked it and even used ES. Took it off the center stand and started the bullet...It ROARED (Closed space ?)
So now the paper work started. WHAT AN AMAZING FEELING TO BOOK A BULLET. He treated me like some guy who came to book the new Audi/BMW. Totaly awesome. The owner booklet was also very smooth and classy. He took my personal details, collected the 1000Rs and gave me a questionnaire. Happily filled everything and came home anxious.
Posted the above pics on my FB and was happy to hear everyone congratulate me and say how the bullet looks awesome. 15 mins after posting the pic, got 6 phone calls from friends and their friends asking abt the specs of the bullet. Shared it with glee. All of a sudden, I am mini celebrity now.
Everyday at work, spent most of my free time reading thru posts about bullet on teambhp, bcmtouring and xbhp. All my collegues wanted to know my fascination abt the bullet. Eventhough there were lots of reasons I told them only one thing "gethu la" (means prestige in colloquial tamil).
When I went for booking the bullet Kamal did not even have a single TEST RIDE bullet at the OMR store and also he did not mention that there is an option to book a test ride for a weekend. I came to know abt 2 weeks after I booked and called Kamal Immediately to let him know my disappointment. Next day he called me with a test drive vehicle. A 20k on the odo teal green classic 500.
Happily took it home saturday evening only to find that the wheel alignment was total not right. When I hold her straight, it always went to my left. So drove it on the local streets, added 50kms on the odo and returned it monday morning.
Thatz my brother on the bullet. Now its 29th OCTOBER 2011.
Time to go home now. Will post the rest tomorrow.
Btw I booked on oct-6th and got it delivered nov 22'd. The expected delivery date Kamal wrote on the booklet was May 2012
)Sorry for the long post. Sunny expected an essay and here it is
)Thanks,
Nags
and my dad owns a activa,I use to take my splendor for long drives and I was very attached to it so when it got stolen i was very dissapointed and i had no choice but to use my dad's activa but its not good for long rides, even I am considering to buy the ROYAL ENFIELD CLASSIC 350 and will be booking it in a few days the only problem is that the waiting period is of 8-10 months over here in mumbai.
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